How to Stop Evolution

This is a guide on how to stop and cancel evolution in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP) for the Nintendo Switch. Read on to learn how to stop evolution manually or with an Everstone in order to let Pokemon learn moves faster!

How to Stop Evolution

Press B During Evolution

When you see the evolution screen, simply press B on your Switch to cancel the evolution process. You will then get a prompt informing you that your Pokemon has stopped evolving! The evolution process will trigger every time your Pokemon levels up after reaching its required level for evolution.

Make Pokemon Hold Everstone

Everstone

When held by a Pokemon, the Everstone prevents evolution. This is a good way to avoid triggering the evolution process and having to press B to stop it.

The Everstone can be obtained via the following:

• trade for an NPC's Haunter in the north-west house in Snowpoint City (a Medicham is required)
• digging in the Grand Underground
• held item on a wild Geodude, Graveler, or Golem

Why Stop Evolution?

Learn Moves at an Earlier Level

The primary reason for stopping evolution is for your Pokemon to learn moves earlier, as unevolved Pokemon will learn moves at a lower level than the Pokemon they evolve into. After evolving, Pokemon will often learn the same move at a higher level, or in some cases, they will lose the potential to learn the move at all.

Baby Pokemon Moves

Many Baby Pokemon have exclusive moves which can only be learned at this stage of evolution, so delaying evolution for these Pokemon is recommended if you want them to learn the exclusive moves.

Stopping Unwanted Evolution

Another possible reason for stopping evolution could be the prevention of a Pokemon's accidental evolution to an unwanted branch.

Stopping Evolution is not Permanent

Stopping evolution once will not prevent the Pokemon from evolving later. All that is needed to evolve the Pokemon after stopping evolution is to fulfill the evolution condition again. For example, if a Pokemon which evolves at Level 30 has its evolution stopped, it will attempt to evolve again after reaching Level 31.

Pokemon BDSP Related Guides

Beginner's Tips and Tricks

Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Tips and Tricks