EV Training

[Chief]

Can someone in simple terms explain the general definition of EV training? What is it used for and how is it helpful as opposed to simple training by battling out in the field?

 

[Marc]

EV stands for Effort Value and it determines the stats a Pokemon will have when leveling up. Fighting any Pokemon in the wild or from a trainer will give your Pokemon EVs. When you EV train your Pokemon, you're basically finding the Pokemon that gives the EVs that you want so that you know what EVs go where.

Examples:

• Infernape: 252 EVs in ATK / 252 EVs in Speed / 6 EVs in HP
• Gyarados: 88 EVs in HP / 248 EVs in Atk / 4 EVs in Def / 168 EVs in Speed

Here's an example of how useful it is:

A Jolly Infernape without EVs in Speed will have a 283 speed stat, while another Jolly Infernape with 252 EVs in speed will have a 346 speed stat. The Jolly Infernape with the 252 EVs invested in Speed will attack first in battle.

Assuming both Speed stats are 31 IVs.​

When you battle random Pokemon in the wild (etc), you have no clue what EVs your Pokemon gets.

PS. There's an alternative to EV training in X/Y. It's Super Training (the mini-games on the Player Search System).

 

[POKÉMON MASTER STRATEGIST]

EV training is helpful in competitive battling or rating battles - same thing
it just gives you an edge against your opponents

 

[ShinyLatios]

Marc explained it really well, but I have a bit more to add to this. If you get a pokemon with pokerus (it's randomly generated, but it's possible to spread), the pokemon receives doubles the amount of EV Yields you'd normally get in battle. With that said though, I *don't* think Super Training is affected by Pokerus

As for the battling random Pokemon in the wild and not knowing what EVs your Pokemon gets, each species has specific EV yields when you defeat them. Websites like Serebii can help tell you which pokemon to battle if you want to train in a particular set of EV(s).

What is it used for and how is it helpful as opposed to simple training by battling out in the field?

It's used to make really competitive pokemon; if you're a casual pokemon player and don't care about competing you don't necessarily have to worry about it