What Does Turning Off EXP Share Do? A Deep Dive for Pokémon Trainers

Turning off EXP Share, when the option is available, fundamentally alters the way your Pokémon team gains experience and evolves. The primary effect is that only the Pokémon actively participating in battle earn experience points. This creates a more focused and deliberate leveling process, placing a greater emphasis on strategic team composition and individual training. The player can then also control how to allocate the stat gains, known as EVs, to make more specialized builds.

The Nuances of Experience Distribution

When EXP Share is off, the traditional method of experience distribution reigns supreme. The Pokémon that is switched out during the turn it is sent into battle still gains experience. This system encourages players to carefully consider which Pokémon to use in each battle, knowing that their level will directly impact their effectiveness.

Strategic Advantages and Disadvantages

Turning off EXP Share presents both strategic advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

• Enhanced Control: You have precise control over which Pokémon gain experience, allowing you to focus on specific members of your team that need leveling or benefit from specific EV training. This level of control enables customized team strategies, making it easier to specialize each team member for their desired roles.

• Increased Difficulty: By limiting experience gain to active participants, the game becomes more challenging. This requires better planning, resource management, and battle strategy to overcome opponents. Many players appreciate this increased difficulty, as it mirrors the challenges of older Pokémon games.

• Targeted EV Training: When only the active Pokémon gains experience, it’s easier to control EV distribution. This is particularly useful for competitive players who need precise stats for their Pokémon. This level of customization can make the difference between victory and defeat in high-level battles.

Disadvantages

• Grinding: Leveling up your entire team becomes a more time-consuming process, requiring more battles and potentially more grinding. This can be tedious for players who prefer a faster-paced experience.

• Uneven Level Distribution: Some Pokémon may fall behind in levels, making them less effective in battles. This can create a reliance on a few strong Pokémon, which is bad if the team is swept by the opposing team.

A Nod to Nostalgia

For many longtime Pokémon fans, turning off EXP Share is a way to recapture the nostalgia of older games where this was the default setting. It evokes a sense of accomplishment and a deeper connection with their Pokémon team.

FAQs About EXP Share

Here are some frequently asked questions that help to clarify the workings of EXP Share.

1. Does Turning Off EXP Share Make the Game Harder?

Yes, generally. By limiting experience gain to active participants, you’ll need to strategize more and manage resources more carefully. This is only if you aren’t just grinding with one Pokémon.

2. Is EXP Share Always an Option?

No. In some recent Pokémon games like Sword & Shield, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, and Scarlet & Violet, the EXP Share cannot be turned off. This is because the developers want more players to use the feature.

3. How Does EXP Share Affect EV Training?

With EXP Share on, all Pokémon in your party gain EVs from each battle, regardless of whether they participated. This can make targeted EV training more challenging. You would have to make sure that each Pokemon held a brace that increases a particular stat, and then to fight many of the same Pokemon to max the stat out.

4. Can You Still Overlevel Your Pokémon With EXP Share Off?

Yes, it’s still possible to become overleveled, especially if you spend a lot of time battling or exploring.

5. Does EXP Share Reduce the Amount of Experience Gained?

No, EXP Share does not reduce the total amount of experience earned. It simply distributes it among all the party Pokémon.

6. How Does EXP Share Affect Pokémon That Don’t Participate in Battle?

With EXP Share on, Pokémon that don’t participate in battle still receive a portion of the experience. This allows them to level up alongside the rest of the team.

7. What Are the Benefits of Keeping EXP Share On?

The main benefits are faster leveling, reduced grinding, and a more balanced team level distribution.

8. Does EXP Share Affect Pokémon That Are Already at Level 100?

No. Pokémon at level 100 do not gain any more experience, so EXP Share has no effect on them.

9. How Does EXP Share Work in Games Where It’s a Held Item?

In older games where EXP Share is a held item, only Pokémon holding the item receive a share of the experience.

10. Does Using Rare Candies Provide EVs?

No, Rare Candies provide no EVs. Pokémon raised using this item will therefore tend to be weaker than those that are trained in battle.

11. What is the Max EV for One Stat?

Pokémon can only gain a total of 510 EVs spread throughout all six stats, and only a max of 252 EVs can make it onto one stat.

12. Why Do Some Pokémon Get More EXP Than Others?

Pokémon traded from other players or in-game Trainers gain boosted experience and level up more quickly than Pokémon that are native to your copy of the game.

13. What is the Automatic XP share in Pokémon?

EXP Share is an automatic item that equally distributes XP won from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet battles across all Pokémon you have equipped in your party.

14. How to stop XP in WoW?

To turn your character’s experience gain on and off in World of Warcraft, visit the Experience Eliminator at your faction’s capital city: If you are Alliance, speak to Behsten in Stormwind. If you are Horde, speak to Slahtz in Orgrimmar.

15. Does Exp. Share Only Work on One Pokémon?

If one or more Pokémon in your party is holding an Exp. Share, then experience from battle will be divided into two halves. The first half will then be divided evenly between all Pokémon who participated in the battle. The second half will be divided evenly between Pokémon holding the Exp.

The Final Verdict

The decision to turn off EXP Share depends on your personal preferences and playstyle. If you prefer a more challenging and controlled leveling experience, turning it off is the way to go. If you value speed and convenience, leaving it on might be the better choice. Regardless, understanding the implications of EXP Share allows you to make informed decisions and tailor your Pokémon journey to your liking.

Furthermore, the insights gained from playing Pokémon extend beyond mere entertainment. The strategic thinking, resource management, and problem-solving skills honed in the game can be applied to real-world scenarios. Organizations like the Games Learning Society recognize the educational potential of games and explore how they can be used to enhance learning. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about their mission and initiatives.