Evolutions: Requirements, Timing, and Strategy

Evolution in Pokémon Auto Chess is not automatic when a Pokémon "levels up" — there is no levelling of individual Pokémon. Instead, evolution is another kind of upgrade with its own trigger, and the vast majority of Pokémon evolve by the same rule as star-ups: collect three copies. But several important Pokémon evolve in other ways, and knowing which is which changes how you draft.

The evolution methods

• By count (the default, ~418 Pokémon): combining 3 copies of a stage evolves it — the same fusion that raises star level also advances the evolution. So a 3-star Charmander is a 3-star Charizard; you don't do anything extra.
• By item (~15 Pokémon): the Pokémon evolves when you give it a specific item. Charcadet becomes one of two forms depending on which armor you hand it; Applin branches on which apple you give it; the eeveelutions work this way with elemental stones. This lets you get a strong evolved unit without collecting copies — but it costs you an item.
• By hatching (~26 Pokémon): some Pokémon (and eggs) hatch or evolve automatically after a set number of stages. You just have to keep them on the board and wait. Great value if you get one early; dead weight if you get one late.
• By gold (Gimmighoul): Gimmighoul evolves once you've banked enough total gold (99), rewarding a strong economy.
• By stacking (~8 Pokémon): the Pokémon grows by surviving fights or accumulating something over rounds — the longer it lives, the stronger it gets, then it evolves.
• By condition or placement (a handful): a few Pokémon evolve when a specific board state is met — standing on a particular tile, having certain allies, and so on. These are read on the Pokémon's own wiki page, which spells out the exact trigger.

Whenever you're unsure, the Pokémon's wiki page states its evolution method and requirement in plain language, and its "Evolution" section shows the whole family line.

Timing: when an evolution is worth chasing

An evolved Pokémon is a big stat and ability jump, but it usually costs you something — copies, an item, or several rounds of a weak body sitting on your board. Chase it when:

• The final form is a genuine carry or key piece for the comp you're committing to.
• You can get there soon — you already have most of the copies, or you have the item spare, or the hatch timer is close.
• The intermediate stages aren't so weak that you lose the next few fights badly while you wait.

When to cut an evolution line

• You picked up a hatch/stack Pokémon late. If it won't finish evolving before the game ends, it's just a weak body. Sell it for a unit that helps now.
• The item cost is too high. An item-evolution Pokémon that eats an item your carry desperately wants may not be worth it — do the trade honestly.
• You're contested on the copies. A count-evolution carry you can't collect is the same problem as any other star-up you can't hit: pivot.