IVs & EVs Guide - Stats, Hyper Training, EV Training & Power Items | PolishedDex | PolishedDex
IVs & EVs Guide - Stats, Hyper Training, EV Training & Power Items
Complete guide to Individual Values (IVs) and Effort Values (EVs) in Polished Crystal. Learn the hybrid Gen II/modern mechanics (IVs 0-15), Hyper Training at level 50 with Bottle Caps, EV training locations, Power Items (+8 EVs), EV-reducing berries, and the Stats Judge. Maximize your Pokémon's potential.
Author: Cammy
Last updated: March 4, 2026
Introduction
Individual Values (IVs) and Effort Values (EVs) are hidden stats that determine your Pokémon's final stats. Polished Crystal uses a hybrid system combining Gen II mechanics with modern improvements from Gen III onward.
Important Note: In Polished Crystal documentation, IVs are often called "DVs" (Determinant Values) due to their historical Gen I/II naming. Similarly, "Stat EXP" (the Gen I/II EV system) has been replaced with modern EVs.
Understanding IVs and EVs is essential for competitive battling and optimizing your team, but it's not necessary for a regular playthrough. The game includes several quality-of-life features like Hyper Training and adjustable EV gain options to make stat optimization more accessible.
Individual Values (IVs)
IV Basics
IVs are permanent stats unique to each Pokémon that determine their potential. In Polished Crystal:
IVs range from 0 to 15 for each of the six stats (HP, Attack, Defense, Sp.Atk, Sp.Def, Speed). Since Gen III, IVs have ranged from 0-31 - a Polished IV multiplied by 2 and plus 1 equals the modern equivalent (for example, 14 in Polished is the same as 29 in a modern game: 14×2+1=29)
Each Pokémon has six separate IV values (unlike Gen I/II which only had five)
Higher IVs mean higher final stats at level 100
Perfect IVs (15/15/15/15/15/15) are often called "6IV" or "perfect DVs"
IV Independence
Unlike vanilla Gen II, IVs in Polished Crystal are independent from other factors:
Shininess: IVs don't affect whether a Pokémon is Shiny (as in Gen III+)
Gender: IVs don't determine gender
Forms: IVs don't affect which form a Pokémon has
Hidden Power
IVs determine the type of Hidden Power using the parity (odd/even) of all six IV values, matching Gen III+ mechanics:
Each IV's parity contributes to determining the Hidden Power type
Regular version only: Fairy-type Hidden Power is available
Different IV combinations result in different Hidden Power types
Obtaining High IVs
Breeding: Have a parent hold Destiny Knot to pass 5 IVs from parents
Mr. PKMN's Ditto: Trade your Red Scale for a perfect-IV (6IV) Shiny Ditto
Power Items: Guarantee specific IV inheritance during breeding
Wild Pokémon: Random IVs (0-15 for each stat). Legendary Pokémon always have at least 3 perfect IVs
Hyper Training
Hyper Training is a Gen VII+ feature that lets you maximize a Pokémon's effective IVs without changing the actual values. This is perfect for Pokémon you've already trained or legendary Pokémon that can't be bred.
How Hyper Training Works
Visit Mr. Hyper at the Celadon Hotel in Celadon City
Battle Pokémon that give Attack EVs (e.g., Goldeen gives +1 Attack)
Do not switch out — keep your Power Bracer holder in until the foe faints
Your lead gets +1 base + 8 from Power Bracer = 9 Attack EVs
Pokémon with Exp. Share also get 9 Attack EVs each
Reach 252 Attack EVs in just 28 battles (252 ÷ 9 = 28)
Warning: If you switch to a different Pokémon (without a Power Item) and it KOs the opponent, none of your party gets the +8 bonus — even prior participants who held Power Items!
