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
• 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.

Best Training Locations

Picking the right training spot saves tons of time. These recommendations prioritize Pokémon with high EV yields, accessible locations, and low levels for quick battles.

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!

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-Game:

• Quagsire (2 HP) - Union Cave B2F, Route 32 (Surf) | Levels 20-25
  • Double the EVs of Wooper in the same area

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-Game:

• Machop (1 Attack) - Mt. Mortar (all floors) | Levels 15-20
  • Machoke (2 Attack) - Mt. Mortar (deeper areas) | Levels 25-30
  • Same location, better yields as you progress deeper

Late-Game:

• Machamp (3 Attack) - Cerulean Cave (post-game) | Levels 55-60
  • Maximum Attack EVs per battle

Alternatives:

• Ekans (1 Attack) - Route 32 Coast
• Krabby (1 Attack) - Any water route with Old Rod

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-Game:

• Metapod/Kakuna (2 Defense) - Ilex Forest, Viridian Forest | Levels 9-10
  • Double EV yield, easy to defeat
  • Great for quick training sessions
• Graveler (2 Defense) - Dark Cave (Blackthorn side), Dim Cave | Levels 20-35
  • Better than Geodude in similar cave areas

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-Game:

• Flaaffy (2 Sp. Atk) - Route 32 Coast, Route 43 | Levels 15-20
  • Double yield in accessible locations
• Haunter (2 Sp. Atk) - Scary Cave, Soul House, Dim Cave | Levels 25-35
  • Great mid-game option

Late-Game:

• Alakazam (3 Sp. Atk) - Cerulean Cave only | Levels 60+
  • Maximum yield, post-game only

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:

• Tentacruel (2 Sp. Def) - Route 41, Whirl Islands | Levels 25-35
  • Double yield, still common on water routes
• Drowzee (1 Sp. Def) - Route 11 (Kanto) | Levels 15-20
• Hypno (2 Sp. Def) - Route 11 (higher levels)
  • Better yield than Drowzee on the same route

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-Game:

• Golbat (2 Speed) - Seafoam Islands, Mt. Moon B2F, Cliff Cave | Levels 20-35
  • Double yield, still common in mid-late caves
• Pidgeotto (2 Speed) - Route 1 (Kanto), Route 24 | Levels 25-30
  • Solid mid-game option

Late-Game:

• Pidgeot (3 Speed) - Route 1 (Kanto, post-game) | Level 60
  • Rare (5% encounter rate) but highest wild Speed training

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!

Alternatives:

• Diglett (1 Speed) - Diglett's Cave
• Ponyta/Rapidash (1/2 Speed) - Various routes

Quick Reference Table

Best Early Game Options:

Best Mid-Game (2 EVs):

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