What Is EV Training in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet + How To Use

Competitive play in Pokemon can be unapproachable with a dense meta, and a lot you need to know before really diving into online play. But a good start is knowing how to EV train your Pokemon.

On the other hand, dabbling in EV training to improve your Pokemon’s stats can even help you get through the storylines, Tera Battle Raids, and the post-game, especially if you are under-leveled.

But while hyper training, which you can learn about in our Hyper Training explained guide, involves trade with an NPC for stat increase, EV training is a much more involved stat increase method. EV training can be combined with Hyper Training to make your Pokemon very powerful.

What Is EV Training?

EV training is a method to increase or decrease a specific stat of your Pokemon by using Vitamins, Feathers, Berries, “Power” Held items, and battles with specific Pokemon.

How Does EV Training Work in Scarlet & Violet?

In Pokemon, stats like HP and Attack can increase based on Effort Value (EV) ‘points’ your Pokemon receives from regular battles (not Auto Battles) and by using specific items. Every four EVs on the same stat grant an additional point in that stat.

• Trainers can use three methods to EV train their Pokemon.
  • Use consumable items like Feathers or Vitamins to boost a specific stat EV.
  • Battle specific Pokemon to get specific EV points.
  • Boost EVs received per battle with a “Power” Held item.
• Every Pokemon has a limit of 510 EVs, with a cap of 252 EVs for each stat.
  • Through EV training, with four EVs granting a one-point stat increase, you could earn the 252 EVs cap for a stat and total a 63-point increase. However, you do not need to max out a stat, and EVs can be earned and applied more evenly.
• EV Training can be somewhat complex, as trainers can not see the amount or type of EVs their Pokemon receives after each battle or the exact EV distribution per stat.
  • Nonetheless, players can still see an estimated graph on the EV distribution for each Pokemon on the Moves and Stats tab of the Pokemon Summary.

Before jumping into learning each of the methods for EV training, make sure you check out the section below so you can understand how to check your Pokemon’s EVs. Knowing how to do this will make training much easier.

How to Check EVs in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

To check your Pokemon’s stats and EV progress, view their stat graph in the “Pokemon Summary.” Press the “L” button to switch between base and EV stats.

• Open your Menu with the “X” button.

• With the “Left Stick,” select the Pokemon you want to check with the “A” button.

• Select “Check summary.”

• Then with the same stick, scroll over once to “Moves and Stats.”

• Press the “L” button to switch from the Base stat Graph to the EV stat Graph.

How To Read the EV Graph

Though the exact EVs in each stat are not shown, the closer the solid yellow EV shape is to the labeled corners of the hexagon indicates how proficient that Pokemon is in each EV stat.

When the solid yellow shape turns transparent blue, it indicates all 510 EVs have been earned and applied.

• Where the corners of the solid shape are, indicates how many EVs are in each stat.
  • The closer to the hexagon’s labeled corners, the higher the EVs in that stat.
  • The solid shape grows toward different stats depending on which EVs that Pokemon gets.
• When the solid shape turns transparent blue, it indicates all 510 EVs have been earned and applied (like the picture above).
• The transparent shape, behind the solid shape, in the EV Graph, indicates your Pokemon’s base stats.
• A maxed-out (252 EVs) stat is indicated by sparkles and the solid shape touching the corner of that stat.
• If a stat is “Hyper Trained,” it is labeled as such with a subtitle underneath.

How to EV Train Using Consumables

By using consumables like Feathers or Vitamins on a Pokemon, you can automatically give that Pokemon either one or ten EVs, respectively.

• To use a consumable, Press the “X” button and select your “Bag” under the “Main Menu” with the “Left Analog Stick.”
• Search your inventory for the item with the same stick.
• Press “A” on the item and select the “Use this item” option.
• Lastly, choose the Pokemon you want to give it to.

• Different Feathers and Vitamins give your Pokemon different types and amounts of EVs, so you have plenty of room to customize your mons’ stats.

