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Mega Evolution is a temporary transformation for eligible Pokémon in Pokémon GO. It improves the Pokémon in battle, gives bonuses linked to that individual Pokémon’s Mega Level, lasts eight hours, and uses species-specific Mega Energy. Only one Mega-Evolved Pokémon can be active for a Trainer at a time.
The practical choice is when to spend energy: activate a type-matched Pokémon shortly before a raid or a planned catch session, or wait for its rest period so you can reuse it at a lower cost.
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What Mega Evolution changes
Mega Evolution changes an eligible Pokémon into a stronger temporary form. The transformation affects battle performance and activates bonuses for the transformed Pokémon’s Mega Level. When the eight-hour period ends, the Pokémon automatically returns to its regular form; its progress is not erased.
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How to Mega Evolve a Pokémon
- Collect Mega Energy for the species. Mega Energy is species-specific. Mega Raids, selected Field Research and Timed Research tasks, and other game activities can provide it.
- Open an eligible Pokémon’s summary page. The Mega Evolution option appears only on Pokémon that can use the feature.
- Tap “Mega Evolve.” The game shows the required energy before activation.
- Confirm the transformation. The Pokémon becomes Mega-Evolved for eight hours, unless you activate a different Pokémon first.
You can also activate a qualifying Pokémon from the Raid Battle Lobby. The game includes Mega activation when selecting a GO Battle League Battle Party, although Mega-Evolved Pokémon generally cannot be used in GO Battle League outside special event cups.
How to get Mega Energy
Mega Energy is tied to a species rather than shared across your account. Energy earned for one species cannot be used to Mega Evolve another species.
Mega Raids
A successful Mega Raid awards Mega Energy for that raid boss’s species even if you do not catch the raid Pokémon. The Pokémon Company’s guide gives a range of 150 to 250 Mega Energy per successful Mega Raid, with the amount depending on how quickly the raid boss is defeated. Treat that range as a guide value rather than a permanent guarantee, because raid rewards can change with game updates and events.
Research and other activities
Some Field Research and Timed Research tasks award Mega Energy. Events and other in-game activities can add further sources, so check the current task text and event bonuses instead of assuming that every species has the same availability.
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First-time cost, repeat cost, and rest
The first Mega Evolution of an individual Pokémon normally costs a substantial amount of that species’ Mega Energy. The exact requirement varies by species and is shown on the Pokémon’s details screen.
After that first transformation, the same Pokémon follows a reuse cycle:
- Repeated Mega Evolutions lower the energy cost for that individual Pokémon.
- Once the Pokémon’s rest period ends, you can Mega Evolve it again without spending energy.
- You can spend a reduced amount of Mega Energy to reactivate it before the rest period has fully ended.
- Higher Mega Levels shorten the rest period and reduce the early-reuse cost.
The timer and the reduced cost apply to that Pokémon. Mega Evolving another Pokémon of the same species does not transfer the first Pokémon’s discount or rest progress.
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The official Pokémon.com guide uses Mega Beedrill to illustrate how reuse can improve. These figures are an example for Mega Beedrill, not a universal schedule for every species.
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| Mega Beedrill level | Rest period | Reduced early-reuse cost |
|---|---|---|
| Base Level | Seven days | 20 Mega Energy |
| High Level | Five days | 10 Mega Energy |
| Max Level | Three days | 5 Mega Energy |
Use the individual Pokémon’s Mega details screen for the current values of any other species. The game’s numbers, eligible roster, and level system can change.
How Mega Levels work
Every individual Mega-capable Pokémon has its own Mega Level. Repeatedly Mega Evolving that Pokémon raises the level, and the level remains after the temporary transformation ends. You do not lose the accumulated level when the eight-hour form expires.
Mega Level progression can improve several parts of the cycle:
- Shorter rest periods between free reactivations.
- Lower Mega Energy costs when reactivating before the rest period ends.
- Better catch-related bonuses, including extra Candy and, at higher levels, improved chances of receiving Candy XL.
- Additional catch XP at levels where the species supports that bonus.
Super Max Level
The current Pokémon GO Help Center describes a further Super Max Level. It must be unlocked with Mega Energy even when the preceding level did not require an energy payment, and not every Mega Pokémon can currently reach it. Check the level panel for the specific Pokémon rather than assuming that every species has the same maximum.
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What bonuses Mega Evolution provides
Raid attack boosts
While a Mega-Evolved Pokémon is on the battlefield in a raid, other Trainers’ Pokémon receive an attack boost. Attacks that match the Mega Pokémon’s type receive an additional boost. This makes the Mega’s typing important even when another player is using the Mega Pokémon primarily as a support choice.
