Cracking the Code: Effort Value Training in Pokémon – Even at Level 100!
Your Pokémon is now at Level 100. Great! But is your training really done? What about Effort Values (EVs)? Let’s explore EV training for your top-level Pokémon. Level 100 is not the end for improving stats!
Level 100 and EV Training: Myth Busting
Have a level 100 Pokémon? Unsure if you missed EV training? Don’t worry! Many think level 100 means no more EVs. This isn’t true. Your Pokémon can still gain EVs, no matter its level.
- Level Doesn’t Limit EV Gains: EVs act as hidden points for stats. Your level matters little. A level 100 Pokémon can gain more EVs just like a level 5 Pokémon.
- Max EVs at Max Level? Absolutely!: Pokémon at level 100 can reach the EV cap. Maximum is 65,535 EVs per stat within the game. You’ll hit lower caps, as we’ll explore.
- The Box Trick: After EV training, a level 100 might not show stat boosts right away. The fix? Use the “box trick.” Deposit your Pokémon, then withdraw it. Stats update to show those new EVs.
Level and EV Multipliers: A Need for Speed?
Does your level affect how fast EVs turn into visible stat gains? Somewhat, but not as expected. A level 100 and a level 50 Pokémon earn EVs at equal rates. Yet, there’s a key difference in their multipliers.
- Level 100 Advantage: Picture a multiplier. At level 100, this multiplier nearly doubles when compared to level 50. EV points boost stats more at higher levels.
In short, your level doesn’t slow down EV gains, it enhances their visibility at level 100.
Generations III & IV: A Blast from the Past (With Caveats)
If you’re playing older games like Generations III (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald) and IV (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum), pay attention.
- Level 100 Lockdown (Mostly): In these titles, a level 100 Pokémon hits a wall during battles. EV gains stop, even if not fully maxed out. Deoxys is a rare exception.
- Vitamin Lifeline: Are you at level 100 in Gen III or IV? Use vitamins! These items bypass the battle block and raise your Pokémon’s EVs.
In older generations, vitamins are key for EV training at level 100. Treat it as an old-style training phase.
Decoding EV Limits: How Much is Too Much?
EV training is structured. There are set limits for balance. Think of it as budgeting stats for your Pokémon.
- The 252 Stat Cap: You can assign a maximum of 252 EVs to a single stat. Why 252? It’s game design! Since Generation 7, it’s capped at 252. Before, it was 255.
- The 510 Total EV Limit: Across all stats (like HP and Attack), your Pokémon can gather only 510 EVs. Strategic planning is essential. You cannot maximize every stat!
Why 252? The Math Behind the Max
Curious about the 252 EV cap? It’s not random! There’s logic behind it, designed to optimize stat points at level 100.
- 4 EVs = 1 Stat Point (at Level 100): This is the core principle. For every 4 EVs in a stat, you get one more stat point at Level 100.
- Efficiency is Key: With 252 EVs, you gain a total of 63 extra stat points (252 / 4 = 63). What about leftover EVs? If you aimed for 255 EVs? You’d also get 63 points. Those extra 3 result in waste. Thus, 252 is optimal – maximum gain without waste.
Crafting the “Perfectly” EV Trained Pokémon
What defines a “perfectly” EV trained Pokémon? It’s all about hitting those efficiency goals.
- The 252/252/4 Formula: This common and often “perfect” spread maximizes two main stats with a few in another. Think 252 Attack, 252 Speed, and 4 HP. Together, that is 508 EVs, not 510?
- The Minimum 4 EV Rule: To see a stat increase on your Pokémon’s screen takes at least 4 EVs in that stat. Those last 2 to hit 510? They don’t provide any extra points over what 508 does, but confirm your effort with a + sign next to your stats. Consider them the finishing touch on your training.
The ideal training often aims for the 252/252/4 setup, optimizing two stats while securing that visual confirmation of your progress.
EV Training Methods: From Battles to Berries
Ready for some hands-on EV training? You have options! From battles to helpful items, let’s delve into these methods.
Battling for EVs: Targeting Your Stats
- Specific Pokémon, Specific Stats: Want to enhance your Attack stat? Hunt specific Pokémon giving out Attack EVs. Every Pokémon species has assigned EVs for certain stats when defeated.
- EV Yield Per Pokémon: Defeating wild Pokémon gives either 1, 2, or 3 EVs in a stat. Knowing what yields which EVs is important for efficient training.
Vitamins: Stat Boosts in a Bottle
- Vitamins: The EV Potions: Items like Protein and Iron boost specific EVs by 10 for each use.
