Unlocking the Secrets of the Exp. Share: How It Distributes Experience in Pokémon
So, you’re diving into the world of Pokémon, and you’re curious about the Exp. Share. A vital tool for any trainer, the Exp. Share is a key item that allows Pokémon in your party, who didn’t actively participate in battle, to still gain experience points (XP). But how much XP does it actually give? From Generation VI onwards, the Exp. Share shares 50% of the Exp earned in battle with any Pokémon that are in your current party and did not join the battle. This means that the battling Pokémon receive their experience, and then half of that same experience is distributed among the rest of your team.
Let’s break this down further to understand how the Exp. Share works in various scenarios and across different generations. This guide will give you everything you need to know to optimize your training.
Understanding the Evolution of the Exp. Share
The Exp. Share has undergone some significant changes throughout the Pokémon series. Understanding these changes is crucial for grasping how it functions in different games.
- Early Generations (Gold, Silver, Crystal): The Exp. Share was a held item. Only the Pokémon holding the Exp. Share received experience without battling.
- Generation VI Onwards (X, Y, Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire, Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Let’s Go Pikachu & Eevee, Sword, Shield, Scarlet, Violet): The Exp. Share became a key item, toggled on or off, distributing experience to the entire party even if they didn’t participate in battle. This is the functionality most players are familiar with today.
How Exp. Share Impacts XP Distribution
The way the Exp. Share distributes XP affects your entire team’s leveling process. Here’s a closer look at the mechanics:
Generation VI Onwards (Key Item System)
When the Exp. Share is active:
- The Pokémon that participates in battle earns its experience.
- 50% of that same experience is then shared equally among all other Pokémon in your party who did not participate.
Example: If a battling Pokémon earns 100 XP, it keeps that 100 XP. Then, 50 XP (50% of 100) is divided among the rest of your party. If you have five other Pokémon in your party, each would receive 10 XP (50/5=10).
Using Multiple Exp. Shares (Prior to Gen VI)
In the older games where the Exp. Share was a held item, the Pokémon holding the Exp. Share received experience without participating. If you were to use multiple Exp. Shares, the distribution would occur as follows:
- The Pokémon battling gets the full amount of experience it would normally receive.
- The remaining experience is split between all the Pokémon holding an Exp. Share.
Example: If 2 Pokemon are holding the Exp. Share, they each get 25%. 3 gets ~ 16.6%, 4 gets 12.5% exp, 5 gets 10% each.
Is the Exp. Share Right for You?
Whether to use the Exp. Share is a strategic decision. Consider the following:
- Pros: Faster leveling of your entire team, making it easier to tackle challenging content. Allows weaker Pokémon to gain levels safely.
- Cons: Can lead to over-leveling, reducing the challenge of the game. May impact your team’s EV (Effort Value) training, as Pokémon gain EVs even if they don’t battle.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into the Exp. Share
1. Does the Exp. Share reduce the XP earned by the battling Pokémon?
No, the Exp. Share doesn’t reduce the XP gained by the Pokémon participating in battle. It only shares a portion of the experience in addition to what the battling Pokémon already earned.
2. What happens if I use multiple Exp. Shares?
The exact effect of multiple Exp. Shares depends on the generation. In games where the Exp. Share is a held item, the experience is split among the holders. In games with the key item system, there is only one Exp. Share, so holding multiple doesn’t change anything.
3. Is the Exp. Share worth using?
The Exp. Share is extremely valuable for quickly leveling your team. If you’re not actively EV training and want to speed up the game, it’s definitely worth using.
4. Does the Exp. Share affect EV training?
Yes, the Exp. Share does affect EV training. Pokémon gain EVs even when they don’t participate in battle. Therefore, if you are EV training a Pokémon, it’s important to be mindful of the Pokémon you’re battling.
5. Why do some players choose to turn off the Exp. Share?
Some players find that the Exp. Share makes the game too easy by causing their Pokémon to become over-leveled. Turning it off offers a greater challenge.
6. Does the Exp. Share make my Pokémon weaker?
No, the Exp. Share does not make your Pokémon weaker. Stats are determined by base stats, IVs (Individual Values), EVs (Effort Values) and Nature, not how the Pokémon gains experience.
7. Is the Exp. Share optional in all Pokémon games?
In some newer games like Sword and Shield, the Exp. Share is mandatory and cannot be turned off. However, many older games allow you to toggle it on or off.
8. What was the first Pokémon game to introduce the Exp. Share?
The Exp. Share was first introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver.
9. How does the Exp. Share work in Pokémon Gold and Silver?
In Gold and Silver, the Exp. Share was a held item. A single Pokémon holding it would gain experience from battles without having to participate.
10. Does XP matter after level 40 in Pokémon GO?
In Pokemon Go, any existing XP you have earned over Level 40 will contribute to the progress of future levels.
11. Is using the Exp. Share detrimental to my Pokémon’s stats?
No, using the Exp. Share itself does not negatively affect your Pokémon’s stats. The key is to focus on EV training if you want to optimize your Pokémon’s stat growth.
12. Do higher difficulty settings in games increase the XP earned?
No, XP earned is generally based on the level of the participating Pokémon and the opponent’s level, not the difficulty setting.
13. How does the Exp. Share function with a level 100 Pokémon in the party?
The level 100 Pokémon earns its experience as normal. Other Pokémon in the party still receive a share of the XP, regardless of the level of the lead Pokémon.
14. Do power items (like Macho Brace) work in conjunction with the Exp. Share?
Yes, power items that boost EV gains will still work even if the Pokémon is gaining experience through the Exp. Share.
15. Do traded Pokémon get more XP, and does the Exp. Share affect this?
Yes, traded Pokémon traditionally gain boosted experience. The Exp. Share distributes experience based on the modified amount, meaning traded Pokémon will level up faster.
Level Up Your Knowledge
Understanding how the Exp. Share works can drastically improve your Pokémon training strategy. Whether you’re a seasoned trainer or just starting your journey, mastering the Exp. Share will help you build a formidable team ready to take on any challenge.
Want to learn more about how games are used for learning and education? Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.