Gold and Silver brought with it different ways to evolve Pokemon both old and new. Many of these would return in future generations and inspire even more lucrative methods.

Stone-based evolution

Although stone-based evolution wasn't necessarily new, a new stone was indeed introduced in Gold and Silver. This would be the Sun Stone, which is only acquired by coming in first place at the Bug-Catching Content. The Sun Stone only seems to affect Grass-type Pokemon, one of whom is old and one of whom is new.

Pic Name Base Stats & Type Evolution Method Evo Pic Evo Name Evo Base Stats & Type
HP Att Def S.Att S.Def Spd HP Att Def S.Att S.Def Spd
#044 Gloom Sun Stone
#182 Bellossom
60 65 70 85 75 40 75 80 85 90 100 50
#191 Sunkern Sun Stone
#192 Sunflora
30 30 30 30 30 30 75 75 55 105 85 30

A secondary evolution stone was introduced in these games as well: the Everstone. It doesn't cause evolution though, it prevents it. It's useful for when you want to trade a Pokemon that evolves by trade. It, like the Sun Stone, is found by playing the Bug-Catching Content (though you have to come second).

Happiness-based evolution

This kind of evolution mainly affects Baby Pokemon, though it is also used for evolving Generation I Pokemon. To evolve using this method, the Pokemon must have very high happiness when it levels up. Sadly this means you can't evolve your Level 100 Golbat you brought in from Red or Blue with the Time Capsule, but it does mean you can theoretically have a Level 23 Crobat if you Golbat ingame.

Things that will jump start this process include levelling up the Pokemon, feeding it vitamins, giving it haircuts, and more. Click here for full details

Pic Name Base Stats & Type Evolution Method Evo Pic Evo Name Evo Base Stats & Type
HP Att Def S.Att S.Def Spd HP Att Def S.Att S.Def Spd
#042 Golbat Happiness
#169 Crobat
75 80 70 65 75 90 85 90 80 70 80 130
#113 Chansey Happiness
#242 Blissey
250 5 5 35 105 50 255 10 10 75 135 55
#133 Eevee Happiness
Daytime Only
#196 Espeon
55 55 50 45 65 55 65 65 60 130 95 110
#133 Eevee Happiness
Night Only
#197 Umbreon
55 55 50 45 65 55 95 65 110 60 130 65
#172 Pichu Happiness
#025 Pikachu
20 40 15 35 35 60 35 55 30 50 40 90
#173 Cleffa Happiness
#035 Clefairy
50 25 28 45 55 15 70 45 48 60 65 35
#174 Igglybuff Happiness
#039 Jigglypuff
90 30 15 40 20 15 115 45 20 45 25 20
#175 Togepi Happiness
#176 Togetic
35 20 65 40 65 20 55 40 85 80 105 40

Time-based evolution

This evolution method only affects one Pokemon: Eevee. It requires the same conditions to be satisfied as Happiness-based evolution, but the resulting Pokemon will be different based on whether it is morning and day or night.

Pic Name Base Stats & Type Evolution Method Evo Pic Evo Name Evo Base Stats & Type
HP Att Def S.Att S.Def Spd HP Att Def S.Att S.Def Spd
#133 Eevee Happiness
Daytime Only
#196 Espeon
55 55 50 45 65 55 65 65 60 130 95 110
#133 Eevee Happiness
Night Only
#197 Umbreon
55 55 50 45 65 55 95 65 110 60 130 65

Item trade-based evolution

One of the most common forms of evolution introduced was Item trade-based evolution. This method works the same way as trading with the exception being that the Pokemon must be holding an item to evolve. Trading via Time Capsule to older versions will not get you a Steelix in Red though, so keep that in mind. Often times the items you need only appear once in the overworld and are rarely found on wild Pokemon so don't make the decision lightly.

Pic Name Base Stats & Type Evolution Method Evo Pic Evo Name Evo Base Stats & Type
HP Att Def S.Att S.Def Spd HP Att Def S.Att S.Def Spd
#061 Poliwhirl Trade with King's Rock attached
#186 Politoed
65 65 65 50 50 90 90 75 75 90 100 70
#079 Slowpoke Trade with King's Rock attached
#199 Slowking
90 65 65 40 40 15 95 75 80 100 110 30
#095 Onix Trade with Metal Coat attached
#208 Steelix
35 45 160 30 45 70 75 85 200 55 65 30
#123 Scyther Trade with Metal Coat attached
#212 Scizor
70 110 80 55 80 105 70 130 100 55 80 65
#117 Seadra Trade with Dragon Scale attached
#230 Kingdra
55 65 95 95 45 85 75 95 95 95 95 85
#137 Porygon Trade with Up-Grade attached
#233 Porygon2
65 60 70 85 75 40 85 80 90 105 95 60

Stat-based evolution

This is unique to Tyrogue. If, by Level 20, Attack is higher than Defense, you'll get Hitmonlee. If Defense is higher than Attack, you'll get Hitmonchan, and if both are equal, you'll get Hitmontop.

Pic Name Base Stats & Type Evolution Method Evo Pic Evo Name Evo Base Stats & Type
HP Att Def S.Att S.Def Spd HP Att Def S.Att S.Def Spd
#236 Tyrogue Level 20
Attack < Defence
#107 Hitmonchan
35 35 35 35 35 35 50 105 79 35 110 76
#236 Tyrogue Level 20
Attack > Defence
#106 Hitmonlee
35 35 35 35 35 35 50 120 53 35 110 87
#236 Tyrogue Level 20
Attack = Defence
#237 Hitmontop
35 35 35 35 35 35 50 95 95 35 110 70