Look, Eevee is basically the Swiss Army knife of the Pokemon world. It’s been that way since the Kanto days, but getting a Leafeon in Pokemon GO isn't as straightforward as just hitting an "evolve" button and hoping for the best. If you just tap evolve on a standard Eevee, you’re going to end up with a Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flareon. Every single time. It’s frustrating. You’ve probably seen those sleek, leaf-eared foxes guarding local gyms and wondered why your 100% IV Eevee won’t cooperate.
The truth is that Niantic built specific "gates" for the later-generation Eevelutions. You can’t luck your way into a Leafeon. You need a plan. Whether you’re a casual player trying to fill that Sinnoh Pokedex entry or a hardcore Great League competitor looking for a Razor Leaf specialist, you have exactly two ways to make this happen. One is a one-time "cheat code," and the other is a repeatable method that requires a specific item you might not even have in your bag yet.
The Linnea Name Trick: Use It Wisely
Most long-term players know about the naming trick. It’s a rite of passage. If you rename your Eevee to Linnea, the silhouette on the evolve button will change from a question mark to the distinct shape of a Leafeon. This is a direct nod to the Eevee trainers found in the main series games, specifically the Eevium Z quest in Pokemon Sun & Moon.
But here is the catch. You can only do this once per account.
I’ve seen people waste this on a low-CP Eevee just because they were impatient. Don't be that person. If you have a Shiny Eevee or a Flower Crown variant that you want to turn into a Leafeon, save the name trick for that. To pull it off, tap the pencil icon next to your Eevee’s name, type "Linnea" (case sensitive, though the game is usually chill about it), and wait. You must see the Leafeon silhouette. If you still see a question mark, do not press that button. Sometimes the game servers lag, and you need to restart the app to force the name change to register. Honestly, it’s the easiest way to get the job done, but once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
The Mossy Lure Module Strategy
So, you already used the Linnea trick back in 2019? Join the club. To get more Leafeons, you have to use a Mossy Lure Module. This isn't your standard pink lure that attracts Rattatas and Pidgeys. The Mossy Lure is a specialized green-tinted item that specifically draws in Bug, Grass, and Poison types. More importantly, it acts as a localized evolution field.
You can buy these in the shop for 200 PokeCoins. Sometimes you get them as rewards for Special Research tasks—check your "A Thousand-Year Slumber" or "Ripples in Time" progress if you’re a returning player.
Here is the process. It's picky.
- Find a PokeStop.
- Stand within its interaction radius.
- Slot the Mossy Lure into the stop.
- Open the Eevee you want to evolve.
- Look for the Leafeon icon on the evolve button.
You have to be right there. If you drift away because of GPS issues, the option disappears. Interestingly, you don't actually have to be the one who bought the lure. If you see a PokeStop with green leaves floating around it in the overworld map, that’s a Mossy Lure placed by someone else. You can piggyback off their 200 coins. Just walk over, stand in the leaves, and the evolution option will unlock for you too. It's a nice bit of community synergy that people often overlook.
Why Leafeon Actually Matters in the 2026 Meta
Is Leafeon even good? That’s the real question. In the current Pokemon GO landscape, Grass types are everywhere. You have Kartana dominating raids and Venusaur or Serperior clogging up the Great League. Leafeon occupies a weird middle ground. It has a massive Attack stat for an Eevelution, but it’s glassier than you’d expect.
In Raids, Leafeon is a "budget" beast. If you don't have a full team of six Level 50 Zarude or Kartana, a high-level Leafeon with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade is a legitimate threat against Water-type raid bosses like Kyogre or Suicune. Leaf Blade is arguably one of the best moves in the entire game because of its low energy cost and high damage output. It fires off so fast it feels like you're cheating.
In PvP, it's a bit tougher. Leafeon is a "Fast Move pressure" specialist. It doesn't rely on flashy Charged Moves. It just shreds things with Razor Leaf. However, because it lacks coverage moves—it basically only knows Grass and Normal moves—it gets completely walled by Steel, Flying, or Fire types. If you’re locked into a battle against a Talonflame, you’re done. But if you catch a Swampert or a Whiscash? They’ll vanish in about four seconds.
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Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting
People mess this up constantly. The most frequent email I get from frustrated trainers is: "I used the Mossy Lure but it evolved into Vaporeon!"
Usually, this happens because they didn't check the icon. The game will show you exactly what you’re going to get. If the button shows a question mark, you aren't close enough to the lure, or your internet connection is flickering. Never, ever press evolve on a question mark if you are targeting a specific Eevelution.
Another weird quirk is the "Walking" mechanic. Some players get confused between Leafeon and Espeon/Umbreon. You do not need to walk 10km with Eevee to get a Leafeon. That is strictly for the Gen 2 evolutions. If you are walking your Eevee and you’re standing at a Mossy Lure, the lure takes priority in the evolution UI, but it’s always better to be safe and verify the silhouette.
Also, consider the weather. If it’s Sunny or Clear, your Grass-type Leafeon gets a level boost if you catch it wild (which is rare but possible during certain events), but the evolution itself isn't affected by weather. The stats—the IVs—stay exactly the same. If you have a 15/15/15 "Hundo" Eevee, it will become a 15/15/15 Leafeon. Evolution never rerolls stats.
Stats at a Glance
- Max CP: Around 3,300 at Level 50.
- Best Moveset: Razor Leaf (Fast) + Leaf Blade (Charged).
- Secondary Move: Last Resort (if you have an Elite TM) or Solar Beam (for raw power).
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
If you want a Leafeon today, here is your checklist.
First, check your Eevee collection and filter by "3*" or "4*" to find your best candidate. If you have a Shiny, even better—Leafeon's shiny form is subtle, mostly just a cleaner, paler green, but it’s a flex nonetheless.
Next, check your inventory. If you don't have a Mossy Lure, don't buy one immediately. Check your local Discord or campfire group. Often, during Community Days or Spotlight Hours, people will drop these lures in high-traffic areas like parks or downtown hubs. You can save your coins for Remote Raid Passes instead.
Finally, once you are at the lure, double-check the name. If you haven't used "Linnea," type it in. If you have, just ensure the icon on the evolve button has those long, leaf-shaped ears. Tap it, spend the 25 Eevee candy, and you're set. You now have one of the most consistent Grass-type attackers for mid-tier raiding and a solid niche pick for specialized PvP cups.
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Once you have your Leafeon, your next goal should be looking into Glaceon. It uses the same logic but requires a Glacial Lure and the nickname "Rea." The Eevee family is a long game, but once you understand these hidden mechanics, the "random" element of Eevee evolution disappears completely.