--- title: "Trade Evolution Pokémon List: Every Trade Evolution and Its Held Item | pokee.si" url: "https://pokee.si/articles/trade-evolution-pokemon" description: "Every main-series trade evolution Pokémon with the held item it needs and the generation it started in, plus Everstone, Linking Cord and GO rules." last_updated: "2026-10-21" publisher: "pokee.si: a Pokédex for families (unofficial fan site)" published: "2026-10-21" --- # Trade Evolution Pokémon List: Every Trade Evolution and Its Held Item There are 26 trade evolutions in the main series from regular forms, plus Alolan Graveler into Alolan Golem. Sixteen of those need a held item, eight need only a trade, and two (Karrablast and Shelmet) must be traded for each other. Each row below gives what the trade needs and the generation that trade evolution began in. ## The full list Trade evolution started in Generation 1 with Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler and Haunter. Held-item trade evolutions began in Generation 2. When the trade finishes, the item is used up. | Pokémon | Evolves into | Needs | Trade method since | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Kadabra](https://pokee.si/pokemon/kadabra) | [Alakazam](https://pokee.si/pokemon/alakazam) | nothing, just trade | Gen 1 | | [Machoke](https://pokee.si/pokemon/machoke) | [Machamp](https://pokee.si/pokemon/machamp) | nothing, just trade | Gen 1 | | [Graveler](https://pokee.si/pokemon/graveler) | [Golem](https://pokee.si/pokemon/golem) | nothing, just trade | Gen 1 | | [Haunter](https://pokee.si/pokemon/haunter) | [Gengar](https://pokee.si/pokemon/gengar) | nothing, just trade | Gen 1 | | [Poliwhirl](https://pokee.si/pokemon/poliwhirl) | [Politoed](https://pokee.si/pokemon/politoed) | holding King's Rock | Gen 2 | | [Slowpoke](https://pokee.si/pokemon/slowpoke) | [Slowking](https://pokee.si/pokemon/slowking) | holding King's Rock | Gen 2 | | [Onix](https://pokee.si/pokemon/onix) | [Steelix](https://pokee.si/pokemon/steelix) | holding Metal Coat | Gen 2 | | [Seadra](https://pokee.si/pokemon/seadra) | [Kingdra](https://pokee.si/pokemon/kingdra) | holding Dragon Scale | Gen 2 | | [Scyther](https://pokee.si/pokemon/scyther) | [Scizor](https://pokee.si/pokemon/scizor) | holding Metal Coat | Gen 2 | | [Porygon](https://pokee.si/pokemon/porygon) | [Porygon2](https://pokee.si/pokemon/porygon2) | holding Upgrade | Gen 2 | | [Clamperl](https://pokee.si/pokemon/clamperl) | [Huntail](https://pokee.si/pokemon/huntail) | holding Deep Sea Tooth | Gen 3 | | [Clamperl](https://pokee.si/pokemon/clamperl) | [Gorebyss](https://pokee.si/pokemon/gorebyss) | holding Deep Sea Scale | Gen 3 | | [Rhydon](https://pokee.si/pokemon/rhydon) | [Rhyperior](https://pokee.si/pokemon/rhyperior) | holding Protector | Gen 4 | | [Electabuzz](https://pokee.si/pokemon/electabuzz) | [Electivire](https://pokee.si/pokemon/electivire) | holding Electirizer | Gen 4 | | [Magmar](https://pokee.si/pokemon/magmar) | [Magmortar](https://pokee.si/pokemon/magmortar) | holding Magmarizer | Gen 4 | | [Porygon2](https://pokee.si/pokemon/porygon2) | [Porygon-Z](https://pokee.si/pokemon/porygon-z) | holding Dubious Disc | Gen 4 | | [Dusclops](https://pokee.si/pokemon/dusclops) | [Dusknoir](https://pokee.si/pokemon/dusknoir) | holding Reaper Cloth | Gen 4 | | [Feebas](https://pokee.si/pokemon/feebas) | [Milotic](https://pokee.si/pokemon/milotic) | holding Prism Scale | Gen 5 | | [Boldore](https://pokee.si/pokemon/boldore) | [Gigalith](https://pokee.si/pokemon/gigalith) | nothing, just trade | Gen 5 | | [Gurdurr](https://pokee.si/pokemon/gurdurr) | [Conkeldurr](https://pokee.si/pokemon/conkeldurr) | nothing, just trade | Gen 5 | | [Karrablast](https://pokee.si/pokemon/karrablast) | [Escavalier](https://pokee.si/pokemon/escavalier) | traded for Shelmet | Gen 5 | | [Shelmet](https://pokee.si/pokemon/shelmet) | [Accelgor](https://pokee.si/pokemon/accelgor) | traded for Karrablast | Gen 5 | | [Spritzee](https://pokee.si/pokemon/spritzee) | [Aromatisse](https://pokee.si/pokemon/aromatisse) | holding Sachet | Gen 6 | | [Swirlix](https://pokee.si/pokemon/swirlix) | [Slurpuff](https://pokee.si/pokemon/slurpuff) | holding Whipped Dream | Gen 6 | | [Phantump](https://pokee.si/pokemon/phantump) | [Trevenant](https://pokee.si/pokemon/trevenant) | nothing, just trade | Gen 6 | | [Pumpkaboo](https://pokee.si/pokemon/pumpkaboo) | [Gourgeist](https://pokee.si/pokemon/gourgeist) | nothing, just trade | Gen 6 | [Clamperl](https://pokee.si/pokemon/clamperl) is the one Pokémon with two outcomes: it becomes [Huntail](https://pokee.si/pokemon/huntail) with a Deep Sea Tooth and [Gorebyss](https://pokee.si/pokemon/gorebyss) with a Deep Sea Scale. In this list, [Porygon](https://pokee.si/pokemon/porygon) is the only line with two trade steps in a row: it becomes Porygon2 with an Upgrade, then Porygon-Z with a Dubious Disc. The 14 held items are