Much like Pokemon’s insistence on maintaining certain aspects of the franchise, Pokemon EV is still part of the game. Just like IVs, EVs are wildly important to maximize your Pokemon’s stats.
If you are wondering what is Pokemon EV? EVs or Effort Values are stats your Pokémon gain from defeating or catching specific Pokémon. Additionally, Pokémon can gain 510 EVs total, with a max of 252 per stat. 4 EVs round out to a one-point increase for a specific stat.
Since a Pokemon can only gain 510 EVs, it is important to know a specific pokémon’s strength. Moreover, you will typically assign 252 EVs to two valuable stats and the remaining four to another stat.
Essentially, you can significantly boost your Pokémon’s stats by having it battle-specific Pokémon until its EVs are maxed. This practice is what you call EV training or raising EVs of a Pokemon. Remember, to gain EVs you must catch or defeat other Pokemon.
Pokemon EV Training in Scarlet and Violet
EV training takes up too much of a player’s time as it requires battling specific Pokemon over and over again. Each Pokemon gives you differing EVs which is why it is important to know who you should battle.
Training a Pokemon’s EVs is certainly a grind. However, there are some tips and tricks to fast-track your progress. I followed this training regime to max out my Pokemon’s EVs.
- Set a powerful Pokémon that either has max EVs or stats in the front of the party.
- Fill up the rest of the party with Pokémon that all need the same EV.
- Give each of the EV training Pokémon their respective stat-boosting item.
- Eat a sandwich that boosts the encounter rate of the target Pokémon.
- Exclusively battle the target Pokémon that gives the desired EVs until the EVs are maxed. This takes 28 Pokémon using our provided targets and items.
Training Targets Scarlet and Violet
To make your life a lot easier, here are some of the more popular EV Training targets for each stat. This table includes the stat, target Pokemon, location, and recommended sandwich.
| EV | Pokémon | Location | Recommended sandwich |
| HP | Paldean Wooper, Azurill, Lechonk | South Province (Area One) | Ham Sandwich (#80) |
| Attack | Yungoos and Shinx | South Province (Area Three) | Avocado Sandwich (#44) |
| Defense | Tarountula and Scatterbug | South Province (Area One) | Jambon-Buerre (#1) |
| Special Attack | Psyduck | South Province (Area One) | Zesty Sandwich (#56) |
| Special Defense | Spoink | South Province (Area Three) | Smoky Sandwich (#92) |
| Speed | Rookidee and Fletchling | South Province (Area One) | Egg Sandwich (#60) |
Power Items in Scarlet and Violet
Power items reduce the speed of the Pokémon holding it, but they increase the EV gain for a specific stat. Each stat has a specific power item assigned to it, and they reduce the EV Training grind.
These are certainly helpful and it reduces the time EV training takes. If you want to have an easier time in the game, make sure to use power items. You can buy power items for $10,000 each at Delibird Presents from the “General Goods” section.
Here is a list of all Power Items in the game:
- Power Bracer: Attack
- Power Belt: Defense
- Power Lens: Special Attack
- Power Band: Special Defense
- Power Weight: HP
- Power Anklet: Speed
Now that you know all there is to know about EVs, I wish you good luck with your EV training. The main hurdles of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, are the Tera Raids. Essentially, you should be well prepared for them as they are difficult. However, EV training can help you overcome them.
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