Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, the latest titles in Game Freak's legendary series, have been out for a week now, and already many players are reaching the post-game content. Set in the British-themed Galar region, the twin games Sword and Shield have launched with a host of new features as well as more than a few controversies.
One core system to remain unchanged in the face of #Dexit and #GameFreakLied is that of Effort Values, more commonly known as EVs. Above all else, the six EVs are a measurement of a Pokemon's unique abilities, distinct from other Pokemon of their species. Unfortunately, these scores can often grow in ways that aren't ideal for the Pokemon in question, leaving trainers with poorly optimized companions. Here's our guide to resetting EV values, and getting them back on track.
How EVs Go Wrong
Unlike Individual Values, a Pokemon's Effort Values are raised by defeating other Pokemon, and which EV of the six raises is based on the species of the defeated Pokemon. This means that EVs can raise almost randomly if players don't pay attention to what their Pokemon is fighting, which most won't.
However, for competitive players, or simply those who use breeding and other systems to maximize their Pokemon's power, having a poor EV distribution can be a huge problem. This is because EVs have a shared cap of 510, which once reached means that none of them can be raised. A Pokemon with all Special Attacks which has accidentally maxed-out its Attack EV has essentially completely wasted a bunch of points, while its Special Attack EV may still be quite low.
Lowering Useless EVs
Fortunately, there is a system in the game for players to lower their Pokemon's EVs, allowing them to retrain them in a more optimal direction. In Sword and Shield, just as in previous Pokemon titles, this system is berries, with six types of berry each lowering a specific EV, as well as raising happiness:
Pomeg Berry - Lowers HP
Kelpsy Berry - Lowers Attack
Qualot Berry - Lowers Defense
Hondew Berry - Lowers Special Attack
Grepa Berry - Lowers Special Defense
Tamato Berry - Lowers Speed
Using these berries, which can be found all over the Galar region, players can lower unwanted EV values, making space for more valuable EVs to raise. Raising EVs can either be done through combat with specific Pokemon, or by using Vitamins to achieve the same effect.
Pokemon Sword and Shield is out now for the Nintendo Switch.