In the world of Pokémon, two terms are crucial for advanced coaches: EVs (effort points) and IVs (individual strengths). Although they’re essential to maximize a Pokémon’s potential, many novice players don’t fully understand how these values affect combat yield.
Let’s dive into what IVs are. IVs, or individual strengths, are hidden statistics that determine a Pokémon’s base statistics, such as attack, defense, and speed. Each Pokémon has an IV in each of these statistics, and it’s a random value between 0 and 31 when you capture it. The higher the IV in a statistic, the greater the final value of that statistic will be when the Pokémon reaches its maximum level.
IVs are crucial because they can’t be changed normally in the games, although it’s become easier over time. Pokémon with high IVs in key statistics, like speed and attack, can perform much better in combat. So, how do you train IVs? Well, it’s a bit complicated, but there are some ways to improve these values. For instance, breeding is an option – the IVs of the Pokémon that are bred are inherited from the parents. If one of the parents has an IV of 31 in a statistic, the child is likely to have it too. You can also use improvement objects, like silver and gold plates, to increase IVs in scarlet and purple Pokémon.
Pokémon: What are the EVS?
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EVS, or effort points, are additional points assigned to a Pokémon’s statistics when it defeats other Pokémon. For every 4 EVs in a statistic, the Pokémon increases 1 point in that statistic when it levels up. EVs are the main way to improve a Pokémon’s statistics and can be actively trained by the player.
So, why are EVs important? They allow you to customize the growth of a Pokémon’s statistics according to your preferred combat style. For example, you can maximize EVs in speed to make your Pokémon faster or in special attack if you prefer to be an attacker with special-type movements.
Now, let’s talk about how to train EVs. Pokémon can win up to 510 EVs in total, but only 252 EVs can be assigned to a single statistic. Therefore, the total combination of your EVs should not exceed 510. Generally, coaches assign 252 EVs to the key statistics they want to enhance and 4 EVs to a secondary statistic. There are different formulas to train EVs, including:
– Defeating wild Pokémon: every time you defeat a wild Pokémon, you get EVs in a given statistic. For example, defeating a Zubat will grant you 1 EV in speed, while a Machop will give you 1 EV in attack.
– Vitamins and feathers: there are different objects that allow you to increase a Pokémon’s EVs, such as protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and fuel.
– Training: some games let you increase EVs through special training methods, like supertraining in Pokémon X/Y or the festivals in the Festi Plaza in Pokémon Sun and Moon.
By understanding IVs and EVs, you can unlock your Pokémon’s full potential and become a top coach in the world of Pokémon.