Guide to EV Training
Have you ever wondered how to take your Pokémon battling skills to the next level? EV Training is the key! Whether you’re new to the concept or looking for a refresher, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of maximizing your Pokémon’s potential by strategically boosting their stats. Get ready to dive into the world of Effort Values and discover how to power up your team for competitive play.
This guide does NOT cover Pokémon Let’s Go! Pikachu & Eevee or Pokémon Legends: Arceus, nor does it cover Generation I or Generation II games. It HAS been updated for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, and there’s a dedicated Pokémon Scarlet & Violet EV Training Guide specifically for the new games to show you where to EV Train if you already know how to do it!
Understanding EV Training: Effort Values Explained
EV stands for Effort Value. Forget about training a bunch of Eevee; this is about optimizing your Pokémon’s stats for competitive battling. Each Pokémon possesses six core stats: HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack (Sp. Atk), Special Defense (Sp. Def), and Speed. EV Training focuses on manipulating invisible numbers associated with each stat. The Pokémon community refers to these numbers as Effort Values.
Officially, these are referred to as base stats or base points in-game, but almost no one uses that terminology and it is also confusing given the more widely understood definition of base stats that you will see listed on Pokémon fansites Pokédex pages—the base values for each stat that determine how strong a given species of Pokémon is.
Think of EVs as Experience Points tailored to specific stats. Your Pokémon earns them through battles against other Pokémon, whether wild encounters or Trainer battles. Any battle that grants Experience Points will also award Effort Values. Battles against other players or within facilities like the Battle Tower or Battle Frontier do not yield EVs. Similarly, fleeing from battles won’t earn you EVs. However, in games that award Exp. Points for catching Pokémon, you do gain EVs upon capture.
The number of EVs earned per battle depends on the defeated Pokémon. Some grant 1–3 EVs, while others contribute to multiple stats. For example, the speedy Zigzagoon yields 1 Speed EV per defeat. Its evolution, Linoone, provides 2 Speed EVs. Masquerain grants 1 Special Attack EV and 1 Special Defense EV. Treat these as individual experience points for each of the six stats.
All Pokémon participating in a battle and gaining EXP receive the full EV amount awarded by the fainted Pokémon, without any splitting or reduction. However, modifiers affecting EV gains apply only to the specific Pokémon using them. For instance, an effect doubling EVs for your lead Pokémon won’t affect other participants. Pokémon not involved in the battle receive no EVs. In Generation III games, Pokémon at level 100 cannot gain further EVs.
Each Pokémon begins with 0 EVs in each stat. The maximum for each stat is 255 EVs (or 252 EVs starting with X & Y). The total across all six stats cannot exceed 510. This allows you to maximize two stats to 255 (although, as explained later, it’s best to stop at 252).
The Importance of EV Training: Why Bother?
Now that you understand how EVs are earned, let’s explore their impact on your Pokémon’s stats.
EVs directly enhance your Pokémon’s stats. The increase depends on the Pokémon’s level. A level 100 Pokémon gains +1 point in a stat for every 4 EVs it has in that stat, rounded down. It’s important to note that these gains are gradual, affecting the Pokémon’s stats at every level, not just upon reaching level 100.
Garchomp, a powerful Pokémon whose stats can be significantly boosted through EV Training.
Consider a level 100 Garchomp with a neutral nature. With 0 EVs in Attack, its maximum Attack stat would be 296. However, with 255 EVs in Attack, its Attack stat would rise to 359, a significant increase of 63 points. With an Attack-boosting nature like Adamant, it could reach an astounding 394 Attack (the 10% nature bonus is applied after EV calculation).
EV Training is crucial for maximizing your Pokémon’s stats. Remember, all EV benefits are rounded down. A Garchomp with 252 EVs in Attack receives the same benefit as one with 255 EVs: 63 extra points (assuming level 100 and a neutral nature). This is because 252 ÷ 4 = 63, while 255 ÷ 4 = 63.75, which rounds down to 63.
Instead of allocating 255 EVs to two stats, consider 252 EVs in two stats and the remaining 6 EVs in a third. This allows you to gain an extra stat point that might prove decisive in a close battle.
