The Differences between Attack & SP. Atk, And Defense & Sp. Def

[Ellis_D._Trails]

I've gotten back into Ruby lately and I've decided to start EV Training some Pokemon. Well, this is where I need some clarification. My first project is a Sleeper Breloom, for the obvious reason of catching other Pokemon. I know it may not seem that this pokemon has to be EV trained, but I'm just using Breloom as an example. I plan on having Spore, False Swipe, Headbutt and Sky Uppercut. Well, my first problem is not knowing under which catagory these moves fall under. Is Spore a Sp. Attack? False Swipe an Attack? Etc. (Is there a place that states under which all the moves fall under or is it just too obvious?) My second problem is learning how to properly distribute EVs. Would I put a good sum or max the IV that stengthens my main attack (False Swipe, I guess) or do I evenly distribute my EVs to HP, Speed, Defense etc.? Also, would I choose a personality that best befits my main attack?

Lastly, I would like some recommendations on how to distribute my EVs on my Breloom . If its a waste of time to EV train a non-competetive Pokemon, please let me know, it would save me a great deal of time. Thanks!

[Silent Dragonfly]

Physical Attacks are attacks of the Normal, Fighting, Bug, Flying, Ghost, Ground, Poison, Rock and Steel types.
When using these the damage depends on your attack power and your opponents defense.

Special Attacks are attacks of the Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Psychic, Dark, Dragon, and Ice types.
These type attacks depend on your special attack and your opponents's special defense.

Headbutt is Normal, that means it is an attack, not special.
False Swipe is also Normal so is an attack.
Sky Uppercut is Fighting, so falls under the attack catergory.

That's good, all of your damaging moves are of one attack type, this would help with the evs.

Spore does no damage so isn't really counted as attack or special, but with it's type, grass, you could class it as special if you wanted.

Since you aren't going to use it for competitive play, EVs don't matter too much.

[Poryhedron]

EVs for in-game pokémon are really only for special situations...if Drake's Salamence repeatedly devours your team, you might catch an Ice-type and max out its Special Attack EV so it can make Drake-sicles with pathetic ease. I also find it worth my time to max out a Wobbuffet's Special Defense EV so that, after I've whittled down Latios' HP, Wobbuffet can just sit there like an idiot, taking psychic attacks, while I chuck Ultra Balls at the Shadow Tagged Latios. Other than that, superior level is usually sufficient if you raise your ingame pokémon high enough.

[Ellis_D._Trails]

Thanks for the replies guys. I have one last question: For a Pokemon such as Breloom that will only specialize on catching Pokemon, would it be a good idea to max the SP. Def or Defense to withstand repetitive attacks from Pokemon that are harder to catch (ie Legendary Pokemon)? If thats the case than I figure HP would be a good EV to go with as well? Thanks

[andyizcool]

HP counts for both Defences that's why Tanks have the 252 HP, 129 Defence, 129 Special Defence EV setup. It's so they have a high HP Stat and good Defences to go with that.

Remember: Defence + Special Defence = HP (Very Good)