Item	Stat Modifiers	Easiest Locations	Cost PD/LP
Calcium	Increases Sp. Atk by 10 EVs	Chansey Supply (Cascarrafa, Mesagoza, Levincia) – Can also be found at the Auction House in Porto Marinada	10000
Carbos	Increases Speed by 10 EVs	Chansey Supply (Cascarrafa, Mesagoza, Levincia) – Can also be found at the Auction House in Porto Marinada	10000
HP Up	Increases HP by 10 EVs	Chansey Supply (Cascarrafa, Mesagoza, Levincia) – Can also be found at the Auction House in Porto Marinada	10000
Iron	Increases Defense by 10 EVs	Chansey Supply (Cascarrafa, Mesagoza, Levincia) – Can also be found at the Auction House in Porto Marinada	10000
Protein	Increases Attack by 10 EVs	Chansey Supply (Cascarrafa, Mesagoza, Levincia) – Can also be found at the Auction House in Porto Marinada	10000
Zinc	Increases Sp. Def by 10 EVs	Chansey Supply (Cascarrafa, Mesagoza, Levincia) – Can also be found at the Auction House in Porto Marinada	10000
Health Feather	Increases the HP by 1 EV.	Found in Casseroya Lake as Shiny Drops, at the Auction House in Porto Marinada, and as Tera Raid rewards	N/A
Muscle Feather	Increases the Attack by 1 EV.	Found in Casseroya Lake as Shiny Drops, at the Auction House in Porto Marinada, and as Tera Raid rewards	N/A
Resist Feather	Increases the Defense by 1 EV.	Found in Casseroya Lake as Shiny Drops, at the Auction House in Porto Marinada, and as Tera Raid rewards	N/A
Genius Feather	Increases the Sp. Atk by 1 EV.	Found in Casseroya Lake as Shiny Drops, at the Auction House in Porto Marinada, and as Tera Raid rewards	N/A
Clever Feather	Increases the Sp. Def by 1 EV.	Found in Casseroya Lake as Shiny Drops, at the Auction House in Porto Marinada, and as Tera Raid rewards	N/A
Swift Feather	Increases the Speed by 1 EV.	Found in Casseroya Lake as Shiny Drops, at the Auction House in Porto Marinada, and as Tera Raid rewards	N/A

Where to Get Vitamins & Feathers

• Chansey Supplies sells Vitamins that can be found in Cascarrafa, Mesagoza, and Levincia (the small red squares). Late-game players can also find one in Montenevera (labeled 15 on the Map). 
• You can find Feathers as shiny spots in the waters of Casseroya Lake (the large red rectangle). Press “A” to pick them up. You can also receive these Feathers as rewards from Tera Raid Battles.
• Another location to get both Vitamins and Feathers is the Auction House at Porto Marinada. However, the items here change constantly, and you will have to bid for them.

How to EV Train by Battling Pokemon

Each regular Pokemon Battle (not Auto Battles) grants EVs. The amount and type of EVs received are predetermined for each type of Pokemon you battle.

• Every Pokemon defeated in regular battles (not using auto-battle) grants a certain number and type of EVs to increase a stat on your Pokemon.
  • For example, if you want to raise your Pokemon’s HP EV, you could battle and defeat Lechonk, which grants one HP EV.
• Each Pokemon you defeat in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet will give your Pokemon between zero and three EVs for a specific stat.
  • The amount and type of EV a Pokemon yields after it is defeated is predetermined. With this in mind, if a Pokemon like Lechonk yields one HP EV, defeating a Level 90 or Level 1 Lechonk still grants one HP EV.
• The EV stats you want to increase or max out determines which Pokemon you need to fight. These are some examples of good Pokemon to battle for each EV stat:
  • HP – Lechonk (yields 1 HP EV)
  • Attack – Yungoos (yields 1 Attack EV)
  • Defense – Tarountula (yields 1 Defense EV)
  • Sp. Atk – Houndour (yields 1 Sp. Atk EV)
  • Sp. Def – Hoppip (yields 1 Sp. Def EV)
  • Speed – Diglett (yields 1 Speed EV)