In Pokémon X & Y and later versions, the individual stat EV cap is 252 instead of 255, minimizing wasted Effort Values.
The Consequences of Neglecting EV Training
EV Training requires planning. Playing through the game without considering EVs will result in a team with random, non-optimal EV distributions.
It’s highly recommended to EV Train freshly caught or hatched Pokémon, rather than those you’ve used throughout the game! Resetting EVs is often difficult and sometimes impossible.
Thankfully, EV Training is not required to complete the main game! It’s primarily useful for tackling challenging facilities like the Battle Tower, Battle Maison, or Battle Tree, where opponents are EV trained.
However, in competitive Pokémon tournaments, neglecting EV Training puts you at a severe disadvantage. You’ll be outmatched, akin to playing chess without your Queen or Rooks. Official VGC tournaments require properly EV Trained Pokémon to stand a chance.
Most importantly, you don’t NEED to EV Train to HAVE FUN! If the concept seems daunting, don’t let it detract from your enjoyment of the game. EV Training is tailored for players seeking to elevate their gameplay to a competitive level.
The EV Training Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
To begin EV Training, plan your EV Spread. With 510 points to allocate, deciding how to distribute them is crucial.
Newcomers should start with simple 252/252/6 spreads: 252 EVs in two stats and 6 in the remaining stat, typically HP.
Here are some basic 252/252/6 spreads:
- 252 Attack / 252 Speed / 6 HP for Physical-based “sweepers” like Garchomp.
- 252 Special Attack / 252 Speed / 6 HP for Special-based “sweepers” like Gengar.
- 252 HP / 252 Defense / 6 Speed or Special Defense for Physical “walls” like Forretress (though some Attack investment may be beneficial).
- 252 HP / 252 Special Defense / 6 Speed or Defense for Special “walls” like Umbreon (again, this is just an example, not necessarily ideal).
As you gain experience, you can experiment with more complex spreads.
Next, identify Pokémon that consistently yield the desired EVs. Focus on one stat at a time for simplicity, although advanced trainers may optimize for multiple stats simultaneously.
Certain items and features can significantly accelerate EV Training and are highly recommended. If unavailable, the process will simply take longer. The methods below are generally applicable across all versions.
Vitamins: A Quick but Pricey Boost
Vitamins offer a fast way to increase Effort Values, although they can be expensive. These items are found throughout the world and sold in select shops.
Here’s a list of vitamins and their corresponding stats:
- HP Up: Raises HP.
- Protein: Raises Attack.
- Iron: Raises Defense.
- Calcium: Raises Special Attack.
- Zinc: Raises Special Defense.
- Carbos: Raises Speed.
Each vitamin increases the respective stat’s EVs by 10. However, they won’t raise any stat’s EVs above 100 (this has been updated in Pokémon Sword & Shield, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, and Scarlet & Violet, so you can now use vitamins all the way up to 252 EVs in those games!). Using a vitamin on a Pokémon with the cap of 510 total EVs will result in that same message being displayed and will have no effect.
Vitamins can save time but require money. Prioritize them if you have excess cash, otherwise, focus on battling Pokémon.
Some games, like Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, offer easy money-making methods. Consider whether vitamins are a worthwhile investment in your specific game.
Macho Brace: Doubling Your Efforts
The Macho Brace is a Held Item that doubles the EVs earned in battle. However, it temporarily halves the Pokémon’s Speed stat while held.
It’s crucial to understand that the Speed decrease is temporary and has no permanent effect.
The Macho Brace doesn’t increase EVs gained from non-battle sources like vitamins or wings. It only affects the Pokémon holding it, not the entire party.
Power Items: Targeted EV Gains
Introduced in Diamond & Pearl, “Power Items” grant bonus EVs for specific stats. They temporarily lower the holder’s Speed stat without permanent effects.
Here’s a list of Power Items and their corresponding stats:
- Power Weight: HP
- Power Bracer: Attack
- Power Belt: Defense
- Power Lens: Special Attack
- Power Band: Special Defense
- Power Anklet: Speed
In versions prior to Sun & Moon and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, each item grants a +4 bonus to the respective stat’s EV whenever EVs are gained. This applies even if the fainted Pokémon doesn’t grant that specific EV. For example, a Pokémon holding a Power Bracer defeating a Wingull (1 Speed EV) gains 1 Speed EV from the Wingull and 4 Attack EVs from the Power Bracer.
