Pokémon Ultra Sun And Moon EV Training Guide: SOS Battles And More Explained

After trainers have bred their Pokémon to their specifications in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, EV Training is the next step to having their partners become the very best in battling.

Effort Values, or EVs, determine which stat grows more as the Pokémon levels up. This is determined by the type of Pokémon that is defeated in battle. A Pokémon that is EV Trained is much stronger than a Pokémon that isn’t EV Trained is even when they’re at the same level.

It would behoove trainers to EV Train their Pokémon right after they are hatched to get the most out of the stat changes and we’ve compiled this guide for trainers to learn the basics and best methods to EV Training in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

BASICS

Let’s start with the basics of EV training. As many veteran trainers know, every Pokémon is allowed 510 Effort Value points that will go into their overall stats. These points are based on what Pokémon you defeat. Each Pokémon in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon has a specific amount in a given stat their EV points go toward.

For example: A Wingull gives 1 Speed point.

Each stat is allotted 252 EV points to max out a Pokemon’s potential in that particular stat. So, back to the Wingull, defeating 252 Wingull at 1 Speed point each will max out a particular Pokémon’s Speed stat.

Trainers can put all their EVs to max out two stats (leaving six EV points to put into something else) or they can mix and match to what they want.

To find out which Pokémon has which EV Point, Serebii has their Alola PokeDex filled out.

Trainers can check Pokémon’s EVs by going to your Pokémon’s summary and press Y to see where their EVs went to.

ALLY CHAINING/SOS CHAINING

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, a new mechanic was introduced to Pokémon battles. SOS Battles allowed for Pokémon in the wild to call on allies to help them when their health was low. This mechanic not only gives more experience but it was found that the called upon Pokémon gives more EV points than normal.

This is ideal for trying to max out one particular stat, but not so much if you are carefully allocating EV points to different stats. Keep that in mind before beginning to Ally Chain.

Adrenaline Orbs are perfect for getting wild Pokémon to call for reinforcements. Normally, you’ll have to bring their health to under half but this way you can guarantee an Ally appearing for a low cost.

It should be noted that having the EXP Share on will give the EV points to the entire team so the desired Pokémon does not need to be in the front of the party to get the most out of your training.

Here are the prime EV Training spots for each stat:

HP - Maile City Outer Cap/Trainer’s School (Grimer)

Attack - Route 1 (Yungoose (day), Spinarak (night))

Defense - Route 12 (Geodude)

Special Attack - Hau'oli Cemetary (Gastly)

Special Defense - Route 2 (Drowzee)

Speed - Verdant Cavern (Zubat or Noibat)

ITEMS

Trainers can speed up the EV Training if they let the desired Pokémon hold the Macho Brace. The Macho Brace will double the amount of EV points earned in battle. So defeating the 1 EV point Wingull will give two instead.

The location of the Macho Brace in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon is not yet known but we will update as soon as we learn more.

The Power Items mentioned in our Breeding Guide can also help with the EV Training. Attaching the right Power Item will give EV Points for the stat written in the description on top of the EV Points given from the Pokémon you defeated.

Here’s a list of the Power Items and what they do. You can find them in the Battle Royal Dome for 16 battle points.

Power Anklet - Reduces Speed but allows holder’s Speed stat to grow

Power Band - Reduces Speed but allows holder’s Sp. Def to grow

Power Belt - Reduces Speed but allows holder’s Defense to grow

Power Bracer - Reduces Speed but allows holder’s Attack to grow

Power Lens - Reduces Speed but allows holder’s Sp. Attack to grow

Power Weight - Reduces Speed but allows holder’s HP to grow

FESTIVAL PLAZA

In the Festival Plaza, there is a store that will let trainers enter special courses to raise their Pokemon's EVs. There are six courses (one for each stat) and each has seven different levels with the seventh level maxing out a certain EV with one use. However, you can only use this store once per day but you can have more than one of these stores if you desire.

Each course will cost Festival Coins to play, which you can earn by greeting new players in the Festival Plaza. Continue to log in to Festival Plaza to rack up on Festival Coins.

There's also an Effort Shop that lets you purchase food to raise your Pokemon's base stats. There are also food sets that can help you reset EVs if you want to start over.

You can also reset EVs using special berries.

Serebii has a list of the foods so you can check it out there.

POKE PELAGO

The Poke Pelago also has an option to EV train your Pokemon. By creating the Isle Evelup you can have up to six Pokemon train on the island from the PC.

Like all of the Poke Pelago islands, the duration and effectiveness of everything you do depends on the amount of PokeBeans you use. Each play session will take half an hour.

If you don't put PokéBeans out, then you will get four EVs every play session, so four every 30 minutes meaning to get 252 you'd need to have 63 sessions lasting 31 and a half hours.Using Poke Beans will speed up the process. Your Pokemon will get four EVs every 15 minutes, essentially halving the time you need to max a stat.