Level/Games/Core series/Underleveled Pokémon

Through some unique circumstances, it is possible to have Pokémon at a lower level than they are usually available via evolution. Underleveled Pokémon appeared as early as, with level 4-6 and  available in Viridian Forest. Kakuna and Metapod cannot be obtained by evolution until level 7.

Prior to Generation V, Pokémon obtained in in-game trades are always the same level as the one being traded away, so many underleveled Pokémon can be obtained through in-game trades. For example, in and, it is possible to obtain an  as low as level 3, even though the species evolves from  only at level 30 or above. This Electrode can be obtained by catching a in Viridian Forest at level 3, evolving it with the Thunderstone, and trading it on Cinnabar Island.

Some non-player character s use underleveled Pokémon in battle. For example, Lance has three underleveled in Generations  and, with one being at level 50 and two at level 49 in  (Dragonite does not evolve naturally from  until level 55). Many other in-game Trainers, such as Mars and Jupiter, also possess underleveled Pokémon.

An application of the Pomeg glitch in makes it possible to evolve a Pokémon while it is still inside an Egg, allowing any such evolved forms to be obtained at level 5. In Generation IV, this particular exploit of the Pomeg glitch was fixed; the Pomeg glitch was removed entirely in Generation V.