Ideally, use the Power Item while battling a Pokémon that grants the same stat.
Starting with Generation VII (Sun & Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon), Power Items give a +8 bonus, significantly speeding up EV Training. This +8 bonus continued into Sword & Shield, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, and Scarlet & Violet.
Pokérus: A Rare but Beneficial Virus
The Pokérus is a rare “infection” that doubles the amount of Effort Values earned. However, the Pokérus is no longer available/transmissible in Scarlet & Violet. After each battle, there’s a 3 in 65,536 chance a Pokémon in your party will contract it.
The Pokérus is identified by a purple “PKRS” or “Pokérus” icon or status symbol on the Pokémon’s stats screen.
This is NOT a negative effect! The Pokérus is a beneficial virus that doubles the amount of Effort Values that Pokémon earns. Permanently.
As long as the “PKRS” or “Pokérus” symbol is visible, the virus is contagious and will spread to other Pokémon after each battle.
This contagious phase is temporary! Pokémon are “cured” after 1-4 real-world days while in your party. Cured Pokémon display a smiley icon instead of the “PKRS” or “Pokérus” symbol. They still gain double EVs, but are no longer contagious.
To preserve the Pokérus, spread it to every Pokémon in your party, then withdraw several unused Pokémon from your PC, infect them, and deposit them back into the PC. This creates a permanent source of the virus.
With online trading, obtaining the Pokérus is easier than the odds suggest. Many players are willing to trade infected Pokémon.
The Pokérus’s 2× multiplier is applied after other bonuses. Infected Pokémon holding a Power Item gain +8 (or +16 in Sun & Moon onwards) for the respective stat. Pokémon giving 1 EV now give 10 EVs ((1 + 4) × 2) with the matching Power Item, and those giving 2 EVs give 12 EVs ((2 + 4) × 2) instead (18 EVs and 20 EVs respectively in Sun & Moon onwards).
Again, this “virus” was effectively removed as of Generation IX with Scarlet & Violet (source). When Pokémon HOME support arrives, Pokémon with the Pokérus can still be transferred and they will gain the beneficial effects, but it will not spread to other Pokémon.
EV Reducing Berries: Resetting Your Stats
Originally, EVs were permanent. However, Emerald and later versions introduced berries that remove EVs, allowing for stat resets.
Here’s a list of EV reducing berries and their corresponding stats:
- Pomeg Berry: Lowers HP EVs.
- Kelpsy Berry: Lowers Attack EVs.
- Qualot Berry: Lowers Defense EVs.
- Hondew Berry: Lowers Special Attack EVs.
- Grepa Berry: Lowers Special Defense EVs.
- Tamato Berry: Lowers Speed EVs.
Each berry lowers the respective stat’s EVs by 10. In Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver (but no other games), if the Pokémon has over 100 EVs in the corresponding stat, the berry will lower it to 100.
These berries can be tedious to grow, and 50+ may be needed to fully reset a Pokémon’s EVs. This makes them impractical in games where berry growth is difficult or impossible.
The 3DS games are good for growing berries, especially Sun & Moon and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. X & Y and Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire don’t need them as much due to the Reset Bag from Super Training.
Where to EV Train: Game-Specific Locations
The final piece of the puzzle is knowing the best locations for EV Training, where you can consistently battle Pokémon that grant the specific EVs you need. Each game offers unique spots and methods.
Specific game guides will be added here.
Scarlet & Violet
Scarlet & Violet EV Training Guide →
Sword & Shield + Isle of Armor (New!)
Sword & Shield EV Training Guide →
Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald
Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald EV Training Guide →
FireRed & LeafGreen
FireRed & LeafGreen EV Training Guide →
Diamond, Pearl & Platinum
Diamond, Pearl & Platinum EV Training Guide →
HeartGold & SoulSilver
HeartGold & SoulSilver EV Training Guide →
Black & White
Black & White EV Training Guide →
Black 2 & White 2
Black 2 & White 2 EV Training Guide →
X & Y
X & Y EV Training Guide →
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire EV Training Guide →
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon EV Training Guide →
