Effort Values (or EVs for short) have been a staple of the Pokémon franchise since its first game. They contribute to a Pokémon’s six core stats, HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense and Speed, up to a certain maximum. They are gained as you battle and defeat other Pokémon and help to ensure two Pokémon of the same species and level will still have natural differences in their stats.
The core of what they do has remained the same even while the method for training them has shifted between titles. Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet are no different in this respect. If you have an interest in the competitive side of Pokémon, you must understand EVs, what they do, and how to train them deliberately. Whether you’re new to Scarlet and Violet or have played them for a while, this guide will make you an expert EV trainer for all future battles.
Guide by Robert Patrick for PokéJungle.
What are EVs, how do they affect stats and how many can you gain ?
Effort Values are points that a Pokémon earns in battle. These points contribute to the growth of each stat, which aids in making your Pokémon stronger. What EV you gain from a defeated Pokémon varies, but it tends to match their highest base stat. A Pokémon can give out 1, 2, or 3 EVs. The amount varies, depending on the strength of the Pokémon.
- Example: Defeating one Slowpoke will grant the Pokémon that won the battle one HP EV since this is the highest stat of Slowpoke.
Once you’ve acquired 4 EVs of any given stat, that stat will increase by one point. Using our Slowpoke example, earning four HP EVs from defeating four Slowpoke’s will grant you one point in your HP stat.
You cannot gain an infinite number of EVs, however. There are certain maximums; Pokémon can only have 252 EVS per stat and a total of 510 EVs maximum across all stats. Once a Pokémon gains 510 EVs, it will cease gaining more and you cannot improve any stats further.
The maximum Effort Values work out to 63 stat points for a fully maxed out stat with 252 EVs and a total of 127.5 stat points across all stats for Pokémon that have obtained the maximum 510 EVs. The stats of a Pokémon that has been fully EV trained will vary dramatically from a Pokémon that has not.
- Example: An Archaludon that is EV trained in HP will have an HP stat of 384 at level 100, while one that isn’t will only have an HP stat of 321. These numbers aren’t factoring in individual natures.
How you choose to separate the EVs is entirely your decision. You can balance them across all six stats or specialize in a specific two stats while putting the last few points in something else. Typically, it is best to evaluate what build you’re going for when EV training your Pokémon to get the most out of them.
- Example: When building a sweeper Pokémon such as Meowscarada, you’d focus on two specific stats to maximize its offensive capabilities. To do this, you would put 252 EVs in attack and speed while putting the last 4 points into HP.
Increasing EVs in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
EV training has evolved throughout the series. While you initially could only battle wild Pokémon to increase your EVs, there are new methods you can take advantage of.
The best Pokémon to farm EVs from
Should you choose to EV train by battling wild Pokémon, specific Pokémon are better for EV gains than others. These are some low encounters that you can farm for easy EV training. It is important to note that you don’t gain any EVs while doing auto battles.
| Stat | Pokémon and location |
|---|---|
| HP | Lechonk (1 EV): Wide distribution in Paldea’s South Province in Grass and Forst Biomes Bellibolt (2 EVs): |
| Attack | Chansey Supply (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa, and Montenevera) |
| Defense | Chansey Supply (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa, and Montenevera) |
| Special Attack | Chansey Supply (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa, and Montenevera) |
| Special Defense | Chansey Supply (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa, and Montenevera) |
| Speed | Chansey Supply (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa, and Montenevera) |
How to use held items to raise your Pokémon’s EVs
If training your EVs by battling wild Pokémon, the held power items are indispensable. Introduced in Generation 4, the six items can add additional EVs after a battle. When equipped, they lower the speed stat of the Pokémon while increasing the number of EVs you earn from a Pokémon by 4. You’ll need a specific power item for whichever stat you train.
| Stat | Item | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP | Power Weight | 10,000 Poké Dollars | Delibird Presents (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa) |
| Attack | Power Bracer | 10,000 Poké Dollars | Delibird Presents (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa) |
| Defense | Power Belt | 10,000 Poké Dollars | Delibird Presents (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa) |
| Special Attack | Power Lens | 10,000 Poké Dollars | Delibird Presents (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa) |
| Special Defense | Power Band | 10,000 Poké Dollars | Delibird Presents (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa) |
| Speed | Power Anklet | 10,000 Poké Dollars | Delibird Presents (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa) |
How to use consumable items to raise your Pokémon’s EVs
Like other Pokémon games, there are select items that can be used from your Bag to boost your Pokémon’s base points. They can be a very convenient and quick way to EV train if you have enough on hand or sufficient cash to buy them.
