To evolve Pokémon in Pokémon Masters EX, you must first reach the required level for the sync pair, then collect evolution materials from the Training Area, and finally complete a sync pair-specific evolution story battle.
How to evolve Pokemon in Pokemon Masters EX: a step-by-step guide
Evolution in Pokémon Masters EX works differently than in the main series games. You cannot simply level up a Pokémon to trigger evolution automatically. Instead, you must follow a specific process involving level requirements, materials, and a dedicated battle. Below are the exact steps you need to take.
Step 1: reach the required level for evolution
Every sync pair that can evolve has a universal level requirement. For a first-stage evolution (for example, evolving a basic Pokémon like Mudkip into Grovyle), your sync pair must reach at least level 30. For a second-stage evolution (evolving a middle-stage Pokémon like Grovyle into Sceptile), the requirement is level 45. No other level thresholds apply.
Step 2: get evolution materials from the training area
Evolution materials are obtained exclusively from the Evolution Material Area. To access it, follow this path in the game:
- Open the Explore menu.
- Select Training Area.
- Choose Evolution Material Area.
Complete the battles there to earn the required materials. Evolution Shards and Evolution Stones are also purchased in the shop with coins. 5 Evolution Shards cost 1000 coins the first 2 times, then 10000 coins; 3 Evolution Stones cost 5000 coins the first time, then 1 per 300000 coins; total 910000 coins to max evolve after discounts. Note that the exact in-app button labels for starting the evolution scene itself are not officially documented in current sources, so you should rely on the menu path above for material farming.
Step 3: complete the sync pair's evolution story
Once you have the required materials and your sync pair is at the correct level, you must start and win a sync pair-specific evolution story battle. To begin this battle, navigate to the sync pair's menu and look for the evolution option. A critical warning: the evolution materials are consumed the moment you attempt the battle, even if you lose. This makes it essential to be prepared. It is strongly advised to be over-leveled, at least 20 to 30 levels above the requirement, to ensure victory and avoid wasting materials.
What are the benefits of evolving a Pokémon?
The primary benefit of evolving a Pokémon in Pokémon Masters EX is maximizing the power of its sync move. If a sync pair can evolve, you must fully evolve it to unlock the highest possible sync move damage. However, evolved Pokémon only gain a small stat boost compared to the massive stat increases seen in main-series Pokémon games. The main advantage is the sync move power, not a dramatic stat jump. Level cap can be increased from 100 to 110, 120, 125, and 130 using items from the Cap-Unlock Area in the Training Area. Move Level ranges from 1/5 to 5/5 and is increased by scouting duplicate sync pairs or using specific Move Candy types (e.g., 5★ Strike Move Candy for a Striker). Sync Grid tiles are activated using Sync Orbs from the Sync Orb Area in the Training Area, and some tiles are locked until Move Level is increased. Lucky Skills are unlocked with Lucky Scrolls and assigned via Lucky Cookies (Crunchy, Creamy, Crispy, Chewy) from the Battle Villa, with 3★ cookies having higher odds of better skills.
Which Pokémon should you prioritize evolving?
As a general strategy, you should fully evolve any sync pair that can evolve to unlock their full sync move potential. The official sources do not name specific sync pairs to prioritize, so the best approach is to focus on pairs that fit your main teams. If you are unsure which teams to build, you can check resources like mobile game tier lists to see which evolved sync pairs rank highest for current content. Prioritizing lower-tier sync pairs first can help you build a stronger roster to tackle harder evolution battles later.
A note on mega evolution
Mega Evolution exists in Pokémon Masters EX. Specific Mega Evolution sync pairs include Agatha/Gengar, Karen/Houndoom, and 17 others. To learn about Mega Evolution, check in-game news and official announcements for the most up-to-date information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I evolve any Pokémon in Pokémon Masters EX?
No. Evolution applies only to sync pairs that are designed to evolve. Many sync pairs, especially those featuring legendary Pokémon or fully evolved partners from the start, cannot evolve at all.
What happens if I lose the evolution battle?
You lose the evolution materials you used to attempt the battle. The materials are consumed immediately upon starting the fight, regardless of the outcome. You will need to farm new materials from the Evolution Material Area before trying again.
Do evolved Pokémon learn new moves?
Evolving a Pokémon in Pokémon Masters EX does not guarantee new moves. Move sets are fixed and evolution does not guarantee new moves. The main benefit is the sync move power increase and a small stat boost. Move sets are determined by the sync pair's design, not by evolution stage.
How do I get evolution materials for egg Pokémon?
For these sync pairs, check the in-game help menu or official news for the most reliable instructions.
For the wider topic, see mobile game tier lists.
