How Stats Work - EVs, IVs, And Effort Levels - Pokemon Legends - IGN

Focus ResetSkip to contentFind in guideTask SearchChecklistsInteractive MapTable of Contents

Task Search

Checklists Guides Markers VideosSort and FilterNo Results

Checklists

New ChecklistAll ListsMy ChecklistsAllPokedexAlpha PokemonShiny PokemonMain MissionsSide QuestsUnown PokemonWispsOld VersesPokedexPokedexAlpha PokemonAlpha PokemonShiny PokemonShiny PokemonMain MissionsMain MissionsSide QuestsSide QuestsUnown PokemonUnown PokemonWispsWispsOld VersesOld VersesAll ListsMy ChecklistsHow creative can you get with your first free checklist?Create a free accountAll Interactive Maps and LocationsHow Stats Work - EVs, IVs, and Effort LevelsBy Nadine Dornieden, Kenneth Seward Jr., Matthew Adler, +25 moreUpdated: Jan 28, 2022 7:34am UTC

Pokemon Legends: Arceus stats, EV, and IV system is completely different than in previous core Pokemon games. This guide covers the changes, how the new Effort Level system works, and how to increase Effort Levels.

Also see more of the Biggest Changes in Pokemon Legends: Arceus!

Changes to Pokemon Stats

Pokemon’s underlying IV/EV stat system is a notoriously complicated mechanic that is usually quite tedious to make the most out of. However, Legends: Arceus pretty much scraps it, likely to keep players focused on the new gameplay elements instead of breeding and training to min-max their Pokemon. Here are the main changes to Pokemon stats and stat progression: 

• The Base stats we're used to don't work mathematically in Legends: Arceus, but they do still work as a comparative tool.
• In Legends: Arceus, Pokemon don’t have Individual Values (IVs).
  • However, according to Serebii.net, a Pokemon's natural Effort Values represent a Pokemon's would-be IVs - this may come into play once we're able to transfer Pokemon from Legends: Arceus to HOME.
• There is no Pokemon breeding in Legends: Arceus.
•  You can’t EV train Pokemon in the traditional way by battling wild Pokemon.

Instead, there’s a new - much more transparent - system called Effort Levels, which can be seen on the stats page. Look for the numbers inside of the circles - like on Starly's Sp. Atk stat below.

These Effort Values and Natures are the only things that will affect a Pokemon's stats (Besides Level) between individuals. You can see a Nature's effect by the blue and red arrows on the same screen above.

How to Increase Effort Values

Effort Values can only be increased by using Grit items on Pokemon, from Grit Dust to Grit Rocks. See How to Farm Grit for more information.

More coming soon!

Up Next: How Agile and Strong Style Moves Work

PreviousGeneral Gameplay How-to GuidesNextHow Agile and Strong Style Moves Work

Top Guide Sections

• Pokedex (List of Pokemon)
• Side Quests - List of Requests
• All Unown Locations
• All Wisp Locations - Eerie Apparitions in the Night

Was this guide helpful?

Leave feedback

In This Guide

Pokemon Legends: ArceusGame FreakInitial Release: Jan 28, 2022Learn moreGo to comments