How to Cancel an Evolution in a Pokémon Game

Co-authored by Ethan Dobbs

Last Updated: November 21, 2023 Approved

In the Pokémon series of games, most Pokémon will evolve when they reach a certain level or special conditions are met. This is usually a good thing — the evolved forms of Pokémon almost always have higher stats and more powerful moves. However, it's also possible to cancel an evolution, keeping a Pokémon in its less-evolved form. To do this, press B rapidly as it evolves or alternatively use an Everstone .

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Cancelling Evolution With the B Button

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1
Wait until your Pokémon starts to evolve. The majority of Pokémon evolve when they reach a certain level. A Pokémon "levels up" (gains a level) by gaining experience points from fights. The level that triggers an evolution varies from Pokémon to Pokémon.
- If you're unsure when or how a Pokémon will evolve, this information is easy to find online. You can check the Pokémon's page on a Pokémon resource site like Bulbapedia , for instance. ^{[1]
  X
  Research source}
- Note that select Pokémon will only evolve by using special items or by meeting special conditions. For example, Most Eevee evolutions require an evolutionary stone to evolve (Flareon, Vaporeon, Leafeon, Jolteon) while Espeon requires a certain level of friendship to be reached between 6 am-6 pm, and Umbreon requires friendship to be reached from 6 pm-6 am. Sylveon requires a soothe bell to be held while it reaches the correct level of friendship, and you must be in the appropriate location for Eevee to evolve into Glaceon.
2
Watch for the evolution animation. When you get your Pokémon to a high enough level (or use an evolution stone, etc.), you will see an evolution dialogue screen with "What? (name of Pokémon) is evolving!" or a similar message. Wait for the evolution "animation" to appear. The screen may flash and the Pokémon may "blink" between its current form and its next evolution.
- More modern Pokémon games generally have fancier evolution screens than older games, but the general idea is the same for all games in the series.
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3
Press B repeatedly. As soon as you see the animation begin, press the B button rapidly. Don't wait too long or the evolution will finish.
- Eventually, you will see "Huh? (name of Pokémon) stopped evolving!" or a similar message. At this point, the evolution is canceled. If your Pokémon gained a level, it will keep its level but will stay in the same form.
- Warning: The Pokémon Gimmighoul is the only Pokémon you can't stop from evolving by pressing B.
4
Repeat as needed. Cancelling an evolution once will not cancel it in the future. If your Pokémon starts to evolve again, you will need to repeat the process above to cancel it. If you don't, it will evolve.
- For Pokémon that evolve normally from leveling up, you'll need to cancel every time the Pokémon gains a level.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Preventing Evolution With an Everstone

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Using an Everstone

If you don't have an Everstone and don't know how to get one, click here .

1
Obtain an Everstone. This is a special item that gives you a more efficient way to prevent a Pokémon from evolving. While the Pokémon "holds" the Everstone, it will not evolve, even if all of the normal conditions for evolution are met.
- Everstones are only in games from Generation II onward. ^{[2]
  X
  Research source} In other words, they do not appear in the original Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow games.
Open the Items menu and assign the Everstone to be held by the Pokémon you want to evolve. The Pokémon can hold the item the same way it would hold a berry or similar item. While it is holding the Everstone, it will not evolve from leveling up.

Finding an Everstone

All game locations courtesy of Bulbapedia. ^{[3]
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Research source}

1
Learn where to find Everstones in Gold/Silver/Crystal. In these games, you can find Everstones:
- By fighting wild Geodudes and Gravelers
- By taking second place in the Bug-Catching Contest in Johto National Park.
- By talking to Bill's grandfather on Route 25. ^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
- By showing Professor Elm the Togepi that hatches from the Mystery Egg.
2
Learn where to find Everstones in Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald. In these games, you can find Everstones:
- By fighting wild Geodudes and Gravelers
- On the second basement floor of Granite Cave (located off Route 106). ^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
3
Learn where to find Everstones in Fire Red/Leaf Green. In these games, you can find Everstones:
- In the Rock Tunnel (off Route 10). ^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
4
Learn where to find Everstones in Diamond/Pearl/Platinum. In these games, you can find Everstones:
- By fighting wild Geodudes and Gravelers
- By playing the mining minigame in The Underground. An Everstone occupies a space four squares wide and two squares high.
5
Learn where to find Everstones in Heart Gold/Soul Silver. These games have Everstones in the same spots as Gold/Silver. In other words, you can find Everstones:
- By fighting wild Geodudes and Gravelers
- By taking second place in the Bug-Catching Contest in Johto National Park.
- By talking to Bill's grandfather on Route 25. ^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- By showing Professor Elm the Togepi that hatches from the Mystery Egg.
6
Learn where to find Everstones in Black/White. In these games, you can find Everstones:
- By fighting wild Roggenrolas, Boldores, and Gravelers.
- Randomly in dust clouds (which only occur in caves).
- From the man upstairs in the Castelia City Pokémon Center. You need to have traded with at least 10 different people to receive the item.
7
Learn where to find Everstones in Black 2/White 2. In these games, you can find Everstones:
- Randomly in dust clouds (which only occur in caves).
- From the butler on 23F of the building south of the market in Driftveil City.
- From Join Avenue's Antique Shop.
8
Learn where to find Everstones in X/Y. In these games, you can find Everstones:
- By fighting wild Roggenrolas, Boldores, and Gravelers.
- By fighting Psychic Inver on Route 18.
- From Balloon Popping Level 3 in the PokéMileage Club.
- From a scientist in Geosenge Town who is in a house northwest of the Pokémon Center.
9
Learn where to find Everstones in Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire. In these games, you can find Everstones:
- On the second basement floor of Granite Cave (located off Route 106). ^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
- By fighting in the Inverse Battle Stop. You must receive a score of between seven and nine to have a chance of winning an Everstone. ^{[9]
  X
  Research source}

Community Q&A

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Question

If you remove the everstone, will the Pokémon start to evolve next time it levels up or not?

Community Answer

Yes, the Pokemon will continue to attempt to evolve until it reaches level 100.

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Question

How can I get hold of an Everstone in Pokemon Sun?

Community Answer

Battle Llima a second time, and he'll give you one.

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Is it possible to have a level 100 Dragonair in Pokemon?

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Yes.

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Tips

One reason to cancel an evolution is when a Pokémon can only learn a certain move in its un-evolved form at a higher level than when it would normally evolve. For example, Rattata can learn Super Fang at a lower level than Raticate.

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In the 3DS games, you will not be able to cancel evolution until your Pokémon has spun in a circle once during the evolution animation.

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Warnings

Pokémon cannot “de-evolve”, so if you have a Pokémon and you’d like an earlier evolution of it, then you’ll have to catch or trade for its earlier evolution.

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Everstones will not work on Kadabra from games in Generation IV onwards. So, if you trade your Kadabra, it will still end up evolving. ^{[10]
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In Gen 3, trade Pokémon have a glitch where they will still evolve when traded (and the Everstone they're holding will be lost).

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How to Cancel an Evolution in a Pokémon Game

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Cancelling Evolution With the B Button

Preventing Evolution With an Everstone

Using an Everstone

Finding an Everstone

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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