Everything you need to know about changing forms in Pokémon Go

After five years, Niantic has finally introduced form changing in Pokémon Go. Although this mechanic is currently limited to only a handful of Pokémon, before we know it, Pokémon with multiple forms, like Giratina and Castform may be able to swap between their different forms. However, changing form in Pokémon Go doesn’t work as easily as it does in the core games. Fortunately, we here at iMore know everything there is to know about form changing in Pokémon Go, and be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories so you can be fully equipped on your Pokémon Journey!

What are forms in Pokémon Go?

Beginning with Gen II and Unown, some Pokémon have been introduced with multiple variants or forms. Sometimes these forms differ only in aesthetics, while other form changes provide boosted stats, type changes, and more. While some Pokémon with multiple forms cannot change forms, most can swap between their various forms in the core games using items, special moves, the weather, and other in game mechanics.

There are many Pokémon with multiple forms now, including several that have already been introduced in Pokémon Go; however, prior to the Season of Mischief, form changing wasn’t possible. Instead, Pokémon with multiple forms were treated as almost completely separate species. Take Castform for example: Castform has different forms depending on the weather. When Castform made its way into Pokémon Go, each weather version was its own Pokémon, only sharing Candy.

That’s all changed with the Season of Mischief. First, with the introduction of Furfrou in the Fashion Week event and then with Hoopa, select Pokémon can now change forms.

Form or forme: what’s the difference?

As some players may have noticed, occasionally a Pokémon’s multiple forms will be refered to as “formes”. While this term is usually researved to differentiate the purely cosmetic form changes from those with substantial differences, it has never been consistently applied, leaving many players confused as to which term applies to which species. To avoid confusion, this guide will stick with “form”.

Costumes, Mega Evolution, and more

In the core games, Costumed Pokémon, Mega Evolved Pokémon, including the Primal Reversions of Groudon and Kyogre, and Regional Variants are all considered separate forms. These Pokémon will not be included in this guide. You can check out our guides on Mega Evolution and Regional Variants to learn more.

How to change forms in Pokémon Go

Currently, there are only two Pokémon who can change forms in Pokémon Go, but it’s only a matter of time before more are introduced. Changing forms in Pokémon Go currently costs Candy and Stardust, and can have other limitations as well.

The first Pokémon given the ability to change form in Pokémon Go is Furfrou. This Normal type Pokémon has ten different forms, but the differences are purely aesthetic. In the core games, the different forms were obtained by grooming Furfrou at different Pokémon Stylists for 500 Pokémon dollars and the change would last for up to five days or until the Furfrou was deposited in the PC, Pokémon Bank, or the daycare/nursery.

In Pokémon Go, Furfrou requires 25 Furfrou Candy and 10,000 Stardust to change forms and will retain its form permanently so long as it isn’t transferred to the core games. Additionally, some of its forms are currently region locked:

Natural Trim: Caught in the wild
Matron Trim: Available globally
Dandy Trim: Available globally
Debutante Trim: Available in the Americas
Diamond Trim: Available in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
Star Trim: Available in the Asia-Pacific region
La Reine Trim: Available in France
Kabuki Trim: Available in Japan
Pharaoh Trim: Available in Egypt
Heart Trim: Not yet available in Pokémon Go

The second Pokémon given the ability to change form in Pokémon Go is the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa. Hoopa can currently only be caught in its Bound form by completing the Special Research, Misunderstood Mischief. Players who have completed Misunderstood Mischief by the end of the Season of Mischief can then complete a second Special Research, Mischief Unbound to unlock the ability to change Hoopa’s form.

Changing from Hoopa Confined to Hoopa Unbound requires 50 Hoopa Candy and 10,000 Stardust
Changing from Hoopa Unbound to Hoopa Confined requires ten Hoopa Candy and 2,000 Stardust

Players who are unable to complete Misunderstood Mischief in time can purchase Mischief Unbound for $4.99USD or local equivalent in the PokéShop. However, players will still need to progress far enough in Misunderstood Mischief to catch Hoopa.

