How to Evolve Pokémon in Cobblemon: Every Method (1.8)
By Poke Legends Team · Published · Last updated
To evolve a Pokémon in Cobblemon, meet its condition (usually a level), wait for chat to say it seems ready to evolve, then open the Summary screen (M by default) and press Evolve. Stones and other evolution items work differently: you use the item on the Pokémon and it evolves straight away.
This is the official Poke Legends website. We run a Cobblemon server, and this guide covers stock Cobblemon 1.8, checked against the mod’s own data files and the official Cobblemon wiki. It’s the same in single-player and on any server that hasn’t changed the rules.
1. Check what your Pokémon needs
Open your Pokédex, pick the Pokémon and look at its Evolution Tree (added in Cobblemon 1.8.2). It shows the whole family and what each stage needs. New to Cobblemon? Start with our Getting Started guide.
2. Every evolution method at a glance
| Method | What to do | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Reach the level, press Evolve | Magikarp 20, Ralts 20, Kirlia 30 |
| Friendship | Reach 160 friendship | Golbat, Chansey, Munchlax, Buneary, Pichu |
| Friendship + time | 160, by day or by night | Riolu (day), Espeon (day), Umbreon (night) |
| Stone or item | Use it on the Pokémon | Pikachu + Thunder Stone, Applin + Tart Apple |
| Trade | Trade it, or use a Link Cable | Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, Haunter |
| Trade + held item | Hold the item, then trade or cable | Onix + Metal Coat, Feebas + Prism Scale |
| Knows a move | Learn the move | Sylveon (any Fairy move), Dipplin (Dragon Cheer) |
| Party member | Have a Pokémon or type in your party | Mantyke (Remoraid), Pancham 32 (a Dark type) |
| Gender | Male or female only | Male Kirlia + Dawn Stone = Gallade |
| Place or weather | Right biome, or rain | Sliggoo 50 in rain, in the Overworld |
| Battle feats | Do something in battle | Primeape uses Rage Fist 20 times |
| Walking | Travel 1,000 blocks | Bramblin, Rellor |
| Collecting | Fill a meter | Gimmighoul needs 999 Relic Coins |
Friend Balls and Luxury Balls help with friendship evolutions. See our catching guide.
3. Level-up evolutions: press Evolve
When a level-up evolution is ready, chat tells you. Nothing happens until you press Evolve in the Summary screen, so you can wait as long as you like.
A Rare Candy gives one level instantly if you’re one short. Our Starter Guide lists the commands and systems you’ll use while training.
4. Evolution stones and items
Use the item on the Pokémon (right-click by default). Stones come from evolution stone ores. Mine the ore for the stone (Fortune gives more), and look between Y 64 and Y 192, where the ore is most common (wiki).
| Stone | Evolves (examples) | Ore is common in |
|---|---|---|
| Fire | Eevee, Growlithe, Vulpix | Desert, volcanic |
| Water | Eevee, Poliwhirl, Staryu | Ocean, river, swamp |
| Thunder | Eevee, Pikachu, Magneton | Highlands, hills |
| Leaf | Eevee, Gloom, Weepinbell | Forest, jungle, lush |
| Ice | Eevee, Alolan Vulpix, Crabrawler | Glacial, snowy, tundra |
| Moon | Clefairy, Jigglypuff, Nidorino | Dripstone |
| Sun | Gloom, Sunkern, Cottonee | Badlands, grassland |
| Dawn | Male Kirlia, female Snorunt | Peaks, sky |
| Dusk | Misdreavus, Murkrow, Lampent | Spooky, taiga |
| Shiny | Togetic, Roselia, Minccino | Floral, magical |
Our evolution stones guide is coming soon. First time mining in Cobblemon? Getting Started covers the basics.
5. Trade evolutions and the Link Cable
You don’t need a second player. A Link Cable evolves trade Pokémon when you use it on them. Craft one from 2 Nether Quartz, 2 Copper Ingots and 1 Ender Pearl, or find one in village, stronghold and ancient city chests (wiki).
| Pokémon | Must hold |
|---|---|
| Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, Haunter, Boldore, Gurdurr, Phantump, Pumpkaboo | Nothing |
| Onix, Scyther | Metal Coat |
| Poliwhirl, Slowpoke | King’s Rock |
| Seadra / Feebas | Dragon Scale / Prism Scale |
| Porygon / Porygon2 | Upgrade / Dubious Disc |
| Rhydon / Electabuzz / Magmar / Dusclops | Protector / Electirizer / Magmarizer / Reaper Cloth |
| Clamperl | Deep Sea Tooth or Deep Sea Scale |
| Spritzee / Swirlix | Sachet / Whipped Dream |
Trading resets friendship to the base value, unless the Pokémon goes back to its original trainer. Want to trade with real players? Here’s how to join a Cobblemon server. Our trade evolution guide is coming soon.
