EV Training Guide - Best Locations, Power Items & Optimal Spreads

Introduction

EV training is how you boost your Pokémon's stats through battling wild Pokémon or other trainers. When a Pokémon is defeated, it earns a certain amount of Effort Values for specific stats. Each Pokémon can earn up to 510 EVs total, with a max of 252 EVs in any single stat.

This guide covers efficient EV training methods, where to train for each stat, what Power Items to use, and what to do if you make a mistake. For more info on the mechanics and calculations, check out the IVs & EVs main article.

While EV training is vital for competitive battling, it's not necessary for casual gameplay. Power Items and good training locations are included in Polished Crystal, making it much easier than in the original Generation II games.

What Are EVs?

Effort Values (EVs) are hidden points that boost your Pokémon's stats. Every 4 EV points add +1 to a stat at level 100.

Key facts:

• Total EV limit: 510 points across all six stats unless using the "All" EV Gain option
• Per-stat limit: 252 EVs (gives +63 to that stat at level 100)
• EVs are gained by defeating Pokémon - each species has its own "EV yield"
• The Pokédex shows EV yields using dots for each stat

The most common EV spread is 252/252/4, which maximizes two stats with the remaining 4 EVs going to a third stat. This is the go-to distribution for sweepers and attackers.

EVs apply at all levels, not just 100. A level 50 Pokémon with 252 Attack EVs has approximately +31 more Attack than it would with 0 EVs in that stat.

Power items will speed up the EV training process considerably, adding +8 EVs of a stat tied to the specific power item. In Polished Crystal, the Exp Share also passes the full benefit of power items as long as the pokemon in the lead is holding a power item when the opposing Pokémon faints.

If you've misallocated EVs, you can quickly remove them using EV reducing berries found in Cherrygrove Bay. You can rapidly farm these berries by using Mulch.

Best Training Locations

Picking the right training spot saves tons of time. These recommendations prioritize Pokémon with high EV yields, accessible locations, and guaranteed encounters with EVs in a specific stat.

I've selected these based on the EV Yields guide and wild Pokémon locations in Polished Crystal. You might find better spots for your specific run, but this should point you in the right direction!

If you are in the late game and want one flexible location for every stat, see the Ditto EV Training guide. It uses transformed Ditto encounters to copy the EV yield of your chosen lead Pokémon.

HP Training

Early Game:

• Wooper (1 HP) - Route 32, Union Cave | Levels 6-12
  • Available after the first gym, very common encounter
  • Best early HP training option

Mid-Late Game:

• Wooper (1 HP) and Quagsire (2 HP), Surfing at Cliff Edge Gate
  • Surf in the water behind the counter at Cliff Edge Gate
  • Guaranteed HP EV encounters

Alternatives:

• Caterpie (1 HP) - Route 30, early game
• Slowpoke (1 HP) - Slowpoke Well, extremely common

Attack Training

Early Game:

• Bellsprout (1 Attack) - Route 31, Route 32 Coast, Sprout Tower | Levels 4-10
  • Accessible right after getting your starter
  • Most common early Attack training spot

Mid-Late Game:

• Goldeen (1 Attack) and Seaking (2 Attack) - Surfing at Route 42
  • Surfing guarantees Attack EV encounters on Route 42

Alternatives:

• Ekans (1 Attack) - Route 32 Coast

Defense Training

Early Game:

• Geodude (1 Defense) - Dark Cave, Union Cave, Mt. Mortar | Levels 2-15
  • Dark Cave is accessible from Route 31 very early
  • Extremely common in all cave systems

Mid-Late Game:

• Geodude/Gligar (1 Defense) and Graveler (2 Defense) - Route 45 at night (after 9 PM in game)
  • Coming to Route 45 at night guarantees that grass encounters will give defense EVs

Alternatives:

• Sandshrew (1 Defense) - Desert/mountain routes
• Onix (1 Defense) - Union Cave, common

Special Attack Training

Early Game:

• Gastly (1 Sp. Atk) - Sprout Tower, Route 31 (night), Bell Tower | Levels 3-10
  • Available extremely early if you visit Sprout Tower at night
  • Best early Special Attack option
• Mareep (1 Sp. Atk) - Route 32, Cherrygrove Bay, Route 43 | Levels 6-15
  • Common on electric routes
• Oddish (1 Sp. Atk) - Ilex Forest (night), Route 5 (Kanto) | Levels 8-10
  • Easy to find and defeat

Mid-Late Game:

• Psyduck (1 Sp. Atk) and Golduck (2 Sp. Atk) - surfing at Ilex Forest, Route 35, or Goldenrod Harbor
  • Guaranteed Sp. Atk EV encounters

Special Defense Training

Early-Mid Game:

• Tentacool (1 Sp. Def) - All water routes (Surf) | Levels 10-25
  • Extremely common on any water surface
  • Most accessible Special Defense training spot

Mid-Late Game:

• Tentacool (1 Sp. Def) and Tentacruel (2 Sp. Def) - surf at New Bark Town, Cherrygrove City, or Olivine Port
  • Guaranteed Sp. Def EV encounters

Speed Training

Early Game:

• Zubat (1 Speed) - Dark Cave, Union Cave, all cave systems | Levels 2-10
  • Found in nearly every cave from the start
  • Extremely common, very early access
• Magikarp (1 Speed) - Any water with fishing | Levels 5-10
  • Ultra common with Old Rod
  • Easiest to farm with fishing
• Rattata (1 Speed) - Route 29 | Levels 2-3
  • First wild Pokémon you can encounter

Mid-Late Game:

• Magikarp/Poliwag (1 Speed) - Surf at Blackthorn City or use Old/Good Rod at most towns
  • Guaranteed Speed EV encounters

Top Spot: Union Cave B1F South (user submission)

During morning or day, this floor has a 90% chance of encountering a Speed EV Pokémon: Zubat (50%, 1 Speed EV), Golbat (30%, 2 Speed EVs), and Raticate (10%, 1 Speed EV). The remaining 10% are Geodude and Onix. So if you are looking to boost your speed EV, this is a good spot for it!

Quick Reference Table

Best Early Game Options:

Best Mid-Late Game (Guaranteed Encounters):