How to Evolve Kadabra in Pokerogue

Ever since the first generation of Pokemon, Alakazam has been one of the most lethal offensive weapons in the game.

Its speed and special attack are top-tier, and its movepool is quite versatile and impressive.

In the main series games, Kadabra can only evolve into Alakazam through trading. But since Pokerogue has its own unique mechanics, things are done a bit differently. 

In this guide, I’ll teach you how to evolve Kadabra in Pokerogue so you can add Alakazam to your lineup! I’ll also share some of the best tips to make the most out of your new special attacker.

Key Takeaways

• Kadabra evolves into Alakazam in Pokerogue by using a Linking Cord, which replaces the traditional trade evolution.
• You can use the Linking Cord on Kadabra at any level, so there is no reason to delay the evolution once you obtain one.
• Alakazam works best as a fast special sweeper, but you should optimize its moveset, maximize its Speed, and protect it from its weaknesses.

Editor’s Update (September 2026): Updated the article’s format to provide a quicker answer for readers looking to evolve Kadabra. We’ve also added relevant guide links to provide additional help.

How to Evolve Kadabra in Pokerogue

Kadabra evolves through trading, but since that isn’t a thing in Pokerogue, you need an item called a Linking Cord to emulate trade evolutions. 

Here’s a detailed and step-by-step guide so you can Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam!

Step 1: Reach the Evolution Level

If you’re searching for this guide, then you probably have a Kadabra or at least an Abra in your team. If not, you can catch one through random encounter rewards or unlocks. 

Just like in the mainline games, Abra evolves into Kadabra at Level 16. You can’t directly evolve Abra into Alakazam even if you have a Linking Cord. 

After that, Kadabra can be evolved into Alakazam at any level. There is no point in waiting, and you should evolve Kadabra as soon as you find a Linking Cord.

Step 2: Obtain a Linking Cord

The Linking Cord is an evolutionary item in Pokerogue that’s used to emulate trading and trigger trade evolutions. One of them is Kadabra to Alakazam. This item can be obtained as a rare drop with Great Ball rarity. 

But one thing I noticed with the game’s AI is that it gives you items intelligently, especially those that you badly need at the right time. If you have a Pokemon that can evolve through Linking Cord, then the chances of you finding this item are higher.

Be patient, keep on beating floors, and you will eventually find a Linking Cord. Having a shiny Pokemon in your party boosts luck and will increase the odds of finding a Linking Cord as well.

Step 3: Use the Linking Cord on Kadabra

Finally, you’ve found a Linking Cord on the rewards screen. Make sure you don’t press A mindlessly, or you’ll end up skipping the item you waited so long for. 

Select the Linking Cord as a reward and use it on your Kadabra. This will trigger the evolution, and it will evolve into Alakazam. 

Congratulations! You have successfully evolved a Kadabra in Pokerogue and are now the Trainer of an Alakazam.

Why Evolve Kadabra in Pokerogue?

Before we dive into the hows, let’s answer the why. The first and most obvious answer to why you should evolve Kadabra in Pokerogue is the stat boost. 

Kadabra is already a strong special attacker. But when it evolves into Alakazam, it gains a significant stat boost, especially in speed and special attack.

From a mediocre special attacker, it turns into a fast, special sweeper that can outspeed most Pokemon it encounters.

Secondly, evolving it into Alakazam unlocks another form—mega evolution. If you get lucky and are able to pick up a Mega Bracelet, Mega Alakazam can be the ace of your team and carry you through your runs.

How to Use Alakazam in Pokerogue

Now that you have an Alakazam in your party, it’s only right that you learn to use it properly and maximize the Pokemon’s potential. 

Here are some of the best tips from my hands-on experience as an Alakazam user.

Tip 1: Optimize Its Moveset

Alakazam is a versatile special attacker with insane speed. It can also learn moves of various types to counter your opponents and add coverage to your team. 

Some of the moves I always run with are:

• Psychic
• Psyshock
• Shadow Ball
• Focus Blast

Psychic is non-negotiable as it provides STAB and is Alakazam’s bread and butter. Psyshock is there to counter those pesky special tanks. 

Shadow Ball lets Alakazam counter other Psychic and Ghost types. Focus Blast lets it annihilate Normal types and Steel types, and counter its main weakness, Dark Types.

You can also teach Alakazam Dazzling Gleam, a Fairy-type move to slay dragons. Or you can go with Signal Beam, a Bug-type attack for Psychic, Dark, and Grass types. 

Shockwave and Energy Ball are less powerful moves but can be nice options if your team lacks the coverage.

Tip 2: Maximize Speed

Alakazam stands at the apex of the fastest Psychic-type Pokemon. Its speed is only topped by Deoxys Speed Forme and Mewtwo. But once you get a Mega Bracelet and turn it into Mega Alakazam, he can go toe-to-toe with these Legendaries, speedwise.

Besides, Alakazam’s base speed of 120 already leaves plenty of Pokemon in the dust. If you supplement it with Carbos and other speed-boosting items, Alakazam is almost always certain to go first during battles. 

That’s why you should always leave a special sweeper like Alakazam reserved in the late stages during long battles so it can sweep through the remaining Pokemon of your opponent.

Tip 3: Manage Its Weaknesses

Alakazam is certainly strong, but it is nowhere near invincible. Alakazam’s strength is offense, but on the other end, it is a very fragile Pokemon. All it takes is one Dark-type, Bug-type, or Ghost-type attack to knock the lights out of Alakazam.

If Alakazam is out on the field, analyze its opponents and be wary of any move that can be a threat to Alakazam. 

I always weaken my opponents with status conditions or at least lower their HP before sending Alakazam out to sweep. That way, it stays alive, and I can maximize his powers.

More PokeRogue guides:

• How to Evolve Primeape in PokeRogue
• How to Evolve Gimmighoul in PokeRogue
• How to Hatch Eggs in PokeRogue

Conclusion

Now that you know how to evolve Kadabra in Pokerogue, it’s time to get that Alakazam. 

All you need is patience in finding that Linking Cable. I’ll be honest, I had a run where I caught a Kadabra but wasn’t able to find a single Linking Cable throughout the entire run. But in another, I caught an Alakazam in the wild directly. 

It’s all up to luck, but the odds of finding a Linking Cable are higher once you have a Kadabra.

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