Best Pokemon To Fight for EV Training & Where to Find Them

Pokemon	EV Stat Trained	Easiest Location	Ideal “Power” Held Item*	Best Sandwich to Boost Encounters
Lechonk/Azurill	HP	Northwest path from the Poco Path Lighthouse to Los Platos in South Province (Area One)	Power Weight	Ham Sandwich #80
Yungoos	Attack	Inlet Grotto in South Province	Power Bracer	Ham Sandwich #80
Tarountula/Scatterbug	Defense	Northwest path from the Poco Path Lighthouse to Los Platos in South Province (Area One)	Power Belt	Cheese Sandwich #84
Houndour	Sp. Atk	Inlet Grotto in South Province	Power Lens	Pickle Sandwich #20
Hoppip	Sp. Def	Northwest path from the Poco Path Lighthouse to Los Platos in South Province (Area One)	Power Band	Klawf Claw Sandwich #104
Diglett	Speed	Northwest path from the Poco Path Lighthouse to Los Platos in South Province (Area One)	Power Anklet	Jambon-Beurre Sandwich #1

• The Inlet Grotto and the Poco Path Lighthouse are a little north and at the end of the Poco Path. The Inlet Grotto is the cave right in front of the beach where you find Miraidon or Koraidon.
  • Check out our guides on resetting Pokemon quickly or our sandwich-making guide to increase Pokemon encounter rates.

*We explain the usage of the Power Held Items for EV Training in the next section of this article.

How to EV Train With “Power” Held Items

Giving your Pokemon hold a “Power” Held item will halve its speed but help you gain eight additional EVs per Pokemon battle, regardless of the Pokemon you fight. Using this method considerably speeds up Battle EV Training.

• To give a Pokemon a Held item, follow the same steps as using a consumable, only this time select “Give to Pokemon.”
• The different “Power” Held items give the Pokemon holding it different EV types.
  • If your Pokemon holds a “Power Bracer,” it automatically earns eight HP EVs after completing a battle, along with whatever types and amounts of EVs the defeated Pokemon gives.
• You can combine this strategy by battling specific Pokemon with a “Power” Held item that gives the same EVs for more EVs.
  • In this way, you could defeat a Lechonk who gives one HP EV and have your Pokemon hold Weight, which gives eight HP EVs for winning a battle; then, in total, your Pokemon can net nine HP EVs for one battle.

“Power” Held Item	EV Stat Boosted	Held Item Effect	Locations to Buy	Price PD/LP
Power Weight	HP	While holding it, it grants 8 HP EVs after the Pokemon gains XP in battle, but halves the Speed stat.	Delibird Presents (Cascarrafa, Mesagoza, Levincia) – General Goods	10000
Power Bracer	Attack	While holding it, it grants 8 Attack EVs after the Pokemon gains XP in battle, but halves the Speed stat.	Delibird Presents (Cascarrafa, Mesagoza, Levincia) – General Goods	10000
Power Belt	Defense	While holding it, it grants 8 Defense EVs after the Pokemon gains XP in battle, but halves the Speed stat.	Delibird Presents (Cascarrafa, Mesagoza, Levincia) – General Goods	10000
Power Lens	Sp. Atk	While holding it, it grants 8 Sp. Atk EVs after the Pokemon gains XP in battle, but halves the Speed stat.	Delibird Presents (Cascarrafa, Mesagoza, Levincia) – General Goods	10000
Power Band	Sp. Def	While holding it, it grants 8 Sp. Def EVs after the Pokemon gains XP in battle, but halves the Speed stat.	Delibird Presents (Cascarrafa, Mesagoza, Levincia) – General Goods	10000
Power Anklet	Speed	While holding it, it grants 8 Speed EVs after the Pokemon gains XP in battle, but halves the Speed stat.	Delibird Presents (Cascarrafa, Mesagoza, Levincia) – General Goods	10000

Where to Get Power Held Items for EV Training

• The “Power” Held items are all available in Delibird Present shops in Cascarrafa, Mesagoza, and Levincia (indicated by the red squares) from the very beginning of the game.
  • To learn more about all Delibird Presents Locations and what they sell there, follow our guide.

