Effort values: Difference between revisions

Effort values, or EVs, are a big part of Pokémon training, as much as levelling up. Effort values are experience points for Pokémon stats. Each Pokémon gives a different amount of effort points to each stat, and the more effort points you get in a certain stat, the higher the EV, raising that stat.

For every 4 effort points in a particular stat, the Pokémon will gain 1 more point at level 100 than it normally would have. These extra stat points are earned gradually as it levels up. There is a limit to EV gains introduced in Generation III. You can gain a maximum of 510 EVs in total, and the most you can gain in a single stat is 255. This allows for the "maxing out" of 2 stats, which really means that you can gain a maximum of 63 points (252/4) in one stat. EV training doesn't have to stop upon reaching level 100, at least in pre-Generation III; you can use the box trick. Their stats will be recalculated to reflect the gain in EVs.

Most Pokémon give only one EV in a particular stat, but most of the stage 1 and 2 Pokémon and Legendary/Rare Pokémon give up to 3 effort points in one stat, or multiple points for multiple stats.

Vitamins like Carbos, Calcium, and Iron add 10 effort points to a particular stat, provided the EV is less than 100.

Macho Brace, an equip-item in Generation III, doubles the amount of effort points you gain from a Pokémon. So if you were battling a Rattata, which gives one Speed effort point, upon winning the battle you would receive 2 Speed effort points instead of 1.

Exp. Share, other than sharing Exp. Points, also gives the same amount of EV's to the Pokémon holding it that the Pokémon battling receives.

The rare virus PokéRus also gives double EVs to Pokémon afflicted as well as Pokémon that have developed resistance to it.

Certain berries, when used in Emerald decrease EVs by 10 while increasing happiness by 5.