Pokémon with multiple forms in Pokémon Go

There are many Pokémon with multiple forms already in Pokémon Go and many more that have yet to be introduced. Some of these Pokémon can change between their different forms using items, move, weather, or other in game mechanics, while others are locked into one form or the other. Even for Pokémon that can change forms, only Furfrou and Hoopa have the ability to change forms in Pokémon Go so far.

The following Pokémon cannot freely change between forms:

Unown: 28 forms, including each letter of the alphabet, an exclamation point, and a question mark.
Shellos: East Sea and West Sea
Gastrodon: East Sea and West Sea
Basculin: Red-Striped and Blue-Striped
Vivillon: 18 forms based on real world geographic location and two event forms
Flabébé: Red, Yellow, Blue, Orange, and White
Floette: Red, Yellow, Blue, Orange, and White
Florges: Red, Yellow, Blue, Orange, and White
Pumpkaboo: Normal, Average, Large, and Super Size
Gourgeist: Normal, Average, Large, and Super Size
Lycanroc: Midday, Midnight, and Dusk
Minior: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet
Magearna: Normal and Original Color
Toxtricity: Amped and Low Key
Sinistea: Phony and Antique
Polteageist: Phony and Antique
Alcremie: 63 different forms based on cream type and sweets used to evolve
Urshifu: Single Strike and Rapid Strike

The following Pokémon can freely change between forms:

Castform: Normal, Sunny, Rainy, and Snowy
Deoxys: Normal, Attack, Defense, and Speed
Burmy: Plant Cloak, Sandy Cloak, and Trash Cloak
Wormadam: Plant Cloak, Sandy Cloak, and Trash Cloak
Cherrim: Overcast and Sunshine
Rotom: Normal, Heat, Wash, Fan, Frost, and Mow
Giratina: Altered and Origin
Shaymin: Land and Sky
Arceus: 18 forms, one for each Type
Unovan Darmanitan: Standard and Zen
Galarian Darmanitan: Standard and Zen
Deerling: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter
Sawsbuck: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter
Tornadus: Incarnate and Therian
Thundurus: Incarnate and Therian
Reshiram: Normal and Overdrive
Zekrom: Normal and Overdrive
Landorus: Incarnate and Therian
Kyurem: Normal, Black, and White
Keldeo: Ordinary and Resolute
Meloetta: Aria and Pirouette
Genesect: Normal, Shock, Burn, Chill, and Douse
Greninja: Normal and Ash-Greninja
Furfrou: Natural, Heart, Star, Diamond, Debutante, Matron, Dandy, La Reine, Kabuki, and Pharaoh
Aegislash: Shield and Blade
Xerneas: Neutral and Active
Zygarde: Cell, Core, 10%, 50%, and Complete
Hoopa: Bound and Unbound
Oricorio: Baile Style, Pom-Pom Style, Pa’u Style, and Sensu Style
Wishiwashi: Solo and School
Silvally: 18 forms, one for each Type
Minior: Meteor and Core
Mimikyu: Disguised and Busted
Solgaleo: Normal and Radiant Sun Phase
Lunala: Normal and Full Moon Phase
Necrozma: Normal, Dusk Mane, Dawn Wings, and Ultra
Marshadow: Normal and Zenith
Cramorant: Normal, Gulping, and Gorging
Eiscue: Ice Face and Noice Face
Morpeko: Full Belly and Hangry
Zacian: Hero of Many Battles and Crowned Sword
Zamazenta: Hero of Many Battles and Crowned Shield
Eternatus: Normal and Eternamax
Calyrex: Normal, Ice Rider, and Shadow Rider

Questions about changing forms in Pokémon Go?

Do you have any questions about changing forms in Pokémon Go? How many Furfrou forms have you managed to add to your Pokédex? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to check out the rest of our Pokémon Go guides so you too can be the very best like no one ever was!