- Protein = Attack Boost: Use Protein vitamins to raise your Attack stat EVs.
- Vitamin Limit: The 100 EV Wall: Vitamins are strong but limited. You can only use them to increase a stat up to 100 EVs. Afterwards, switch back to battling or other methods.
- Maxing a Stat with Vitamins in Scarlet/Violet: In these games, to max out a single stat using only vitamins (252 EVs), you’d need about 26 vitamins (26 x 10 = 260). Yet, vitamins stop helping after 100 EVs. You’ll need other strategies to achieve full 252 EV training.
- Hidden Vitamin Cap (Old Mechanics): Older titles had a cap where vitamins could add up to a total of 2560 EVs to a stat, but couldn’t surpass a stat’s limit of 25,600. This doesn’t apply in modern games but is a fun historical tidbit.
Feathers: Small but Steady Gains
- Feathers: EV Taps: Feathers like Muscle or Swift Feathers grant smaller boosts than vitamins, each adding just 1 point to a specific stat.
- Precise Adjustments: Use feathers to fine-tune your EV distribution, ensuring those last few points after battling or vitamin intake.
Power Items: EV Training Accelerators
- Power Items: Held for EV Power-Up: Power Items such as Power Bracer and Power Weight give bonuses from battles. They change the EV training game.
- Stat-Specific Power: Each has specific boosts; Power Bracer focuses on Attack EVs while Power Weight aids HP EVs.
- +8 EVs Per Battle (Power Boost): Holding a Power Item adds +8 EVs to its targeted stat after each battle, plus the natural yield from defeating Pokémon. This significantly speeds up training.
- Training Multiple Pokémon Simultaneously: Power Items work well when training several Pokémon at once. Equip different Power Items to maximize various stats at the same time.
EV-Reducing Berries: The Stat Correction Tool
- EV-Reducing Berries: Stat Reset Button: If you mess up your EV spread, these berries are your solution. They reduce EVs in specific stats.
- -10 EVs Per
- Berry: Each EV-reducing berry cuts the EVs in its respective stat by 10.
- Six Berries for Six Stats: Each stat has a berry: Pomeg (HP), Kelpsy (Attack), Qualot (Defense), Hondew (Special Attack), Grepa (Special Defense), and Tamato (Speed).
- Berry to 100 Rule: The first berry reduces a stat’s EVs to 100 if above that. If below 100, it simply cuts 10 EVs.
- Correcting Mistakes and Redistributing: Use EV-reducing berries to fix EV training mistakes or reset EVs for redistribution.
Macho Brace: Double EVs, Half Speed (Trade-off Alert!)
- Macho Brace: EV Doubler, Speed Halver: The Macho Brace doubles EV gains from battles. It halves your Pokémon’s Speed while held.
- Speed Penalty: Speed reduction may slow training in battles, even with double EVs. Consider pros and cons!
Exp. Share: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work (and EV Training Faster)
- Exp. Share for EVs: The Exp. Share gives EVs to Pokémon in battle and those in the party.
- Simultaneous EV Training: Exp. Share enables training multiple Pokémon at the same time. Pokémon not battling can still gain EVs.
Auto-Battle (“Let’s Go”): Great for XP, Not for EVs
- Auto-Battle: XP Only Zone: The “Let’s Go” auto-battle feature in Scarlet and Violet provides XP but *not* Effort Values.
- No EVs from Auto-Battles: Defeating or catching wild Pokémon through auto-battles won’t help EV training. Use traditional battles for EVs.
Super Training: Super Ineffective for EVs
- Super Training: Zero EV Gains: Super Training was a mini-game giving *zero* EVs in older games. It’s not suitable for training purposes.
Time to Fully EV Train: Efficiency is Key
- 30 Minutes (Roughly): Efficiently targeting specific Pokémon and one or two stats can fully EV train a Pokémon in about 30 minutes.
- 15 Minutes (Speedrun Mode): To speed up EV training, use Power Items, the Pokémon virus (Pokerus – doubles EV gains), and vitamins. This can cut training to around 15 minutes or less.
EVs and Stat Points: Level 100 Clarity
- 4 EVs = 1 Stat Point: For every 4 EVs in a stat, you get +1 stat point at level 100. This rate is crucial.
- Level 50 Scaling: At level 50, the conversion rate is different but still contributes to stats, halved from level 100.
- Level 100 Stat Boost: With 252 EVs in a stat, a level 100 Pokémon gains +63 stat points (252 / 4 = 63). This difference can be notable.
