Training

Base Stats - IVs - EVs - Natures - Breeding

The following information is valid for the Third and Fourth generations. Please select a topic above, and if you have anything you'd like to add or if something isn't clear, please email me.

Base Stats

When you're out and about just playing the game, you're going to encounter fast Pokémon and slow Pokémon. Some can use an attack and deal a large amount of damage, while some can use the same attack and deal much less. While the other components of advanced Pokémon training are used mostly to differenciate two Pokémon in a single species, it is the base stats that influence which species has the higher potential in the first place.

A list of all the base stats can be found here. If you're looking for a strong Physical attacker, a fast Status inflicter, or a Special wall, check this page to compare Pokémon you think will fit your team.

Base Stat Formulae

Unlike most of the rest of this section, mastery of the formulae behind Pokémon stats isn't required, but it is here if you are interested. All you need to know is that base 100 attack is better than base 50 attack, for instance.

HP formula:
int(((base + iv/2 + ev/8 + 50) * level / 50) + 10) * nature
Others
int(((base + iv/2 + ev/8) * level / 50) + 5) * nature

base- The base stat. Alakazam's base S. Atk is 135, for instance.
iv- The rolled value between 0 and 31. See the IV page for details.
ev- Accumilated EVs, from 0 to 255. See the EV page for details.
level- Your Pokémon's level.
nature- If your Pokémon has a nature bonus/penalty, put it here. 1.1 for bonus, 0.9 for penalty. See the Nature page for details.
int- Don't forget to round DOWN before you apply the nature bonus!

Alakazam's S. Atk with full IV and EV, and with a neutral nature, is 369 at Lv. 100. Nature bonus makes it 405, penalty makes it 332.

Due to wildly fluctuating IV, EV, and nature values, Alakazam's base 135 S. Atk does not mean it will always have a higher S. Atk then, say, base 125 Pokémon. In fact, with 0 IV and no EV, and a penalty nature, Alakazam's S. Atk can reach a low of 247! This is its absolute lowest point, and it's about equivalent with a base 75 stat. In this case, base 80, 90, and so on can all potentially reach a higher S. Atk. Base stats are important, but careful selection and training are just as important, if not moreso.