Effort Values
What are Effort Values?
Effort Values (EV) is a feature in Ruby, Sapphire, Fire Red and Leaf Green that is designed to help you to gain better stats for your Pokemon in the areas you want. When you battle Pokemon (in the wild or in trainer battles), you will get something called "Effort Points" (EP) together with Experience Points (Exp.). Each Pokemon species that you battle, regardless of the level, gender, stats, nature etc., has a fixed EP that they will give. For example, a Voltorb will always gives 1 EP to the Speed statistics, regardless of whether it is Level 5 or Level 100. However, these EPs, unlike Exp., are not shown to you at the end of the battle, thus, you'll not be able to know how much EPs you receive.
How do Effort Values affect my Pokemon's Stats?
When you battle a certain Pokemon species and defeated it, the game will add the EPs (which ranges from 1 to 3 points) to your EV in 1 or more of your Pokemon's stats. Thus, that particular stat of your Pokemon would advance higher and have a better stat in that area. 4 EVs is equivilant to 1 stat point. Usually rare or highly evolved Pok?mon provide 2 or 3 points per battle while unevolved or more common Pok?mon provide 1 point. You would not receive the EP if you run away from the battle.
What if more than 1 Pokemon enters the battle?
You would think that EP works like Exp., it gets divide equally to each Pokemon right? No! Logically it would do so but it would be pretty silly to let each Pokemon get a fraction of a EP. Each Pokemon would therefore receive the full amount of EP from that battle. Here is an example to illustrate my point. A Beautifly gives 3 EPs for Special Attack. You want to train up your Alakazam, Gardevoir and Grumpig to get a better Special Attack, thus, you found a Beautifly to battle with. You sent your Alakazam out first, it knocked out 1/3 of Beautifly's HP, then Gradevoir to damage it more and finally Grumpig to finish the move. After the battle, Alakazam, Gardevoir and Grumpig will each get 3 EPs for Special Attack! Thus, if you are fighting an opponent that provides 3 EPs in a particular stat that three of your Pok?mon require, you could switch each of them in the battle to gain a total of 9 EPs spread across your 3 Pok?mon!
Yes! I can use Effort Values to train my Pokemon to their ultimate stats in every single stat!
Sorry, but you can't do this. In order to balance the game, each stat may only receive up to 255 EPs and your Pokemon can only receive 510 EPs maximum, which means 2 maxed EP stats. You will only have to fight anywhere from 170 to 510 battles in order to reach this cap. After that EPs won't matter to it and there isn't much that you can make it better. You would know if your Pokemon has reached the EV cap, you should go see the woman wearing red-and-white clothes with brown hair and wearing a white hair piece next to the Vitamin shop owner in Slateport City (aka, the Energy Guru). They are both near the south-west location of this town if you are having some trouble finding it. She will give you an Effort Ribbon indicating your achievement, otherwise she will tell you to "try harder". Your EPS are non-erasable. Thus, remember to train your Pokemon wisely. You wouldn't want your precious EPs to go to waste in a stat you would not want.
Using the Macho Brace and Exp. Share
The Macho Brace is an item you'll get after you defeated the Winstrate family. It will double your Exp. gained when battling. Using it while training for EPs is a good idea as it doubles EPs gained as well, considerably reducing your training time. The only disadvantage is that while using it, your Pokemon's Speed will be cut by 50% but don't worry, it will reset back to normal once you remove it. Likewise, when using the Exp. Share, the Pokemon who is holding it will get the full EPs as well.
Using Vitamins
Vitamins are said to give your stats a boost but it actually just adds 10 EPs to the stat. To prevent people from cheating, your pokemon is only allowed to take 10 of a type of Vitamin, giving it 100 EPs. Here are the Vitamins and what they do:
Protein : +10 EV to Attack
Iron : +10 EV to Defense
Carbos : +10 EV to Speed
Zinc : +10 EV to Sp. Defense
Calcium : +10 EV to Sp. Attack
HP Up : +10 EV to HP
However, if you trained your Pokemon prior to giving Vitamins, the number of Vitamins you can use is decreased. Vitamins can only raise the EVs to 100 and not over it.
Using Rare Candies
Unlike the previous games where Rare Candies were avoided, in Ruby & Sapphire, they are actually a plus when used after your EVs have been maxed out since you can do nothing about your stat after that.
Do EVs really matter?
