What is the difference between IVs and EVs?

IVs (Individual Values) are a Pokémon’s innate genetics: 0 to 31 per stat, fixed at capture. EVs (Effort Values) are training points you earn by battling and control yourself, up to 252 per stat and 510 total. IVs are the ceiling; EVs are how you spend your budget.

How many EVs can a Pokémon have?

A maximum of 252 EVs in any single stat and 510 EVs total. Every 4 EVs in a stat add 1 point to that stat at level 100, so 252 EVs ≈ +63 to a stat.

What are perfect IVs?

An IV of 31 is the maximum (“perfect”) for a stat. A “6IV” Pokémon has 31 in all six stats. Competitive builds often want 31 everywhere except Attack on special attackers (to keep confusion and Foul Play damage low).

How do you train EVs fast?

Defeat specific species that yield the stat you want, use Power items (Power Bracer, Power Anklet, etc.) to add +8 EVs per KO, feed Vitamins (Protein, Carbos…), and infect your Pokémon with Pokérus to double all EV gains. Scarlet & Violet also sell EV-reducing/boosting items and feathers.

Can you change IVs after catching?

IVs themselves are fixed, but Hyper Training (with Bottle Caps / Gold Bottle Caps) at high level makes a stat behave as if it had 31 IVs, without changing the underlying value. Combined with Mints for nature, almost any catch can be made competitive.

What is the stat formula?

For non-HP stats: Stat = (((2 × Base + IV + EV/4) × Level / 100) + 5) × Nature. HP uses a slightly different formula with +Level+10. Base stats, IVs, EVs, level, and nature all feed in.

Pokédex · Reference

IVs & EVs.

The two number systems behind every competitive Pokémon. IVs are genetics; EVs are training. Here’s how both work, how to max them, and the formula that ties them together. Pairs with natures and breeding.

IVs: Individual Values

0–31 per stat, fixed when the Pokémon is generated.
31 is “perfect.” A 6IV Pokémon has 31 in all six stats.
Raise the breeding odds of perfect IVs with the Destiny Knot.
Hyper Training (Bottle Caps) makes a stat act as 31 without changing the value.

EVs: Effort Values

Max 252 in one stat; 510 total across all stats.
Every 4 EVs = +1 to that stat at Lv. 100 (252 ≈ +63).
Earn them by defeating species that yield that stat.
Speed them up with Power items, Vitamins, and Pokérus (doubles gains).

EV training, the fast way

Power items

Power Bracer/Anklet/etc. add +8 EVs to a specific stat per KO (and disable Speed for the holder).

Vitamins

Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, HP Up, Carbos each add 10 EVs (up to the 252 cap). Cheap and instant in modern games.

Pokérus

A rare “virus” that doubles all EV gains. It spreads between party members, so keep a carrier.

Resetting

EV-lowering berries (Pomeg, Kelpsy…) or SV’s feathers/items let you re-spec a spread.

The stat formula

Stat = ⌊(⌊(2 × Base + IV + ⌊EV/4⌋) × Level / 100⌋ + 5) × Nature⌋

HP is special: HP = ⌊(2 × Base + IV + ⌊EV/4⌋) × Level / 100⌋ + Level + 10 (nature never affects HP).

Want to see it in action? Try the damage calculator or compare builds on the comparison tool.

FAQ

What is the difference between IVs and EVs?: IVs (Individual Values) are a Pokémon’s innate genetics: 0 to 31 per stat, fixed at capture. EVs (Effort Values) are training points you earn by battling and control yourself, up to 252 per stat and 510 total. IVs are the ceiling; EVs are how you spend your budget.
How many EVs can a Pokémon have?: A maximum of 252 EVs in any single stat and 510 EVs total. Every 4 EVs in a stat add 1 point to that stat at level 100, so 252 EVs ≈ +63 to a stat.
What are perfect IVs?: An IV of 31 is the maximum (“perfect”) for a stat. A “6IV” Pokémon has 31 in all six stats. Competitive builds often want 31 everywhere except Attack on special attackers (to keep confusion and Foul Play damage low).
How do you train EVs fast?: Defeat specific species that yield the stat you want, use Power items (Power Bracer, Power Anklet, etc.) to add +8 EVs per KO, feed Vitamins (Protein, Carbos…), and infect your Pokémon with Pokérus to double all EV gains. Scarlet & Violet also sell EV-reducing/boosting items and feathers.
Can you change IVs after catching?: IVs themselves are fixed, but Hyper Training (with Bottle Caps / Gold Bottle Caps) at high level makes a stat behave as if it had 31 IVs, without changing the underlying value. Combined with Mints for nature, almost any catch can be made competitive.
What is the stat formula?: For non-HP stats: Stat = (((2 × Base + IV + EV/4) × Level / 100) + 5) × Nature. HP uses a slightly different formula with +Level+10. Base stats, IVs, EVs, level, and nature all feed in.