Gold and Silver overhauled Pokémon evolution. On top of levels and stones, you can now evolve your Pokémon through happiness, the time of day, stats or an item held during a trade. Here are all the methods, with the Pokémon concerned.
What’s new in the second generation
Happiness
Some Pokémon evolve when they adore you: Togepi, Pichu, Cleffa, Igglybuff, Golbat, Chansey and Eevee. Happiness rises when you walk, level up, use vitamins, or visit the barber or groomer, and drops when the Pokémon faints.
Time of day
When it adores you, Eevee becomes Espeon if it levels up during the day (4 am to 6 pm) and Umbreon at night (6 pm to 4 am). It is the series’ first evolution tied to the clock.
Stats
At level 20, Tyrogue becomes Hitmonlee if its Attack is higher than its Defense, Hitmonchan in the opposite case, and Hitmontop if they are equal.
Held item
Traded while holding a specific item, a Pokémon evolves: Metal Coat, King’s Rock, Dragon Scale or Up-Grade.
Level evolutions of the new Pokémon
| Pokémon | Evolution | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Chikorita | Bayleef, then Meganium | 16, then 32 |
| Cyndaquil | Quilava, then Typhlosion | 14, then 36 |
| Totodile | Croconaw, then Feraligatr | 18, then 30 |
| Sentret | Furret | 15 |
| Hoothoot | Noctowl | 20 |
| Ledyba | Ledian | 18 |
| Spinarak | Ariados | 22 |
| Chinchou | Lanturn | 27 |
| Natu | Xatu | 25 |
| Mareep | Flaaffy, then Ampharos | 15, then 30 |
| Marill | Azumarill | 18 |
| Hoppip | Skiploom, then Jumpluff | 18, then 27 |
| Wooper | Quagsire | 20 |
| Pineco | Forretress | 31 |
| Snubbull | Granbull | 23 |
| Teddiursa | Ursaring | 30 |
| Slugma | Magcargo | 38 |
| Swinub | Piloswine | 33 |
| Remoraid | Octillery | 25 |
| Houndour | Houndoom | 24 |
| Phanpy | Donphan | 25 |
| Larvitar | Pupitar, then Tyranitar | 30, then 55 |
| Smoochum, Elekid, Magby | Jynx, Electabuzz, Magmar | 30 |
| Tyrogue | Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan or Hitmontop | 20 (depending on stats) |
Evolution by happiness
| Pokémon | Evolution | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Pichu | Pikachu | High happiness, on level-up |
| Cleffa | Clefairy | High happiness |
| Igglybuff | Jigglypuff | High happiness |
| Togepi | Togetic | High happiness |
| Golbat | Crobat | High happiness |
| Chansey | Blissey | High happiness |
| Eevee | Espeon | High happiness, during the day |
| Eevee | Umbreon | High happiness, at night |
Evolution by stone
| Stone | Pokémon |
|---|---|
| Sun Stone (new) | Sunkern into Sunflora, Gloom into Bellossom |
| Moon Stone | Nidorina, Nidorino, Clefairy, Jigglypuff |
| Fire Stone | Vulpix, Growlithe, Eevee (Flareon) |
| Water Stone | Poliwhirl (Poliwrath), Shellder, Staryu, Eevee (Vaporeon) |
| Thunderstone | Pikachu, Eevee (Jolteon) |
| Leaf Stone | Gloom (Vileplume), Weepinbell, Exeggcute |
Evolution by trade
| Pokémon traded | Held item | Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, Haunter | None | Alakazam, Machamp, Golem, Gengar |
| Onix | Metal Coat | Steelix |
| Scyther | Metal Coat | Scizor |
| Poliwhirl | King’s Rock | Politoed |
| Slowpoke | King’s Rock | Slowking |
| Seadra | Dragon Scale | Kingdra |
| Porygon | Up-Grade | Porygon2 |
The Day-Care babies
Seven second-generation Pokémon are the “babies” of older Pokémon and can only hatch from an Egg: Pichu, Cleffa, Igglybuff, Smoochum, Elekid, Magby and Tyrogue. Leave the corresponding evolution at the Day-Care with a compatible partner (or Ditto). Full details in our guide The Day-Care, Eggs and Baby Pokémon.
