Stop Evolution In Pokémon: A Comprehensive Guide

Have you ever been in a situation in a Pokémon game where your beloved Pokémon is about to evolve, but you're just not ready for the change? Maybe you love its current form, or perhaps you're waiting for it to learn a specific move before evolving. Whatever the reason, the Pokémon games offer a way to prevent evolution, giving you more control over your team's growth. This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of canceling an evolution in a Pokémon game, ensuring you have all the knowledge you need to make the best decisions for your team. Let's dive in, guys, and explore how to keep your Pokémon exactly as they are – for now!

Why Would You Want to Stop a Pokémon's Evolution?

Before we get into the how, let's talk about the why. You might be wondering, “Why would anyone want to stop a Pokémon from evolving? Isn't evolution a good thing?” Well, in most cases, it is! Evolved Pokémon typically have higher stats, learn more powerful moves, and can be a significant asset to your team. However, there are several strategic reasons why you might want to delay or even permanently prevent a Pokémon from evolving:

• Movepool: One of the most common reasons is to learn a specific move. Some Pokémon learn certain moves only in their pre-evolved form. If you evolve them too early, you might miss out on a crucial move that could give you a competitive edge. For example, Pikachu learns moves like Thunderbolt much later than Raichu does. So, if you want a Pikachu with Thunderbolt, you'll need to delay its evolution.
• Stats: While evolved forms generally have higher overall stats, some pre-evolved forms have a different stat distribution that might be more beneficial for your team strategy. For instance, a Pokémon might have higher speed in its unevolved form, which could be essential for outspeeding opponents in battle. Think of it like this, you have to take advantage of the fast and furious power that your little monster has before it bulks up!
• Aesthetic Preference: Let's be real, guys, sometimes you just love the way a Pokémon looks in its unevolved form! Maybe you're a huge fan of Pikachu's adorable face and aren't quite ready for the more mature look of Raichu. Or perhaps you love the sleek design of Scyther and prefer it over the bulkier Scizor. There's no shame in wanting to keep your Pokémon in a form you find visually appealing. After all, it's your team, and you should love the way they look!
• Nostalgia and Challenge Runs: For some players, keeping Pokémon unevolved adds an extra layer of challenge to the game. It can make battles more strategic and require you to think outside the box. Additionally, nostalgia plays a big role for many trainers. Maybe you have fond memories of using a specific unevolved Pokémon in a past game and want to recreate that experience. This is all about the fun of the game, so sometimes the biggest challenges bring the biggest rewards!
• Competitive Battling: In competitive Pokémon battling, certain unevolved Pokémon, especially those that can hold the Eviolite item (which boosts Defense and Special Defense), can be surprisingly powerful. These Pokémon can take hits and dish out damage, making them valuable assets in certain team compositions. Don't underestimate the little guys – they can pack a serious punch!

As you can see, there are many valid reasons to consider stopping a Pokémon's evolution. Now that we've explored the why, let's get into the how.

The Everstone: Your Best Friend for Preventing Evolution

The most reliable and widely used method for preventing a Pokémon from evolving is by giving it an item called the Everstone to hold. This nifty little stone, introduced in Generation II, has become a staple for trainers who want to control their Pokémon's evolutionary destiny. When a Pokémon holds an Everstone, it will not evolve, regardless of whether it reaches the required level or meets other evolution conditions.

How to Obtain the Everstone

The location of the Everstone varies slightly depending on the Pokémon game you're playing, but it's generally found relatively early in the game. Here are some common ways to obtain an Everstone:

• Finding it in the Overworld: In many games, Everstones can be found as hidden items in the overworld. You'll need to use the Itemfinder or explore thoroughly to locate them. Keep an eye out for shimmering spots or suspicious-looking rocks – you never know where an Everstone might be hiding!
• Obtaining it from NPCs: Some non-player characters (NPCs) will give you an Everstone as a reward for completing a quest or challenge. Be sure to talk to everyone you meet – you never know who might have a valuable Everstone to give away. They might ask you to do a simple task, or it may be part of a longer side quest line.
• Catching Pokémon Holding Everstones: Certain wild Pokémon have a chance of holding an Everstone when you catch them. This is a great way to obtain multiple Everstones if you need them. Pokémon like Roggenrola, Boldore, and Graveler are known to hold Everstones in some games. So, if you're looking to stock up, consider hunting these Pokémon!
• Purchasing it from Shops: In some games, Everstones can be purchased from shops or trading posts, usually after reaching a certain point in the game. This is a convenient option if you're short on time and need an Everstone quickly.
• Winning it as a Prize: Some in-game competitions or challenges, such as the Battle Maison or Battle Tree, may offer Everstones as prizes. If you're a competitive battler, this is a great way to earn Everstones while honing your skills.

Once you have an Everstone, simply give it to the Pokémon you want to prevent from evolving. As long as the Pokémon is holding the Everstone, it will not evolve, even if it levels up or meets other evolution requirements. This gives you complete control over when and if your Pokémon evolves.

Everstone: A practical example

Let's say you have a Pikachu that you want to use in battle, but you want it to learn Thunderbolt first, which it learns at level 26. Pikachu evolves into Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone, so you need to prevent that from happening until it learns Thunderbolt. Simply give Pikachu an Everstone to hold, and it will continue to level up without evolving. Once it learns Thunderbolt, you can remove the Everstone and evolve it into Raichu whenever you're ready. This way, you get the best of both worlds: a powerful move and an evolved Pokémon.

The "B" Button Method: A Quick Fix

In addition to the Everstone, there's another method you can use to stop a Pokémon from evolving: the trusty old ***