Pokémon Effort Values (EVs)

What are Effort Values (EVs)?

Effort Values are bonus points gained by a Pokémon for defeating other Pokémon. Unlike experience points that contribute to leveling up, EVs directly contribute to specific stats. Every four EVs in a stat grant one additional stat point at level 100.

• Not visible in-game: EVs are not explicitly shown on a Pokémon's summary screen, making them a more advanced mechanic.
• Maximum EVs: A single Pokémon can gain a total of 510 EVs across all its stats.
• Stat Cap: A single stat can have a maximum of 252 EVs. Since 252 is divisible by 4 (252 / 4 = 63), this means a maximum of 63 bonus stat points can be added to one stat.
• Strategic Allocation: Due to the 510 EV total and 252 EV per stat cap, trainers often distribute EVs strategically, for example, 252 in two key stats and 4 in a third, leaving 2 EVs unused.

For instance, a Pokémon with 252 EVs in Attack will have 63 more Attack points at level 100 than a Pokémon with 0 EVs in Attack, assuming identical base stats, IVs, and Nature.

Why are EVs Important?

EV training is a cornerstone of competitive Pokémon battling. It allows trainers to:

• Specialize Pokémon: Focus on increasing a Pokémon's strengths (e.g., maximizing Attack for a physical attacker) or shoring up weaknesses (e.g., adding HP EVs to a frail Pokémon).
• Hit Specific Stat Benchmarks: Reach certain speed tiers to outspeed common threats, or achieve specific defensive stats to survive particular attacks.
• Optimize Performance: Ensure that a Pokémon is performing at its absolute peak for its intended role in a team.

While not necessary for completing the games, understanding and utilizing EV values opens up a much deeper and more strategic dimension to the Pokémon games, particularly for those looking to compete against other players.

The History of EV Values in Pokémon

The concept of Effort Values, though not always called by that name or fully understood by players, has been present in the Pokémon games since the very beginning.

Generation I (Red, Blue, Yellow) - Stat Experience

In the very first Pokémon games, the mechanic was known as "Stat Experience".

Stat gained at Lv 100 = √StatEXP / 4

• Invisible Mechanics: Players had no in-game indication of this system. It was discovered and documented by dedicated players through extensive testing.
• Gained from Opponent's Base Stats: Unlike later generations where specific EV yields were assigned, in Generation I and II, the Stat Experience gained for each of your Pokémon's five stats (HP, Attack, Defense, Special, Speed) was directly equal to the base stat of the defeated opponent Pokémon for that respective stat. For example, if you defeated a Rattata (which has a base Speed of 72 and a base Attack of 56), your Pokémon would gain 72 Stat Experience in Speed and 56 Stat Experience in Attack, and so on for its other base stats.
  
  This Stat Experience was typically divided among all participating Pokémon, similar to how regular experience points were shared. If the EXP. All item was in the bag, the Stat Experience was further affected by additional calculations, potentially leading to all Pokémon in the party receiving some Stat Experience, even if they didn't participate directly in the battle.
• No Individual Stat Cap, but a Total Cap: Unlike later generations, there wasn't a 252 EV cap per individual stat in Gen I/II. Instead, each stat had a maximum of 65535 Stat Experience points it could accumulate. However, there was a global cap of 65535 total Stat Experience points that could be distributed across all six stats combined. This meant that while you could theoretically max out all stats, it was effectively limited by the total cap, requiring strategic distribution for optimal results.
• Vitamins: Items like Carbos, Protein, Iron, Calcium, and HP Up added 2560 Stat Experience points to their respective stats. However, they could only be used if the Pokémon's Stat Experience in that particular stat was below 25600. This made their application somewhat limited compared to later generations where they had a more direct and consistent effect on EV gains.

Generation II (Gold, Silver, Crystal) - Still Stat Experience

Generation II largely retained the Stat Experience system from Generation I. The underlying mechanics remained similar, still hidden from the player's view.

Generation III (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald) - The Introduction of "Effort Values"

This is where the term "Effort Values" became more standardized, and the system began to evolve into its modern form.

• EV Yields: Each Pokémon was assigned specific EV yields for defeating them (e.g., defeating a Geodude gives 1 Defense EV).
• Total EV Cap (510): The crucial 510 total EV cap was introduced, forcing players to make strategic choices.
• Per-Stat Cap (255, then 252): Initially, the per-stat cap was 255. However, since EVs work in increments of 4, 252 became the practical maximum to maximize the stat bonus, as 255 would still yield the same bonus as 252 but waste 3 EVs. The official cap was later formalized to 252 in future generations.
• Vitamins (10 EVs): Vitamins were changed to give a flat 10 EVs to a stat, up to 100 EVs in that stat.
• Macho Brace: This item was introduced, doubling the EVs gained from battles when held during battle.
• Berries: EV-reducing berries (e.g., Pomeg Berry reduces HP EVs) were introduced, allowing players to correct training mistakes.

Stat Boost at Level 100 = (EVs / 4)

Generation IV (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum) - Further Refinements

Generation IV continued to refine the EV system, making it slightly more accessible.

• Pokérus: The rare Pokérus infection was introduced, which doubles EV gains from battles (stacking with Macho Brace).
• Power Items: A new set of "Power Items" (e.g., Power Bracer for Attack) were introduced, adding 4 EVs to a specific stat after every battle, in addition to the Pokémon's natural EV yield.

Generation V (Black, White) onwards - More Transparency and Tools

Later generations have steadily introduced more ways for players to manage and visualize EVs.

• Super Training (Gen VI): Pokémon X and Y introduced Super Training, a mini-game that allowed players to directly train EVs through interactive activities, with a visual representation of EV distribution.
• EV Gauges: Some games introduced visual gauges on the Pokémon summary screen (after maxing out EVs) to indicate which stats had reached their 252 EV cap.
• SOS Battles (Gen VII): A new battle mechanic in Sun and Moon, where calling for allies could lead to increased EV yields.
• Poké Pelago (Gen VII): An idle training method where Pokémon could gain EVs over time.
• Pokémon Camps/Picnics (Gen VIII/IX): Similar to Poké Pelago, these features offer passive EV training through activities and food.