Evolution/Evolution Families/Stages of Evolution

Pokémon can be divided into different evolutionary stages, based on where they appear in their evolution family. All Pokémon fall into one of four groups: baby Pokémon, unevolved Pokémon, first-evolution Pokémon, and second-evolution Pokémon. These groups are also the basis for the 's grouping of TCG Baby Pokémon, TCG Basic Pokémon, TCG Stage 1 Pokémon, and TCG Stage 2 Pokémon, respectively.

Due to the fact that no evolution family contains both a baby Pokémon and a second-evolution Pokémon, many regard baby Pokémon as the most basic form, while moving their evolved counterparts one level higher. For example, originally, was regarded as an unevolved Pokémon, however, with the release of  in Generation II, many now consider it to be more on par with Pokémon like, though its TCG classification remains the same. 