Tag: mega evolution

Hey Bill: I was reading my Pokedex on Aerodactyl, and Mega Aerodactyl, and then I read your entry about it, and other fossils and I noticed you didn’t have any information about Mega Aerodactyl. Are what scientist say about Mega Aerodactyl being it’s true appearance a widely accepted thing, and does it have any truth in it? I am extremely interested in this flying fossil friend and/or foe.

Ah yes. I should get to those mega evolution entries someday.

[Yes. Yes, you should. As you’ve said more than a year ago. —LH

Patience, Lanette. Good things take time to produce. —Bill

You designed the storage system in a month. —LH

…touché. —Bill]

On a serious note, anonymous, that’s actually a point of contention within the scientific community. Some scholars say that mega aerodactyl is what the species had looked like in ancient times, yes, but others say there’s actually no fossilized evidence that this is the case. If you look at the rock surrounding an aerodactyl fossil, the type of stone surrounding the skeletal structure is often uniform in nature, meaning the stone protrusions the pokédex claims were originally there are, well, not. Moreover, aerodactyl is traditionally revived through samples of old amber, which preserves the structure of tissue much better than fossilization does (for, well, obvious reasons included in the definition of “fossilization” itself). Yet no sample of old amber exists with any such stone fragment, not even in the famous sample of old amber found recently that successfully preserved a considerable amount of ancient aerodactyl tail. For that reason, I’m personally skeptical about the pokédex entries myself, as much as it pains me to admit that I disagree with reports vetted by a distinguished member of the Pokémon Symposium.

As for whether or not mega aerodactyl’s violence can be attributed to the strain its physical form places on it, I’m admittedly just as skeptical. It’s uncommon but not unusual for a pokémon to undergo some level of personality change when mega evolving, just as they do when simply evolving, and aerodactyl is a notoriously difficult to tame pokémon to begin with. It’s likely that the violence mega aerodactyl displays is merely the result of the freedom it gets from its boost in power, rather than specifically due to the form it’s forced to take or the process itself.

How long can pokemon safely stay in mega form?

That depends on how new to mega evolution they are, anonymous. Those extremely new to mega evolution may only last a few minutes before losing control of themselves or before their bodies simply automatically revert to their normal forms. However, over time and through training, a pokémon may achieve longer and longer periods of mega evolution until they could, in theory, remain in that form for as long as they’d like. It’s simply that mega evolution can be an extremely draining state to maintain, but like any form of exercise, it gets easier (both to achieve and endure) the more one does it.

I’ve read that when glalie mega evolves, its jaw breaks, and people think aerodactyl is vicious because mega evolution causes it pain. Many other pokemon also go into an unstoppable rage and only think about the battle and will sometimes turn even on their own trainer. What is the general concensus when it comes to mega evolution? What are your thoughts? Is mega evolution cruel?

As a note, anonymous, mega glalie’s jaw doesn’t break—otherwise, it would have a difficult time reforming after it comes out of its mega-evolved state!

I bring this up because for whatever reason (likely due to the work of Team Plasma or People for the Ethical Treatment of All Pokémon), it’s becoming popular opinion that mega evolution is physically traumatic. However, nothing can be further from the truth because mega evolution is simply another form of evolution. Thus, pokémon really don’t experience physical trauma; their bodies simply undergo a rapid metamorphosis just like most pokémon do when they ordinarily evolve.

However, it’s true that the surge in power can overwhelm a pokémon and drive them berserk—or at least this is true for pokémon experiencing mega evolution for the first time. The more a pokémon trains in and out of its mega evolved form, the easier it will be for them to retain their usual personality.

This is why—up until recently, I suppose—mega evolution was thought to be something only a highly skilled trainer can achieve. Only talented trainers, or at least humans with uniquely strong bonds with their pokémon, can handle the initial shock a novice to mega evolution experiences.

I suppose that would be my view as well. It’s not necessarily cruel, anonymous, but it can be initially dangerous. On the other hand, once a pokémon masters mega evolution, it can unlock a world of potential within itself.