How Do You Lower or Reset EVs?

To get rid of EVs, use Berries. They lower 10 EVs from a stat in exchange for friendship points with that Pokemon so that you can earn and apply different EVs to another stat.

Item	Effect	Easiest Location
Pomeg Berry	Raises Friendship and decreases HP by 10 EVs.	Found as Shiny Drops in East Province Area Two , as rewards in Tera Raids, and at the Auction House at Porto Marinada
Kelpsy Berry	Raises Friendship and decreases Attack by 10 EVs.	Found as Shiny Drops in East Province Area Two , as rewards in Tera Raids, and at the Auction House at Porto Marinada
Qualot Berry	Raises Friendship and decreases Defense by 10 EVs.	Found as Shiny Drops in East Province Area One, as rewards in Tera Raids, and at the Auction House at Porto Marinada
Hondew Berry	Raises Friendship and decreases Sp. Atk by 10 EVs.	Found as Shiny Drops in East Province Area Two , as rewards in Tera Raids, and at the Auction House at Porto Marinada
Grepa Berry	Raises Friendship and decreases Sp. Def by 10 EVs.	Found as Shiny Drops in East Province Area One, as rewards in Tera Raids, and at the Auction House at Porto Marinada
Tamato Berry	Raises Friendship and decreases Speed by 10 EVs.	Found as Shiny Drops in East Province Area One, as rewards in Tera Raids, and at the Auction House at Porto Marinada

For example, if your Pokemon has too much HP, you could eat a Pomeg Berry to reduce HP EVs.

Then you could EV train your Pokemon to raise a different stat, like Attack, by earning Attack EVs to replace the HP EVs the berry removed.

Where to Get Berries to Decrease EVs

These berries spawn as sparkling shiny drops in the ground in East Province Area One and Two. Walk up to one and press “A” to pick it up. Also, you can get them as rewards from Tera Raid Battles and from the Auction House at Porto Marinada.

Can You EV Train From the Beginning of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet?

Yes, you can start EV training from the start of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet by fighting Lechonk (HP), Yungoos (Attack), Tarountula (Defense), Houndour (Sp. Atk), Hoppip (Sp. Def), and Diglett (Speed).

However, we would suggest waiting until reaching Mesagoza in the South Province, where can buy the “Power” Held items from the Delibird Presents shops to speed up the process.

Do You Need to Level Up Pokemon To Increase EVs?

No, you do not need to level up your Pokemon to have EVs applied to your Pokemon’s stats in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.

If your Pokemon earns four EVs of the same type, regardless of whether it levels up, it gains one stat point (ex: 4 EVs in Defense equals +1 Defense).

Leveling up your Pokemon also increases its stats; however, EVs are earned separately by completing a battle with specific Pokemon, holding a “Power” held item, or consuming a Vitamin or Feather.

How To Get Effort Ribbons

To get an Effort Ribbon for a Pokemon that has all its 510 EVs, talk to the lady with a Luxio that is located behind the Electric Gym in Levincia.

Select a Pokemon for her to check, and she will award that Pokemon an Effort Ribbon if it has all 510 EVs. If not, she will say, “it can give a bit more [effort].”

• Travel to Levincia between the East and North Provinces by the ocean.

• Approach the Electric Gym on the south side of the city.
• Follow the Alley to the courtyard behind the gym.

• To your left, you see a woman with a Luxio beside her. She is close to an ice cream stand and has a golden text box above her.
• Press the “A” button to talk with her.

• Proceed through the conversation and then select a pokemon for her to examine.

• She will tell you whether it can earn more EV by saying, “it can give a bit more [effort]” or by providing you with an Effort Ribbon.

If you are interested in other Held items, learn more about where to get the Choice Scarf and how to get the Choice Specs to power up your Pokemon significantly.