Leveling and evolution

EXP for everyone

Every defeat gives EXP to every Pokémon you own, all the same amount:

EXP = floor(base EXP × enemy level × trainer bonus / 9)

Trainer Pokémon (gyms, rivals, dungeon trainers) give ×1.5. Example: a Pidgey on Route 1 gives 111 EXP to each of your Pokémon. Lucky Egg, the EXP Share Oak item and achievements raise it. Pokémon level up on their species’ usual growth curve and start at level 1 when caught.

Level cap

Badges set the highest level: cap = (badges + 2) × 10 — 20 with no badges, 100 with all 8. At the cap a Pokémon stops gaining EXP (it isn’t saved up).

Evolution

• By level: when a Pokémon reaches its evolution level, the evolved species joins you — the original stays.
• Stones and the Linking Cord: evolution items cost 2,500 QP in town shops (Water Stone in Cerulean, Thunder Stone in Vermilion, Leaf and Moon Stone in Saffron, Fire Stone in Cinnabar, Linking Cord in Fuchsia). Use them in PARTY.
• A new evolution can be shiny (1 in 2,048).

Rare Candy

Found in the Safari Zone: +1 level and +25% attack for good.