A Pokemon can evolve using several methods. One is by leveling up where they can reach their final evolution by reaching certain levels. Another way is by using Evolution Stones. It doesn’t matter what the level is; giving the Pokemon the right Stone will evolve it. Then, there are Pokemon that evolve through trading.
That’s right; certain Pokemon only evolve when two players trade them. If you intend to evolve a Pokemon, then you need to have the Pokemon traded back to you. It is always better to do this with someone you know because the other person could just take your Pokemon and go.
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That being said, there are a lot of things to consider when it comes to this particular activity, as well as the names of the Pokemon that evolve when you trade them.
Details About Pokemon Trading
What you need to know about trade evolution
The Concept
Trading has been available ever since the very first games. Back then, it was tricky since both players needed to have the Gameboy or Gameboy Advance and a cable to connect them both. In the later systems like the DS, 3DS, and current Nintendo consoles, trading can be done through the internet. That’s very convenient since you can trade wherever you want and with players all over the world.
The Process
Pokemon trading can be done when players go to the Pokemon Center or, in some of the games, a specific building where trading can be made possible. You just go to the NPC, where the dialogue will allow you to start trading. The trading process is easy (more details will be provided below). Both you and the other player just have to put up the Pokemon that you want to trade.
When both parties have the right Pokemon selected, just choose Trade, and it will proceed. When you have a Pokemon that evolves through trading selected, that Pokemon will evolve once it reaches the other player. That’s when you trade again so that the evolved Pokemon will be returned to you, and you pretty much got what you wanted.
About Held Items
There are a couple of Pokemon that evolve through trading that just evolve right away when you trade them. Then, there are those that need a Held Item to be in their possession to make them evolve once they are traded. Like an Onix needs a Metal Coat for it to evolve into Steelix because, without it, it won’t evolve even when you trade it. Held Items are those that you give your Pokemon that will be usable in battle. You have things like Berries, EXP Share, Boosting Items, and of course, those that help your Pokemon evolve.
The Aftermath
If you’re the one receiving the evolved Pokemon, it has the usual effects. Things like you can’t rename the Pokemon will receive less experience than those you own, and if it is a high-level Pokemon, you need the right badge to make it obey. If you just want to evolve your Pokemon, then get it back right away from the other person, and you won’t have to deal with any of these things.
Steps On How to Trade on Various Systems
You can use these steps whenever you want to trade on various systems. We mentioned that when trading through the old Gameboy systems, you need to have a cable. Nowadays, internet or online trading is possible, so these are some steps that you can use.
MyBoy App/Emulator
- Step 1: Launch the MyBoy app on your Android device
- Step 2: Launch the game first game and proceed to the trading area
- Step 3: Click on the option and find LINK LOCAL
- Step 4: Launch the other game and proceed to the trading area
- Step 5: Alternate between the two games to commence the trade by clicking on the option and choosing SWITCH GAME
- Step 6: Do the trading process and exit when you’re done
For more detailed instructions, see our detailed guide on How To Trade Pokemon In MyBoy.
Note: This only works for games that run on a GBA emulator
Gameboy Systems
Use a link cable or an adapter to connect the gaming device to another device. Refer to the guide below for the compatible cables for various gaming devices versions:
- Game Boy Advance – use the Universal Game Link Cable MGB-010 or Universal Game Link Adapter DMG-14
- GB Advance SP – use the Universal Game Link Cable MGB-010 or Universal Game Link Adapter DMG-14
- Game Boy Color – use the link cable CGB-003
- GB Pocket – use the link cable MGB-008
- Step 1: Go to the 2nd floor of the Pokémon Center and talk to the Pokémon Cable Club
- Step 2: Begin the trade via their Trade Center system and wait for a trainer to exchange Pokémon
- Step 3: Make sure to always turn on wireless communication to allow the players to perform the trading. However, this option will only be applicable to nearby players.
Note: Applicable to Generations I to III
DS Systems
Note: Applies to Nintendo DS, 2DS, 3DS, DSi, or DSi XL systems.
- Step 1: Go to the 2nd floor of the Pokémon Center and talk to the Pokemon Cable Club
- Step 2: Begin the trade via their Trade Center system and wait for a trainer to exchange Pokémon
- Step 3: Use the DS Wireless Communication to allow trading for nearby players. (Applicable to Gen IV)
- Step 4: Tap the C-Gear to prompt nearby trading (Applicable to Gen V)
- Step 5: Turn on the wireless communication and tap the Player Search System Screen to find available trades (Applicable to Gen VI)
- Step 6: Press the X button to open the menu and tap on the quick link option. Both players should press the A button and hold until they’re both connected to allow the nearby trading. For distant trading, use the Festival Plaza option. (Applicable to Gen VII)
List of Pokemon that Evolve Through Trading
This is a complete list of the Pokemon that Evolve Through Trading as of now. We’ve also included if they needed any Held Items for the evolution to happen.