Well, if you are into competitive battling which means battling with a human opponent not in the game itself, EVs can do a lot of difference to your battle result of whether you win or lose. Here is a quote from Team Rocket Elite:
Quote:
Effort Values really do make a large difference in a Player vs. Player battle. When Effort Values are properly placed, it can mean the difference between surviving an attack or getting OHKO'd (One-Hit Knock-Out). The Effort Value system provides serious players with an advantage, meaning that people who work hard to study the game have an advanage over someone who didn't. In other words, they put in the time and effort, they get results.
However, if you are just playing in-game, it really doesn't matter since you'll most probably win against the computer opponents who mindlessly attacks once you are at Level 100.
Which Pokemon Gives Which EPs?
Here is a complete list divided into 7 sections, each section for each stat and the last for Pokemon which gives mixed EPs. This is taken from Ken J. Egervari's Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire: Games Mechanics Guide.
# English Name Jp Name HP Atk Def Spd Sp.Atk Sp.Def
- --------------- ----------- --- ---- ---- ---- -------- --------
Hit Points EV Table
---------------------
38 Slaking Kekkingu 3 - - - - -
47 Exploud Bakuong 3 - - - - -
56 Azumarill Mariruri 3 - - - - -
139 Wigglytuff Pukurin 3 - - - - -
175 Walrein Todozeruga 3 - - - - -
44 Shedinja Nukenin 2 - - - - -
46 Loudred Dogoomu 2 - - - - -
49 Hariyama Hariteyama 2 - - - - -
55 Marill Mariru 2 - - - - -
96 Swalot Marunomu 2 - - - - -
100 Wailord Hoeruo 2 - - - - -
128 Whiscash Namazun 2 - - - - -
138 Jigglypuff Purin 2 - - - - -
150 Tropius Torobiusu 2 - - - - -
161 Wobbuffet Soonasu 2 - - - - -
172 Glalie Onigoori 2 - - - - -
174 Sealeo Todoguraa 2 - - - - -
182 Lanturn Rantaan 2 - - - - -
14 Wurmple Kemusso 1 - - - - -
34 Shroomish Kinokoko 1 - - - - -
36 Slakoth Namakero 1 - - - - -
45 Whismur Gonyonyo 1 - - - - -
48 Makuhita Makunotsuta 1 - - - - -
54 Azurill Ruriri 1 - - - - -
95 Gulpin Gokurin 1 - - - - -
99 Wailmer Hoiruko 1 - - - - -
106 Grimer Betobetaa 1 - - - - -
127 Barboach Dojocchi 1 - - - - -
137 Igglybuff Pupurin 1 - - - - -
142 Castform Powarun 1 - - - - -
160 Wynaut Soonano 1 - - - - -
165 Phanpy Gomazou 1 - - - - -
171 Snorunt Yukiwarashi 1 - - - - -
173 Spheal Tamazaratsu 1 - - - - -
181 Chinchou Chonchii 1 - - - - -
Attack EV Table
---------------
6 Blaziken Bashaamo - 3 - - - -
9 Swampert Raguraji - 3 - - - -
24 Shiftry Daatengu - 3 - - - -
75 Machamp Kairikii - 3 - - - -
189 Salamence Boomanda - 3 - - - -
199 Groudon Guraadon - 3 - - - -
8 Marshtomp Numakuroo - 2 - - - -
11 Mightyena Guraina - 2 - - - -
23 Nuzleaf Konohana - 2 - - - -
35 Breloom Kinogassa - 2 - - - -
51 Seaking Azumaou - 2 - - - -
53 Gyarados Gayarodosu - 2 - - - -
74 Machoke Gorikii - 2 - - - -
93 Dodrio Doudariou - 2 - - - -
98 Sharpedo Samehadaa - 2 - - - -
123 Altaria Zanguusu - 2 - - - -
126 Solrock Sorurokku - 2 - - - -
130 Baltoy Shizarigar - 2 - - - -