Boosts from multiple active Mega-Evolved Pokémon do not stack. The game uses the highest applicable boost, so bringing several Megas does not multiply the raid bonus.
Extra Candy from catches
During the eight-hour window, catching Pokémon that share a type with the active Mega Pokémon awards extra Candy. A type match is therefore useful for a focused catch session, such as hunting a particular species or farming a type during an event.
Catch XP and Candy XL
Higher Mega Levels can add catch XP and improve the chance of receiving Candy XL when the caught Pokémon shares a type with the active Mega. The Pokémon.com Mega Beedrill example lists these values:
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- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
| Mega Beedrill level | Extra Candy per matching-type catch | Catch XP bonus | Candy XL chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Level | One extra Candy | The example does not list a value | The example does not list a value |
| High Level | One extra Candy | 50 XP | 10% |
| Max Level | Two extra Candy | 100 XP | 25% |
These are the guide’s Mega Beedrill example values, not guaranteed figures for every species or every future Mega Level. The in-game Mega Level information is the authority for the individual Pokémon you are using.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where you can use a Mega-Evolved Pokémon
- Raids: Mega Pokémon can fight and provide the raid-wide attack effect.
- Gym battles: They can be used in battles against defending Pokémon.
- Team GO Rocket battles: They can fight Rocket Grunts and other Rocket encounters.
- Friend battles: They can be used in battles with friends.
- GO Battle League: They are generally unavailable, except when a special event cup permits them.
- Gym defense: A Mega-Evolved Pokémon cannot be left behind to defend a Gym.
Planning the eight-hour window
The transformation lasts eight hours whether you are actively playing or not, so activation time matters. A practical approach is to start the transformation shortly before the activity that benefits from it.
Before a raid
- Choose a Mega Pokémon whose type matches the raid’s useful attack types.
- Check that you have enough energy for the initial or reduced reactivation cost.
- Activate it immediately before entering the raid lobby or at the start of a raid session.
- Remember that another Mega activation will end the first one, so coordinate with your planned raid group and your own roster.
For a same-type catch session
- Identify the type you expect to catch most often.
- Select the individual Mega Pokémon with the best available Mega Level and a manageable rest or energy state.
- Activate it when you are ready to begin catching rather than hours before the session.
- Keep the same Mega active throughout the session so the Candy, XP, and Candy XL effects remain available.
When waiting is better
Wait for the rest period when the activity is not urgent and the Pokémon is close to free reactivation. Spend reduced energy early only when the immediate raid or catch bonus is worth using that resource. A different Mega may be the better choice if it has a higher Mega Level, a more useful type, or an available form that fits the activity.
Multiple forms and special requirements
Species with more than one Mega form
Some species have separate Mega forms. Charizard can become Mega Charizard X or Mega Charizard Y. The reduced future energy cost is tracked for the form you chose first; switching to the other form requires that form’s full initial cost before its own future cost can be reduced.
Rayquaza and Dragon Ascent
Rayquaza has an additional prerequisite. You must obtain a Meteorite and use it to teach Rayquaza the move Dragon Ascent before Mega Evolving it. The Help Center says Meteorites can come from Special Research. A Charge TM or Elite Charge TM cannot teach Dragon Ascent, so those items cannot replace the Meteorite requirement.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Using the wrong species’ energy: Confirm the species name beside the energy total before activating.
- Starting too early: An eight-hour timer can expire before the raid or catch session begins. Activate near the activity.
- Expecting bonuses to stack: Multiple active Megas use the highest applicable raid boost rather than adding their effects together.
- Assuming levels are account-wide: Mega Level, rest, and reuse discounts belong to each individual Pokémon.
- Changing forms without checking cost: Charizard’s X and Y forms track their progression separately.
- Trying to Mega Evolve Rayquaza without Dragon Ascent: Teach the move with a Meteorite first; TMs do not satisfy the requirement.
- Expecting to leave a Mega in a Gym: Mega Pokémon cannot be assigned as Gym defenders.
A decision checklist before tapping “Mega Evolve”
- Is this Pokémon eligible, and does the Mega option appear on its details screen?
- Do you have the correct species-specific energy?
- Is the target raid or catch session within the next eight hours?
- Does the Mega’s type match the raid attacks or the Pokémon you plan to catch?
- Would waiting for free reactivation save energy without missing the activity?
- Is this the individual Pokémon with the best Mega Level and current reuse cost?
- If the species has multiple forms, are you choosing the form whose progression and typing you actually need?
Exact costs, eligible species, level thresholds, bonuses, and event rules can change. Use the Mega icon, energy requirement, rest information, and level panel shown for that individual Pokémon in the current game client.
Quick Recap
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