Evolving Porygon in Pokémon GO is not your typical candy-based evolution—it requires special evolution items and a well-planned strategy. Unlike standard Pokémon evolutions that need only candies, the Porygon line demands both Up-Grade and Sinnoh Stone to reach its final form, Porygon-Z.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every step to evolve Porygon into Porygon2 and Porygon-Z, explain where to find each evolution item, and share the best tips to make your journey faster and easier.
Porygon Evolution Tree
Here’s a quick overview of the evolution path:
- Porygon → Porygon2 (requires 25 Porygon Candy + Up-Grade)
- Porygon2 → Porygon-Z (requires 100 Porygon Candy + Sinnoh Stone)
While candies are earned through gameplay, both Up-Grade and Sinnoh Stone are rare evolution items that require effort to collect. Let’s break down each step in detail.
Step 1: Gather Enough Porygon Candy
In Pokémon GO, candies are the foundation of evolution. You’ll need:
- 25 Porygon Candies to evolve Porygon → Porygon2
- 100 Porygon Candies to evolve Porygon2 → Porygon-Z
That’s a total of 125 candies to complete the full evolutionary line.
Best Ways to Get Porygon Candy
1. Catch Porygon in the Wild
Porygon isn’t common in the wild, but it occasionally spawns during special events or near urban areas. Use Incense or Lure Modules to increase your encounter rate.
2. Use Pinap Berries
Each catch with a Pinap Berry doubles the candy reward—from 3 to 6 candies per capture. It’s one of the most efficient ways to stockpile candies quickly.
3. Transfer Extra Porygons
After catching multiple Porygons, transfer the extras to Professor Willow. You’ll receive 1 candy per transfer—small, but it adds up over time.
4. Walk with Porygon as Your Buddy
Set Porygon as your Buddy Pokémon and walk to earn candies. Porygon requires 3 KM per candy, making this a reliable passive method.
5. Participate in Events
During special events like Community Day or Pokémon GO Fest, Porygon spawn rates often increase significantly. These events are perfect for farming both candies and Shiny Porygons.
6. Trade Pokémon
Trading a Porygon with friends can sometimes result in bonus candies, especially if the Pokémon was caught far away.
By combining these methods, you’ll reach your candy goal faster and prepare for the upcoming evolution steps.
Step 2: Obtain the Up-Grade Item
To evolve Porygon into Porygon2, you’ll need the Up-Grade, a special evolution item first introduced in Generation II (Pokémon Gold and Silver). Without this item, the evolution simply won’t trigger.
What Is Up-Grade?
The Up-Grade is a digital enhancement item used by Silph Co. in the Pokémon universe to “upgrade” Porygon’s system software, allowing it to evolve into Porygon2—a more intelligent and adaptive Pokémon.
How to Get the Up-Grade in Pokémon GO
Because Up-Grade is rare, you’ll need persistence. Here are all the reliable ways to get it:
1. Spin PokéStops and Gyms
Every PokéStop and Gym spin has a small chance to drop an evolution item. The odds are low, but with consistency, you’ll eventually get one.
2. 7-Day PokéStop Streak Rewards
Keep a 7-day spinning streak—the guaranteed reward is a random evolution item, which could include Up-Grade. This is one of the most consistent methods.
3. Complete Field Research Tasks
Certain Field Research tasks offer evolution items as rewards. Keep an eye on limited-time tasks during events, as these often include Up-Grade.
4. Participate in Special Events
Community Days, Spotlight Hours, or themed events (like Tech-themed weeks) often increase Up-Grade drop rates or include it as a guaranteed reward.
5. Trainer Battles (PvP Rewards)
After battles in the GO Battle League, you sometimes receive random evolution items, including Up-Grade. The odds are higher in premium battle sets.
Patience pays off—Up-Grade is rare, but steady play guarantees success.
Step 3: Evolve Porygon into Porygon2
Once you have 25 Porygon Candies and 1 Up-Grade, you’re ready to evolve.
How to Evolve Porygon → Porygon2
- Open Pokémon GO and go to your Pokémon list.
- Select your Porygon.
- Tap the “Evolve” button.
- Confirm the evolution—your Up-Grade and 25 candies will be consumed.
Your Porygon will now transform into Porygon2, the sleeker, smarter version of its predecessor.
Step 4: Acquire the Sinnoh Stone
The next evolution—Porygon2 → Porygon-Z—requires 100 Porygon Candies and a Sinnoh Stone.
What Is the Sinnoh Stone?
The Sinnoh Stone is a special evolution item introduced in Generation IV (Diamond and Pearl). It enables certain Pokémon, originally from earlier generations, to evolve into their Sinnoh-region forms.