136 Armaldo Aamarudo - 2 - - - -
147 Banette Jubetta - 2 - - - -
152 Absol Abusoru - 2 - - - -
167 Pinsir Kairosu - 2 - - - -
168 Heracross Herakurosu - 2 - - - -
170 Rhydon Saidon - 2 - - - -
7 Mudkip Mizugorou - 1 - - - -
10 Poochyena Pochiena - 1 - - - -
50 Goldeen Tosakinto - 1 - - - -
73 Machop Wanrikii - 1 - - - -
92 Doduo Douduo - 1 - - - -
97 Carvanha Kibania - 1 - - - -
116 Trapinch Nakkuraa - 1 - - - -
129 Corphish Heigani - 1 - - - -
135 Anorith Anopusu - 1 - - - -
146 Shuppet Kagebouzu - 1 - - - -
187 Bagon Tatsubei - 1 - - - -
Defense EV Table
----------------
59 Golem Gorounya - - 3 - - -
72 Aggron Bosugodora - - 3 - - -
192 Metacross Metagurosu - - 3 - - -
193 Regirock Rezurooku - - 3 - - -
15 Silcoon Karasarisu - - 2 - - -
17 Cascoon Mayorudo - - 2 - - -
28 Pelipper Perippaa - - 2 - - -
58 Graveler Gouron - - 2 - - -
71 Lairon Kodora - - 2 - - -
104 Magcargo Magukarugo - - 2 - - -
105 Torkoal Kootasu - - 2 - - -
109 Weezing Matadogasu - - 2 - - -
113 Sandslash Sandopan - - 2 - - -
115 Skarmory Eaamundo - - 2 - - -
188 Shelgon Komoruu - - 2 - - -
191 Metans Metangu - - 2 - - -
22 Seedot Taneboo - - 1 - - -
42 Nincada Tsuchinin - - 1 - - -
57 Geodude Isitsubute - - 1 - - -
60 Nosepass Nozupasu - - 1 - - -
70 Aron Kokodora - - 1 - - -
108 Koffing Dogaasu - - 1 - - -
112 Sandshrew Sanddo - - 1 - - -
169 Rhyhorn Saihoun - - 1 - - -
176 Clamperl Paaruru - - 1 - - -
190 Beldum Danbaru - - 1 - - -
Speed EV Table
--------------
3 Sceptile Jucain - - - 3 - -
65 Crobat Kurobattou - - - 3 - -
157 Raichu Raichuu - - - 3 - -
2 Grovyle Juputol - - - 2 - -
13 Linoone Massuguma - - - 2 - -
26 Swellow Oosubame - - - 2 - -
37 Vigoroth Yarukimono - - - 2 - -
43 Ninjask Tekkanin - - - 2 - -
64 Golbat Gorubatto - - - 2 - -
77 Medicham Chaaremu - - - 2 - -
79 Manectric Raiboruto - - - 2 - -
85 Electrode Marumain - - - 2 - -
144 Starmie Satarumii - - - 2 - -
156 Pikachu Pikachuu - - - 2 - -
1 Treecko Kimori - - - 1 - -
12 Zigzagoon Jiguzaguma - - - 1 - -
25 Taillow Subame - - - 1 - -
27 Wingull Kyamome - - - 1 - -
32 Surskit Ametama - - - 1 - -
52 Magikarp Koiking - - - 1 - -
61 Skitty Eneko - - - 1 - -
63 Zubat Zubatto - - - 1 - -
76 Meditite Asanan - - - 1 - -
78 Electrike Rakurai - - - 1 - -
80 Plusle Purasuru - - - 1 - -
81 Minun Mainan - - - 1 - -
84 Voltorb Biriridama - - - 1 - -
86 Volbeat Borubiito - - - 1 - -
87 Illumise Irumiize - - - 1 - -
140 Feebas Hinbasu - - - 1 - -
143 Staryu Hitodemon - - - 1 - -
153 Vulpix Rokon - - - 1 - -
155 Pichu Piichu - - - 1 - -
183 Luvdisc Rabukasu - - - 1 - -
Sp. Attack EV Table
-------------------
16 Beautify Agehunto - - - - 3 -
31 Gardevoir Saanaito - - - - 3 -
41 Alakazam Fudin - - - - 3 -
90 Vileplume Rafureshiaa - - - - 3 -
197 Latios Ratiosu - - - - 3 -
198 Kyogre Kaiorga - - - - 3 -
30 Kirlia Kiruria - - - - 2 -
40 Kadabra Yungreaa - - - - 2 -
83 Magneton Reakoiruu - - - - 2 -
89 Gloom Kusaihana - - - - 2 -
125 Lunatone Runatoon - - - - 2 -
159 Golduck Goruddakku - - - - 2 -
164 Girafarig Kirinriki - - - - 2 -
178 Gorebyss Sakurabisu - - - - 2 -
4 Torchic Achamo - - - - 1 -
