Evolution and Digi-Xros Primer

[digitaldivemods]

Before we begin, we would like to make a note. At Digital Dive, when choosing an evolution line for your digimon partner, you need not feel beholden to "canonical" digimon evolution lines. Bandai treats evolution as a complex, variable thing, with many digimon evolving into different things across the various media. We see it fitting that we keep the spirit of that and allow players to pick any digimon they feel fits their character and their partner, as long as there's some logic behind it.

All notes here are tantamount to the rules, and will be enforced as such.

Evolution is the process by which digimon advance through their life cycle. Here, we will explain why evolution is, and how it applies to this version of the Digital World.

The Source of Evolution

The power for Digimon to evolve comes from the Shining Evolution, a well-spring of energy located in the heart of the digital world. All digimon are connected to the Shining Evolution through their digi-cores, and maturing leads to a greater ability to draw power from it. This is what triggers the evolutionary form change.

For a time, the full power of the Shining Evolution was blocked off by by a seal on the area that was once known as Draco Island. This kept digimon from being able to evolve to their final stage. Now that the seal has been broken, the full power of the Shining Evolution has been unleashed, and the final stage is now achievable.

Natural Evolution

Evolution occurs in stages, which include the following:

• Digi-Egg - Also known as a 'digitama', all digimon begin life at this stage and eventually return to it upon reverting.
• Baby I - The form immediately following hatching, the physically weakest. Usually mentally immature like a human child.
• Baby II - The next stage, with improved motor skills and cognizance, but still very weak.
• Child - The digimon's form is now fully developed, with full offensive abilities and cognizance.
• Adult - A fully matured digimon, usually possessing greater size, strength, and offensive ability.
• Perfect - The next stage after Adult, with a greater awakening of power.
• Ultimate - The final form of a digimon, and the most difficult to attain. Possesses great strength and devastating power.
  
  The various Evolutionary stages are also alternatively known in some circles as Fresh, In-Training, Rookie, Champion, Ultimate, and Mega. However, the mixing of terms for Ultimate is usually frowned upon, because it is very very confusing.
  
  Despite their universal connection to the Shining Evolution, the process of evolution is not quick for most digimon. They will quickly pass through their two Baby stages and reach their Child form in a time period ranging from several weeks to a few months. From here, the process becomes more gradual, with the evolution to Adult being more akin to a human growing up. Despite this, some digimon never evolve at all, and stay at the Child level. They can physically age and show variable signs of physical maturity at any stage, as well.
  
  The majority of the Digital World's digimon population consists of Child and Adult level digimon. Triggering evolution is connected to the build up of strength, so most Adult and Perfect digimon are capable fighters. However, digimon of any level who act slovenly and forsake physical training will find themselves evolving to or reverting to what is known as an Error-form, which is an Adult or higher level digimon who is much weaker than their actual level might indicate.
  
  Error-form digimon include Numemon and its sub-species, Sukamon, Vegiemon and its sub-species, and Bakemon. One particular Error form is Burpmon, which can occur at any evolutionary level as the result of extreme gluttony and over-eating. A small number of these digimon are normal evolutions, and thus are not as weak as their counterparts. OOC Note: The "small number" spoken of here are the partners of characters, who can select these digimon as partners' evolutions and not portray them as inordinately weak.
  
  Finally, damage to the body can cause a digimon to revert. Those that receive severe damage but not enough to permanently revert will be knocked back down to Child-level, or possibly lower. For many evolved digimon, this is considered very tragic, and those that this happens to are looked upon with pity by their peers.
  
  Greater damage can cause a Digimon to die, returning them to their Digi-Egg form and forcing them to begin their lives anew. Upon hatching, the digimon is like an entirely new individual with no memory of their former life. However, digimon that are partners with Tamers can slowly regain their memories, depending upon whether or not they are taken care of and if they and their Tamer have developed a strong enough bond.
  
  OOC Note - EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. If you have your character's partner reduced to a Digi-Egg, from this point on, all of your evolution requirements are reset. This is to give the death some gravitas and struggle for the Tamer to overcome, as well as to discourage people from overusing this aspect. In other words, if you have your digimon die, there are consequences.
  
  Of special note is limitations on the Ultimate Level. This also applies to Super Evolution for Xros Tamers, and Zeta Hybrids for Spirit Tamers. These forms take a lot of power from both the Tamer and Digimon, and as such, after every usage they will be unable to attain that form again for at least 30 Days.
  
