Mega Evolution

Introduction

Mega Evolution is a battle mechanic from Pokémon X, Y, and Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire. During the battle, a compatible Pokémon can temporarily evolve into a stronger Mega form. In formats that allow it, you can usually Mega Evolve one Pokémon per team per battle. The transformation lasts for the rest of the battle.

Mega Evolution changes the Pokémon’s appearance, stats, and sometimes its type or ability. In the team builder, you pick the Mega form you want (e.g. Mega Charizard X) and the correct item is required for that form.

Requirements

To Mega Evolve, the Pokémon must hold the correct Mega Stone for its species and form. For example, Charizard can become Mega Charizard X or Mega Charizard Y. To use Mega Charizard X, it must hold charizardite x ; to use Mega Charizard Y, it must hold charizardite y .

In battle, the trainer chooses when to trigger the Mega Evolution (usually on the same turn as using a move). Once Mega Evolved, the Pokémon keeps that form until the battle ends. In VGC.tools, when you select a Mega form in the form selector, the held item is automatically set to the required Mega Stone for that Pokémon.

Some Pokémon have two Mega forms (like Charizard X and Y). They have different types: Mega Charizard X is Fire / Dragon, while Mega Charizard Y stays Fire / Flying. Picking the right form and stone is part of team building.

Primal forms

Primal Reversion works like Mega Evolution but uses special orbs instead of Mega Stones. Groudon holds the red orb to become Primal Groudon in battle; Kyogre holds the blue orb to become Primal Kyogre.

The same rules apply: one Primal per battle (in formats that allow it), and the Pokémon must hold the correct item. In the team builder, when you select the Primal form, the required orb is automatically set as the held item.

Mega Rayquaza

Mega Rayquaza is a special case: it does not need a Mega Stone. Instead, it must know the move Dragon Ascent . When Rayquaza has Dragon Ascent in its move set, it can Mega Evolve in battle without holding any item.

So when building a team with Mega Rayquaza, you select the Mega Rayquaza form and give it Dragon Ascent as one of its four moves. You can still give it any other held item (e.g. for offense or defense). In the team builder, Dragon Ascent is automatically added to the move set when you choose the Mega Rayquaza form, so you don’t forget it.

Summary

• Most Mega forms require the correct Mega Stone as the held item.
• Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre require the Red Orb and Blue Orb respectively.
• Mega Rayquaza needs Dragon Ascent in its move set and does not need a stone.
• In formats that allow it, you can typically use only one Mega or Primal per battle.