King's Rock, Metal Coat, Protector, Dragon Scale, Upgrade, Dubious Disc, Electirizer, Magmarizer, Prism Scale, Reaper Cloth, Deep Sea Tooth, Deep Sea Scale, Sachet and Whipped Dream. Two items are used twice: King's Rock (Poliwhirl and Slowpoke) and Metal Coat (Onix and Scyther). ## Trade evolutions by generation Counting the rows in the table: 4 trade evolutions started in Generation 1, 6 in Generation 2, 2 in Generation 3 (both are Clamperl), 5 in Generation 4, 5 in Generation 5 and 4 in Generation 6. The only later one is Alolan Graveler, from Generation 7. By item, Generation 2 brought King's Rock, Metal Coat, Dragon Scale and Upgrade. Generation 3 added Deep Sea Tooth and Deep Sea Scale. Generation 4 added Protector, Electirizer, Magmarizer, Dubious Disc and Reaper Cloth. Generation 5 added Prism Scale for Feebas, and Generation 6 added Sachet and Whipped Dream. ## Special cases [Karrablast](https://pokee.si/pokemon/karrablast) and [Shelmet](https://pokee.si/pokemon/shelmet) evolve only when they are traded for each other. Trade a Karrablast to a friend for their Shelmet and both evolve. [Feebas](https://pokee.si/pokemon/feebas) used to evolve only with a high Beauty stat. From Generation 5 it can also evolve by trade while holding a Prism Scale. Alolan Graveler evolves into [Alolan Golem](https://pokee.si/pokemon/golem?form=golem-alola) by trade, like the regular form. You cannot cancel a trade evolution with the B button. An Everstone stops it, with one exception: [Kadabra](https://pokee.si/pokemon/kadabra) outside Generations 2 and 3 always evolves, even holding one. ## Evolving without a trade In Legends: Arceus you do not need to trade. A Linking Cord does the job. Pokémon that need a held item in other games evolve when you use that item on them. Pokémon that need only a trade use the Linking Cord too. A trade still needs a second console or a friend in most other games. If you are helping a younger player, the [parents' guide](https://pokee.si/articles/parents-guide-to-pokemon) explains how trading works. Items such as these are listed in the [items guide](https://pokee.si/guide/items). ## Trade evolution in Pokémon GO Pokémon GO added trade evolution on 10 January 2020. A Pokémon you got in a trade evolves for 0 Candy. Pokémon that need a held item in the main series use Evolution items in GO instead of trading. Not every trade evolution from the main games can trade evolve in GO yet. ## Other ways to evolve Not every evolution needs a trade. Eevee has eight evolutions, the most of any Pokémon: see the [Eevee evolutions](https://pokee.si/articles/eevee-evolutions). For the general rules (level, stone, friendship and more), read [how Pokémon evolution works](https://pokee.si/articles/how-does-pokemon-evolution-work). Every stone and evolution item has its own list on the [evolution items page](https://pokee.si/evolution). Regional forms like Alolan Graveler have their own guide in the [regional forms list](https://pokee.si/articles/regional-forms-list). ## Questions people ask ### Which Pokémon evolve by trading? In the main series there are 26 trade evolutions from regular forms, plus Alolan Graveler into Alolan Golem. Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler and Haunter were the first four, in Generation 1. ### Which trade evolutions need a held item? Fourteen items are used: King's Rock, Metal Coat, Protector, Dragon Scale, Upgrade, Dubious Disc, Electirizer, Magmarizer, Prism Scale, Reaper Cloth, Deep Sea Tooth, Deep Sea Scale, Sachet and Whipped Dream. The item is used up when the Pokémon evolves. ### Can I stop a trade evolution? Not with the B button. Give the Pokémon an Everstone before the trade and it will not evolve. The one exception is Kadabra outside Generations 2 and 3, which always evolves. ### How do I evolve a trade evolution without trading? In Legends: Arceus you use a Linking Cord and no trade is needed. Pokémon that need a held item evolve when you use the item on them. ### How do trade evolutions work in Pokémon GO? Trade evolution was added to GO on 10 January 2020. A Pokémon you got by trade evolves for 0 Candy, and Pokémon that need a held item in the main series use Evolution items in GO instead. ## Sources - [Bulbapedia: Trade evolution](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Trade_evolution) - [Bulbapedia: Linking Cord](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Linking_Cord) - [Bulbapedia: Everstone](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Everstone) - [Serebii: evolution items in Scarlet and Violet](https://www.serebii.net/scarletviolet/evolutionitems.shtml) --- Source: https://pokee.si/articles/trade-evolution-pokemon (HTML page). pokee.si is an unofficial fan site and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK or The Pokémon Company. Pokémon and all related names and images are © their respective owners.