Contents
This post was last updated on April 1, 2026
In the main series Pokémon games, you can evolve your Pokémon in many ways, but the most common method is leveling it up. When a Pokémon reaches a certain point, it evolves into a new Pokémon. Some types evolve at different levels or require special items or other methods to reach their next form.
In Pokémon Masters EX, however, all Pokémon evolve at the same level, and you need evolution shards and crystals.
With the evolution process being so different in this mobile game, some long-time players of the franchise might be scratching their heads. Whether you’re a gaming veteran or a new player, this Pokémon Masters EX guide will tell you how evolution works and how to obtain the hard-to-get evolution shards and evolution crystals efficiently.
For all things Pokémon, from Pokémon Masters to cheats in Pokémon Fire Red, check out That VideoGame Blog.
How to Evolve Pokémon in Pokémon Masters EX
To evolve Pokémon for the first time, you need to meet a few requirements: level up, obtain evolution shards, and complete the Sync Pair story. A Sync Pair includes a trainer and a Pokémon, and after reaching a certain level after leveling up in battles, you can evolve the Pokémon.
The first benefit of evolving your Sync Pairs stronger is that it makes them stronger. You’d be correct to assume evolution is a core component of building a powerful team. Not all Pokémon evolve in this game, and the benefits of evolving vary depending on the Sync Pairs.
The main benefit, however, of evolving your Sync Pairs is to unlock devastating Sync Moves that deal tons of damage in battles. Only evolved Pokémon can use them, and they require you to use nine moves before they become available.
Some Pokémon even Mega Evolve when they use their Sync Moves. Mega Evolution lasts for the rest of the fight, significantly boosting your Pokémon’s power, so this crucial component can totally change the game.
Let’s dive into the full details on how to evolve from baby form to final form.
Level Up
Your Sync Pair needs to reach level 30 before the Pokémon can evolve. Unlike in other games, evolution won’t happen automatically once you reach the right level. Instead, you need to complete the Sync Pairs’ evolution missions, which requires shards or crystals.
You can evolve your Sync Pairs in multiple ways, including:
- Use level-up manuals
- Win battles
- Complete level-up courses in the Training Area
Note that you can replay main story battles after completing them, allowing you to get a significant amount of experience and some items. Level-up manuals are obtainable through level-up courses and main missions.
Get Evolution Shards
To start your first evolution battle, you’ll need evolution shards, which you can purchase from Tricia’s shop at the Pokémon Center. You need five shards to start the mission.
Complete Sync Pair Story
Sync Pair stories are one-vs-one battles, taking a detour from the game’s three-vs-three core mechanics. Once you win the battle, your Pokémon evolves. You can replay these battles, and failing them doesn’t consume your evolution materials.
Stage Two: Evolution Crystal
At level 45, certain Sync Pairs can evolve again. The method is the same: complete the Sync Pair Story to max evolve the Pokémon. However, this time the mission requires more than one evolution crystal, which you can obtain the same way as shards.
Which Pokémon Can Evolve?
In the original games, almost all Pokémon can evolve in some way, whether by leveling up or with elemental stones. Some unusual evolutions involve building friendship or multiple Pokémon combining into one. In this game, only certain Pokémon can evolve, and the method is the same for all Sync Pairs.
The following are examples of Sync Pairs that can evolve:
- Barry & Piplup
- Lyra & Chikorita
- Rosa & Snivy
- Viola & Surskit
- Kris & Totodile
- Pryce & Seel
Mega Evolutions are also different in this game compared to the main series Pokémon games. Non-evolved Pokémon can’t Mega Evolve, and only specific Sync Pairs can evolve. During Mega Evolution, the Pokémon transforms into a distinctive new form with empowered moves. After normal evolution, using a Sync Move triggers the Mega form.
Sync Pairs that can Mega Evolve include:
- Noland & Mega Pinsir
- Agatha & Mega Gengar
- Blue & Mega Pidgeot
You can collect Sync Pairs by using Sync Pair Scouts, and getting a duplicate gives your pair a power boost.
How to Get Evolution Shards and Crystals
First, let’s establish what these evolution materials are. Evolution shards are a resource you need to unlock Sync Pair stories for Stage 1 evolution at level 30. Evolution crystals unlock missions for Stage 2 evolution at level 45.
These shards are a big component of the game: you’ll always need five shards or three crystals to play the Sync Pair story battle.
Exchange Coins
You can purchase evolution shards and crystals with coins through the Exchange menu. The first two times you buy shards, they only cost 1,000 coins. Evolution crystals cost 5,000 coins the first time you buy them. After those initial exchanges, the normal rate for these evolution materials is the following:
- Evolution shard x 5: 10,000 coins
- Evolution crystal x 3: 30,0000 coins
You can only exchange your coins for these resources three times until the next timer reset.
Evolution Drill
You can find Evolution Drills in the Training Area, in Normal and Hard difficulties. These battles reward you with evolution shards and evolution crystals if you win, and you earn more for winning the Hard battles. You can play these battles again to earn the rewards, but you have a limited number of replays each day.
How to Farm Coins for Evolution Shards and Evolution Crystals
You can exchange your coins for shards and crystals, but you can also use them for Move Gauge slots. Purchasing these slots upgrades your Move Gauge, which determines how often you can use moves during battles. All three Sync Pairs on your team share the Move Gauge, and you can add up to two more slots using your coins.
Move Gauge slots and evolution materials can be very expensive, and you’ll need a lot of coins if you want to evolve your Pokémon.
Coin Supercourses
The best way to earn coins is by doing Coin Supercourses, which give you Pearls as rewards. One pearl is worth 1,000 coins, and a Big Pearl exchanges for 3,000 coins. You can only complete Supercourses three times a day, so make sure you log in to get your coins after every reset!
Fieldwork
During story missions, you might get optional fieldwork quests. While moving through areas, you’ll pick up various items you see with a magnifying glass over them. These items could be coins or upgrade materials. In the Chapter 3 main story mission, you can complete a fieldwork quest after beating Flannery to get 10,000 coins.
Chapter Quests
Completing chapters in the main story is another reliable way to get coins. After each mission, you’ll earn a small number of coins. With so many game chapters to play, these coins can quickly add up.
Training Courses
Training courses also reward players with coins after completing them, but they only give a small amount. Like chapter quests, they can build up over time. However, Coin Supercourses remain the quickest and most efficient method of earning coins to evolve.
Everything You Need to Know about Pokémon Masters EX
That VideoGame Blog frequently brings our readers the latest news, guides, and updates on games in the beloved Pokémon franchise. Pokémon Masters EX is one of the most popular mobile games, even though battle mechanics and evolutions are handled differently. For more on this game and others in the series, check back with our site!
In the meantime, you can browse our list of the best fan games in Pokémon.
