Does Catching Pokemon Mess With EVs? The Ultimate Guide
No, simply catching a Pokemon does NOT directly mess with its Effort Values (EVs). EVs are gained through battling and defeating other Pokemon. Catching a Pokemon does, however, allow you to then train it to gain EVs, which is where the potential for “messing with” them arises, if you aren’t careful. The act of encountering and capturing a Pokemon has no impact on the EVs of your existing team members.
Understanding Effort Values (EVs)
What are EVs and Why Do They Matter?
Effort Values (EVs) are hidden stat boosters in the Pokemon games that, unlike base stats and Individual Values (IVs), are earned through gameplay. They represent the effort you put into training a specific stat. EVs directly influence how high a Pokemon’s stats will be when it levels up.
Each Pokemon can accumulate a maximum of 510 EVs in total, and a maximum of 252 EVs in any single stat. For every 4 EVs gained in a particular stat, that stat receives a +1 boost at level 100. This means you can significantly enhance the strengths (and potentially mitigate weaknesses) of your Pokemon through strategic EV training.
EVs are what separate a casually trained Pokemon from a competitively viable one. Understanding and manipulating EVs is crucial for building strong teams and optimizing your Pokemon’s performance in battles.
How are EVs Earned?
EVs are primarily earned by defeating other Pokemon in battle. Each Pokemon species yields a specific EV amount in one or more stats when defeated. For example, defeating a Pidgey might grant +1 EV in Speed, while defeating a Geodude grants +1 EV in Defense.
The amount of EVs gained can be increased through several items and conditions:
- Power Items: Items like the Power Anklet, Power Bracer, Power Belt, Power Lens, Power Band, and Power Weight each provide +8 EVs to a specific stat after a battle, in addition to the EVs awarded by the defeated Pokemon. The effect stacks.
- Macho Brace: Doubles the EVs gained from a battle.
- Pokerus: A rare, beneficial virus that doubles the EVs gained from a battle. It stacks with Power Items and the Macho Brace.
- Vitamins: Vitamins like HP Up, Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, and Speed Up each directly boost a specific stat by 10 EVs, up to a maximum of 100 EVs per stat.
Why Accuracy in EV Training Matters
While catching a Pokemon itself doesn’t impact EVs, your training regimen afterward absolutely does. Imagine you want to maximize your Alakazam’s Special Attack and Speed. If you’re not careful and repeatedly defeat Pokemon that give Defense EVs, you’re diluting your training and potentially hindering Alakazam’s competitive potential.
Careless EV training is like pouring water into a leaky bucket. You’re putting in the effort, but not seeing the optimal results because you’re not targeting the stats you need to improve. That’s why strategic EV training is so important.
Avoiding Unwanted EVs
Planning Your EV Spread
The key to avoiding unwanted EVs is careful planning. Before you even begin training, decide which stats you want to maximize or distribute EVs in. Most competitive Pokemon builds will focus on maximizing two stats and placing the remaining EVs into a third. Tools like online EV calculators can help you visualize the stat boosts you’ll receive with a specific EV spread.
Using Encounter Lists and Training Locations
Once you have a plan, research which Pokemon give the EVs you need. Online resources and Pokedex entries provide information on the EVs awarded by each species. Choose training locations where you primarily encounter the Pokemon you want to battle.
Keeping Track of Your Progress
It’s easy to lose track of how many EVs you’ve gained, especially during long training sessions. Fortunately, modern Pokemon games offer tools to check your Pokemon’s EV progress.
- EV Checking Features: Most recent Pokemon games have included features that allow you to visually check your Pokemon’s EV distribution. These are usually accessible through the Pokemon Summary screen and often involve pressing a specific button to display a graph.
- Manual Tracking: If your game lacks a built-in EV checker, you can manually track your progress using a spreadsheet or notepad. Keep a running tally of the EVs your Pokemon has earned in each stat.
Utilizing EV Reducing Berries
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might accidentally give your Pokemon unwanted EVs. Thankfully, there are EV reducing berries that can decrease EVs in specific stats. These berries are extremely useful for correcting mistakes and resetting a Pokemon’s EVs for a new build.
