The Pokedex is an electronic encylopedia that a Pokemon trainer is given to help keep track of what Pokemon they've encountered. It shows information like a Pokemon's appearance, its typing, where it can be found, and a description of its species.

Sometimes trainers may be tasked with documenting Pokemon in the region, so details are hidden until the Pokemon has been seen or captured.

Starter Pokemon - more formally known as a trainer's first partner Pokemon - are the first Pokemon selected by a trainer when starting their journey. Typically trainers are given the choice between a Grass, Fire, or Water type Pokemon and their starter often has advantages and disadvantages against Pokemon they will face early on.

Although trainers can catch and bond with many Pokemon throughout their journey, the bond with a starter Pokemon is often considered special and enduring.

Yes, some Pokemon have two types instead of just one. These dual types affect their strengths, weaknesses, and resistances in battles. Learn more about Pokemon types at our Type Matchups page.

Evolution is not merely a visual change, it is the process of a Pokemon turning into a new species of Pokemon. This new species has a different Pokedex number and base stats, and may become a different type, learn new moves, and have a different ability.

Personal properties of the Pokemon, such as its nature and shininess, stay the same after evolution.

Pokemon can evolve in numerous ways. The most common method of evolution is the Pokemon reaching a certain level, being exposed to a certain item (such as elemental stones), or being traded from one trainer to another.

Some evolutions are triggered by environmental factors, like the time of day, the weather, or the location. For some Pokemon, evolution depends on certain traits, with some species having only one gender able to evolve, or different evolutions depending on gender or nature.

Other evolutions require trainers to be precise in training their Pokemon - raising their friendship to a high level, giving their Pokemon a certain item to hold, having them use a move a number of times, battling a certain other Pokemon, or trading another trainer for a specific Pokemon.

One of the strangest evolution methods is Inkay, which evolves when you physically turn your device upside down!

There are a number of Pokemon that remain in a single stage and do not have any form of evolution - many Legendary and Mythical Pokemon fall into this category.

Other Pokemon evolve in multistage evolutionary lines. Some have two-stage evolutions, evolving once, while others have three-stage lines, where a Pokemon can evolve twice.

Some Pokemon have branched evolutionary lines, making a single Pokemon can evolve into one of several different species depending on conditions, items, or other factors.

Eevee has the most evolution possibilities, able to evolve into one of eight different species of Pokemon, each with a unique type!

Mega Evolution is a temporary transformation that certain Pokemon can undergo during battle by using a specific item called a Mega Stone.

To Mega evolve, the Pokemon and its trainer must have a strong bond, and the Pokemon must be holding its corresponding Mega Stone. During Mega Evolution, a Pokemon's appearance, abilities, and stats change, often significantly boosting its power for the duration of the battle.

Rare Pokemon are typically those difficult or impossible to find in the wild, sometimes requiring specific conditions to appear.

This could include Pokemon that only appear in specific locations, at certain times of day, during special events, after completing tasks, or under unusual circumstances.

The rarest categories of Pokemon are Legendary and Mythical Pokemon. Some color variants of Pokemon, like Shiny Pokemon, may also be considered rare.

Legendary Pokemon are extremely rare and powerful Pokemon that are often central to the story. Many cannot be found in the wild and are encountered under special circumstances, sometimes requiring trainers to capture them during their journey.

Legendary Pokemon cannot breed, only few can evolve, and players can typically catch only one of each per save file.

In the Pokemon world, they are often the subject of myths and legends, and some are even worshipped as deities.

Mythical Pokemon are an even rarer group of Pokemon. They are only obtainable through special events, distributions, or promotions and almost never appear during normal gameplay.

Unlike Legendary Pokemon, Mythical Pokemon can sometimes be obtained multiple times if the event or distribution can be repeated. Mythical Pokemon cannot evolve and typically cannot breed.

In the Pokemon world, Mythical Pokemon are so rare that many doubt they even exist.

Shiny Pokemon are Pokémon with a different color scheme than normal members of their species. When sent out in battle, they display a special sparkle effect and play a unique jingle.

Shiny Pokemon are extremely rare, with a very low chance of being encountered - originally about 1 in 8,192, and roughly 1 in 4,096 since Pokemon X and Y. Shiny Pokemon have no special advantages, but are highly sought because of aesthetics and their rarity.