29 Ralts Rarutosu - - - - 1 -
39 Abra Keishii - - - - 1 -
82 Magnemite Koiru - - - - 1 -
88 Oddish Nazunokusa - - - - 1 -
94 Roselia Rozeria - - - - 1 -
101 Numel Donmeru - - - - 1 -
103 Slugma Magumaggu - - - - 1 -
114 Spinda Pacchiiru - - - - 1 -
119 Cacnea Sabonea - - - - 1 -
158 Psyduck Kodakku - - - - 1 -
162 Natu Neitei - - - - 1 -
184 Horsea Tattsuu - - - - 1 -
Sp. Defense EV Table
--------------------
18 Dustox Dokukeiru - - - - - 3
21 Ludicolo Runpapa - - - - - 3
91 Bellossom Kereihana - - - - - 3
194 Regice Rezuaisu - - - - - 3
196 Latias Ratiasu - - - - - 3
20 Lombre Hasuburero - - - - - 2
67 Tentacruel Dokukurage - - - - - 2
111 Grumpig Bupiggu - - - - - 2
122 Zangoose Chiritarisu - - - - - 2
132 Claydol Nendooru - - - - - 2
134 Cradily Yureidoru - - - - - 2
141 Milotic Mirokarosu - - - - - 2
19 Lotad Hasuboo - - - - - 1
66 Tentacool Menokurage - - - - - 1
110 Spoink Banebu - - - - - 1
121 Swablu Chiritto - - - - - 1
131 Crawdaunt Yajiron - - - - - 1
133 Lileep Ririira - - - - - 1
145 Kecleon Kakureon - - - - - 1
Mixed EV Table
--------------
# English Name Jp Name HP Atk Def Spd Sp.Atk Sp.Def
- ---------------- ---------- --- ---- ---- ---- ------ -------
200 Rayquaza Rekkuuza - 2 - - 1 -
186 Kingdra Kingudora - 1 - - 1 1
195 Registeel Rezusuchiru - - 2 - - 1
118 Flygon Furaigon - 1 - 2 - -
149 Dusclops Samayooru - - 1 - - 2
62 Delcatty Enekororo 1 - - 1 - -
107 Muk Betobeton 1 1 - - - -
179 Relianth Jiiransu 1 - 1 - - -
5 Combusken Wakashamo - 1 - - 1 -
68 Sableye Yamirami - 1 1 - - -
69 Mawile Kuchiito - 1 1 - - -
102 Camerupt Bakuuda - 1 - - 1 -
117 Vibrava Biburaaba - 1 - 1 - -
120 Cacturne Nokutasu - 1 - - 1 -
124 Seviper Habuneeku - 1 - - 1 -
166 Donphan Donfan - 1 1 - - -
177 Huntail Hanteeru - 1 1 - - -
148 Duskull Yomawaru - - 1 - - 1
180 Corsola Saniigo - - 1 - - 1
185 Seadra Shiidora - - 1 - 1 -
154 Ninetales Kyuukon - - - 1 - 1
163 Xatu Neiteio - - - 1 1 -
33 Masquerain Amemoosu - - - - 1 1
151 Chimecho Chiriin - - - - 1 1
Pick Up
Pick Up is an ability that "picks up" items after battle. You can "pick up" if you have a Pokemon with the Pick Up ability in your party. The most common is Zigzagoon, but with the release of FRLG, I think Rattata might also be able to do this as well. When you "pick up" there are a number of items of which you can obtain, but only if the Pokemon isn't holding an item itself. Below is a list of items, with the rarity of each of them:
Often - Super Potion
Found Sometimes - Ultra Ball, Full Restore, Full Heal, Nugget, Revive, Rare Candy
Found Rarely - Protein, PP Up
Found Very Rarely - King's Rock
This is a good way to EV train your Pokemon, since if you have 6 Linoones/Zigzagoons/Rattatas/whatever and continuously have battles with weak Pokemon, there's a good chance you'll get a load of Rare Candies.
Please bare in mind that you may not always get an item after battle. it may take 5 or 6 battles before any items start appearing, so don't always get your hopes up.
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"A Vote for Justice is a Vote for MCD"