  With the advent of Ultimate Evolution, it has become an illegal act to activate such a power within the limits of major cities. If this occurs under any circumstances, Area Generals - who are, in and of themselves, far more powerful than even multiple Tamers as a group - will be on site to deal with the situation, with force if necessary. This will happen regardless of the Tamer's affiliation.
  
  Some organizations, such as DATS, have the ability to authorize use of Ultimate Evolution, or its corresponding equivalents in emergency situations.
  
  Evolution and Soul and Matrix Tamers
  
  With the introduction of Tamers to the digital world, the balance of evolution has changed significantly. In a partnership with a Tamer, evolution is triggered by emotion. It doesn't matter what emotion in particular, merely that it is particularly intense. For a Soul Tamer, this power manifests as Digi-Soul, while for Matrix Tamers, the emotional and physical bond between Tamer and Digimon.
  
  These methods completely bypass the time it usually takes to assume a new form, with the emotional rush providing the trigger. Strengthening of a Tamer and Digimon's bond can cause the evolved form to last longer.
  
  The form a digimon takes upon evolving is determined differently from natural evolution. With natural evolution, a digimon's form is based entirely upon its particular Digimon Natural Ability. When a Tamer is added to the equation, the Digimon Natural Ability plays a role, but it is also shaped by the Tamer's mental influence. This is why evolved forms often have some connection to the Tamer's past, and in some cases, can spontaneously result in the creation of a completely new digimon species.
  
  
  SOUL TAMER
  

  Adult	Show a will to fight, and that alone will be enough to manifest your power, and activate a "Digi-Soul Charge!"	New characters will be able to do this from the start.
  Perfect	For the first time, a character's emotions will hit a peak, causing power to explode and engulf the Tamer, activating a, "Digi-Soul Full Charge!"	This requires the character to be in the game for three months, having acquired Adult Level, and having participated in at least one previous battle with said Adult Digimon.
  Ultimate	The Tamer and Digimon must have a deep understanding of one another, and when the Tamer's will reaches its maximum capacity, they activate, "Digi-Soul Charge! OVERDRIVE!"	The character must be in the game for six months, and have two prior battle evolutions to Perfect level.

  
  
  
  
  MATRIX TAMER
  

  Adult	Simply Card Slash the "Super Evolution Plug-In S" card.	All new Matrix Tamers can access this.
  Perfect	When the Tamer reaches a state of understanding and clarity, one of their cards will temporarily transform into a Blue Card which can then be slashed to evolve another stage.	This requires the character to be in the game for three months, having acquired Adult Level, and having participated in at least one previous battle with said Adult Digimon.
  Ultimate	When the Tamer and Digimon reach a level of unity and understanding, they can fuse together to form their final level.	The character must be in the game for six months, and have two prior battle evolutions to Perfect level.

  
  
  
  OOC Note - Note that player characters who are digimon without partners can achieve evolution with the same basic requirements as a Soul or Matrix Tamer, and are not forced to undergo the "slow" path.
  
  Spirit Evolution
  
  A more recent form of evolution to appear is Spirit Evolution. Spirit Evolution is unique in that it does not involve a digimon partner at all - instead, it is a Tamer that evolves, using the power of a Legendary Spirit to transform into a digimon and Spirit Evolve, achieving a new level of evolution called a Hybrid.
  
  Each Spirit Tamer has two sets of Spirits, a Human Spirit and a Beast Spirit, which they can switch between freely using Slide Evolution. From there, they can combine their spirits for Double Spirit Evolution, becoming an Advance Hybrid, and then evolve further into a Zeta Hybrid or Ancient Digimon.
  
  
  SPIRIT TAMER
  

  Human	Use the Human Spirit to Spirit Evolve into a Human Hybrid. Easy to control, and base power is at standard Adult Level.	None. A Spirit Tamer can Spirit Evolve into a Human Hybrid from the start.
  Beast	Use the Beast Spirit to Spirit Evolve into a Beast Hybrid. Hard to control, and can easily go berserk. Base power is that of a very strong Adult Level.	Tamer starts with this Spirit, but must have had one prior battle as a Human Hybrid to use this.
  Advance	Combine the powers of both Spirits to Double Spirit Evolve. Power is equal to Perfect Level.	Tamer must be in game three months, and have participated in one battle with each of their two Spirits prior.
  Zeta/Ancient	Tap into the core power of the Legendary Spirit to Hyper Spirit Evolve or Legendary Spirit Evolve into your final form. Power is equal to Ultimate Level.	Tamer must be in the game for six months, and have two prior battles as an Advance Hybrid.

