Lowering Your Pokémon’s Speed EVs: A Comprehensive Guide
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Lowering a Pokémon’s Speed Effort Values (EVs) is a crucial part of competitive training and strategy in the Pokémon world. If you’ve accidentally over-trained a stat, or you’re aiming for a very specific stat distribution, reducing your Pokémon’s Speed EV is essential. The primary method to achieve this is by using specific berries that are designed to lower EVs, and more specifically, the Tamato Berry which directly reduces Speed EVs. The process is relatively simple but understanding the nuances will help you achieve the desired result. You’ll start by acquiring Tamato Berries, and use them directly on the Pokémon that has unwanted Speed EVs. Keep in mind, that the first berry will remove a significant chunk of EVs. If additional berries are used, the amount of EV reduction will decrease.
The Role of Tamato Berries
The Tamato Berry is the key item to reduce Speed EVs. Here’s how it works:
- Initial Reduction: The first time you use a Tamato Berry on a Pokémon, it significantly reduces the Pokémon’s Speed EV by a substantial amount. In most games, the initial reduction is 100 EV points.
- Subsequent Reductions: Each additional Tamato Berry used on the same Pokémon will also lower its Speed EV, but by a smaller amount, often 10 points for subsequent uses.
- Friendship Increase: Along with EV reduction, using EV-reducing berries will also increase the Pokémon’s friendship towards you.
How to Obtain Tamato Berries
In modern Pokémon games, finding Tamato Berries is usually done in a few main ways:
- Wild Exploration: You can sometimes find them by exploring the game world, picking them from the ground or from berry trees.
- Berry Trees: Shaking specific trees in the environment may drop Tamato Berries.
- Purchasing: Certain shops or markets in the game will sell Tamato Berries, particularly in the end game areas, and sometimes in post-game content. For example, in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Porto Marinada’s Market is a reliable place to buy these berries.
Utilizing the Berries Effectively
- Identify Your Pokémon: Before using the berries, verify your Pokémon’s current Speed EV. Some games will display this info via a hexagonal graph or in the Pokémon’s summary screen.
- Administer the Berries: In your bag, select the Tamato Berry and select the Pokémon you wish to use it on. Use berries one at a time, checking your Pokémon’s summary screen after each use until the desired number of EVs are reached.
- Monitor Your Progress: Keep checking your Pokémon’s stat screen to confirm how many Speed EVs have been removed. The game will usually provide feedback for each berry used.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Speed EVs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Speed EVs and how to manage them:
1. What are Effort Values (EVs)?
Effort Values (EVs) are hidden points that increase a Pokémon’s stats in battle. They are gained by battling other Pokémon. Each Pokemon defeated contributes a different amount and type of EV. For instance, defeating a Pikachu will contribute to Speed EV’s. These are different from Individual Values (IVs), which are fixed stats determined when a Pokémon is generated.
2. Why would I want to lower Speed EVs?
Lowering Speed EVs is a strategy used to fine-tune a Pokémon’s stats. Some Pokémon builds benefit from being slower for reasons such as using Trick Room, or creating a bulky Pokémon that prioritizes survivability over speed.
3. Can EVs be reduced after level 100?
Yes, EVs can be reduced at any level, including level 100, using EV-reducing berries. This allows players to alter their builds even after maxing out a Pokémon’s level.
4. What other berries reduce EVs?
Besides Tamato Berries which reduce Speed EVs, other berries exist to lower other EV stats. These include:
* Pomeg Berry: Reduces HP EVs.
* Kelpsy Berry: Reduces Attack EVs.
* Qualot Berry: Reduces Defense EVs.
* Hondew Berry: Reduces Special Attack EVs.
* Grepa Berry: Reduces Special Defense EVs.
5. How many EVs can a Pokémon have?
A Pokémon can have a maximum of 510 EVs in total, with a maximum of 252 EVs in any single stat. It is often recommended to focus on two stats.
6. What Pokémon give Speed EVs?
Many Pokemon contribute to Speed EVs when defeated. Some common examples include:
* Pikachu
* Diglett
* Meowth
* Voltorb
* Buizel
* Fletchling
* Dreepy
* Tandemaus
7. Do items like the Power Anklet affect EV reduction?
No, Power Items do not affect the reduction of EVs. They only enhance the speed at which you accumulate EVs during training by increasing the amount of EVs gained from a battle.
8. Where can I buy Tamato Berries in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
You can buy Tamato Berries in bulk from the Porto Marinada Market in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. The Market building is made of glass and is the largest building in the town.
9. Can I reset all EVs at once?
While there isn’t one item that resets all EVs at once, in some games you can use an EV Reset item that clears all EV’s. If an EV Reset item is not an option, you will have to manually use berries on each of your desired stats.
10. Do EVs reset when a Pokémon is traded?
No, EVs are not reset when a Pokémon is traded. They stay with the Pokémon, even if traded between games.
11. Do Vitamins raise EV’s?
Vitamins raise EVs. They can be used to quickly increase the stats of your pokemon. For example, Swift Wing raises Speed EV’s.
12. Can I see my Pokémon’s current EVs?
Yes, most Pokémon games now allow players to view a Pokémon’s EV spread. This information is often displayed on the stat summary screen via a graph or numerical value.
13. Can wild Pokémon have EVs?
Yes, wild Pokémon also have EVs. These do not come pre-set. Wild Pokemon gain EVs the same way a trained pokemon would.
14. Can Pokémon get negative EVs?
No, Pokémon cannot have negative EVs. They can have zero EVs, but cannot go below zero.
15. What are the other ways to control speed besides EV reduction?
Besides using Tamato Berries, there are other ways to manage speed:
* **Moves:** Use moves that reduce the speed of your opponents, such as **Icy Wind**, **Electroweb**, and **Bulldoze**.
* **Held Items**: Some held items will reduce your pokemon speed.
* **Trick Room:** If you want your pokemon to move first, using trick room is an option.
By understanding how Speed EVs work and how to reduce them, players can optimize their Pokémon for competitive play and various in-game challenges. Using Tamato Berries effectively allows for precise control over your Pokémon’s stats, making the difference between victory and defeat. Good luck on your training journey!