Revealed on Aug. 8th, Game Freak has introduced a brand new mechanic to the Pokemon games that has changed the competitive landscape; that mechanic is called
Mega Evolution. What exactly is Mega Evolution? Well, Mega Evolution happens during battle, when a certain Pokemon holds a specific
Mega Stone. When the battle ends, this new alternate form is reverted back to the original. It is also known that some other factors are needed for Mega Evolution to take place. Probably Max Happiness or a certain number of EVs are required before Mega Evolution is accessible.
But hold on; what is a Mega Stone?
A Mega Stone is a Hold Item, specific for a certain Pokemon to achieve Mega Evolution. Whether the item is consumed or not is unknown, but it's highly doubtful that these rare items would be a one-time use only like a Gem.
So, what do we know about Mega Stones? How can I get one? Well, we don't know much about Mega Stones at the moment. All we know is that there's two confirmed Mega Stones;
Lucarionite and
Blazekinite. One of which, the Blazekinite, cannot be found in the normal game play. This means that in order to get the Blazekinite, you will need to downlown the special Wi-Fi Event to get a Torchic with the Blazekinite on Oct. 12th - Jan. 15th. So don't forget!
It is unknown if the Lucarionite is also a download, but it's safe to say that this Mega Stone will be found in game. This means that your Lucario can Mega Evolve into Mega Lucario.
Now, what exactly makes these Pokemon special? Why bother with Mega Evolution? What changes when these Pokemon Mega Evolve? So far, it's been confirmed that Mega Evolution will do the following:
1.) Mega Evolution will have new Abilities. These Abilities will give the Mega Evolutions extraordinary power and advantage over normal Pokemon.
2.) Some Mega Evolutions will gain a new Type. One of the six Pokemon revealed to get a Mega Evolution gained this type, but that will be a bit later.
3.) Mega Evolutions will get certain stat boosts. Mega Blazekin will get a boost in Atk, the previously announced Mega Mewtwo will get a boost in Sp. Atk, and Mega Lucario will get a boost in Atk and Spd. That's insane.
Now, I've talked about the effects of the Mega Evolution, what Pokemon get this? Do all of the Pokemon get a chance to Mega Evolve? Sadly, no. Not all Pokemon will get this option. So, let's check out the six released Mega Evolutions.
The first one we will discuss is Mega Mewtwo. This Pokemon was revealed all the way back into February. We now know that it is a Mega Evolution of Mewtwo, using what is suspected a Mewtwonite to Mega Evolve. When this Pokemon Mega Evolves, it retains its Psychic type, however it gains the ability Insomnia, and gets a boost in Sp. Atk. This is insane. Mewtwo is a hard Pokemon to take down, and one way to stop it is status effect, Sleep being a common method. With Insomnia, that's no longer a threat. Mewtwo also has one of the highest Sp. Atk in the entire game, and now it gets a boost. WHAT?
This is my favorite Mega Evolution so far. As a special Wi-Fi Event, we will be able to play through the game with a Special Torchic with the Speed Boost ability, same as the DW ability. Not only that, it will be equipped with the item needed to Mega Evolve Blazekin into Mega Blazekin, Blazekinite. So, what does Mega Blazekin get? Well, it's type remains the same; Fire/Fighting. It's ability is now Speed Boost, which the Torchic already had. However if you decide to use a different Blazekin for some reason, it will have Speed Boost when it Mega Evolves. That makes it a threat. How about stats? Mega Evolution for Blazekin will give it increased Atk stats. That's just insane. Definitely going to stock Blazekinites.
Here is the third Mega Evolution revealed on the main site. Lucario is already a monster, and with a Mega Evolution, Lucario will become unstoppable. First, let's take a look at typing. Did anything change? Nope. Still Fighting/Steel. How about Ability? Wait, what? ADAPTABILITY? This makes Lucario down right brutal. This means that same type atk bonus, or STAB, 2.0 instead of 1.5. So, example. Let's say Mega Lucario uses Close Combat on a Meganium. Instead of doing 120 base power, it will do 240 due to stab. That's monstrous. But, oh, it gets better. Let's say now that it uses Close Combat on a Magnezone. That Close Combat is now doing 580 base damage. WHAT? But that's not even the icing on the cake. Mega Lucario using Close Combat on an Aggron will do a whopping 1160 DAMAGE. That is EIGHT TIMES the normal damage it would normally receive. NOT ONLY THAT, but Mega Lucario will be getting boosts in Atk. Seeing as Lucario's base stat to begin with is 110, don't think you'll be switching into it easily.
Mega Absol has yet to be released on the main site. However, we do know enough about it. Mega Absol's Mega Stone is likely Absolnite. When it Mega Evolves, it retains its Dark typing, but gains a very powerful Ability; Magic Bounce. Don't even try to mess with it, because it will mess with you instead. Mega Absol will also gain a boost in both Atk AND Spd. That's just sick, like it's design.
Next is Mega Ampharos. This popular Pokemon has been a fan favorite for a while, and many have wanted it to gain another evolution, or well, a new evolution line for a male. Now, Ampharos will be able to Mega Evolve. This Pokemon is the only revealed Mega Evolution to gain a new type, making it Electric/
Dragon. That's right. Mega Ampharos is now an equivalent to Zekrom. It doesn't even stop there; it gains Mold Breaker as an Ability! Now it can attack Ground types with Electric moves! And if rumors are true, it can now strike Fairy Pokemon with Dragon moves! Does this mean that Ampharos will be given more Dragon type Moves besides Outrage? It is currently unknown what the Ampharosnite (?) will boost its stats to.
This Pokemon has been rumored to be Steel/Fairy. It is now confirmed to be so. Mawile also gains a Mega Evolution as well, making it the second Stand Alone Pokemon to get a Mega Evolution. Retaining it's Steel/Fairy typing, it gains the new Ability- Whoa. Huge Power? Are you serious? That's just...deadly. With it's current Atk stat at 85, it's new Atk stat will now be 170. That's ten points short of Atk Deoxys and B-Kyurem! Mega Mawile has now become a threat to any Dragon type Pokemon. Watch out Mega Ampharos, Mega Mawile is coming for you!
With these six Mega Evolutions, the next issue promises to reveal a few more Mega Evolutions as well. What Pokemon can we expect to gain this new mechanic? It's obvious that the Pokemon Sableye will get this mechanic. Sableye and Mawile have been a 'pair' since Gen III. With it's role in the Genesect movie, it'd be unfair for Sableye to miss out on this much needed Mechanic.
So, what other Pokemon can we expect to get Mega Evolutions? Starters are a logical choice for Mega Evolutions, with Blazekin getting one. It wouldn't be right, or fair, for Blazekin being the only one. I can expect to get the Kalos Starter Mega Stones at some point in-game, and maybe even the Kanto Starter Mega Stones, as it is rumored to get them at some point in the game (And Charizard being shown in multiple trailers). I can also see getting the other Starters via Wi-Fi events holding these new Mega Stones to give them more power and abilities to make them a threat.
Fire/Dragon with Levitate Charizard, anyone?
What Pokemon do you see getting Mega Evolutions? Will only the Popular Pokemon get them, or will Pokemon with much needed power be given these brand new mechanic? Will we face Mega Pokemon in-game? Will any other Legendary Pokemon get this new Mega Evolution? Will Dunsparce actually be usable? Find out Oct. 12th!
