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How do you tell if an EV is maxed out?

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How to Tell If Your Pokémon’s EVs Are Maxed Out: A Comprehensive Guide

Knowing whether your Pokémon’s Effort Values (EVs) are maxed out is crucial for competitive battling and maximizing their potential. EVs determine how much your Pokémon’s stats increase as they level up, and understanding how to monitor them is essential for any serious trainer. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of how to check your Pokémon’s EV status across different generations of the games.

Checking Your Pokémon’s EV Status

The method for checking whether your Pokémon’s EVs are maxed out varies depending on the Pokémon game you are playing. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Early Generations (Pre-X & Y): In older games, the process is less intuitive. In Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, you can visit the Seal Store and talk to a specific NPC. If your Pokémon has accumulated all 510 EVs, the NPC will award you an Effort Ribbon. This ribbon serves as an indicator that your Pokémon has reached the maximum EV limit.

  • Generation VI (X & Y) Onward: Starting with Pokémon X and Y, checking EVs became significantly easier.

    • Summary Screen: Open your Pokémon’s summary screen. By pressing a specific button (usually L or R depending on the game), you’ll see a stat screen.

    • EV Graph: Pressing another button (often Y) displays an orange graph that visually represents the EV distribution.

    • Sparkles: A stat that has reached its maximum EV investment (252 EVs) will have sparkles around its name, making it easy to identify. A total of 510 EVs for the Pokémon are shown when the graph will turn cyan.

In essence, if you see the Effort Ribbon (in older games) or sparkles around a stat name on the summary screen (in newer games), that stat is maxed out. If the graph is cyan, your Pokémon has the maximum 510 EVs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about EVs to help you optimize your Pokémon training:

1. Can you max out all EV stats?

No, Pokémon cannot gain unlimited EVs to max out all their stats. The rules are:

  • A Pokémon can only gain a total of 510 EVs spread throughout all six stats.

  • A maximum of 252 EVs can be allocated to a single stat.

This limitation forces strategic decisions on which stats to prioritize.

2. How many EV points are needed to max a stat?

  • As of Generation VII (Sun and Moon), a stat can have a maximum of 252 EVs.
  • Prior to Generation VII, the limit was 255 EVs.
  • In Generation 7, the game will recognize 252 EVs as the maximum.
  • Anything more than 252 EVs in one stat is wasted.

3. Do EVs matter after level 100?

Yes, EVs still matter at level 100, especially in competitive battling. Every stat point is important, and EVs contribute significantly to a Pokémon’s overall stats. Training EVs at level 100 is no different from training at any other level. You can use Vitamins and special Berries to change the Pokemon’s actual stats on the fly, allowing you to reach the correct EVs.

4. What happens when EVs are maxed?

Once a Pokémon reaches the maximum EV count of 510, they cannot gain any more EVs unless you lower a stat using specific berries. Once you hit the max EV count of 510, they won’t be changing or getting EVs in a different stat, unless you lower a stat with certain berries etc. It is necessary to use the berries that lower stats to make adjustments.

5. Can you still raise EVs at level 100?

Yes, you can still raise EVs at level 100. Level 100 Pokemon don’t gain any EVs from battling. They can gain EVs from Vitamins though, and lose EVs with the special Berries, which will change the Pokemon’s actual stats on the fly.

6. Do EVs reset after leveling up?

No, EVs do not reset after leveling up. The game calculates the stat increase based on the accumulated EVs and applies it upon leveling up. It is necessary to keep in mind that EVs are permanent and directly affect the stats.

7. Can you have 252 EVs on all stats?

No, you cannot have 252 EVs on all stats. Each stat that each individual Pokémon has starts at 0 EVs in it and can have a maximum of 255 EVs (or 252 EVs starting with X & Y). The total number of EVs across all six of the Pokémon’s stats cannot exceed 510. The 252 value allows trainers to maximize two stats, with remaining 6 EVs to be allocated elsewhere.

8. Do feathers increase EVs?

Yes, feathers (also known as Wings) increase EVs, granting 1 EV each. There are some items that increase a Pokemon’s EVs just by using it on them, including Vitamins, which grant 10 EVs each.

9. Do EVs matter before level 100?

Yes, EVs matter before level 100. Even though the full effect of EVs is most apparent at level 100, training EVs at lower levels is crucial to developing a competitive Pokémon. Therefore, EV training can be done at any level.

10. Do EVs carry over?

Yes, EVs carry over between evolutions and when transferring Pokémon between games. While stats and stat-affecting attributes like natures and EVs will carry over, in many cases moves and abilities will have to be managed on a game-to-game basis.

11. Is it better to EV train from Level 1?

It doesn’t matter at which level you EV train your Pokémon. Most people just do it first so they don’t have to worry about accidentally screwing up the EVs later on. EV training can occur at any level.

12. How do EVs work at level 50?

At level 50, the effect of EVs is still significant but scaled down. The important thing to note with EVs is that at level 50 the first 4 EVs you put into a stat will increase that stat by 1. After that, the stat will increase by 1 for every 8 EVs until 252.

13. Can you max out 2 EVs?

Yes, you can fully max out two stats. You’re allowed 510 Total EVs, giving you enough to fully max out two stats. You could divide them between your six stats (HP, Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, Speed).

14. What are the best ways to EV train a Pokemon?

  • Horde Battles (X & Y): Utilize horde battles to quickly gain EVs from specific Pokémon.

  • SOS Chaining (Sun & Moon): Chain Pokémon encounters to increase EV yields.

  • Power Items: Equip Power Items to your Pokémon to increase the number of EVs gained per battle.

  • Vitamins: Use Vitamins like Protein, Iron, Calcium, etc., to quickly boost EVs.

15. Where can I learn more about game-based learning and its applications?

To delve deeper into the educational applications of games and learning, consider exploring resources from the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. This organization promotes research and understanding of how games can transform education.

Final Thoughts

Understanding how to check and manage your Pokémon’s EVs is a cornerstone of competitive play. By utilizing the methods described in this guide, you can ensure that your Pokémon are optimized for battle and reach their full potential. Remember to strategically allocate your EVs to maximize the stats that matter most for your Pokémon’s role on the team!

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