What Pokémon Should I Beat for EV Training? A Comprehensive Guide

EV training, or Effort Value training, is the art of shaping your Pokémon’s stats to perfection, maximizing their potential in battle. The core of EV training lies in strategically battling specific Pokémon to boost desired stats. The Pokémon you should target depend entirely on which stat you want to enhance. To get straight to the point, here’s a breakdown:

• Attack: Flamigo and Paldean Tauros (all forms) are excellent choices. They offer 2 Attack EVs each and appear in packs, making farming efficient.
• Defense: Orthworm, Hippowdon, and Stonjourner each provide 2 Defense EVs, or 10 if you’re holding a Power Belt.
• Special Attack: Gastly, Bronzor and Magnemite are solid choices.
• Special Defense: Tentacool and Shellos make good targets.
• Speed: Buizel, Wingull, Magikarp, and Arrokuda each give 1 Speed EV (9 with a Power Anklet). A top-tier option is Jumpluff in Area Zero (post-game).
• HP: Jigglypuff, Chansey, Marill, Wooper, Dunsparce, Shellos, Barboach, and Tropius are all viable options.

Selecting the right Pokémon is only the first step. Optimizing your training with Power Items and understanding how EVs work is crucial. Now, let’s dive into some frequently asked questions to deepen your understanding of EV training.

Frequently Asked Questions About EV Training

How many Pokémon do I need to battle to max out a single stat?

Without any EV-boosting items, you would need to defeat 252 Pokémon that provide 1 EV in the desired stat to reach the maximum of 252 EVs. However, with a Power Item (like the Power Anklet for Speed), each defeated Pokémon yields 9 EVs. This significantly reduces the number of battles to approximately 28 Pokémon.

What are Power Items, and how do they help with EV training?

Power Items are held items that boost the number of EVs gained from each battle. For example, the Power Anklet increases Speed EVs earned, while the Power Bracer boosts Attack EVs. By equipping your Pokémon with the appropriate Power Item, you can drastically cut down the time required for EV training. You can buy these at Delibird Presents Shops, after you have acquired a certain amount of gym badges.

Is it better to EV train a low-level Pokémon?

The level of your Pokémon doesn’t affect the EV training process itself. EV training provides the same stat benefits regardless of whether you do it at level 1 or level 99. The effects of EV training will manifest as your Pokémon levels up. The benefits of the effort values are present whether it’s a low-level or high-level Pokemon.

Do EVs matter before level 100?

Yes, EVs matter at all levels. The full effect of EVs is most noticeable at level 100, but you can EV train at any level. The stats that you have worked for will be noticable as the Pokemon levels up to 100.

What is a perfect EV Pokémon?

A “perfect” EV Pokémon is one with a strategically optimized EV spread. Since a Pokémon can have a maximum of 510 EVs total, with a maximum of 252 in any one stat, a common strategy is to invest 252 EVs in two stats and the remaining 4 in a third stat (e.g., 252 Attack, 252 Speed, 4 HP).

Can a level 100 Pokémon be EV trained?

Absolutely. EV training is independent of level. You can use vitamins, battle wild Pokémon, or utilize Poke Jobs to EV train a level 100 Pokémon. So you could use items and manual training, or a combination of these methods.

Does auto-battling EV train Pokémon?

No, auto-battling does not provide EVs. You need to manually battle and defeat or catch Pokémon to gain EVs. The silver lining is that your entire party receives EVs from each battle, allowing you to train multiple Pokémon simultaneously.

How do I fully EV train a Pokémon?

Fully EV training involves several steps:

1. Choose a Pokémon with desirable base stats.

2. Reduce existing EVs with specific berries if necessary (e.g., Pomeg Berry reduces HP EVs).

3. Equip EV-boosting items (Power Items).

4. Strategically battle Pokémon that yield the desired EVs.

5. Monitor your progress using the stat screen in your Pokémon’s summary.

6. Alternatively, use Vitamins!

Which Pokémon gives the most Speed EVs?

While Pokémon like Buizel and Wingull give 1 Speed EV, Jumpluff in Area Zero are a top choice, though this requires post-game access. Using Power Items on inactive Pokémon will give them the +8 EV benefit.

How do I know if my Pokémon’s EVs are maxed out?

In the Pokémon summary screen, the stat graph provides a visual representation of your Pokémon’s EVs. When a stat reaches its maximum of 252 EVs, the graph will touch the corner of the shape, and sparkles will appear near the stat’s name.

Is it better to EV train before evolving a Pokémon?

It doesn’t matter. EVs recalculate stats even at level 100. Evolving a pokemon affects how quickly the Pokemon gets moves, not the EVs.

Does evolving affect EV training?

No, evolving does not affect EVs. You can EV train a Pokémon at any stage of its evolution. Evolving changes stats, but the EVs carry over no matter what level.

Does EV training make my Pokémon stronger?

Yes, EV training directly impacts your Pokémon’s stats. By strategically investing EVs in specific stats, you can significantly enhance your Pokémon’s strengths and compensate for weaknesses, making them more formidable in battle. With that said, you can increase levels in stats manually.

Can a Pokémon have 6 max EVs?

No. While every Pokémon can have a total of 510 EVs, no single stat can exceed 252 EVs. Therefore, you can max out two stats (252 each) and put the remaining 4 EVs into a third stat. The goal is to use all stats efficiently!

Do EVs matter after level 100?

Yes, EVs are very important at every level. EV training at level 100 is no different than at any other level. The impact of EVs is most noticeable at level 100, but the benefits are present throughout your Pokémon’s development. In competitive battles, every stat point matters!

Can you max every EV on a Pokémon?

A Pokemon can only hold a maximum of 508 EVs, and each stat can hold a max of 252. So a min-max build would be something like 252 Attack, 252 Speed, 4 HP, or something. Otherwise they can be spread out however you’d like. EVs can be maxed out in a variety of combinations.

EV training is a vital aspect of competitive Pokémon battling. By understanding the nuances of EVs, Power Items, and target Pokémon, you can meticulously craft a team of powerful and optimized fighters. For more information and research on games and learning, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Happy training!