How to Get a Sinnoh Stone
1. Research Breakthroughs
When you complete 7 daily Field Research tasks, you receive a Research Breakthrough reward. These can contain Sinnoh Stones.
2. PvP Battle Rewards
Winning Trainer Battles in the GO Battle League often gives Sinnoh Stones as random rewards.
3. Special Events
Many seasonal or community events offer Sinnoh Stones through limited-time challenges or bonuses.
4. Team GO Rocket Battles
Occasionally, defeating Rocket Leaders or Giovanni may yield Sinnoh Stones.
5. Timed Research Tasks
Some events include multi-step research tasks that award Sinnoh Stones as milestone rewards.
As with Up-Grade, collecting a Sinnoh Stone takes consistency—but it’s essential for reaching Porygon’s final evolution.
Step 5: Evolve Porygon2 into Porygon-Z
Once you’ve collected the required materials—100 Porygon Candies and 1 Sinnoh Stone—you’re ready for the final step.
How to Evolve Porygon2 → Porygon-Z
- Go to your Pokémon storage and find Porygon2.
- Tap “Evolve.”
- Confirm the use of 100 candies + Sinnoh Stone.
Congratulations! Your Porygon2 has now become Porygon-Z—a powerful, glitch-inspired Pokémon with upgraded attack stats and unique moves.
Bonus Tip: Unlock Exclusive Moves
During special events such as Community Day, evolving Porygon2 into Porygon-Z during the event window grants an exclusive move, often Tri Attack. This move can’t be learned normally, making timed evolutions especially valuable.
If you missed the event, keep an Elite TM handy—these can teach exclusive moves retroactively.
Best Strategies to Speed Up Evolution
Here are proven strategies to maximize efficiency during your Porygon evolution journey:
- Plan for Events:
Wait for events that feature increased Porygon spawns or double candy rewards before grinding. - Use Daily Adventure Incense:
It can help attract rare Pokémon like Porygon in certain biomes. - Walk and Catch Simultaneously:
Keep Porygon as your Buddy and walk daily to earn candies while catching new ones. - Use Star Pieces & Lucky Eggs:
While farming candies or evolving, activate these boosts for extra XP and Stardust rewards. - Trade for Luck:
Lucky trades can save Stardust when powering up your final evolved Porygon-Z for battles.
Porygon-Z in Battle: Is It Worth It?
Yes! Porygon-Z is more than a collector’s trophy—it’s a strong Normal-type attacker with a high CP ceiling.
- Max CP: 3,500+
- Best Moveset: Hidden Power (Electric/Ice) + Hyper Beam or Tri Attack
- Ideal Role: Gym attacker, PvE raid participant, or Great/Ultra League option
Its unpredictability and solid damage output make it a fun and competitive Pokémon for many scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What items do I need to evolve Porygon fully?
You’ll need 1 Up-Grade, 1 Sinnoh Stone, and 125 Porygon Candies to complete the entire evolution line.
2. How rare is the Up-Grade in Pokémon GO?
Up-Grade is a rare evolution item, but it can be earned from PokéStops, Gyms, 7-day streaks, or special events.
3. Can I trade for an Up-Grade or Sinnoh Stone?
No. Evolution items like Up-Grade and Sinnoh Stone cannot be traded between players.
4. Can I evolve a Shiny Porygon?
Yes! If you have a Shiny Porygon, you can evolve it using the same steps. The evolved forms will remain shiny.
5. How many candies do I need for both evolutions?
A total of 125 Porygon Candies (25 for Porygon2 and 100 for Porygon-Z).
6. How can I get Porygon Candy faster?
Catch with Pinap Berries, walk with Porygon as your buddy, and play during events with boosted spawns.
7. When is the best time to evolve Porygon?
During events like Community Day, as Porygon-Z may learn exclusive moves like Tri Attack.
8. Is Porygon-Z good for battles?
Yes. With the right moveset, Porygon-Z is strong in PvE battles and occasionally viable in PvP formats.
9. What if I accidentally used my Up-Grade?
You’ll need to collect another through PokéStops, research tasks, or events.
10. Can I use multiple Sinnoh Stones for Porygon-Z?
No. Only one Sinnoh Stone is required per evolution. Save extras for other Pokémon.
Conclusion: Master the Porygon Evolution Line
Evolving Porygon into Porygon2 and Porygon-Z in Pokémon GO requires patience, planning, and persistence—but the reward is well worth it. By collecting enough candies, securing your Up-Grade, and earning a Sinnoh Stone, you’ll unlock one of the game’s most iconic and futuristic Pokémon.
Whether you’re completing your Pokédex, chasing a Shiny evolution, or building a strong battle team, this evolution line offers both utility and nostalgia. Keep spinning PokéStops, completing research, and watching event calendars—before long, your Porygon-Z will be zapping foes in style!
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