Decoding Power Items: Do They Really Slow Down Your Speed EV Gains?
Absolutely not! Power items themselves do not reduce the amount of Speed EVs your Pokémon earns. In fact, they do precisely the opposite – they significantly boost the number of Effort Values (EVs) gained per battle, regardless of the specific Pokémon you’re facing. The confusion often stems from a temporary stat reduction while the item is held. Let’s dive into a detailed explanation to clear up any misconceptions and provide a comprehensive guide to maximizing your EV training efficiency.
Understanding the Nuances of Power Items
The key to understanding the role of Power items lies in distinguishing between temporary stat reductions and permanent EV gains. Power items like the Power Anklet (for Speed EVs) have a unique dual function:
- EV Boost: They grant a substantial bonus to the specific EV associated with that item after each battle.
- Speed Reduction: While held, they temporarily halve the Pokémon’s Speed stat during battles.
The Speed reduction is a temporary effect that only lasts as long as the Pokémon is holding the Power item. It does not impact the permanent EV gains accumulated after each battle. Therefore, while your Pokémon might move slower in battle, it is simultaneously receiving a greatly enhanced boost to its Speed EV total.
Maximizing EV Training with Power Items
The true power of Power items lies in their ability to drastically reduce the time required for EV training. Without a Power item, your Pokémon would typically gain only 1, 2, or maybe 3 EVs per defeated Pokémon. However, with a Power item equipped, the gains increase significantly:
- Base Increase: In Generation VII and later games, Power items grant an additional 8 EVs to the specific stat per battle. This means if the defeated Pokémon normally gives 1 Speed EV, your Pokémon will receive 9 Speed EVs (1 + 8).
- Pokerus Enhancement: The Pokerus status effect doubles all EV gains. Combine this with a Power item, and the EV gains become even more impressive.
- SOS Battles: Some games introduce SOS battles, which trigger ally Pokemon to join the battle. These also double EV gains, making Power Items even more potent.
Practical Example
Let’s say you are training your Pokémon’s Speed EVs and have equipped the Power Anklet. You are battling Pikachu, which normally yields 2 Speed EVs. Here’s how the bonuses stack:
- Base Speed EVs from Pikachu: 2
- Bonus from Power Anklet: +8
- Total Speed EVs per Pikachu: 10
Now, let’s add Pokerus into the mix:
- Base Speed EVs from Pikachu: 2
- Bonus from Power Anklet: +8
- Total Speed EVs per Pikachu (before Pokerus): 10
- Pokerus Multiplier: x2
- Total Speed EVs per Pikachu (with Pokerus): 20
The efficiency gain is undeniable.
Common Misconceptions Cleared
Many players worry that the temporary Speed reduction inflicted by Power items will hinder their training. They fear that a slower Pokémon will struggle to defeat enemies quickly, thus slowing down the overall EV training process. While this is a valid concern, the enhanced EV gains far outweigh the inconvenience of temporary slowness.
Consider prioritizing areas where your Pokemon can one-hit KO enemies regardless of speed. Pokemon such as Dreepy, Meowth, and Voltorb are perfect examples of easily-defeated targets for training your Pokemon’s Speed EVs.
FAQs: Power Items and EV Training
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of Power items and EV training:
1. Do Power items reduce speed EVs?
No, Power items increase Speed EVs. They add a flat bonus to the Speed EVs earned per battle.
2. Do Power items change EVs?
Yes, Power items change the quantity of EVs gained by adding a flat bonus to the EVs rewarded from battling.
3. What items reduce EVs?
Berries like the Tamato Berry reduce Speed EVs by 10 and increase your Pokémon’s happiness. Other berries such as the Pomeg, Kelpsy, Hondew, Qualot, and Grepa berries reduce HP, Attack, Special Attack, Defense, and Special Defense respectively.
4. What items increase speed EVs?
Carbos increase Speed EVs by 10. Power Anklets also dramatically increase Speed EVs, by adding an additional 8 EVs per defeated Pokemon.
5. Do Power items prevent other EVs?
No, Power items only add to the designated stat’s EVs; they don’t interfere with EVs from other stats. If a Pokémon gives both Speed and Attack EVs, equipping a Power Anklet will only boost the Speed EVs gained.
6. How much do Power items increase EVs?
In Generation VII onward, Power items increase EVs by 8 per battle for their designated stat.
7. Do feathers increase EVs?
Yes, feathers (also known as wings) increase EVs by 1 per use.
8. What reduces HP EVs?
The Pomeg Berry reduces HP EVs.
9. How many Proteins to max out EVs?
Since each Protein adds 10 EVs to the Attack stat, you would need 26 Proteins to reach the maximum of 252 EVs in Attack (10 * 26 = 260, but the cap is 252).
10. What Pokemon drops speed EVs?
Common Pokémon that yield Speed EVs include:
- Pikachu
- Diglett
- Meowth
- Voltorb
- Buizel
- Fletchling
- Dreepy
- Tandemaus
11. What gives HP EVs?
Pokémon that yield HP EVs include:
- Jigglypuff
- Chansey
- Marill
- Wooper
- Dunsparce
- Shellos
- Barboach
- Tropius
12. Which berries reduce EVs?
- Pomeg Berry: Lowers HP.
- Kelpsy Berry: Lowers Attack.
- Qualot Berry: Lowers Defense.
- Hondew Berry: Lowers Special Attack.
- Grepa Berry: Lowers Special Defense.
- Tamato Berry: Lowers Speed.
13. How much do power items reduce speed?
Power items do not reduce Speed EVs. They temporarily reduce the Pokémon’s Speed stat during battles. The Speed reduction is not permanent and has no impact on the EVs gained.
14. Do EVs reset when evolving?
No, EVs do not reset when evolving. The EVs your Pokémon has accumulated will carry over after evolution.
15. What is the max EV in Pokémon?
A Pokémon can have a total of 510 EVs, with a maximum of 252 EVs in any single stat. Every 4 EVs translates to 1 point increase in that stat at level 100.
Conclusion
Power items are invaluable tools for efficient EV training. While the temporary Speed reduction might seem like a drawback, the significant boost to EV gains far outweighs any inconvenience. By strategically utilizing Power items, Pokerus, and selecting appropriate battle locations, you can rapidly maximize your Pokémon’s stats and prepare them for competitive battles.
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