6. Friendship evolutions and Eevee
Friendship goes up when the Pokémon levels up, stays sent out, or rides on your shoulder. A held Soothe Bell adds 50%. A Luxury Ball doubles gains, and a Friend Ball starts it at 150 (our catching guide). Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa and Tamato Berries raise it too, but each one lowers an EV. Remedies, Energy Root, Heal Powder and Revival Herb lower friendship.
| Eevee into | How |
|---|---|
| Vaporeon / Jolteon / Flareon | Water / Thunder / Fire Stone |
| Leafeon / Glaceon | Leaf / Ice Stone |
| Espeon / Umbreon | 160 friendship, day / night |
| Sylveon | 160 friendship + knows a Fairy move |
Going for Sylveon? Teach the Fairy move before friendship hits 160. Our Eevee and friendship guides are coming soon.
7. Tricky evolutions
- Gimmighoul: use Relic Coins on it until its stash hits 999. A coin adds 1, a pouch 9, a sack 81.
- Inkay: level 30 knowing Topsy-Turvy, or level 30 nicknamed Dinnerbone or Grumm.
- Ursaring: use a Peat Block on it at night during a full moon.
- Tyrogue: level 20. Higher Attack gives Hitmonlee, higher Defense gives Hitmonchan, and equal gives Hitmontop.
- Shelmet: use a Link Cable with Karrablast in your party, then use the Shell Helmet it drops on Karrablast.
The full tricky evolutions guide is coming soon. Training a team while you work on these? Our gyms are listed in the Starter Guide.
8. Still not evolving? Quick fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| No “ready” message | Check the Evolution Tree for what’s missing |
| Message, but no evolution | Press Evolve in the Summary screen |
| No Evolve button | Remove its Everstone |
| Friendship one stuck | Reach 160, and check the time of day |
| Trade one stuck | Check the held item |
Servers can change evolutions with datapacks, so if a rule here doesn’t match, ask that server’s staff. Still stuck on our server? Ask in our Discord, or check the join page.
9. Try it on Poke Legends
On Poke Legends: Java Edition 1.21.1, Cobblemon 1.8.2. Three worlds: Oasis (Easy, with mobs), Serenity and Utopia (both Peaceful). Each keeps its own progress. 8 NPC gyms have level caps from 20 (Bug) to 90 (Dragon).
- Install the Cobblemon mod for Java Edition 1.21.1. Our modpack is optional and sets everything up.
- In Multiplayer → Add Server, enter
mc.poke-legends.com. Full steps: how to join. - Join our Discord for help and events. 🎮
See you out there, Trainer.
Frequently asked questions
How do you evolve Pokémon in Cobblemon?
Meet the Pokémon's condition, such as a level, enough friendship or a trade. When chat says it seems ready to evolve, open the Summary screen (M by default) and press Evolve. For stones and other evolution items, use the item on the Pokémon instead.
Why is my Pokémon not evolving in Cobblemon?
Usually it's holding an Everstone, it's the wrong time of day, its friendship is below 160, or you haven't pressed Evolve in the Summary screen. The Evolution Tree in your Pokédex shows exactly what it needs.
How do I trade-evolve a Pokémon without a friend?
Use a Link Cable on it. It works on Pokémon that normally evolve by trade, such as Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler and Haunter. If the evolution needs a held item, like Onix with a Metal Coat, the Pokémon must hold it when you use the cable.
How much friendship does a Pokémon need to evolve in Cobblemon?
160, out of a maximum of 255. Some friendship evolutions also need a time of day, like Espeon (day) and Umbreon (night).
Where do I find evolution stones in Cobblemon?
Each stone comes from its own ore, which generates in certain biomes. Fire Stone ore is common in deserts and volcanic biomes, and Water Stone ore in oceans, rivers and swamps. Mine it with a pickaxe to get the stone.
How do you evolve Eevee into Umbreon or Sylveon in Cobblemon?
Umbreon: 160 friendship, at night. Sylveon: 160 friendship while Eevee knows a Fairy-type move. Espeon is like Umbreon, but during the day.
Can I stop a Pokémon from evolving in Cobblemon?
Yes. Give it an Everstone to hold. It blocks evolution and hides the Evolve button. Or just don't press Evolve, because most evolutions wait for you.
Do evolutions work the same on Cobblemon servers?
Mostly, but servers can change evolutions with datapacks. If a guide doesn't match what you see, ask that server's staff.
