One of the most exciting aspects of Pokemon GO is its evolution mechanism. While most of these pocket monsters can be evolved using candies, some require evolution items to acquire a new form. These are also referred to as Pokemon GO evolution items.
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All Evolution Items in Pokemon Go and How to Use Them

An evolution item is used to unlock evolutions that cannot be done otherwise, which makes each evolution item paramount in completing your Pokedex or creating a strong battle team. With time, various evolution items have been released, including several stones, special lures, and even coins from games, to expand the list of evolution items obtainable in Pokemon GO.
If you want to know about every evolution item, how to get it, and how to utilize an evolution item, you'll find this guide is set up as a glossary that provides everything you are looking for. We will also explain how to get Evolution Items Pokemon GO.
What Are Evolution Items Pokemon GO?

Evolution items are special collectables used to evolve specific Pokemon. Based on the main series, King's Rock, Sun Stone, and Pokemon GO Metal Coat were initially introduced in Generation II, where the purpose of these items served the same function that the game continues to implement: unique evolutions that you cannot achieve through candies.
For example, a King's Rock will allow you to evolve Poliwhirl into Politoed. Onix also utilizes a Metal Coat for evolving into Steelix. The unique evolutions cannot happen without these. Since then, Niantic added a few more items: Sinnoh Stone, Unova Stone, and lures. Evolution stays strategic and exciting!
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All Evolution Items Pokemon Go

At present, there are several evolution items in the game, each associated with a specific Pokemon. Some are for a single species, while others open the door to a whole group of evolution items. Here’s a full breakdown:
Evolution Item | To Evolve |
---|---|
Dragon Scale | Seadra → Kingdra |
King’s Rock | Poliwhirl → Politoed Slowpoke → Slowking Galarian Slowpoke → Galarian Slowking |
Metal Coat | Onix → Steelix Scyther → Scizor |
Sun Stone | Gloom → Bellossom Sunkern → Sunflora Cottonee → Whimsicott Petilil → Lilligant Helioptile → Heliolisk |
Up-Grade | Porygon → Porygon2 |
Sinnoh Stone | Aipom → Ambipom Dusclops → Dusknoir Electabuzz → Electivire Gligar → Gliscor Kirlia → Gallade Lickitung → Lickilicky Magmar → Magmortar Misdreavus → Mismagius Murkrow → Honchkrow Piloswine → Mamoswine Porygon2 → Porygon-Z Rhydon → Rhyperior Roselia → Roserade Sneasel → Weavile Snorunt → Froslass Tangela → Tangrowth Togetic → Togekiss Yanma → Yanmega |
Unova Stone | Lampent → Chandelure Minccino → Cinccino Munna → Musharna Pansage → Simisage Pansear → Simisear Panpour → Simipour Elektrik → Elektross |
Magnetic Lure | Magneton → Magnezone Nosepass → Probopass Charjabug → Vikavolt |
Glacial Lure | Eevee → Glaceon |
Mossy Lure | Eevee → Leafeon |
Gimmighoul Coins | Gimmighoul → Gholdengo |
This collection showcases how evolution items have varied since the game's introduction. Some of them have been versatile, such as the Sinnoh stone that covers multiple evolutions. Others include materials like Up-Grade, which is used for a single Pokemon.
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How to Get Evolution Items Pokemon Go?

Acquiring evolution items can be a slow and tedious process due to their low drop chance. Trainers can acquire these items in a few ways:
- PokeStops and Gyms: Each time you spin a PokeStop or Gym, there is about a 1% chance of receiving an evolution item. It is worth noting that your very first spin of the day has a slightly higher likelihood of yielding an item.
- 7-day Spin Streaks: Completing a full week of daily spins guarantees at least one evolution item.
- Special Research and Timed Research: Many individual research lines reward evolution items, and particularly one of the following stones, Sinnoh Stones or Unova Stones.
- Events: Limited-time events will frequently either increase drop rates or feature evolution stones. For example, many Community Days and seasonal events have a routine of offering evolution items.
- Adventure Sync Rewards: For every so many milestones walked, you may obtain an evolution item, amongst other rewards.
- Game Connections: To evolve Gimmighoul into Gholdengo, trainers will need to have linked their Pokemon GO account to Pokemon Scarlet or Violet to obtain Gimmighoul Coins.
The more you engage with PokeStops and events, the more items you can steadily build up.
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How to Use Evolution Items Pokemon Go

