Abra evolves into Kadabra at level 16, and Kadabra then evolves into Alakazam through trading with another player. This three-stage Psychic-type evolution line has remained consistent since its debut in Generation I with Pokémon Red and Blue in 1996. The trade requirement for Alakazam makes it one of the original trade evolution Pokémon, a mechanic that encouraged players to connect and exchange creatures long before online trading existed.
For collectors tracking the TCG, understanding this evolution line matters because cards from each stage appear across nearly every set since the Base Set. Abra sits at National Dex number 063, Kadabra at 064, and Alakazam at 065. The evolution line has maintained its popularity through decades of releases, though Kadabra cards became notably scarce for years due to a legal dispute with Uri Geller over the character’s spoon-bending imagery. This article covers the specific evolution requirements across different games, the challenges of catching Abra in the first place, how the line works in Pokémon GO, alternative evolution methods introduced in newer titles, and what collectors should know about cards from this iconic Psychic-type family.
Table of Contents
- How Does Abra Evolve Into Kadabra and Alakazam?
- Alternative Evolution Methods in Recent Games
- Catching Abra: The Teleportation Problem
- Evolution in Pokémon GO: Candy Costs and Mega Evolution
- The Kadabra Card Controversy and Collector Impact
- Abra Line Appearances in Modern Games
- What the Evolution Line Means for Card Collectors
- Conclusion
How Does Abra Evolve Into Kadabra and Alakazam?
The Abra evolution line follows a two-step process with different mechanics at each stage. The first evolution happens through standard leveling: raise Abra to level 16, and it automatically evolves into Kadabra. This threshold sits on the lower end for first-stage evolutions, meaning trainers can complete this step relatively early in most games. The second evolution requires trading Kadabra to another player. When received on the other end of a trade, Kadabra immediately transforms into Alakazam.
No held items, friendship levels, or special conditions apply beyond the trade itself. This mechanic dates back to the original games and was designed to encourage social interaction between players. However, it also means solo players without trading partners historically could not complete this evolution without access to a second game and system. Compared to other trade evolutions like Machoke into Machamp or Graveler into Golem, the Kadabra-to-Alakazam process works identically. The key difference lies in rarity and desirability. Alakazam’s high Special Attack and Speed stats made it a competitive staple, so the trade barrier carried more weight for players wanting to use this Pokémon seriously.
Alternative Evolution Methods in Recent Games
Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduced an alternative that removed the need for trading entirely. Players can use a Linking Cord item on Kadabra to trigger its evolution into Alakazam without involving another trainer. This item costs 1,000 Merit Points from Simona in Jubilife Village, earned by returning lost satchels found throughout the Hisui region. This change addressed a longstanding accessibility issue.
Players without friends who owned the game, those in regions with smaller player bases, or anyone whose original trading partners had moved on could finally complete the evolution independently. The Linking Cord essentially simulates the trade connection, and similar items have appeared in subsequent games following this model. However, if you prefer the traditional experience or want to save Merit Points for other items, trading remains an option in Legends: Arceus. The Linking Cord simply provides flexibility. In mainline games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the trade requirement still applies, so methods vary depending on which title you’re playing.
Catching Abra: The Teleportation Problem
Before evolving Abra, you need to catch one, and this presents its own challenge. Abra knows Teleport from the start and uses it immediately upon encountering a trainer, fleeing battle before most players can react. With only one turn to act in most cases, standard catching strategies often fail. The most reliable approach involves status conditions or speed.
Pokémon with moves like Sleep Powder or Thunder Wave can incapacitate Abra before it escapes, but you need a faster Pokémon to act first. Quick Balls thrown on the first turn offer another solution, giving a catch rate bonus that sometimes succeeds before Abra flees. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the catching mechanics differ, allowing players to throw Poké Balls directly at Abra in the overworld before it notices them. Experienced players often save before encountering Abra and reset if the catch fails. This persistence pays off, as Abra’s evolution line remains one of the strongest Psychic-type options available in most games where it appears.
Evolution in Pokémon GO: Candy Costs and Mega Evolution
Pokémon GO handles the Abra line differently, replacing trade requirements with Candy costs. Evolving Abra into Kadabra requires 25 Abra Candy, while Kadabra into Alakazam costs 100 Candy. These numbers align with other three-stage evolution families in the mobile game. The trade mechanic still exists but works as a discount rather than a requirement.
Trading a Kadabra reduces the Candy cost for evolving it to zero, encouraging players to trade with friends while not locking evolution behind social requirements. This hybrid approach accommodates both solo players and those with active communities. Mega Alakazam adds another layer, requiring 200 Mega Energy for the first transformation and 40 Mega Energy for subsequent uses. Mega Energy comes from Mega Raids featuring Alakazam or walking with an Alakazam as your buddy after completing the initial Mega Evolution. Compared to the main series games where Alakazam needs Alakazite to Mega Evolve, the ongoing Mega Energy cost in GO creates a different resource management consideration.
The Kadabra Card Controversy and Collector Impact
Kadabra cards present a unique situation in the TCG market. Uri Geller, the performer famous for spoon-bending tricks, sued Nintendo in 2000 over Kadabra’s Japanese name “Yungerer” and its spoon-bending abilities, claiming the character used his likeness without permission. While the lawsuit was eventually dropped, Nintendo stopped printing Kadabra cards for nearly two decades. This gap means Kadabra cards from sets printed between approximately 2003 and 2020 do not exist. Collectors seeking complete evolution lines from sets during this period will find Abra and Alakazam but no Kadabra.
The character returned to the TCG after Geller publicly stated in 2020 that he was giving permission for Kadabra cards to resume. For collectors, this history creates interesting dynamics. Older Kadabra cards from the Base Set through early ex-era sets carry additional significance as pre-hiatus prints. Newer Kadabra cards represent the character’s return after the long absence. Neither category commands extreme premiums compared to chase cards, but the backstory adds context that informed collectors appreciate.
Abra Line Appearances in Modern Games
Pokémon Legends: Z-A, released in 2025 and set in Lumiose City, includes the complete Abra evolution line. The game continues the catching and evolution mechanics established in Legends: Arceus, meaning players can likely evolve Kadabra without trading.
The urban Kalos setting provides new encounters and potentially different spawn locations compared to the Hisui wilderness of the previous Legends title. The line’s continued presence across generations reflects its enduring popularity. Few original 151 Pokémon have maintained such consistent competitive and casual appeal.
What the Evolution Line Means for Card Collectors
Understanding evolution lines helps collectors identify which cards belong together in binders and displays. A complete Abra-Kadabra-Alakazam set from any given era makes for a satisfying collection goal.
Base Set versions remain the most iconic, with the holographic Alakazam standing as one of the original chase cards. Modern sets often include all three stages, sometimes with alternate art versions or special illustration rares that command higher prices. Alakazam’s status as a fully evolved Pokémon with competitive history means its cards typically hold more value than Abra or Kadabra equivalents from the same set, following the general pattern where final evolutions receive premium treatment.
Conclusion
The Abra evolution line follows a straightforward path with one notable hurdle: level to 16 for Kadabra, then trade for Alakazam. Recent games have added alternatives like the Linking Cord, while Pokémon GO uses Candy costs with optional trade discounts.
These variations across titles mean the specific method depends on which game you’re playing. For TCG collectors, the evolution line spans nearly every era of the card game, with the Kadabra printing gap creating an unusual historical footnote. Whether you’re building a vintage collection around Base Set holos or tracking modern chase cards featuring Alakazam, this Psychic-type family offers collecting opportunities at every price point and skill level.
