Post by Ero-Sennin on Jul 5, 2010 12:31:06 GMT -5
What are EVs?
EVs, Effort Values, or Effort Points, are a little like Experience Points: they are obtained by fainting opposing Pokemon. The main difference between Experience Points and EVs is that no matter what level of Pokemon you battle, you’ll always get the same number of EVs. What the EVs depend on is the species of Pokemon.
For example:
Battling a level 5 Zubat may get you 30 Exp. Points while battling a level 20 Zubat would give you a few hundred. But, though the levels and Exp. Points gained are different, the Pokemon that battled either Zubat would still get 1 Speed EV.
EVs come from battling any Pokemon and are gained by any Pokemon that gets Experience Points in a battle. Different Pokemon have different numbers of EVs for different stats. Like that Zubat which had 1 Speed EV or say, an Empoleon which gives 3 Special Attack EVs.
EV training is simply battling the right Pokemon that gives the right EVs. So now, onto the numbers side of things:
So, what do these E-Vs do, you ask? Well there is a limit to how many you can get on one Pokemon, 510. Once a Pokemon has 510 EVs, they can gain no more. Having 4 EVs for one stat will mean 1 more stat point that Pokemon has at level 100. That bit took a few times to make sense to me so I’ll throw in another example here:
If you have a Pokemon with zero EVs at level 100, its Speed might be 200. But if that same Pokemon got 4 Speed EVs before it reached level 100, then it’s speed would be 201.
So for every 4 EVs you get in a stat, that stat gets 1 extra point at level 100. Make sense? Excellent.
Those more maths-able of you reading this might by now have realized that 510, the number of EVs each Pokemon can get, is not cleanly divisible by 4. That is why we generally just discredit the remaining two EVs in an EV spread.
So 508 EVs to distribute around a Pokemon’s stats for a potential overall stat gain of 127 points at level 100. So, can’t you just dump all of those EVs into making something super-duper-fast or defensive? The answer is no, you can’t. There is a limit to how many EVs each stat can get which is 255.
Again, those more maths-able in the audience may have realized that we have another number not cleanly divisible by four. 255 / 4 = 63.75. So, what we do is just say that the maximum for a stat is 252, discrediting, though not completely, those other three EVs.
If you have the EVs spread out with two stats getting the maximum bonus, then you end up with 508 – 252 – 252 which equals 4, one stat point worth, which is where those extra EVs from the 255 went to. You may be saying, “But 2 * (255-252) leaves us with 6 EVs!”. Well, you’d be right but two of those 6 are the 2 we discredit to get 508 from 510 because 6 isn’t divisible by 4.
Wow, it really doesn’t feel like that would be too easy to understand for anyone completely new to this so I’ll put in as simple terms as possible:
We only put 252 of the possible 255 EVs into a stat because 255 isn’t divisible by 4. Because we don’t use the maximum, we have 4 EVs left over to go to a third stat. But remember, this is only when the EVs are spread over 2 stats getting the maximum.
Hopefully that kind of cleared up the numbers in EVs without being overly-complicated. It is very simple really.
What is an EV Spread?
Well, now we know how EVs work, let’s sort out how they are divided. The EV Spread is the way the 508 EVs are distributed, into which stats. This depends on the role of the Pokemon being EV Trained.
For, say, a Physical Sweeper, you would want to have Attack and Speed as high as possible, right? So, in the case of many Sweepers, the EV Spread would involve maximizing those two stats with a spread like I mentioned in the previous section:
252 Attack / 252 Speed / 4
(Those last 4 EVs often go to Hit Points but in most cases they don’t matter too much.)
However, often, a Pokemon needs the EVs to be spread a little more thinly. The following is the EV spread for my Special Tank Cresselia:
252 HP / 128 Def / 128 S. Atk
EV spreads are often customized for the Pokemon using them. For example, you’d expect this Cresselia to get Special Defense EVs, being a Special Tank, but I decided to put those EVs into Defense considering Cresselia’s already significant Special Defense.
Another factor influencing EV spreads are IVs. Breeders often give a Pokemon the right EVs to get a stat to just the right level given the IV for that stat. If you don’t know what an IV is, check the following section for a description and how to check them.
Note: These are NOT necessarily the best options for EV spreads. In most cases better spreads than those demonstrated above can be calculated. Those chosen have been shown purely for their simplicity.
