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How Does Everstone Work? The Ultimate Guide

Everstone, in the context of the Pokémon world, is a fascinating item that plays a crucial role in breeding and evolution. Simply put, an Everstone prevents a Pokémon from evolving when held, or in the case of breeding, passes down the parent’s Nature to its offspring. Its function is straightforward, yet its implications for competitive battling and strategic breeding are immense.

Understanding the Core Mechanics

The Everstone’s primary function is to halt the natural evolutionary process in Pokémon. Normally, Pokémon evolve upon reaching certain level thresholds, through exposure to specific items, or under certain conditions. Holding an Everstone effectively overrides these triggers, keeping the Pokémon in its current form.

In breeding, the Everstone takes on a different, but equally significant, role. If a female Pokémon is holding an Everstone while breeding, there’s a 50% chance that the offspring will inherit the same Nature as the parent. However, starting from Generation VI, this chance has been increased to 100%. This makes it incredibly useful for breeding Pokémon with specific Natures that enhance certain stats while hindering others – a critical factor in competitive gameplay.

The Science Behind Stasis (Or The Lack Thereof)

While the games don’t delve into the exact scientific mechanisms behind the Everstone, we can infer a few things. Evolution, in the Pokémon world, seems to be a biochemical process triggered by level, items, or conditions. The Everstone likely contains compounds that inhibit or neutralize the hormones, enzymes, or other substances that drive evolution. It acts as a molecular brake, preventing the Pokémon’s body from undergoing the transformations needed to evolve.

Similarly, in breeding, the Everstone seems to influence the transfer of genetic information. It might contain components that stabilize the parent’s Nature, ensuring that this particular trait is consistently passed down to the offspring. The mechanics are mysterious, but the effects are undeniably powerful.

Everstone in Competitive Battling

The Everstone’s impact on competitive battling is significant. Many Pokémon are stronger and more versatile in their pre-evolved forms because of access to certain moves or abilities that are lost upon evolving. By using an Everstone, players can maintain these advantages while still participating in battles.

For example, Pokémon like Dusclops and Porygon2 are frequently used with an Everstone. These Pokémon gain a significant boost in bulk thanks to the item Eviolite, which boosts Defense and Special Defense of Pokémon that are capable of evolving. By holding an Everstone to prevent their final evolutions (Dusknoir and Porygon-Z), they can take hits better than their evolved forms while still hitting hard.

Strategic Breeding and Nature Control

The Everstone’s ability to pass down Nature in breeding is invaluable. Nature significantly affects a Pokémon’s stats, increasing one stat by 10% and decreasing another by 10%. This can make a huge difference in battles, determining whether a Pokémon can outspeed an opponent or withstand a powerful attack.

Breeding Pokémon with desired Natures allows players to tailor their teams to specific strategies. For example, a Jolly Nature (+Speed, -Special Attack) is often preferred for physical attackers, while a Modest Nature (+Special Attack, -Attack) is better suited for special attackers. The Everstone makes this level of customization possible, ensuring that Pokémon are optimized for their roles.

Obtaining the Elusive Everstone

The method of obtaining an Everstone varies across the Pokémon games. Common methods include:

Finding it in the overworld: The Everstone is often hidden in specific locations, requiring exploration to discover.
Receiving it as a gift: Non-player characters (NPCs) may reward players with an Everstone for completing quests or interacting with them.
Catching Pokémon holding it: Some Pokémon species, particularly those that evolve through trade, are often found holding Everstones in the wild.
Purchasing it from a shop: In some games, the Everstone can be bought from specific shops after progressing to a certain point.
Reward for completing side content: Some games reward the player with Everstones after completing sidequests or mini-games.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Everstone, designed to further clarify its usage and functionality:

Does the Everstone completely stop all forms of evolution? Yes, as long as the Pokémon is holding it. This includes level-up evolution, item-based evolution, trade evolution, and location-based evolution.
If I take the Everstone away, will the Pokémon evolve immediately? No. The Pokémon must still meet the normal conditions for evolution, such as leveling up or using a specific item. Removing the Everstone simply removes the evolutionary block.
Can an Everstone be used on Pokémon that don’t evolve? Yes, you can give an Everstone to a Pokémon that does not evolve, but it will have no effect.
Does the Everstone affect Pokémon that evolve through trading if they are not traded? No. The Everstone only prevents evolution when it would naturally occur. If a Pokémon requires a trade to evolve, simply not trading it will prevent evolution without needing the Everstone.
Is the Everstone necessary for breeding Pokémon with specific Natures? No, but it makes the process significantly easier and more reliable. Without the Everstone, you’d be relying on random chance, which can be very time-consuming.
If I’m breeding with a Ditto, does the Ditto need to hold the Everstone for Nature inheritance? Yes, the Ditto must be the Pokémon holding the Everstone to pass down its nature.
Does the Everstone’s effect work in the Day Care? Yes, a Pokémon holding an Everstone in the Day Care will still not evolve.
Can an Everstone be stolen from a Pokémon during battle? Yes, moves like Thief, Covet, or Knock Off can remove the Everstone from a Pokémon during battle. Be mindful of this when using it in competitive play.
Does the Everstone prevent Mega Evolution or Dynamax? No. Mega Evolution and Dynamax are temporary transformations that occur during battle and are not considered permanent evolution. The Everstone does not affect these mechanics.
Is there a limit to how many Everstones I can carry? No. Like most items in the Pokémon games, there is no limit to the number of Everstones you can have in your inventory.
Can I use an Everstone in conjunction with another item, like a Lucky Egg for experience? Yes, a Pokémon can hold both an Everstone and another item simultaneously. The effects of both items will apply.
Does the Masuda Method (breeding Pokémon from different regions) affect the Everstone’s Nature inheritance? No, the Masuda Method and the Everstone’s effect are independent of each other. The Masuda Method increases the chance of hatching a Shiny Pokémon, while the Everstone ensures Nature inheritance.
In games with multiple Pokémon Natures, is there a specific Everstone for each Nature? No, the Everstone is a single item that works for all Natures. The Pokémon holding the Everstone will always pass down its own Nature.
Are there any Pokémon that are immune to the Everstone’s effects? No, all Pokémon are susceptible to the effects of the Everstone. As long as they hold it and are capable of evolving, the Everstone will prevent evolution.
Besides its primary function, does the Everstone have any other uses in the Pokémon world? Not directly. Its sole purpose is to prevent evolution or facilitate Nature inheritance during breeding. However, its presence can be a clue to identifying certain Pokémon holding it in the wild, or can influence strategies in various game corners and challenges.

Conclusion

The Everstone is a deceptively simple item with a profound impact on the Pokémon experience. Whether you’re aiming to optimize your team for competitive battles, carefully breed Pokémon with perfect Natures, or simply wish to keep your favorite Pokémon in its current form, the Everstone is an invaluable tool. Understanding its mechanics and applications can significantly enhance your gameplay and strategic depth. So, go forth, trainer, and harness the power of the Everstone!

How does Everstone work?