Eevee is basically the mascot of "wait, how do I do this again?" in Pokemon Go. Most players start their journey catching a fuzzy brown fox-dog and end up with a flaming dog or a psychic cat, sometimes by accident. It's frustrating. You spend weeks grinding candy only to end up with your third Jolteon when you desperately needed a Vaporeon to take down that local gym. Pokemon Go all evolutions of eevee isn't just a list; it's a mechanical puzzle that Niantic has layered with secrets, friendship requirements, and specific lure modules.
The truth is, Eevee is the most versatile creature in the game. But that versatility comes with a massive headache if you don't know the specific triggers.
Honestly, the "random" button is a trap. If you just hit evolve on a standard Eevee, you are rolling a three-sided die between Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon. That's it. You will never, ever get a Sylveon or an Umbreon by just hitting that button and praying. You've got to be smarter than the RNG.
The Name Trick: A One-Time Cheat Code
Every veteran player knows the name trick. It's the easiest way to guarantee an evolution, but there is a catch that people always forget: it only works once per evolution per account. If you've already used the name "Kira" to get a Sylveon three years ago, typing it in again today will do absolutely nothing. It’ll just give you a random Kanto evolution or whatever the current requirement allows.
Here is the breakdown of the names you need to know:
- Rainer for Vaporeon
- Sparky for Jolteon
- Pyro for Flareon
- Sakura for Espeon
- Tamao for Umbreon
- Linnea for Leafeon
- Rea for Glaceon
- Kira for Sylveon
I've seen people lose high-IV Eevees because they didn't check the silhouette on the "Evolve" button. Always check the silhouette. If it’s a question mark, the name trick didn't work. If it shows the specific Pokemon, you're golden. This trick is a tribute to the Eevee brothers and other trainers from the original anime, which is a neat touch for the long-time fans.
Why the Kanto Trio is Pure Luck
Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon are the "O.G." squad. Aside from that initial name trick, there is no way to influence which one you get. None. I’ve heard rumors about the move set of the Eevee or the location you’re in influencing the outcome, but that's all nonsense. It’s a 33.3% split.
If you are hunting for a specific one for your Great League roster, you're going to need a lot of Eevee candy. Vaporeon used to rule the meta back in 2016, but nowadays, these three are mostly entry-level attackers. They’re great for beginners because Eevee is common, but they get outclassed quickly by Legendaries.
Walking Your Way to Espeon and Umbreon
This is where the mechanics get spicy. To get the Gen 2 evolutions, you have to put in the literal legwork. You must set Eevee as your Buddy and walk 10 kilometers.
But wait. There are two "gotchas" here that ruin people's days. First, you have to actually earn two candies through walking. Second, and this is the big one, the Eevee must still be your buddy when you hit the evolve button.
✨ Don't miss: Ruby Masoor Dal Dreamlight Valley: The Recipe Most People Struggle With
I’ve made the mistake of walking the 10km, switching to a different Buddy to start a new task, and then evolving the Eevee from my storage. I got a Flareon. I was livid.
Keep it as your buddy. Then, look at the clock.
- Evolve during the daytime (in-game map is bright) for Espeon.
- Evolve during the nighttime (in-game map is dark) for Umbreon.
Umbreon is a tank in the Great League. If you have an Eevee with low Attack and high Defense/HP, that's your prime Umbreon candidate. Espeon, on the other hand, is a glass cannon. Great for raiding Machamp, but it’ll fold like a lawn chair if a Dark-type so much as looks at it.
The Lure Module Requirement: Leafeon and Glaceon
Gen 4 introduced the Sinnoh duo, and with them, a new way for Niantic to make us spend PokeCoins (or at least hang out at PokeStops). You need specific Lure Modules:
- Mossy Lure for Leafeon.
- Glacial Lure for Glaceon.
You don't have to be the one who placed the lure. If you see someone else has dropped a Mossy Lure at the local park, just stand within range of that stop. Open your Eevee’s page, and you should see the Leafeon silhouette.