- Pomeg Berry: Lowers HP EVs.
- Kelpsy Berry: Lowers Attack EVs.
- Qualot Berry: Lowers Defense EVs.
- Hondew Berry: Lowers Special Attack EVs.
- Grepa Berry: Lowers Special Defense EVs.
- Tamato Berry: Lowers Speed EVs.
Each berry reduces the corresponding EV stat by 10. If the Pokemon has 100 or fewer EVs in that stat, the berry will reduce the EVs to 100. This means it will likely take multiple berries to undo training mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does giving my Pokemon a Rare Candy affect its EVs?
No. Rare Candies only increase a Pokemon’s level. They do not affect EVs, IVs, or nature. The stats of a Pokemon leveled up with Rare Candies will be different from the stats of a Pokemon trained normally through battles.
2. If I hatch a Pokemon from an egg, does it start with any EVs?
No. Pokemon hatched from eggs start with zero EVs in all stats.
3. Can Pokemon earn EVs through auto-battles in games like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?
Yes, Pokemon will earn EVs even when participating in auto-battles. This means you need to be equally careful about where your Pokemon are auto-battling, as they will be gaining EVs from the defeated Pokemon.
4. Do EVs still matter if I’m just playing the main story and not competitive battling?
Yes, they do! While not as crucial as in competitive play, EVs can still provide a noticeable boost to your Pokemon’s stats, making the main story easier and more enjoyable. Strategic EV training can help you overcome challenging gym leaders and battles.
5. Is there a way to completely reset a Pokemon’s EVs to zero?
Yes. In some games, you can use berries. In others, there are items (like the Reset Mochi in The Teal Mask DLC) that can completely reset a Pokemon’s EVs to zero.
6. Do EVs carry over when I breed Pokemon?
No, EVs are not passed down during breeding. Breeding only concerns base stats, IVs, natures (with the Everstone), and abilities.
7. If I transfer a Pokemon from an older game to a newer one, will its EVs be preserved?
Yes, if you transfer a Pokemon through methods like Pokemon Bank or Pokemon HOME, its EVs will be preserved. However, be aware that some older games might not have EV checking features, so it’s best to check before transferring.
8. Do Dynamax Adventures in Sword and Shield affect EVs?
Yes. Pokemon in Dynamax Adventures gain EVs from the Pokemon they defeat along the way. It’s best to bring a Pokemon that has already been properly EV trained.
9. Can my Pokemon gain EVs even if it doesn’t participate in the battle?
Yes, if your Pokemon is holding an Exp. Share or if the game features team-wide experience sharing, Pokemon that don’t participate in the battle will still gain EVs.
10. How do I know if my Pokemon has reached the maximum of 252 EVs in a single stat?
The game will usually provide an indicator when a Pokemon reaches its maximum EVs in a stat. It can be a message like “This Pokemon can’t take any more of this stat!” or a visual cue on the EV checking screen.
11. Are there any held items besides Power Items and the Macho Brace that affect EV gain?
No, Power Items and the Macho Brace are the primary held items that directly impact EV gain.
12. Do wild Pokemon have EVs?
Yes, wild Pokemon have EVs. However, their EV spreads are typically random and distributed across multiple stats. This is why it’s important to train your own Pokemon strategically.
13. Does the Pokemon’s nature affect how quickly it gains EVs?
No, a Pokemon’s nature does not affect how quickly it gains EVs. Nature affects the growth of a Pokemon’s stats as it levels up, but not the acquisition of EVs.
14. Can I give my Pokemon EVs after it has reached level 100?
Yes, you can still give your Pokemon EVs after it has reached level 100. The stat increases will be applied retroactively. This makes it possible to EV train a level 100 Pokemon for competitive battling.
15. What happens if my Pokemon faints during EV training?
If your Pokemon faints during EV training, it still receives the EVs from the defeated Pokemon. Fainting does not negate EV gain.