What are IVs?
IVs, Individual Values, are numbers your Pokemon gets for each stat the moment you catch or breed it. They are numbers that can not be changed after they’ve been set, though research is being put into how they can be affected before they are.
Individual Values can range between 0 and 31 and, as the name suggests, makes each Pokemon individual, and it is, hence, extremely rare to find 2 that are the same. The effect of Individual Values is simple, the number, whichever it is from 0 to 31, is the full extent of the IV bonus at 100. Example time:
You have a Pokemon who, at level 100, has a Speed stat of 200. That Pokemon might have 0 Speed IVs. If that same species of Pokemon with the same EV distribution were to have 31 Speed IVs, then at level 100 they would have a Speed stat of 231. Make sense? Excellent.
But don’t be mistaken, the IVs aren’t just added on at level 100, like the effect of EVs, IVs can be seen influencing stats at any level. Level 100 is just when they are most prominent and can be put into the 0-31 range.
So, how do you see what IVs a Pokemon has in which stats?
The simplest answer to this question is IV Calculators, unless you want to do the Maths yourself. An example of an IV calculator can be seen here:
www.serebii.net/games/iv-calcdp.shtml
To calculate the IVs of any Pokemon, simply input the right numbers into the right slots and choose the nature, level and species of the Pokemon. At the bottom of that little box it says EVs. Often, you won’t want to EV train a Pokemon that doesn’t have good IVs, so it’s best to not battle with this Pokemon at all, and not have to put any EVs into those boxes.
But if you just put in the stats from a level 1 Pokemon you just hatched, you’ll find you don’t get very accurate answers. Why is this? The reason for this is because of my statement above, that IVs have the biggest influence at higher levels. Naturally, this means that they have a smaller influence at lower levels, and thus can not be accurately pinpointed.
Now that leaves you with a Pokemon you want to be at a high level without giving any EVs. What we do in this situation is have an IV battle. This is when you have a battle over WiFi with the levels set at 100. Having the levels set at 100 means you can see what the stats would be for your Pokemon at level 100 without having to raise it that high. Write down the stats for the Pokemon you battled with and head back to the IV Calculator.
Now, change the level to 100 and write in the stats you recorded from your IV battle. Assuming you haven’t battled with the Pokemon at all, you can leave the EVs blank. Now when you calculate you should get an extremely accurate reading of your Pokemon’s IVs.
Once you’ve bred or caught a Pokemon with IVs your happy with, for example good Speed and Special Attack for a Special Sweeper, you can happily begin your EV training.
Note: Getting decent IVs on a Pokemon is not an essential part of EV training, in fact, IVs usually have the smallest effect on the end result of a stat. You will find it easier and quicker to bypass IVs and simply find a Pokemon with a good nature and ability, though many people strive for perfection and see IVs as a crucial influence.
Useful Tools
Before you set to work battling and EV Training, there are a few tools and aids (no, not AIDS though there is a helpful disease) to make the whole process a lot less painful and a lot quicker. Below is a list:
Power Items:
These are hold items which lower the Speed stat but add four EVs to whichever stat they specialize in.
Power Anklet - Lowers Speed, adds four Speed EVs on top of the usual EV gain when experience is gained.
Power Band - Lowers Speed, adds four Special Defense EVs on top of the usual EV gain when experience is gained.
Power Belt - Lowers Speed, adds four Defense EVs on top of the usual EV gain when experience is gained.
Power Bracer - Lowers Speed, adds four Attack EVs on top of the usual EV gain when experience is gained.
Power Lens - Lowers Speed, adds four Special Attack EVs on top of the usual EV gain when experience is gained.
Power Weight - Lowers Speed, adds four Hit Points EVs on top of the usual EV gain when experience is gained.
These “Power Items” Can be obtained for 16 Battle Points at the Battle Tower.
Note: The power item gain does not change with what you are battling, if you are getting 2 Speed EVs from wild Pokemon, yet holding the Power bracer, then you’ll get 2 Speed EVs and 4 Attack EVs.
Pokerus:
Pokerus is a disease your Pokemon can catch at random by battling wild Pokemon. It is very rare for a Pokemon to catch Pokerus. The disease is a very helpful tool for EV Training as it doubles the number of EVs gained per battle (after the addition from Power Items).