Since it came out that mega evolution seriously hurts and changes a Pokémon in that form I have lots of issues with it. I’m a 5 time champ in Kalos and Hoenn thanks to my mega gardivor but now.. I don’t feel right mega evolving her

Not necessarily, anonymous.

Put it this way: the ralts line are highly empathic. If you haven’t felt any overwhelming waves of pain any time your gardevoir has mega evolved, chances are she’s fine. Likewise, mega evolution only really carries a risk to the pokémon the first few times they do it, as the process introduces a surge of power they’re not used to handling (for the most part). Once trained, a pokémon can learn to control that power enough to reduce or eliminate the pain involved with transformation; it really depends on the amount of care and work their trainers put into helping them.

In short, I have no doubt your mega gardevoir is fine, anonymous, but if you wish for further reassurance, all you would need to do is ask her how she feels about mega evolving.

Are some pokemon more likely to go beserk than others when mega evolving and if so which ones and why do you think so?

Generally speaking, pokémon that receive a significant boost in power are more likely to lose control of it—and, by extent, themselves. Consequently, while you have pokémon such as audino, altaria, and sableye, all of whom take to mega evolution with very few problems, you also have pokémon such as charizard, lucario, and tyranitar, all of whom are liable to lose control rather easily until they grow used to the transition.

Alternatively, if a pokémon’s abilities are psychic or meditative in nature (see alakazam, gardevoir, and medicham), then they’re less likely to lose control, as their abilities require the utmost self-discipline to use in the first place. Kangaskhan also rarely loses herself, largely because of the nature of her particular mega evolution. (You can read about kangaskhan’s mega evolution here: http://bills-pokedex.tumblr.com/post/152049372796/another-kangaskhan-question-sorry-its-my.)

Conversely, certain mega evolutions simply boost a pokémon’s natural aggression, as in the case of gyarados (which gains the dark type as a result, even), sceptile (which gains the bestial dragon-type), and pinsir (whose aggression can simply be chalked up to the fact that it has just realized it can fly and therefore terrorize mortals from literally any direction).

Finally, you have mega slowbro. Mega slowbro does go berserk, but this is less because of its actual emotions and more because it loses any form of control over the way it moves, as having a 265-pound telekinetic creature with a notoriously slow response time spin about on the tip of its tail is a fantastic recipe for mass destruction.

Recently I recieved a piece of a Sceptilite and I really want to use it, as me and my Sceptile have been together forever so we have a great bond. My worry is that I’ve heard of pokemon losing control during mega evolution because of increase of power and I understand my Sceptile probably will too. So if I can’t avoid this happening, what could we do to at least prepare for mega evolution so that no one gets hurt?

I’m afraid it’s difficult to say, anonymous, because the level of control each pokémon exhibits can vary wildly. Some pokémon experience very little loss of control, while others—despite ample preparation, bonding, and meditation—become fantastically violent. I don’t mean to scare you off the idea, of course. Mega evolution can be a deeply intimate experience between pokémon and trainer if performed correctly. It just takes work and patience to reach that point.

Until then, avoid practicing mega evolution on the battlefield or in public areas. Instead, work with your sceptile in secluded places. Employ regular training regimens against anything you can use as a punching bag, rather than on anything living. Have a psychic-, ice-, or fairy-type stand by for emergencies. This sort of setup will allow you to have your sceptile gain experience with the power boost induced by mega evolution without hurting anyone or doing significant property damage.

Thus, I suppose that in a roundabout way, the answer to your question is “prepare a secure draining ground and plan your regimen.” You’ll have a better idea of what, specifically, you need to do once you try mega evolution and observe what happens to your sceptile. However, generally speaking, if you give it plenty of space and time to learn how to control its power, then it will be easier to focus on his immediate needs, rather than divide your attention between your sceptile and anything that may be in danger.

Best of luck, anonymous.