Using evolution items is easy, but it requires setup. You need to have:
- The correct evolution item.
- The number of candies required for that Pokemon.
- In some cases, being close to a special lure (Magnetic, Glacial, Mossy).
If you have these, you just have to pick the Pokemon in your storage, and if all those requirements are met, the Evolve button will be lit up.
Below, here is a breakdown of how to use each item:
How to use the Dragon Scale in Pokemon Go
To evolve Seadra into Kingdra, you need to have 1 Dragon Scale and 100 Horsea candies. You will use this one time only.
How to use the King’s Rock in Pokemon Go
The King’s Rock is used for multiple evolutions:
- Poliwhirl → Politoed needs to have 100 Poliwag candies.
- Slowpoke → Slowking needs to have 50 Slowpoke candies.
- Galarian Slowpoke → Galarian Slowking also needs the King’s Rock.
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How to use the Metal Coat in Pokemon Go
Metal Coat enables two strong evolutions:
Onix evolves into Steelix with 50 candies.
Scyther evolves into Scizor with 50 candies.
How to use the Sun Stone in Pokemon Go
Sun Stone is versatile and works with Grass and Electric-types:
Gloom → Bellossom (100 candies + Sun Stone)
Sunkern → Sunflora (50 candies + Sun Stone)
Cottonee → Whimsicott, Petilil → Lilligant, Helioptile → Heliolisk
How to use the Up-Grade in Pokemon Go
The Up-Grade item is one of Porygon's unique evolution items. After obtaining it, it can evolve into Porygon2 using 25 Porygon candies.
How to use the Sinnoh Stone in Pokemon Go
The Sinnoh Stone is the most valuable evolution item because it covers 18 different Pokemon evolutions. For each, you will require the stone along with 100 candies. Some examples include:
Electabuzz → Electivire
Togetic → Togekiss
Misdreavus → Mismagius
If you’re aiming to complete your Sinnoh Dex, this item is a must.
How to use the Unova Stone in Pokemon Go
Unova Stone is used for evolving various Generation V Pokemon. Some important ones include:
Lampent → Chandelure (100 candies + Unova Stone)
Minccino → Cinccino (50 candies + Unova Stone)
Munna → Musharna
How to use the Magnetic Lure in Pokemon Go
Deploy a Magnetic Lure at a PokeStop. Being nearby will allow you to evolve:
Magneton → Magnezone
Nosepass → Probopass
Charjabug → Vikavolt
How to use the Glacial Lure in Pokemon Go
Deploy a Glacial Lure at a PokeStop. Being nearby will allow Eevee to evolve into Glaceon.
How to use the Mossy Lure in Pokemon Go
Deploy a Mossy Lure at a PokeStop. Being nearby will allow Eevee to evolve into Leafeon.
If this article piqued your interest in this globally popular mobile game, then do not forget to check out our detailed Pokemon GO Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Evolution Items in Pokemon Go used for?
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What are Evolution Items in Pokemon Go used for?
They allow certain Pokemon to evolve, often in combination with candies.
What’s the rarest evolution item in Pokemon Go?
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What’s the rarest evolution item in Pokemon Go?
Sinnoh Stones and Unova Stones are among the hardest to find since they’re tied to limited research and battles.
Can I get Evolution Items from Field Research?
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Can I get Evolution Items from Field Research?
Yes, specific research tasks can award them.
How do I get Gimmighoul Coins in Pokemon Go?
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How do I get Gimmighoul Coins in Pokemon Go?
By connecting to Pokemon Scarlet or Violet or through special events.
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