Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl EV training guide

In this Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl EV training guide, we’ll explain what Effort Values are and how to gain them. This guide explores how to check these values and different techniques and items you can use to boost the strength of your Pokémon.

Table of contents

• What are EVs and EV training?
• How to check EVs
• EV training with held items
• EV training with vitamins
• EV training with battles
• How to reset EVs with berries

What are EVs and EV training?

Pokémon can boost their stats in two ways: leveling up and EV training. As a Pokémon levels up, their main stats increase, which you’ll see on the post-battle screen. Each time a Pokémon levels up, they randomly gain points in HP, attack, defense, special attack, special defense, and speed.

However, on top of the boost in stats gained by leveling up, your companions can also increase a secondary and hidden category of stats called Effort Values or EVs. These stats allow you further boost the six main stats beyond their maximum level. Pokémon can gain a total of 510 EV points to their stats. However, each of the six stats can only get a maximum of 252 points through EVs.

Your Pokémon can gain EVs by either eating vitamins or defeating specific Pokémon. You can post these values by either holding special items or becoming infected with Pokérus. By combining these ways to EV train, you can boost your Pokémon’s stats beyond their usual capabilities.

How to check EVs

Even though EVs are a somewhat hidden stat, you can gain some insight into how many extra points a Pokémon has in its stat pool.

To check EVs:

1. Press X to enter your menu
2. Choose the Pokémon menu
3. Choose a Pokémon
4. Select Check Summary
5. On the summary page, choose the hexagon icon

On this page, you’ll see the numeric value of a Pokémon’s stats. As your partners level up, you’ll get to see how these values grow on the post-battle screen. These normal stats are easy to track as your Pokémon get stronger.

Image: Game Freak, ILCA/The Pokémon Company via Polygon

If you want to check EVs, press X while on this menu. The hexagon’s numeric values will disappear and you’ll see a yellow graph with no numbers. While you can’t see how many points are placed into each EV, you can get an idea of how many EVs each stat has. If you see a star next to an EV, that means it’s maxed out.

EV training with held items

One of the ways to EV train fast is by using held items. Several items boost the amount of EVs you gain each time you defeat a Pokémon.

• Power Weight — +8 HP EVs gained
• Power Bracer — +8 Attack EVs gained
• Power Belt — +8 Defense EVs gained
• Power Lens — +8 Special Attack EVs gained
• Power Band — +8 Special Defense EVs gained
• Power Anklet — +8 Speed EVs gained
• Macho Brace — Double EVs gained

You can purchase each of the Power items at the Battle Park after completing the game. Each item costs 16 Battle Points.

The Macho Brace isn’t purchasable. Instead, you must first have all three forms of the Burmy in your party. Then head to Pastoria City and speak to the Bug Catcher who is located north of the Poké Mart.

EV training with vitamins

Throughout Sinnoh, you can find vitamins at different shops. Each of these vitamins will raise a certain EV by 10 points.

• HP Up — HP
• Protein — Attack
• Iron — Defense
• Calcium — Special Attack
• Zinc — Special Defense
• Carbos — Speed

EV training with battles

Pokémon can also gain EVs in battle. Each Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl offers up a different amount of EVs upon defeat. Defeating multiple Pokémon with good EV values is a slow but free way to increase EVs.

One of the best ways to gain EVs through battle is to predictably encounter Pokémon who offer the EVs you’re looking for. While Pokémon can offer either 0-3 EV points upon defeat, your best and most reliable option is to find Pokémon that offer two EVs of any individual stat.

This chart, based in part on information from Game8, shows the easiest locations to farm EVs in battle. Find the EV you want to train, and then locate the Pokémon in that region. Each time you defeat them, you’ll gain two EVs in the specific stat they specialize in.

How to reset EVs

Since Pokémon can only have a maximum of 510 EVs spread throughout all six stats, you may want to reset your EVs to maximize your stats. Again, each Pokémon can only have 252 EVs poured into a single stat, so resetting EVs can help you better manage this hidden series of points.

You can reset EVs by feeding Pokémon certain berries. Each one consumed will lower a certain EV by 10 points.

• Pomeg Berry — HP
• Keplsy Berry — Attack
• Qualot Berry — Defense
• Hondew Berry — Special Attack
• Grepa Berry — Special Defense
• Tamato Berry — Speed