Once a Pokemon has Pokerus, it will have a purple box in the top right corner of the picture in the infected Pokemon’s summary. This means that it has the disease in the infectious state. By battling with that Pokemon in first, you can spread the disease to other Pokemon by having them second in your line-up.
If you have an infected Pokemon in your party at midnight, I think that’s how it goes, the Pokerus will be cured and reach the non-infectious state. An indicator of this is a smiley face in the lower-right corner of the infected Pokemon’s picture in its summary. Don’t worry, a Pokemon with a smiley face will still get double EVs, but it can’t spread the Pokerus to others.
To preserve Pokerus, infect a Pokemon with it and throw it in a PC Box. Remember, just because it’s a disease, doesn’t mean it’s bad.
Note: The order of operations when coupling Pokerus with any power items is as follows:
Usual EV gain from fainting opposing Pokemon + Power Item Bonus * Pokerus
So, let U = Usual EV gain and P = Power Item Bonus
2 * (U + P) = Total EV gain
Macho Brace:
This is another hold item and it has the same effect as Pokerus: it doubles the EVs gained in battle but also slows down the holder. Coupled with Pokerus, you can get four times the usual EV gain from a single battle. The Macho Brace can be either Pal Parked across from the third generation or, if you can show the guy living above the Pastoria Poke-Mart all 3 types of Burmy, he’ll give you one free of charge.
Vitamins:
Vitamins are super-EV-drugs that give a Pokemon a boost of 10 EVs in the corresponding stat. The list is as follows:
Protein: 10 Attack EVs
Calcium: 10 Special Attack EVs
Iron: 10 Defense EVs
Zinc: 10 Special Defense EVs
Carbos: 10 Speed EVs
HP Up: 10 Hit Points EVs
A Pokemon is limited to 10 of each vitamin so obviously in many cases you’ll need to do more than just drug up your Pokemon to get the right number of EVs in a stat.
These are available for a hefty sum nearing 10,000 from the Veilstone Mall or for a mere 1 Battle Points at the Battle Tower.
Exp. Share:
This is, as most people should know, a hold item that gives the holder half of the Experience Points gained in battle, even if it didn’t fight itself. Well, good news: It gives the holder EVs as well, but, it gets better, the number of EVs the holder gets isn’t halved!
This can be used to EV Train a Pokemon that’s at a level too low to be able to rake in the EVs itself, as is common. The downside is, if it’s holding the Exp. Share, it can’t be holding the Macho Brace or any of the Power Items and thus will get EVs slower. An alternative is the good old-fashioned technique of having the Pokemon in first place holding a Power Item and switching it out at the start of the battle. If it gets any Experience Points at all from the battle, it’ll get full EVs.
EV-Reducing Berries:
“What’s that?!”, you say, “EV Reducing berries? Why would I want to reduce my Pokemon’s EVs?!” Well, the answer’s simple. Because you stuffed up. Because you learnt about EVs after training your Jolly 31 Attack/Speed IV Infernape on the Elite Four. Because the Shiny Pokemon you got in a trade from some n00b was trained on the Elite Four. That’s why. These berries can knock out all EVs so you can start the EV training process again. Or just take off those you don’t want and let you reassign them. They’ll also raise your Pokemon’s happiness. Yippy!
Here’s a list of the berries. Each one will lower their corresponding stat by 10 EVs. They’re pretty much the opposite of Vitamins.
Pomeg: -10 Hit Points EVs
Kelpsy: -10 Attack EVs
Qualot: -10 Defense EVs
Hondew: -10 Special Attack EVs
Grepa: -10 Special Defense EVs
Tamato: -10 Speed EVs
One more crucial piece of information about these berries: If a Pokemon already has more than 100 EVs in a stat, then using one of the corresponding berries will reduce the EVs in that stat from whatever they were to 100. After that they each subtract 10 EVs. Thus the largest amount of berries required to clear all Berries off one stat is 11.
Note: Be careful not to use the last of these berries, grow more and always have at least one left over in case you need to use the same type later.
Battling
Remember, you have to start with a clean slate, the Pokemon you’re EV training can not already have any EVs or it could stuff everything up.
