Evolving Kadabra into Alakazam in Pokémon Emerald isn’t as straightforward as simply leveling it up. This powerful psychic-type Pokémon requires a specific method: trading. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to evolve your Kadabra into the coveted Alakazam in Pokémon Emerald, along with essential information and helpful tips to ensure a smooth evolution process.
Understanding Kadabra and Alakazam
Kadabra, the evolved form of Abra, is known for its impressive special attack and speed. It’s a formidable Pokémon in its own right, but its true potential is unlocked when it evolves into Alakazam.
Alakazam boasts even higher special attack and speed stats, making it one of the fastest and hardest-hitting special attackers in Pokémon Emerald. Its psychic abilities are legendary, and its presence on any team can significantly impact battles. Obtaining Alakazam is highly desirable for any trainer looking to dominate the game.
The Trading Evolution Method
In Pokémon Emerald, Kadabra evolves into Alakazam only through trading. This means you need to trade your Kadabra to another player, and upon arrival in the other player’s game, it will evolve. You then need to trade it back to your game to have Alakazam on your team. This process relies on the game’s internal mechanics for traded Pokémon.
Prerequisites for Trading
Before you can trade, there are a few requirements you must meet.
- Two Game Boy Advance Systems or Nintendo DS/DS Lite Systems: Pokémon Emerald is a Game Boy Advance game, so you need two compatible systems to execute the trade. A Nintendo DS or DS Lite can play Game Boy Advance games.
- Two Copies of Pokémon Emerald (or a Compatible Game): While one copy must be Emerald, the other can be another Generation III Pokémon game (Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, or LeafGreen) for trade compatibility.
- Link Cable: A Game Boy Advance link cable is necessary to connect the two systems for trading. Wireless adapters can also be used, but link cables provide a more reliable connection.
- Pokédex: You must have acquired the Pokédex in your game. This is obtained relatively early in the game.
- At Least Two Pokémon: You need at least two Pokémon in your party; one to trade your Kadabra and another to receive something in return (initially).
Step-by-Step Trading Guide
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the trading process to evolve your Kadabra into Alakazam:
Prepare Your Kadabra: Ensure your Kadabra is at a level you are comfortable trading. Remember, the evolution occurs immediately after the trade, so consider whether you want it to learn any more moves before evolving.
Connect the Systems: Connect the two Game Boy Advance systems (or Nintendo DS/DS Lite) using the link cable. Make sure the cable is securely plugged into both systems.
Visit a Pokémon Center: Go to any Pokémon Center in the game. The second floor of the Pokémon Center is where the trading occurs.
Talk to the Trade Center Attendant: On the second floor, you’ll find a lady behind a counter. Talk to her. She will ask if you want to trade. Select “Yes.”
Enter the Trade Room: Both players should talk to the attendant to enter the trade room. Once both players are in the trade room, you will see each other’s in-game avatars.
Initiate the Trade: Approach the other player’s avatar and press the ‘A’ button. This will initiate a trade request.
Select Kadabra: Choose your Kadabra from your party. The other player will then choose a Pokémon to offer in return.
Review the Trade: Both players will see the Pokémon being offered. Make sure you are trading Kadabra and the other player is offering a Pokémon you are willing to receive temporarily.
Confirm the Trade: If both players are satisfied, confirm the trade. A brief animation will play as the Pokémon are exchanged between the games.
Evolution: Once Kadabra arrives in the other player’s game, it will immediately evolve into Alakazam.
Trade Back (Optional but Recommended): To get Alakazam back on your team, initiate another trade with the same player. They will trade Alakazam back to you, and you will trade back the Pokémon they initially gave you for Kadabra.
Verify the Evolution: Once Alakazam is back in your party, check its stats and moves to ensure the evolution was successful.
