Hey, weird question about EVs...

[mr_pikachu]

Please excuse the deluded ravings of a moron, but I had an odd thought about EVs a minute ago.

I've always heard that four EVs will make any given stat one point higher at level 100. (Please correct me if I'm wrong about this.) Now, a Pokemon can accumulate a maximum of 255 EVs for one stat, although it's smarter to leave it at 252. Either way, that means that any stat can be increased a maximum of 63 points.

So then, how come a Shedinja can only have 1 HP? If you allocate EVs for Shedinja to HP, shouldn't its HP stat increase to a possible maximum of 64? Why doesn't it? And are there any other examples of this?

I have a feeling that I've probably completely misinterpreted something, but I can't seem to find anything that goes against my belief of how EVs work or the maximum of 1 HP for a Shedinja. So naturally, I'm a tad confused. Can someone point me in the right direction so that I can pretend to be sane again?

[andyizcool]

You're right on everything but Shedinja's HP will not go above 1 HP. Why? Simply because it has Wonder Guard so only super effective attacks hurt it or status like Poison could easily take it down. Shedinja is the only Pokemon going against the EV rules because they didn't want it having more than 1 HP.

[mr_pikachu]

So it's just an exception to the rule? Odd. I wonder if the programmers will do anything similar for any of the new DP Pokemon...

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to create a mega-HP Shuckle.

[VanirElf]

Shedinja's HP base stat value is 1 that's why it can only have 1 HP.
the programmer of the game somehow made it so EV training won't affect this (shedinja only) stat at all.
but it's ok 'cuz wonder guard is crazy all on it's own.

[rinku]

Not quite. Shedinja does have a base HP stat of 1... but using the normal formula that would allow it to have more than one HP with effort or at high levels.

Shedinja ALWAYS has 1HP maximum at ALL levels and regardless of training. The code overrides the normal formula to make sure this ocurrs. It's the same sort of principle as Sonicboom always doing 20HP damage. The normal damage subroutine is simply bypassed by the program when that attack is used.

[Phoenixsong]

Well then, what happens if you EV train a Shedinja for HP? Are the points just accumulated but not used? If I put 252 HP EVs on a Shedinja, does that mean that I've wasted them and I only have 258 others to put on Shedinja's other stats? Or do HP EVs not count on Shedinja, and even if I "EV train" its HP I still have all 510 points left to distribute?

[Number1ChanseyFan]

You can still EV train a Shedinja in HP, it just won't accomplish anything except for wasting precious EVs. Also take care to note that when your Nincada evolves into Ninjask, and you get a Shedinja, the Shedinja will have the same EVs as the Ninjask, so it will inherit the EV training that you did on your Nincada before it evolved. If you have Emerald version, you can use certain berries to remove EVs from an undesirable stat.

[mr_pikachu]

Aaaaand a list of those berries, compliments of a GameFAQs Guide:


21. Pomeg Lowers EV's in HP by 10 (makes pokemon friendlier)
22. Kelpsy Lowers EV's in ATT by 10 (makes pokemon friendlier)
23. Qualot Lowers EV's in DEF by 10 (makes pokemon friendlier)
24. Hondew Lowers EV's in SP. ATT by 10 (makes pokemon friendlier)
25. Grepa Lowers EV's in SP. DEF by 10 (makes pokemon friendlier)
26. Tamato Lowers EV's in SPEED by 10 (makes pokemon friendlier)