  
  
  
  Note that some of the digimon associated with Spirit Evolution can appear as normal evolutions or digimon forms.
  
  Digi-Xros and Super Evolution
  
  Another new phenomenon associated with Tamers is the process known as Digi-Xros. Digi-Xros is not evolution, but it is connected to the same well-spring. Rather than evolve, Digi-Xros involves fusing two or more digimon into a new form, combining the abilities of two digimon into a new form that is known as a Xros Up. However, becoming part of a Digi-Xros seems to rob the digimon involved of their ability to evolve naturally, with one exception.
  
  Tamers chosen to trigger Digi-Xros have a primary partner that can Super Evolve. Super Evolution causes that particular digimon to assume a higher form at a level of strength equal to the Ultimate-level. At this stage, they can still Digi-Xros, but the level of power needed is so great, they can only do so with one other digimon at a time, rather than multiple ones.
  
  
  XROS TAMER
  

  X2 Xros Up	Digi-Xros two Digimon into one form! Digimon level strength is equal to the next level above the weakest Digimon involved in the Xros.	This Xros Up can be used from the start, provided one Digimon in combination is of Child level. If the this Xros Up only involves Adult & higher, the Tamer must wait until after three months have passed, with at least one battle involving their team having happened prior.
  X3/X4/X5 Xros Up	Combine your other Digimon into one! Power maxes out at Perfect Level strength.	Tamer must be in the game for three months, and must have participated in at least one prior battle with a X2 Xros Up.
  Super Evolution	The Tamer's Primary Partner evolves into a powerful fighter! Power is equal to Ultimate Level.	Tamer must be in the game for six months, and have two prior battles with a X3, X4, or X5 Xros Up.
  Super Evolution Xros Up	Digi-Xros a single extra partner to your Primary Partner's Super Evolution. Power remains at Ultimate Level.	Tamer must be in the game for seven months, and have had one prior battle with their Super Evolved Digimon.

  
  

  
  

  Special Cases
  
  Jogress Evolution
  
  Jogress Evolution (short for "joint progression") refers to an evolution that results in two or more digimon fusing into a single digimon. Jogress Evolution occurs very rarely in natural circumstances, and it requires all of its components to be on a near perfect level of mental and physical synchronization. The result is a composite entity that is the perfect fusion of its components, possessing its component parts "memories" and experience. Unlike a Digi-Xros, a a Jogressed digimon is fused in body and mind, with all individuals forming it acting as one being.
  
  Jogress Evolution has become more common as a result of Tamers' influence on their partners. However, this requires the Tamers' emotions and wills to be synchronized as well as that of their digimon, and thus is harder to trigger and maintain than a normal evolution.
  
  OOC Note - Jogress Evolution can occur at any time, but all characters involved must meet the evolution requirements for the level they are attaining. Adult Jogresses must be achieved through two Child Digimon, while Perfects must be achieved through two Adults. Ultimates can be achieved through the Digimon Warp Jogress Evolving from Child. These are the only types that can be achieved, at present.
  
  Jogress Evolution also only corresponds to Soul and Matrix Tamers.
  
  Dark Evolution
  
  Dark Evolution is a perversion of evolution triggered by intense, negative emotions. When evolving, if a digimon is possessed by negative emotions, or is receiving them from their tamer, their higher form will be corrupted and different from their natural evolution. The result is a digimon who has lost all sense of self and become a mindless force of destruction, attacking mindlessly until it either exhausts its power or it is defeated and reverted.
  
  It should be noted that Dark Evolution can either occur naturally, or through evolution triggered by a Tamer. In addition, there is a difference between a digimon who has dark evolved and a digimon who is of a Dark, aka "Demonic", species. A digimon who dark evolves usually takes the form of such a digimon, but there are numerous digimon who have this form naturally. It is for this reason that in some areas, Dark species digimon are wrongfully hated and feared by others.
  