- EVs Scale with Level: EVs give scaling increases as your Pokémon levels up. At level 100, dedicated EV training shows great power.
EV Training Multiple Pokémon: Team Training Tactics
- Yes, Team Training Possible! You can effectively train multiple Pokémon at once for better efficiency.
- Power Items for Multi-Training: Equip different Power Items to target various stats during battles for better training outcomes.
- Exp. Share for Team EVs: Combine Power Items with Exp. Share for maximum efficiency. Pokémon holding Power Items and benefiting from Exp. Share will gain EVs.
EV Resetting: Starting Stat Fresh
- EV-Reducing Berries for Reset: To undo your EV training, use EV-reducing berries to lower specific stats and start anew.
- Berries for Each Stat: The berry lineup is: Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato targeting HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed.
- Initial Berry to 100: The first berry lowers a stat to 100 EVs if high; subsequent berries subtract 10 EVs each.
IVs (Individual Values): The Hidden Stat Genes
Next is Individual Values (IVs). These are hidden genes determining your Pokémon’s stats at inception.
- Hidden, Random Stats: IVs are numbers randomly assigned to each Pokémon’s stats at capture, hatch, or receipt.
- 0 to 31 Range: IVs range from 0 to 31 for each stat. 0 is the worst IV; 31 is the best, often referred to as “Best” or “Perfect”.
- 32 Possible Values: Each stat has 32 potential IV values (0 through 31), providing individual variation beyond species and EVs.
Hyper Training: Maxing Out IVs (Post-Catch)
- Hyper Training: IV Perfection: Want to boost bad IVs? Hyper Training maxes out a Pokémon’s IVs to 31.
- Gold Bottle Caps for 6IVs: In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you need a Gold Bottle Cap to Hyper Train all six IVs to “Best.”
- Hyper Trained IVs Don’t Breed Down: Note that Hyper Training does not alter a Pokémon’s actual IVs for breeding; boosts apply only in battle.
IVs in Generations I & II: DVs and More
- Determinant Values (DVs): In Generations I and II, IVs were known as “Determinant Values” (DVs).
- DV Range 1-15: DVs ranged from 1 to 15; maximum DV was 15 in a particular stat.
- DVs Beyond Stats: DVs influenced more than stats; they determined shininess, gender, and even “unknown” values like Unown’s letter.
DVs had wider influence beyond battle stats in earlier generations.
Zero Attack IVs: A Niche Strategy
- 0 Attack IVs: Confusion Mitigation: For Special Attackers, a 0 IV in Attack lowers damage from the “Confusion” status and moves like “Foul Play.” This gives an advantage.
EVs vs. IVs: Training vs. Genes
The main difference between EVs and IVs is straightforward:
- EVs: Earned Through Training: EVs are earned via effort through battling and training Pokémon. You control and influence this growth.
- IVs: Inherent and (Mostly) Fixed: IVs remain largely fixed when obtained. They represent inherent potential. Hyper Training can mask bad IVs, but doesn’t change them for breeding purposes.
EVs and Pokémon Strength: Nature vs. Nurture (Mostly Nurture)
- EVs = Battle Prowess: Defeating opponents grants EVs that boost battle stats like HP, Attack, etc.
- Lower Level Start, Higher Potential? Lower level Pokémon can surpass high-level ones when considering EV training correctly applied. A level 5 Pokémon can excel versus haphazardly trained higher-level ones.
- Level Doesn’t Gatekeep EV Training: Starting EV training at any level, whether level 1 or 99, follows the same process.
- Base Stats Rule, Level is Just a Stage: Base stats are fixed per species; level simply acts as a multiplier without extra credit for battling above-level foes for base stat gains. EVs allow personalized stat modifications.
Other EV Training Tidbits
- EV Training Cost (Vitamins): Fully EV training using only vitamins can be costly, surpassing 500,000 in-game currency. Battling with Power Items proves more cost-effective, but vitamins offer speed and convenience.
- Evolution and EVs: Separate Paths: Delaying evolution allows earlier move learning but impacts EV training in no way. They function independently within game mechanics.
- Level Cap: Level 100 is the Limit: The limit in Pokémon games is traditionally level 100; this is the maximum reachable through experience.
- Traded Pokémon Level Up Faster: Traded Pokémon gain boosted experience points, leveling more quickly than caught ones. While not directly related to EVs, it’s helpful for speeding up traded Pokémon intended for training.
EV training may seem advanced initially; however, with a bit of strategy and knowledge, you can optimize your Pokémon into strong battling forces even past level 100! Now go out and enhance those stats!