Potential Challenges and Solutions
Trading in Pokémon Emerald can sometimes present challenges. Here are a few common issues and their solutions:
Link Cable Issues: If the systems aren’t connecting, ensure the link cable is properly connected to both systems. Try using a different link cable if possible. Also, clean the connectors on both the cable and the Game Boy Advance units.
Game Compatibility: Ensure both games are compatible for trading. Pokémon Emerald can trade with Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, and LeafGreen.
Save Data Corruption: Rarely, save data corruption can prevent trading. Backing up your save data (if possible) can mitigate this risk.
Finding a Trading Partner: The biggest challenge for many players is finding someone to trade with. Online communities and forums dedicated to Pokémon trading can be invaluable.
Tips for a Successful Trade
Here are some additional tips to make the trading process smoother:
Communicate with Your Trading Partner: Before initiating the trade, discuss what you’re trading and what you expect in return. This prevents misunderstandings and ensures a fair trade.
Consider IVs and Nature: If you’re aiming for a competitive Alakazam, consider the Individual Values (IVs) and nature of your Kadabra. These factors significantly impact Alakazam’s stats.
Check the Pokémon’s Moves: Ensure Kadabra hasn’t learned any undesirable moves before trading, as you might not be able to change them immediately after it evolves into Alakazam (depending on move relearner access).
Be Patient: Trading can sometimes be time-consuming, especially if you’re experiencing technical difficulties. Be patient and persistent, and you’ll eventually succeed.
Alternatives to Trading (Considerations)
While trading is the only legitimate way to evolve Kadabra in Pokémon Emerald without external tools, it’s worth acknowledging that alternative methods exist through the use of external devices like Action Replay or ROM hacks. However, using these methods is generally discouraged because they can potentially corrupt save data and are outside the bounds of fair play within the established rules of the game. This guide focuses solely on the legitimate and intended gameplay mechanics.
Alakazam’s Strengths and Strategies
Once you have your Alakazam, it’s important to understand how to best utilize its strengths in battle.
Alakazam excels as a special attacker, capable of dealing massive damage with moves like Psychic, Thunderbolt, and Ice Beam. Its high speed allows it to outspeed most opponents, letting it strike first and often knock out opponents before they even have a chance to attack.
A typical Alakazam moveset might include:
Psychic: A powerful STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) move.
Thunderbolt: Provides coverage against Water and Flying types.
Ice Beam: Offers coverage against Ground, Flying, and Dragon types.
Calm Mind: Boosts Alakazam’s Special Attack and Special Defense, making it even more formidable.
Alakazam is frail defensively, so it’s crucial to keep it away from physical attackers. Utilize its speed to take down threats before they can inflict significant damage. Pairing Alakazam with Pokémon that can cover its weaknesses is essential for creating a well-rounded team.
Conclusion
Evolving Kadabra into Alakazam in Pokémon Emerald requires trading, a process that involves connecting with another player and exchanging Pokémon. While it may seem complex, following these steps ensures you successfully obtain one of the most powerful psychic-type Pokémon in the game. The effort is well worth it, as Alakazam’s incredible special attack and speed make it a valuable asset to any trainer’s team. Remember to prepare your Kadabra, find a reliable trading partner, and utilize Alakazam’s strengths to dominate the Pokémon Emerald world.
FAQ 1: Can I evolve Kadabra into Alakazam through leveling up in Pokémon Emerald?
Unfortunately, simply leveling up Kadabra will not trigger its evolution into Alakazam in Pokémon Emerald. Traditional leveling methods only apply to certain Pokémon species. Kadabra’s evolution into its final form, Alakazam, requires a specific method that bypasses the typical level-based progression.
The key to evolving Kadabra lies in trading it to another player. This is a crucial element in its evolution process, as Kadabra transforms into Alakazam immediately upon being traded. Once the trade is complete, the receiving player will then possess an Alakazam, and the originating player will need to trade back to obtain their newly evolved Pokémon.
FAQ 2: What are the steps for trading Kadabra to evolve it into Alakazam in Pokémon Emerald?
