Pokemon get an increase in stats each time they evolve. The amount and stat increased is determined by the opposing Pokemon. However, Pokemon stats can also be increased by feeding them vitamins and using feathers. The Teal Mask in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet introduces a new way to gain Effort Values (EVs): Mochi.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet players will obtain mochi as they make progress in the Teal Mask's story. Between vitamins, feathers, and mochi, trainers can very easily EV train their Pokemon. Before feeding mochi to a Pokemon, it's best to understand how to go about obtaining mochi, and knowing which ones should and should not be used.
Where to Find Mochi
Unlike vitamins and feathers, mochi cannot be bought or picked up in the wild. Instead, players will need to play the new minigame: Ogre Oustin'. This is unlocked as players make progress in the Teal Mask's story. Specifically, players will unlock it at the Festival of Masks. As a first-time reward, trainers receive the Exp. Charm, which does exactly as its title says: Doubles the amount of Exp earned from battle.
Players will also notice that if they manage to successfully complete Ogre Oustin', they'll receive several mochi and some other miscellaneous items as a reward. Also, once players complete the Teal Mask's story, they'll receive a Kitakami Mochi Set from the Caretaker as a parting gift. This includes several types of mochi that can be fed to a Pokemon.
Unfortunately for those that are struggling with Ogre Oustin', this is currently the only way to obtain mochi in Scarlet/Violet. The higher the difficulty, the better the rewards. However, if trainers prefer to play it safe, they can stick to Easy Mode and collect mochi in small bulks.
How to Use Mochi
Mochi is found in the Other Items pocket (Rare Candy icon) of the Items Bag. It'll appear between Nature Mints and Evolution Stones when sorted by Type. To use a mochi, select one, select Choose, and then feed it to the desired Pokemon.
Depending on the mochi, it will raise a Pokemon's Effort Values (EV) by 10 points. Here's the type of mochi that exists in Scarlet/Violet:
|
Name |
Stat Increase |
|---|---|
|
Health Mochi |
Increases a Pokemon's HP. |
|
Muscle Mochi |
Increases a Pokemon's Attack. |
|
Genius Mochi |
Increases a Pokemon's Special Attack. |
|
Resist Mochi |
Increases a Pokemon's Defense. |
|
Clever Mochi |
Increases a Pokemon's Special Defense. |
|
Swift Mochi |
Increases a Pokemon's Speed. |
|
Fresh-Start Mochi |
Resets all of a Pokemon's EVs to 0. |
The Fresh-Start Mochi is the first item in Pokemon that complete wipes a Pokemon's EVs. Before, players could get rid of 10 EVs of one of a Pokemon's stats by feeding them stat-decreasing berries (ex: Kelpsy Berry). Although Fresh-Start Mochi sounds like a bad deal, it can be good for those that want to EV Train their Pokemon from the beginning. By having a fresh start, players will have better control over their Pokemon's EV-growth. For example, they could feed a Ninetales a Fresh-Start Mochi to wipe out its less-useful EVs (Attack) and instead feed it Special Attack-increasing vitamins, feathers, or mochi.
Is Mochi Better than Vitamins or Feathers?
Mochi and vitamins increase a Pokemon's EVs by 10, while a feather will increase them by 1. Between the three, mochi and vitamins are ultimately preferred over feathers. However, there are drawbacks to each one of them.
Vitamins can be picked up around Paldea, but the best way to get them is to buy them from Chansey Supply. They also cost 10000 and won't appear in the shop until players have three Gym Badges. Money's generally preferred for buying Poke Balls and other Medicines, such as Full Restores. Since one vitamin bottle is 10000, players will need to keep selling rare Treasure to make sure they don't go broke from stocking up on vitamins for their Pokemon.
Mochi is free, but it's locked behind Ogre Oustin'. While Ogre Oustin' may not be challenging for some, others will struggle with higher difficulties due to the frequency of Greedent and other berry-hungry Pokemon. This alone may discourage players from trying to farm mochi.
Unlike vitamins and mochi, feathers are extremely common. They can be picked up just about anywhere on the water of Lake Casseroya. Of course, the feather obtained will be randomized, so there's no guarantee that players will get the type of feather they want. Plus, trainers will need 10 of one type of feather to equal the amount of EVs given from one vitamin bottle/mochi.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.