| Base Pokemon | Held Item | Evolution After Trading |
 Porygon Normal |  Upgrade |  Porygon2 Normal |
Porygon2 Normal |  Dubious Disc |  Porygon-Z Normal |
 Kadabra Psychic | N/A |  Alakazam Psychic |
 Haunter Ghost | N/A |  Gengar Ghost |
 Machoke Fighting | N/A |  Machamp Fighting |
 Graveler Rock/Ground | N/A |  Golem Rock/Ground |
 Alolan Graveler Rock/Electric | N/A |  Alolan Golem- Rock/Electric |
 Scyther Bug |  Metal Coat |  Scizor Bug/Steel |
 Onix Rock | Metal Coat |  Steelix Steel |
 Poliwhirl Water |  King’s Rock |  Politoed Water |
 Slowpoke Water/Psychic | King’s Rock |  Slowking Water/Psychic |
 Magmar Fire |  Magmarizer |  Magmortar Fire |
 Electabuzz Electric |  Electirizer |  Electivire Electric |
 Seadra Water |  Dragon Scale |  Kingdra Water/Dragon |
 Rhydon Ground/Rock |  Protector |  Rhyperior Ground/Rock |
 Duskclops Ghost |  Reaper Cloth |  Dusknoir Ghost |
 Clamperl Water |  Deep Sea Tooth |  Huntail Water |
Clamperl Water |  Deep Sea Scale |  Gorebyss Water |
 Feebas Water |  Prism Scale |  Milotic Water |
 Gurdurr Fighting | N/A |  Conkeldurr Fighting |
 Boldorre Rock | N/A |  Gigalith Rock |
 Spritzee Fairy |  Sachet |  Aromatisse Fairy |
 Swirlix Fairy |  Whipped Dream |  Slurpuff Fairy |
 Phantump Ghost/Grass | N/A |  Trevenant Ghost/Grass |
 Pumpkaboo Ghost/Grass | N/A |  Gourgeist Ghost/Grass |
These last two can be tricky. Basically, in order for Karrablast to evolve into Escavalier, the other player must be trading Shelmet. Conversely, when you want Shelmet to evolve into Accelgor, the other player has to trade Karrablast.
| Base Pokemon | Trade For | Evolution After Trading |
 Karrablast Bug/Steel |  Shelmet Bug |  Escavalier Bug/Steel |
Shelmet Bug | Karrablast Bug/Steel |  Accelgor Bug |
Unlocking the Trade System
You may have the hardware, but in the games, you need to fulfill certain requirements. For example, in Pokemon Red, Blue, and Green, you need to have the Pokedex first before you can start trading. The NPC at the Pokemon Center where you can trade will just tell you that the service is unavailable at this moment.
You need to progress the story a little until the trading system is unlocked. In some cases, like the remakes such as FireRed and LeafGreen, you need to finish the game to unlock the National Pokedex to be able to trade the other Pokemon. Anyway, here are the requirements per game to give you an idea so that you get the Pokemon that evolve through trading.
Generation I (Red, Yellow, & Blue)
Obtain a Pokédex from Professor Oak in Pallet Town to trigger the trading system using the Time Capsule
Generation II (Gold, Silver, & Crystal)
Hand over the Mystery Egg to Professor Elm to enable the trading option using the Time Capsule
Generation III (Ruby, Sapphire, Fire Red, Leaf Green, & Emerald)
Ruby, Sapphire, & Emerald
- Obtain a Pokédex from Professor Birch in Littleroot Town and carry at least two Pokémon in your party
- If you want to capture Pokémon in the National area, you must defeat the elite four first to get the National Pokédex.
Fire Red & Leaf Green
- Obtain a Pokédex from Professor Oak in Pallet Town and carry at least two Pokémon in your party.
- Ensure to trigger the event regarding the Ruby and Sapphire items quests to enable the trading system. First, you need to talk to Celio from the One Island Pokémon Center and fulfill his request. He needs Ruby or Sapphire to make the trading Network Machine work.
- To find the Ruby, you should go to the deepest chambers of the first Island – Mt. Ember. You can search on the Sapphire if you go to the fifth island known as the Rocket Warehouse.
Generation IV (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Heart Gold, & Soul Silver)
Diamond, Pearl, & Platinum
Get a Pokédex from Professor Rowan in the Sandgem Town, and you should carry at least two Pokémon in your party.
Heart Gold & Soul Silver
Obtain a Pokédex from Professor Oak at the Mt. Pokémon house, and next, you should carry at least two Pokémon in your party. You may also use the Pal Park feature to transfer your Generation III Pokémon to Generation IV.
Generation V (Black, White, Black 2, & White 2)
Black & White
Win at the Striaton Gym and obtain a Trio Badge. After that, you should get the C-Gear from Fennel.
Black 2 & White 2
You must acquire the winning badge at the Aspertia Gym and obtain a Basic Badge. After that, get the C-Gear from Bianca.
Generation VI (X, Y, Omega, & Alpha)
X & Y
You should carry at least two Pokémon in your party to enable the trading system.
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Visit the Petalburg Gym and help Wally capture a Pokémon. After that, he will give you the PlayNav and add it to your PokeNav Plus to enable the trading with the other players.
Generation VII (Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, & Ultra Moon)
Explore the Pokémon Center at the Hau’oli city shopping district thereafter, click the X-button menu to use the quick link to trade with nearby players. For the faraway player, you may trade using the festival plaza feature.
Generation VIII (Sword & Shield)
Trading can be unlocked easily when you just play through the game, and in less than an hour, the trade icon or Y-Comm will allow you to trade right away.
In Closing
These are basically all the things that you need when it comes to Pokemon that evolve through trading. To sum it all up, you need to have the games to be able to connect and trade with other games. You’ll also need to unlock the trading system in the game that you are going to trade in. Also, don’t forget about the requirements for trading when it comes to the National Dex.
It all boils down to just progressing with the game’s story. They did that for a reason so that players won’t be getting Pokemon that they aren’t meant to get at that part of the game.
One would argue why not just use cheats to encounter the Pokemon? It saves a lot of time than trading but cheats usually don’t work when you’re playing the official game. At least now you have the right information when it comes to this process.