Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. Guides

How to EV train in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Jesse Lennox
By

Even though Pokémon has reached mass appeal thanks to its cute monsters and simple RPG mechanics, it has also fostered a community of more hardcore trainers. These trainers don’t necessarily want to catch ’em all, but rather catch and train the best. To the untrained eye, any two Pokémon of the same species would be identical, but Effort Values, aka EVs, have existed for generations and make a massive impact on how your Pokémon’s stats work. This can get very complicated, especially if you’re new to EV training, so we’ll fill out your Pokédex entry with everything you need to know about EV training in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. 

See more

What are EVs and how do they work?

Palafin right after evolving.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

EVs are the stats of your Pokémon, with each one able to gain 510 in total spread across its six stats: HP, Attack, Defense, Speed, Special Defense, and SP. Attack. Each one can have a maximum of 252 points, meaning that you can’t have one Pokémon with every stat maxed out. Instead, you can only increase two to max level, and then use the remaining six points for a third stat.

Recommended Videos

There are multiple ways to gain EVs, as well as reset them, such as beating or catching specific Pokémon, and the use of special items.

Related

You can view any Pokémon’s current EVs by looking in their summary and using the left trigger to tab over to their stats screen. On the right, you will see a hexagon with yellow lines stretching out toward each point. The yellow interior shape represents their EV, and if it touches the corner and that stat name has sparkles near it, that means it has reached the maximum 252 EVs. Unfortunately, there is no way to see an exact EV number in a stat before it is maxed out.

One last point to know about EVs is that for every four EVs a Pokémon earns in a particular stat, they will gain one additional point for that stat.

How to EV train Pokémon

Pokemon trainers run around with their monsters in Pokemon Violet and Scarlet.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When you first catch or hatch a Pokémon, they will have no EVs, making them a blank slate. However, just like every Pokémon will gain XP with every battle fought, even if they don’t participate, all the Pokémon on your team will earn the same EVs as your leader does, so make sure to either keep a team of Pokémon that you want to gain the same EVs, or put some away to not give them stats they don’t need.

Fighting specific Pokémon is the most common way to earn EVs, with each successful fight giving one EV. You can check out this guide on which Pokémon to train for each stat sheet and where to find them.

It’s important to note that you don’t gain any EVs from using auto-battle.

To speed up EV leveling, purchase and equip the related power item from Delibird Presents. There’s one item for each stat, and if your Pokémon is wearing one during battle, they will gain a total of nine EVs instead of just one.

Finally, you can simply feed Pokémon vitamins or feathers to boost their EV by 10 each if you have enough cash laying around. Here’s which vitamins increase which stat:

  • HP Up: HP
  • Protein: Attack
  • Iron: Defense
  • Carbos: Speed
  • Calcium: Special Attack
  • Zinc: Special Defense

Here’s which feathers increase which stat:

  • Health Feather: HP
  • Muscle Feather: Attack
  • Resist Feather: Defense
  • Genius Feather: Special Attack
  • Clever Feather: Special Defense
  • Swift Feather: Speed

Alternatively, you can remove EVs to respec a Pokémon by feeding them specific berries. These berries lower EVs by 10:

  • Pomeg: Lowers HP
  • Kelpsy: Lowers Attack
  • Qualot: Lowers Defense
  • Hondew: Lowers Special Attack
  • Grepa: Lowers Special Defense
  • Tomato: Lowers Speed

Editors' Recommendations

Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox loves writing, games, and complaining about not having time to write and play games. He knows the names of more…
All new Pokémon in The Teal Mask DLC
A big green bear Pokémon in the teal mask.

Even though it isn't a new generation, The Teal Mask DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is still introducing a handful of new Pokémon to add to your Pokédex. Whether or not you've already been filling out and completing your collection in the base game, everyone is curious to see what new types, designs, and abilities a new set of Pokémon brings to the table. Here are all the brand new Pokémon you can find while exploring the Land of Kitakami and their types.
Every new Pokémon in The Teal Mask

Ogerpon (4 types)
Ogerpon is the newest Legendary to be added to the series, and is by default a Grass type. However, in keeping with the theme of masks, it will change its form and type depending on what mask it is wearing, such as the Wellspring mask, Hearthflame mask, and Cornerstone mask. By default, Ogerpon is wearing the titular Teal mask.
Okidogi
This is a dog-themed Poison and Fighting-type Legendary that is a Hero of Kitakami. This Pokémon has no evolutions.
Munkidori
This curious monkey is a Poison and Psychic-type Legendary that also holds the title of Hero of Kitakami. Munkidori has no evolutions.
Fezandipiti
The final Hero of Kitakami is Fezandipiti, the Poison and Fairy-type Legendary. As usual, this Legendary can't evolve.
Dipplin
A rare Grass and Dragon type, Dipplin is an evolution of Applin.
Poltchageist
You could probably guess Poltchageist was a Grass and Ghost type by its name and design. This Pokémon can evolve into Sinistcha using either an Unremarkable Teacup or Masterpiece Teacup.
Sinistcha
The evolution of Poltageist we just talked about, Sinistcha remains a Grass and Ghost type.

Read more
How to start The Teal Mask DLC in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Key art featuring new characters and Pokémon that are in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero: The Teal Mask.

The first of two announced DLC expansions for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet has hit, called The Teal Mask. Both DLCs will introduce new places, items, moves, and, most importantly, Pokémon to catch, train, and befriend. This initial adventure will take your trainer to the Land of Kitakami, but excited trainers might be at a loss for how to actually access the new area and content. Because it's integrated directly into the main game, and not an option you can select from the menu, you will need to know how to reach the DLC. This won't take long, so here's how to access The Teal Mask in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet so you can continue your Pokémon journey.
How to access The Teal Mask DLC

After purchasing and installing the DLC for your specific version of Pokémon Scarlet or Violet, either load up your save or start a new game. You will need to either play up through, or have a save already past, The First Day of School chapter. Once you are past that point, you will automatically get a call from Jacq telling you about an annual trip to Kitakami that you, as it just so happens, will be chosen to attend.

Read more
How to get Structural Materials in Starfield
Starfield planet.

Starfield has a massive expanded the amount of things you can build and craft. From entire Outposts to weapon mods and research projects, everything you want to craft will require specific materials to create. These materials will be found all over the various planets, either as lootable objects, ores you need to mine, or even as items you can purchase from various vendors, but some will always be harder to find than others. Structural Materials, while not the rarest resource, are used in nearly every aspect of Outpost building and upgrades. If you're running low on this crucial building block, here's how to get more Structural Materials in Starfield.
Ways to get Structural Materials

Like any resource in Starfield, there's more than one way to get your hands on Structural Materials. The easiest, but most expensive, will be to simply buy them from one of the many shops around the galaxy. Vendors' stock is slightly variable from day to day, but you can typically rely on any of your more "general" stores to carry this common material, such as the Jemison Mercantile in New Atlantis or Shepard's General Store on Akila. Each vendor will only hold a specific amount, so if you need a lot, you will need to do a little legwork. After buying out everything a vendor has, if you wait for 24 hours at a chair or bed, you can go back and their stock will be replenished.

Read more