Vitamins
These items have been a part of the Pokémon franchise since Generation 3 and can be used to EV train your Pokémon. There are six types of Vitamins, one for each stat. Consuming one will grant a total of 10 EVs to the corresponding stat and using 26 will max out that specific stat.
- Example: Feed a Pokémon 26 HP Ups to max out their HP EVs.
Information on which Vitamin to buy for each stat and where to buy it can be found in the table below.
| Stat | Vitamin | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP | HP Up | 10,000 Poké Dollars | Chansey Supply (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa, and Montenevera) |
| Attack | Protein | 10,000 Poké Dollars | Chansey Supply (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa, and Montenevera) |
| Defense | Iron | 10,000 Poké Dollars | Chansey Supply (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa, and Montenevera) |
| Special Attack | Calcium | 10,000 Poké Dollars | Chansey Supply (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa, and Montenevera) |
| Special Defense | Zinc | 10,000 Poké Dollars | Chansey Supply (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa, and Montenevera) |
| Speed | Carbos | 10,000 Poké Dollars | Chansey Supply (Mesagoza, Levincia, Cascarrafa, and Montenevera) |
Mochi (The Teal Mask DLC)
Added in The Teal Mask DLC, there are consumable Mochi items that will add 10 EVs to the corresponding stat. They can be earned by completing at least one round of Ogre Oustin’ at any difficulty level.
| Stat | Item | EV Gain |
|---|---|---|
| HP | Health Mochi | 10 |
| Attack | Muscle Mochi | 10 |
| Defense | Resist Mochi | 10 |
| Special Attack | Genius Mochi | 10 |
| Special Defense | Clever Mochi | 10 |
| Speed | Swift Mochi | 10 |
Feather items
Introduced in Generation 5, the stat feathers are a set of consumable items that can increase the EVs of your Pokémon. Unlike Vitamins until Generation 8, the feathers weren’t subjected to a 100 EV limit and were usable until a Pokémon’s EVs were 510. However, one feather only granted one EV, making them less efficient.
| Stat | Item | Location |
|---|---|---|
| HP | Health Feather | Casseroya Lake, Porto Marinada Auctions |
| Attack | Muscle Feather | Casseroya Lake, Porto Marinada Auctions |
| Defense | Resist Feather | Casseroya Lake, Porto Marinada Auctions |
| Special Attack | Genius Feather | Casseroya Lake, Porto Marinada Auctions |
| Special Defense | Clever Feather | Casseroya Lake, Porto Marinada Auctions |
| Speed | Swift Feather | Casseroya Lake, Porto Marinada Auctions |
How to check your Pokémon’s EVs in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
You can check your Pokémon’s current EVs at any time on the menu screen. You’ll likely have gained EVs from prior battles. Press the (X) button to enter the menu, then click on the Pokémon you wish to check. Once you’ve moved to the stat screen, press the (L) button, and you can see your current EVs in the lighter color. No exact number is available.
How to remove unwanted EVs
Having battled with your Pokemon, you’ve earned some EVs. However, since the EV you obtain depends on the Pokemon, your Pokemon will have EVs you don’t want. Luckily, it is possible to remove EVs with the use of berries. Feeding your Pokemon certain berries will cause them to lose EVs in one of the six stats.
You can find berries all over Paldea — just look out for random shiny specks on the ground and you may be rewarded with a berry! EV-reducing berries can also show up at the Porto Marinada Auction House.
| Stat | Berry | EV Reduction |
|---|---|---|
| HP | Pomeg | -10 |
| Attack | Kelpsy | -10 |
| Defense | Qualot | -10 |
| Special Attack | Hondew | -10 |
| Special Defense | Grepa | -10 |
| Speed | Tamato | -10 |
How to remove all EVs from a Pokémon (The Teal Mask DLC)
If you’re looking to completely reset your Pokémon’s EVs, you can use a Fresh-Start Mochi which will completely remove EVs (also known as base points) from your Pokémon. Make sure not to use it accidentally!
How to obtain Fresh-Start Mochi: Players can obtain Fresh-Start Mochi as a reward for playing Ogre Oustin’. Although available randomly as a reward for completing a game in any difficulty, Normal and Hard difficulties will reward greater quantities.
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