How Move Evolution Works in PokéSurvivor
Rules checked · By PokéSurvivor Picks
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Follow the three steps
- Level the move. Learn it or begin with it, then choose its upgrade cards until it reaches level 5.
- Take its required stat card. The requirement belongs to that move. A card taken earlier in the same run counts; you do not have to wait until the move reaches level 5.
- Choose the golden evolution card. On the level-up screen, select the card for the move you want to upgrade.
These rules concern a move's upgraded form. A Pokémon's species, a move upgrade and a Bond that combines moves are separate parts of the game.
The official moves reference lists the wider roster. This guide's worked checks match the three moves supported by our calculator.
Which stat card does your move need?
| Move | Level needed | In-run card | Field in our calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ember | 5 | Power | In-run Attack cards |
| Water Gun | 5 | Power | In-run Attack cards |
| Confusion | 5 | Reflexes | In-run Cooldown cards |
Power is the in-run Attack card. Reflexes is the in-run Cooldown card. Set the corresponding count to at least 1 when you have taken that card in the current run.
Permanent Attack and Cooldown levels are different inputs. Buying a permanent Attack upgrade and bringing Ember to level 5 leaves the Power-card requirement unmet if you have not taken Power in that run.
For a different move, check its own requirement in the official reference. The three rows above are examples, not a complete evolution chart.
Why has your move not evolved?
Work through this checklist in order:
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Move level | Is the base move actually at its maximum level? |
| Correct card | Have you taken the card required by this move? Power does not replace Reflexes. |
| Current run | Was the card taken during this run, rather than bought as a permanent upgrade? |
| Golden choice | Have you selected the corresponding golden evolution card? |
| Eligible move | Does the move have an evolution? Some utility moves do not. |
| Game and version | Are you reading instructions for this browser game and the version you are playing? |
A ready result in our tool describes the prerequisites. It does not select an in-game card for you or simulate the full reward screen.
The reviewed source prioritizes a ready evolution in the level-up offer. If several are ready, that does not mean all of their golden cards appear together. Check the card's move name before selecting it.
Worked checks for Ember and Confusion
These are original rule examples, not gameplay recordings.
Ember is level 4 and Power was taken
The stat-card requirement is satisfied, but the move still needs level 5. Another permanent upgrade cannot substitute for that missing move level.
Ember is level 5 with permanent Attack level 5
If no Power card has been taken during this run, Ember is still missing its in-run prerequisite. The permanent upgrade and the run card are tracked separately.
Ember is level 5 and Power was taken
Both prerequisites are satisfied. Choose Ember's golden evolution card when offered. If you have not selected it, keep the calculator's “I have selected the evolution card” option unchecked.
Confusion is level 5 and Power was taken
Confusion asks for Reflexes. Power alone does not meet that requirement. Taking Reflexes makes its prerequisites ready; choosing its golden card completes the upgrade.
Why does the evolved move have a plus name?
The developer's October 23 update changed evolved move names to the original name followed by +. The name change kept their evolution behavior.
For the examples here, the current reference and our source data use Ember +, Water Gun + and Confusion +. Some older guides describe evolved moves with different attack names. Compare the base move and required card when following those instructions.
The official moves table is the place to check the current public listing. Our calculator identifies each base move and its prerequisites rather than asking you to select an old evolution name.
Check a supported starter move
Open the calculator's move inputs, then:
- Choose Litten or Torchic for Ember, Sobble for Water Gun, or Slowpoke for Confusion.
- Set Move level to the level in your run.
- Enter the number of In-run Attack cards and In-run Cooldown cards you have taken.
- Read the move evolution result below the inputs.
Only check “I have selected the evolution card; calculate the evolved move” after you have selected that card in the game. That option changes the direct-hit calculation; it does not grant an evolution.
Changing the starter resets the move-level assumption, so enter the new move's level again. For a move outside these three, use the official reference: this checker does not cover the entire move roster, species evolution or Bond combinations.
Sources
- Official moves and evolution requirements.
- Official October 23 naming update.
- Our sources and calculation method: the checker uses source snapshot
6b6bde6e28; the live game's complete version has not been matched to that snapshot. - Permanent upgrade rules and costs: why menu purchases and run-card prerequisites are separate.