EVs and IVs

Contributions by Pedro95s and CronosTkr

EVs and IVs

In the world of Pokémon, two hidden systems determine the true strength and potential of a Pokémon: Individual Values (IVs) and Effort Values (EVs). Understanding the difference between these "nature vs. nurture" mechanics is essential for any trainer looking to enter competitive play.

Individual Values (IVs)

IVs represent a Pokémon’s natural-born talent. They are the equivalent of genetic potential and are determined the moment a Pokémon is encountered or hatched.

• The Scale: Every stat (HP, Attack, Defense, Sp. Attack, Sp. Defense, and Speed) has an IV ranging from 0 to 31. A Pokémon with a 31 in a stat is considered to have "perfect" potential in that category.
• Origin: IVs are typically randomly generated for wild encounters. However, through breeding, certain IVs can be passed down from parents to their offspring.
• Permanence: Generally, IVs do not change throughout a Pokémon's life, except in very special, rare circumstances.

Effort Values (EVs)

EVs represent a Pokémon’s training and experience. Unlike IVs, every Pokémon starts with 0 EVs across all stats and gains them through battling.

• The Limits:
  • A single stat can have a maximum of 252 EVs.
  • A Pokémon can have a grand total of 510 EVs across all six stats.
• The Hard Cap: Once a Pokémon reaches the **510 EV total**, it will not gain any more EVs from battles or items. To gain EVs in a different stat after reaching this limit, you must first reduce the current EVs using specific berries or by paying an **EV Reset NPC**.
• Shared Gains: EVs are gained whenever Experience Points (EXP) are earned. This means that if a Pokémon in your party is holding an Exp. Share, they will gain the full EV yield from the battle even if they did not participate. Be careful, as this can lead to unintended EV growth on other party members.
• Warning: EXP training against **Nurse Joy** in the Pokémon Center basement grants **HP EVs**. Be mindful of this if you are trying to avoid HP investment, as it can unintentionally train the stat.

EV Training & Management Items

EV Training Held Items

These items are held by a Pokémon to accelerate or force specific EV gains during battle.

• Macho Brace: Doubles all EV gains from a battle (e.g., defeating a Pidgey grants 2 Speed EVs instead of 1).
• Power Items: These items grant a flat +8 EV bonus (in addition to the Pokémon's natural yield) to a specific stat regardless of the opponent defeated.
  • Example: A Pokémon wearing a Power Anklet (+8 Speed) fighting a Geodude (1 Defense) will gain 1 Defense EV and 8 Speed EVs.
  • Example: If that same Pokémon fights a Pidgey (1 Speed), it will gain a total of 9 Speed EVs.

Item	Stat Boosted	Effect per Battle
Power Weight	HP	+8 HP EVs
Power Bracer	Attack	+8 Attack EVs
Power Belt	Defense	+8 Defense EVs
Power Lens	Sp. Attack	+8 Sp. Attack EVs
Power Band	Sp. Defense	+8 Sp. Defense EVs
Power Anklet	Speed	+8 Speed EVs
Macho Brace	All	Doubles natural EV yield

EV Increasing Items (Vitamins)

These items provide a flat increase to a specific stat's EVs (+10 per item) until the 252 cap for that stat is reached.

Item	Stat Increased	EV Gain
HP Up	HP	+10
Protein	Attack	+10
Iron	Defense	+10
Calcium	Sp. Attack	+10
Zinc	Sp. Defense	+10
Carbos	Speed	+10

EV Reducing Berries

These berries reduce a specific stat's EVs by 10 points per use. They are essential for fixing "messy" EV spreads.

Berry	Stat Reduced	Effect
Pomeg Berry	HP	-10 HP EVs
Kelpsy Berry	Attack	-10 Attack EVs
Qualot Berry	Defense	-10 Defense EVs
Hondew Berry	Sp. Attack	-10 Sp. Attack EVs
Grepa Berry	Sp. Defense	-10 Sp. Defense EVs
Tamato Berry	Speed	-10 Speed EVs

EV Training Spots by Region

Kanto Region

[Expand] Kanto Training Locations

HP

Pokémon	Location	EV Yield
Caterpie	Viridian Forest	1 HP
Nidoran F	Route 22	1 HP
Slowpoke	Route 12 (Surfing)	1 HP
Nurse Joy	Pokémon Center (Basement)	HP (Varies by team)

Attack

Pokémon	Location	EV Yield
Mankey	Route 22	1 Attack
Machop	Rock Tunnel	1 Attack
Paras	Mt. Moon	1 Attack

Speed

Pokémon	Location	EV Yield
Pidgey	Route 1	1 Speed
Rattata	Route 1	1 Speed
Spearow	Route 3	1 Speed

Johto Region

[Expand] Johto Training Locations

Attack

Pokémon	Location	EV Yield
Seaking	Route 49 (Good/Super Rod)	2 Attack
Sentret	Route 29	1 Attack

Sp. Attack

Pokémon	Location	EV Yield
Roselia	Route 33	2 Sp. Attack
Mareep	Route 32	1 Sp. Attack

Speed

Pokémon	Location	EV Yield
Pidgeotto	Route 38	2 Speed
Raticate	Route 38	2 Speed

Gallery

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Hoenn Region

[Expand] Hoenn Training Locations

HP

Pokémon	Location	EV Yield
Marill	Route 104	2 HP
Makuhita	Granite Cave	1 HP

Speed

Pokémon	Location	EV Yield
Zigzagoon	Route 101	1 Speed
Wingull	Route 103	1 Speed