Leafeon is... okay. It's a decent Grass attacker, but Kartana and Mega Venusaur exist, so it's mostly for the Pokedex entry. Glaceon is actually quite useful. It’s one of the best budget Ice-type attackers for taking down Rayquaza or other Dragon-type raid bosses. If you don't have a team of Mamoswine, a couple of high-level Glaceons will do the job just fine.
📖 Related: Why Today's Connections Is Driving Everyone Locally Insane
Sylveon: The Power of Friendship
Sylveon is the diva of the group. It doesn't care about names (after the first time) or lures or walking distance. It cares about Hearts.
To get Sylveon, you need to earn 70 Buddy Hearts with that specific Eevee. This takes time. You’re looking at several days of petting, feeding berries, taking snapshots, and battling alongside it. Once you hit that 70-heart threshold, the Sylveon silhouette will appear.
Pro tip: If you're in a rush, use a Poffin. It doubles the hearts you can earn in a day and makes the process significantly faster. Sylveon is a beast in the Master League (Premier) and a very solid Fairy attacker for raids. It’s arguably the most "useful" evolution in the current 2026 meta besides Umbreon.
Making the Right Choice for Your Playstyle
Not all Eeveelutions are created equal. If you are a competitive PvP player, your priorities are different than a collector.
Umbreon is the king of the Great League. With its massive bulk and access to Foul Play (and the Elite TM move Last Resort), it can outlast almost anything. For Ultra League, you actually want a 100% IV Eevee for Umbreon because it caps out near 2400 CP at Level 50.
Sylveon is your go-to for Fairy-type needs. It’s a Charm user. It’s slow, but it hits like a truck.
Glaceon is your raid specialist.
Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon are mostly "budget" options. If you're a new player and need to fill out a raid team, a high-CP Flareon is a cheap way to get Fire damage without spending Stardust on a Moltres.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring the Silhouette: I cannot stress this enough. If you see a question mark, you are gambling. If you see a specific shape, you are guaranteed that Pokemon.
- GPS Drift: If you are evolving for Espeon or Umbreon and your GPS drifts, the game might momentarily think it's the wrong time of day or that you aren't with your buddy. Make sure your connection is stable.
- The 10km Walk: It’s not just about the distance; it’s about the candy. Sometimes the game tracks distance but lags on the candy. Wait until you see that "+1 Eevee Candy" notification twice before you pull the trigger.
Maximizing Your Eevee Candy
Since you need 25 candy per evolution, and you likely want a full set of shiny versions and lucky versions, you need a lot of resources. Catch every Eevee you see. Use Pinap Berries. During certain events, Eevee is a common spawn, and that is your time to stock up.
If you're sitting on a "Shiny" Eevee, think long and hard before evolving it. Shiny Umbreon (with the blue rings) and Shiny Sylveon (with the blue/pink swap) are widely considered some of the best-looking shinies in the game. Shiny Jolteon, which is a sort of sickly lime green, is... well, it’s a choice.
Actionable Strategy for Eevee Success
Don't just evolve the first Eevee you find. Sort your storage by IVs.
- Save your 0/15/15 or similar "low attack, high bulk" Eevees for Umbreon or Sylveon (Great/Ultra League).
- Save your 15/15/15 (Hundos) for Umbreon (Ultra League) or Sylveon (Master League).
- Use your high CP, mediocre IV Eevees for Glaceon or Leafeon to use as raid attackers without wasting Stardust.
Check your "Buddy History" to track hearts for Sylveon. It’s easy to lose count. If you’re unsure, just keep going until the button changes.
The Pokemon Go all evolutions of eevee system is one of the few parts of the game that rewards patience and specific knowledge over raw luck. Take advantage of that. Instead of clicking "Evolve" on a whim, plan your Buddy walking and Lure usage around the specific needs of your battle teams. Collect the names, track the distance, and make sure that silhouette matches your goal before you spend those 25 candies.