[System] Evolution & Power Wells

[astralprogenitor]

This thread is all about the processes of evolution, power wells, and how they work. If you're just looking to get your pokémon to evolve, you're looking for the Evolution and Power Well Submission thread!

 

[astralprogenitor]

What is evolution?​

Evolution is the process by which a pokémon spontaneously changes into a completely new species. This can lead to changes in base stats, typing, or both! There are many different methods of evolution, and not all pokémon evolve - though some can potentially evolve into several things instead.

When you're ready for your pokémon to evolve, you'll put in an application to the Pokémon Evolution thread. Generally speaking, if the lines are already prepared, you'll get your evolution very quickly; if they aren't, however, you'll have to wait for them to be created for the evolution to take place. Evolutions are considered top priority in line creation, though, so you shouldn't have to wait too long.

When your pokémon evolves, their appearance will change. Sometimes their colors will change, though typically they'll keep generalized markings and light or dark level from their lower form. They'll usually maintain any edits/accessories they had in a similar generalized form. Most pokémon will see an increase in their base stats, as well, though this is not a hard rule.

RLC Note: All evolutions count as their own purchase. You still must fill requirements, but your pokémon will not evolve without you buying the art. You can choose at time of evolution/purchase if you'd like to carry over edits/accessories. If the evolution for your pokémon does not exist, it will not be made for free; you may purchase the lines when you are ready, wait for someone else to buy them, or - only in the case of pokémon discovered to be native to Nauwill - wait for a non-RLC pokémon to evolve and cause the evolution to be made.

Shiny pokémon purchased through RLC will maintain their shiny status on evolution, but you can choose the colors as you would normally. They won't be changed randomly.

 

[astralprogenitor]

Evolution Methods​

Different pokémon evolve in different ways; since our system does not necessarily cover the "typical" ways that pokémon evolve, the following methods are available in this shop. How a pokémon evolves will be listed in its pokédex entry for easy accessibility!

Note that many pokémon will be different from their in-game methods, as these methods are totally incompatible with the shop and our game. You can't very well spin a Milcery in place or flip an Inkay upside down properly here, so these pokémon will be given new ways to evolve.

Power: Using Rare Candies purchased from shops and won through events.
These candies represent cumulative experience for your pokémon, whether through exploration, battle, or other means. They are an abstraction and should not be considered IC items! They're simply purchased with points to ease the headache of having to track individual RPs for every single pokémon. The amount needed varies depending on the individual pokémon. The number of Rare Candies needed depends on the level of Power evolution:

• Quick: 3
• Average: 5
• Slow: 8

Friendship: Involving the pokémon in 10 RPs or expeditions. A Soothe Bell, won through events, counts for one RP.
Friendship can only be raised by working with a pokémon, so these pokémon require usage in any form of RP. Any RP thread or expedition where the writer has written at least 500 words and the mentioned pokémon is present and described as engaging in actions can count towards their requirement. A single thread can only be used for one pokémon's requirements per player, even if multiple pokémon are present!

Stone: Using elemental stones purchased from shops.
Some pokémon respond to specific elemental stones, such as Fire Stones, Water Stones, Shiny Stones, and the like. These can be bought from different faction shops and should be considered IC items.

Rare Item: Using specific items obtained through events and very rarely from shops.
Some pokémon respond to very special items that only affect them, such as Bisharp responding to King's Crests or Magmar responding to Magmarizers. Any secondary in-game requirements, such as trading or taking damage, are waived. These are also considered IC items.

 

[astralprogenitor]

What about regional variants?
​

Many regional pokémon have regional base forms - Galarian Meowth, for instance, is needed to evolve into a Perrserker, and Perrserker will only come from Galarian Meowth. However, there are a few instances where the lowest forms of pokémon do not have regional variants, but the evolved forms do. These include:

• Alolan Raichu (Pikachu)​
• Alolan Exeggutor (Exeggcute)​
• Alolan Marowak (Cubone)​
• Galarian Weezing (Koffing)​
• Galarian Mr. Mime / Mr. Rime (Mime Jr.)​
• Hisuian Typhlosion (Cyndaquil/Quilava)​
• Hisuian Samurott (Oshawott/Dewott)​
• Hisuian Decidueye (Rowlet/Dartrix)​
• Hisuian Lilligant (Petilil)​
• Hisuian Sliggoo/Goodra (Goomy)​

In addition, certain pokémon may have regional Nauwillian forms that they will always default to while in the region, adding these to the list:

• No base pokémon currently evolve into a Nauwillian form.​

Pokémon in Pokémon Expeditions will not normally evolve into these forms. In order to obtain these pokémon, the following must be true:

• The lines must be available already, won through an event, or purchased to be created through RLC.
• You must fill the pokémon's standard evolution requirements.
• You must obtain an appropriate Region Dex from a shop or event.

If all of these steps are completed, you may request that your pokémon evolve into the appropriate regional form when you submit their evolution application.

 

[astralprogenitor]

Mega Evolution
​

Sometimes, pokémon with deep bonds to their trainer can evolve beyond their standard abilities. This process was discovered in Kalos, where it was forcibly triggered through direct exposure to Key Stones; unfortunately, this process was unstable and was often both incredibly painful and traumatic for the pokémon as well as not being triggerable in every species. However, deep research has since devised a way for any and all fully-evolved pokémon to trigger a so-called mega evolution in a safe, stable, and comfortable way, mimicking more natural pokémon evolution through the use of an "Ultimate Stone." This process requires an extremely deep trust between trainer and pokémon, for reasons not yet understood; pokémon without this bond simply don't respond to the stones.

In terms of shop mechanics, mega evolution gives pokémon an extra evolution stage. This stage can never be bought with RLC and must be obtained through participation in the shop. The requirements for evolving a pokémon of your choice are extremely steep, but grant them a stat cap raise and two bonus points for both their physical and social attributes - as well as a new physical form, of course.

In order to mega evolve your pokémon, you must:

• Ensure the pokémon is fully evolved.​
• Complete a minimum of 20 RPs where the pokémon is present. These cannot be solo RPs.​
• Complete a minimum of 10 Expeditions where the pokémon is present.​
• Purchase an Ultimate Stone from a shop.​

Once you have completed these requirements, apply for mega evolution in the Pokémon Evolution thread and await the benefits of your hard work!

Note about appearance: Many, many pokémon do not have canon mega evolutions. Those that do will be drawn relatively close to the canon appearance, although some adjustments may be made to account for the less violent/disturbing nature of the evolution. Those that do not will be designed by the artist as he sees fit; no input will be accepted on the appearance, so keep that in mind when planning out your goals.

 

[astralprogenitor]

Power Wells​

Sometimes you may not want to evolve your pokémon, but you'd like it to have the same upper stat limits and bonuses that their evolved forms have. In this instance, you can expose your pokémon to a Power Well. These stones are so named for the well of light they form when unearthed in the soil or rock, as well as the power they grant unevolved pokémon.

Upon absorbing a Power Well, a pokémon will immediately lose the ability to ever evolve again. However, it will also gain the base stats and typing of its highest possible non-mega form - power welling into a middle form is not possible. In the event a pokémon has multiple possible highest evolutions, the player will pick which one they would like their pokémon to be welled into.

In character, absorbing a Power Well is extremely stressful on a pokémon's body, and it typically takes several days or even weeks to recover from the experience. It isn't painful, but it wears them out physically and takes a toll on them mentally to grow accustomed to the sudden burst of power in a way that evolution does not.

Power Wells can be applied in the Pokémon Evolution thread.