Post-Game Power Item Rematches
Guest trainers who gave you Power Items appear on Battle Tower 2F for post-game rematches. They feature teams specialized in the corresponding stat:
Cheryl: +17 HP EVs per battle
Riley: +18 Attack EVs per battle
Buck: +14 Defense EVs per battle
Mira: +18 Sp.Atk EVs per battle
Anabel: +2 HP, +14 Sp.Def EVs per battle
Marley: +2 Attack, +13 Speed EVs per battle
EV Training Spots
Specific locations where you can encounter only Pokémon that give EVs in a particular stat. Perfect for targeted EV training!
Pre-Elite Four Training Spots
HP Training
Location: Surf in the water behind the counter at Cliff Edge Gate
After beating the Elite Four, rematch guest trainers on Battle Tower 2F for concentrated EV training (see Power Items section above for specific values).
Stats Judge
The Stats Judge is a tool that shows you the exact IVs and EVs of your Pokémon, removing the guesswork from stat optimization.
Unlocking the Stats Judge
Visit the Goldenrod Pokémon Communication Center (PCC)
The Judge program is on the machines at the right side of the floor
Requirement: You must breed at least one Egg to unlock the Judge
Gift Eggs (like the Togepi Egg) do NOT count
You must produce an Egg yourself at the Day Care
Hatching the Egg isn't required, just breeding it
Using the Stats Judge
Select a Pokémon from your party
The machine displays a hexagon chart showing both IVs and EVs
Star or bottle cap icons circle stats that are at the highest possible value
Helpful for verifying breeding results, EV training progress, and Hyper Training effects
What the Judge Shows
IVs: Values from 0-15 for each stat
EVs: Values from 0-252 for each stat (depending on EV gain setting)
Total EVs: Shows if you're at or near the 510 cap (if using that setting)
Hyper Training: Indicates which stats have been Hyper Trained
Note: These machines were originally News Machines for paid online newsletters, mini-games, quizzes, and rankings in vanilla Gen II. In Alola (Gen VII), 21 Egg hatches were required to unlock the Judge function.
Gameplay Preferences
Polished Crystal includes several gameplay preferences that affect how IVs and EVs work, letting you customize your experience.
Color Variation (IV-Based)
Enabled: IVs affect the coloration of all Pokémon (both Shiny and non-Shiny)
Color variation is separate from Shininess
Shiny Pokémon still have their animation and star icon (as in FR/LG+)
Uses complicated calculations so you can't easily predict IVs from colors
Perfect-IV (15/15/15/15/15/15) Pokémon have their original coloration
Inspired by Stadium's nickname-based color system
Perfect Stats
Enabled: All Pokémon (yours and opponents') are treated as if fully Hyper-Trained
Actual IV values are still stored for Hidden Power type, breeding, etc.
Great for casual playthroughs where you don't want to worry about IVs
Can be toggled on/off during gameplay
EV Gain Options
Choose how EVs work in your game:
510 (Standard Modern)
Modern limit of 510 total EVs
252 max per stat
Standard competitive format (e.g., 252/252/4)
All (Uncapped)
No total EV limit
Can have 252 EVs in all six stats
Makes Pokémon significantly stronger, including your opponents'
Good for casual playthroughs
No (EVs Disabled)
EVs are ignored for all Pokémon (yours and opponents')
EVs still accumulate in the background but don't affect stats
Accumulated EVs still count for Hyper Training requirements
Useful for testing or purist Gen I-style gameplay
Opposing trainers will follow whatever setting you choose, applying more EVs to their team as you progress through the game.
Switching EV Gain Settings
You can change the EV gain option during gameplay:
From "No" to another setting: All previously earned EVs are loaded and applied
From "All" to "510": EVs are reduced evenly across all stats until total is under 510
From "510" to "All": All EV caps are removed
Change this setting using Left + B on the title screen.
Recommendations
Casual Playthrough: Use "Perfect Stats" + "No" EVs for something easier, "Perfect Stats" + "All" for more challenge
Competitive/Battle Tower: Use standard settings (no Perfect Stats, 510 EV limit)
Breeding Focus: Keep "Color Variation" off to avoid confusion with Shinies
First Playthrough: Try "Perfect Stats" enabled to focus on strategy over stat grinding
