Pokémon: 10 Harsh Realities Of Mega Evolution

Mega Evolution brings a lot of power for Pokémon and their trainers, but it also has significant drawbacks, from mental anguish to physical pain.

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Before the Pokémon franchise introduced the concepts of Dynamax and Gigantamax in Gen VIII, the concept of Mega Evolution had already been incorporated into the games’ universe as early as Gen VI. This was the first example of a Pokémon gaining a new form that gave them power beyond their ordinary evolutions.

While Mega Evolution is often perceived as a useful tool that helps win battles, both in the games and in the anime, there are several harsh realities regarding Mega Evolution and its uses that many people take for granted.

10 The Key Stone & Specific Mega Stone Must Be Found & Obtained Before Mega Evolution Is Possible

In order to make use of the powers and benefits that Mega Evolution offers trainers and their Pokémon in battle, they must first make sure that they obtain both a Key Stone and a Mega Stone relevant to that particular Pokémon. Examples of this include Alakazite and Lucarionite. The latter proves hard to acquire since it’s found deep within a mountain cave, and Korrina and Ash are forced to go and seek it out themselves.

The Key Stone must be activated by a trainer in battle when they wish to use Mega Evolution, while the Mega Stone must be held by the Pokémon in question.

9 The Held Items Must Be Kept Safe By Both Trainer & Pokémon

Obtaining the Key Stone and relevant Mega Stone is only half the battle. The second part is keeping them both safe, which is a lot of responsibility in itself. In the anime, trainers often embed their Key Stones into an item they keep on them at all times, such as a necklace, ring, or even on a notebook latch in Sawyer’s case. When Ash finally received one for his Lucario in Pokémon Journeys, Korrina gave him a glove similar to hers.

Just like their trainers, the Pokémon have to keep their item, the Mega Stone, safe and on them at all times. In the games, it’s as simple as having the Pokémon hold it, but in the anime, Pokémon utilize all manner of creative concepts to keep the Key Stone on them, from Trevor’s Charizard’s ring on its tail to Professor Sycamore’s Garchomp’s choker that contains its stone.

8 Mega Evolution Can Bring About New Type Weaknesses

Mega Evolution grants specific Pokémon substantial increases in strength and base stats, but in some cases, it can also grant them a second typing, whether that’s just an addition or an alteration from the original secondary typing.

When considering the type matchups, this often leaves Mega Evolved versions of Pokémon susceptible to even more super effective moves than their original form. While there are several examples of this, Mega Lopunny is a case where it goes from having just a single weakness to having four.

7 It Can Only Be Utilized Once Per Battle

A general rule of thumb throughout the Pokémon franchise is that Mega Evolution can only be utilized once per battle on a single species. In the anime, a Mega Evolved Pokémon is often used as a trainer’s trump card to finish off a battle, and they are never seen being switched out for an alternative.

In the games, the rule of one Mega Evolution per battle also applies, so if a Mega Evolved Pokémon faints, even if a revive is used on said Pokémon, it cannot Mega Evolve again in the current battle. While such restrictions make sense and mirror the restrictions set to Dynamaxing in Gen VIII, it would still be useful to use multiple Mega Evolved Pokémon in particularly tough battles.

6 The Accessibility Of Mega Evolution Is Often Called Into Question

In the anime, Professor Sycamore speculates that Mega Evolution is only effective between trainers and Pokémon that share a strong bond. While this arguably supported in the anime, the reality of the situation in the games does not quite comply, with Mega Evolution working on any Pokémon as long as they have the right items.

Either way, Mega Evolution isn’t especially accessible for trainers that aspire to utilize it in battle, unless they actively seek to travel and obtain the stones or they are given them as a gift from someone. If the “strong bonds” theory is true however, there may well be some trainers that possess the stones but aren’t able to utilize the phenomenon without significant training.

5 Mega Evolution Does Not Guarantee Victory Against Other Forms

Despite trainers such as Alain making Mega Evolution look like an unbeatable concept, he normally only utilizes it to battle against other Mega Evolved Pokémon. However, when Ash battles Korrina in Pokémon Journeys, she uses her Mega Lucario against Ash’s normal form of Dragonite.

While Dragonite is often considered one of the best and most powerful non-Legendary Pokémon, this was a Dragonite that Ash had not had much time to train, which made its victory over Mega Lucario somewhat surprising. Ash’s Pikachu had also previously beaten the same Mega Lucario, once again reinforcing the fact that Mega Evolution doesn’t guarantee victory, it merely makes for a more chaotic and all-out-offensive battle.

4 Lysandre Manipulated Alain Into Collecting & Completing Research On Mega Evolution

Alain is introduced in the Pokémon X & Y anime and portrayed in a way that makes him one of the most complex and interesting characters of the entire franchise, ultimately making him a worthy adversary for Ash. Alain’s story throughout the series revolves around the work that he does for Lysandre, researching and harnessing Mega Evolution energy, supposedly for peaceful purposes.

Alain was ultimately blind to the fact that Lysandre was manipulating him, especially when he had to complete his research in order to help his friend Mairin’s comatose Pokémon Chespie.

3 Pokédex Entries Suggest That Mega Evolution Causes Serious Harm To Pokémon

Fans of the Pokémon anime may well believe that Mega Evolution simply tires out a Pokémon once they have finished their battle. However, if Pokédex entries that were introduced in the Sun & Moon games are to be believed, then the stresses of Mega Evolution can have a much worse impact on both a Pokémon’s physical and mental state.

Mega Kangaskhan sees its baby grow up and fight, with its Pokédex entry in Ultra Sun explaining how the parent becomes anxious about its child growing up and leaving. While this is an example of the mental turmoil that Mega Evolution brings, Mega Glalie breaks its jaw to achieve its new form. This is one of many examples of Pokémon going through actual physical harm during the Mega Evolutionary process.

2 Pokémon Don’t Necessarily Adjust Well To Mega Evolution Straight Away

Korrina’s Lucario in the X & Y anime is a prime example of a Pokémon who struggles with Mega Evolution and takes time to grow accustomed to it. After obtaining the Mega Stone, Korrina battles Ash to try out her Lucario’s new Mega Evolved form but it doesn’t go according to plan.

Mega Lucario loses control when it’s not able to cope with and control its Aura levels in its new form, and it has to be calmed down by Gurkinn’s own Lucario. Korrina and Gurkinn then face off with both of their Mega Lucario, and Korrina’s once again loses control the battle. After several defeats, however, Korrina and Lucario eventually manage to gain control of this new power.

1 Mega Evolution Can Cause Some Pokémon To Lose Control And Even Turn On Their Trainers

While Korrina’s Lucario eventually learned to control its powers while it was Mega Evolved, there are plenty of Pokédex entries that detail the dark nature of Mega Evolution and the impact it can have on some Pokémon.

While some Pokémon are harmed by the process, others lose control to the point that they will actively seek to harm their own trainers. Mega Salamence and Mega Gengar are both examples of this phenomenon; their Moon and Ultra Sun Pokédex entries imply that they sometimes attack their trainers after they’re Mega Evolved.

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