  OOC Note - A Dark Evolved digimon can either be different from their usual evolved form, or simply their normal form going out of control. Note that all digimon associated with Dark Evolution have glowing red eyes.
  
  Some digimon are capable of controlling their dark impulses, and thus do not lose control of themselves when they dark evolve. These digimon are highly dangerous, as they can channel this emotions without consequence. OOC Note - The ability to control Dark Evolution applies only to NPCs and not player characters.
  
  OOC Note - Dark Evolution only applies to Soul and Matrix Tamers.
  
  Hyper Bio Evolution
  
  A profane form of evolution created by scientific modification. Hyper Bio Evolution can only be performed by Bio Hybrids, which are Tamers (usally humans) that are fused with the broken down data of a digimon. The result is a horrific distortion of a natural digimon, usually showing miscolorization and physical modifications. Due to the fusion between Tamer and digimon, a Bio Hybrid's strength is greater than that of their natural level, as is their strength in their "normal" form. It is triggered using a special, artificial digivice and a kind of corrupted data resembling Digi Soul. OOC Note - Bio Hybrids are incorporated the game on a plot by plot basis, and thus, are not allowed to be applied for or played normally
  
  Variance Antibody
  
  The Variance Antibody is a unique and recently discovered phenomenon where digimon that have evolved previously contract an "Antibody" that changes what they evolve into. Simply put, if a digimon contracts a Shift Antibody, their evolved form will be different from what they attained before. It can even cause them to become a different digimon entirely.
  
  OOC Note - The Variance Antibody exists so that people can change aspects of their digimon's evolution line freely, without having to jump through any hoops in the event they become dissatisfied with the digimon chosen for that particular form or believe it was chosen in error. All we ask is that you notify a head moderator before having a digimon take on one of these and that you not overuse them. Note that if you make modifications to members of a Xros Army, we will likely ask you for much more extended information on how it affects the Digi-Xros forms.

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Level Conversions

This section of the Evolution faq is written in an out-of-universe context.

Though we have added Spirit Evolution, Digi-Xros, and will eventually have a reworked system for Armor digimon and Digimentals, we allow those digimon who exist outside the normal "level system" to be used in Evolution lines, with their respective digimon at the following levels.

Firstly, all Armor Digimon can be used as Adult or Perfect digimon.

Second, Hybrid Digimon can be used at the following levels:

Child	Flamon, Strabimon
Adult	Agnimon, Arbormon, Blitzmon, Chakkumon, Duskmon, Fairymon, Grottomon, Lowemon, Mercuremon, Ranamon, Wolfmon
Perfect	Ardhamon, Beowulfmon, Blizzarmon, Bolgmon, Calmaramon, Daipenmon, Garmmon, Gigasmon, JetSilphymon, KaiserLeomon, Petaldramon, Reichmon, RhinoKabuterimon, Sefirotmon, Shutumon, Vritrimon, Velgmon
Ultimate	MagnaGarurumon, KaiserGreymon, Ardhamon, Beowulfmon, DaiPenmon, JetSilphymon, RhinoKabuterimon

Furthermore, the following Xros Wars digimon can be used at the following levels:

Baby/Baby II	Bombmon, Chikurimon, Pickmon, Chibickmon, Monimon, KoZenimon
Child	Shoutmon, Ballistamon, Starmon (Xros Wars), Monitamon, Cutemon, Spadamon, Dondokomon, Troopmon, Gaossmon, Damemon, ChuuChuumon, Gumdramon, Zenimon, Batterymon
Adult	Dorulumon, Sparrowmon, Greymon, MailBirdramon, SkullKnightmon, DeadlyAxemon, Tuwarmon, MadLeomon, HighVisionMonitamon, OmegaShoutmon, Arresterdramon, Ganemon, PanBachimon
Perfects	Baalmon, Cyberdramon, DarkKnightmon, MadLeomon Armed Mode, Deckerdramon, MetalGreymon
Ultimate	Beelzebumon, Bagramon, Blastmon, Tactimon, Mervamon, ZekeGreymon, Dorbickmon, NeoVamdemon, Zamielmon, Splashmon, Olegmon, Gravimon, Apollomon Whispered

Please note that Shoutmon's Digi-Xros forms are not included in this, due to the design intent behind them and their inability to work as normal digimon, unlike DarkKnightmon and MetalGreymon.