The most key rule to remember, really, in this phase is that if gained Exp., it gained EVs. No matter how much of an impact a Pokemon had on the battle, if it got any fraction of the Experience Points gained, be it 1 or 100%, it will get full EVs. No exceptions.*
Now, you’ve got your first Pokemon ready for EV training. It’s infected with Pokerus, holding a Macho Brace and stuffed full of Vitamins. Now you just have to battle a bunch of Pokemon for those last EVs.
Despite all the help from the stuff in the last section, you’ll still have a few battles to fight. Serebii.net has, in its Pokedex, a section telling which Pokemon to fight for EVs in each stat. The highest number of EVs from one Pokemon isn’t, however, always the best as you’ll be hard pressed to find many of the Pokemon that give out high numbers of EVs.
For example, instead of trying to find wild Salamence or Rhyperior (you can’t)** for the 3 Attack EVs, I’ve always just opted to battle a few more times against Bibarel which give up 2. In the long run, considering Bibarel’s ridiculous frequency, it’s far quicker.
If you know where to go and what to do, and if you’ve used Vitamins and you’re holding Power Items and infected with Pokerus. EV Training can become a quick, painless and extremely rewarding method.
*Unless, of course, the receiver already has all EVs assigned.
**For D/P/P. Not sure on HG/SS.
Terms you'll Need!
BL Borderline. These Pokemon can perform well in battle, but are often underpowered or don't compare with stronger OU Pokemon. Out of all the tiers, BL is the most controversial one.
BL Pokemon include Staraptor, Abomasnow, Raikou, and Gallade.
Counter A Pokemon that can switch in safely on an opponent and either defeat it or force it to switch out.
Example of a counter:
Gliscor is a Heracross counter. Gliscor resists Heracross's most
powerful attacks (Close Combat and Megahorn), does not take much damage from Heracross's secondary attacks (Stone Edge, Pursuit, Night Slash, etc.), and can defeat it with one Aerial Ace.
Example of not a counter:
Jolteon is NOT a Gyarados counter because even though Jolteon is faster than Gyarados and can easily kill it with a Thuderbolt, it can not switch in on Gyarados's Earthquake (and will take a ton of damage from Waterfall too)
Movepool The diversity of all the moves that a Pokemon can learn. This can be further broken down into three categories: Physical, Special, and Support. Examples of Pokemon with large movepools include Gengar, Mew, and Arceus.
NU Never Used. Pokemon with bad stats and/or movepools that you will almost never see since they don't perform well in battle and there are much better choices.
NU Pokemon include Beedrill, Spinda, Delibird, and Lumineon.
OU Over Used. This is considered the standard tier for competitive
battling. Pokemon that gain the title of OU perform their roles extremely well.
OU Pokemon include Salamence, Tyranitar, Blissey, and Skarmory.
Scout To find out what moves or Pokemon your opponent is using without taking much damage in the process. Moves that are good for scouting include Protect, Substitute, and U-Turn.
STAB Same Type Attack Bonus. If a Pokeon uses an attack that matches its type, it becomes 50% stronger.
Support A Pokemon whose job is to help the rest of the team. This can be done through moves like Heal Bell, Wish, Reflect, Light Screen, Rapid Spin, status moves, and many more.
Sweeper A Pokemon whose job is to attack. Can be physical (uses physical attacks), special (uses special attacks), or mixed (uses both physical and special attacks)
Uber These are Pokemon that are considered too strong for standard (OU) competitive battling: Mew, Mewtwo, Lugia, Ho-oh, Latios, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Deoxys, Palkia, Dialga Giratina, Darkrai, Arceus, Manaphy, Garchomp, and Wobbuffet.
UU Under Used. Pokemon that can perform decently in competitive battles, but are not strong or useful enough to compete in OU, or are otherwise overshadowed by better Pokemon. Pokemon considere UU include Golem, Quagsire, Primeape, and Blastoise.
Wall A Pokemon whose job is to defend. They can be defend against physical sweepers, defend against special sweepers, or defend against both physical and special sweepers.
That about wraps up a lot of it. The rest of ANYTHING else can be found at one of the two websites:
smogon.com
serebii.net
As well, tiers of pokemon are found here:
www.smogon.com/dp/tiers/
If you are doing a standard(OU) Battle, you CANNOT use any Pokemon from the Ubers tier, but you can use OU and below.