The first step involves ensuring you have a second Game Boy Advance (or Nintendo DS/DS Lite), a copy of Pokémon Emerald (or another compatible Generation III Pokémon game), and a Game Boy Advance Link Cable. Connect both systems using the Link Cable and ensure both are powered on. Visit a Pokémon Center in either game, as they serve as trading hubs in the Pokémon world.
Once inside the Pokémon Center, speak to the non-player character (NPC) located near the second floor elevator. This NPC will initiate the trading process. In your game, select Kadabra from your party and offer it as the Pokémon to trade. The other player will then choose a Pokémon to offer in exchange. Upon confirming the trade on both systems, Kadabra will be traded and immediately evolve into Alakazam on the receiver’s game. After the evolution, trade back to obtain your Alakazam.
FAQ 3: Is it possible to evolve Kadabra into Alakazam solo without trading in Pokémon Emerald?
Regrettably, in the original Pokémon Emerald game, evolving Kadabra without trading is impossible. The game mechanics are designed to mandate trading as the sole method for evolving this particular Pokémon. There are no in-game items or alternative methods implemented to circumvent this requirement.
However, it is worth noting that external methods, such as using ROM hacks or cheat codes, could potentially alter the game’s programming and allow for evolution without trading. Such methods are not officially supported by Nintendo or Game Freak and may introduce glitches or instability into the game. Therefore, these are considered unconventional and potentially risky solutions.
FAQ 4: What level should my Kadabra be before trading it to evolve it into Alakazam?
The level of Kadabra before trading doesn’t affect its evolution into Alakazam. Kadabra will evolve immediately upon being traded, regardless of its current level. You can trade a Kadabra at any level, whether it’s level 16 (the typical level it evolves from Abra) or level 99, and it will still evolve into Alakazam.
Therefore, the decision of when to trade your Kadabra is entirely based on your personal preference. If you want to utilize Kadabra’s abilities for a longer period before evolving it, you can level it up further. However, if you prefer to have Alakazam’s superior stats and movepool as soon as possible, you can trade it immediately after it evolves from Abra.
FAQ 5: Does holding an item during the trade affect Kadabra’s evolution into Alakazam?
No, holding an item during the trade does not affect Kadabra’s ability to evolve into Alakazam. The evolution is solely triggered by the act of trading itself. The item being held will simply be transferred along with the Pokémon to the other player.
Consider carefully if you want to give the recipient any helpful items alongside Kadabra, and if the recipient needs to return any similar item. Remember that after the evolution, if you want the item back, you’ll need to request it be traded back along with your new Alakazam. Otherwise, holding an item neither enhances nor hinders the evolution process.
FAQ 6: Are there any specific requirements or conditions that must be met before trading Kadabra to evolve it?
There are no specific story requirements or conditions beyond basic game progression that must be met before you can trade Kadabra. As long as you have access to a Pokémon Center with the trading NPC, another system and copy of the game, and a link cable, you can initiate a trade.
The only other requirement is that both players need to have at least two Pokémon in their party. This ensures that neither player is left without a Pokémon in their party after the trade. Otherwise, trading is unrestricted and available from the moment you gain access to the necessary resources and locations in the game.
FAQ 7: What happens if the trade is interrupted or fails during Kadabra’s evolution?
If the trade is interrupted or fails during the process of trading Kadabra, the evolution will not occur. Kadabra will remain a Kadabra in the game of the original owner, and the other player will keep the Pokémon they offered for trade. The interruption can be caused by various reasons, such as a disconnection of the link cable, power outage, or game malfunction.
In the event of an interrupted trade, you will need to re-establish the connection and initiate the trading process again. It’s crucial to ensure a stable connection and avoid any actions that could potentially disrupt the trade, such as turning off the systems or removing the link cable, until the entire trading process is complete. This will guarantee a successful trade and evolution of Kadabra into Alakazam.