Catching, Training & Competitive Pokemon
Understanding IVs, EVs, natures, and abilities is essential for building competitive Pokemon on Pokecade. Cobblemon implements all of these systems accurately to the mainline games.
IVs (Individual Values)
IVs are hidden genetic values from 0–31 for each of 6 stats (HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, Speed). They are randomly assigned when a Pokemon spawns or hatches. Higher IVs mean higher stats. A Pokemon with 31 IVs in all stats ("6IV") is the ideal breeding target.
How to get good IVs:
- Breeding with Destiny Knot: The Destiny Knot held item passes 5 of 6 IVs from both parents to offspring (instead of the default 3). This is the primary method for IV optimization.
- Hyper Training: Special candy items modify IVs by 1 point each. You need 31 candies to max one stat, so breeding is far more efficient.
- Power Items: Force a specific IV stat to be inherited from the parent holding it during breeding.
EVs (Effort Values)
EVs are training points earned through battles and items. A Pokemon can have a maximum of 510 total EVs and 252 in any single stat. Every 4 EVs in a stat equals +1 to that stat at level 100.
EV Training Methods:
- Vitamins: +10 EVs each. HP Up (HP), Protein (Attack), Iron (Defense), Calcium (Sp. Atk), Zinc (Sp. Def), Carbos (Speed). Craftable using Medicinal Brew + specific berry + ingredient.
- Mochis: +4 EVs each, for fine-tuning exact spreads.
- EV-Reducing Berries: -10 EVs per berry for resetting mistakes. Pomeg (HP), Kelpsy (Atk), Qualot (Def), Hondew (SpA), Grepa (SpD), Tamato (Spe).
- Battle grinding: Defeating specific Pokemon species awards EVs in their dominant stat.
Common Competitive Spreads:
- Physical sweeper: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
- Special sweeper: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
- Physical wall: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
- Special wall: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Def
Natures
There are 25 natures. Each boosts one stat by 10% and reduces another by 10% (5 natures are neutral). Nature is one of the biggest factors in competitive viability.
Key Competitive Natures:
| Nature | +10% | -10% | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adamant | Attack | Sp. Atk | Physical attackers |
| Jolly | Speed | Sp. Atk | Fast physical attackers |
| Modest | Sp. Atk | Attack | Special attackers |
| Timid | Speed | Attack | Fast special attackers |
| Bold | Defense | Attack | Physical walls |
| Calm | Sp. Def | Attack | Special walls |
| Impish | Defense | Sp. Atk | Physical walls (physical moves) |
| Careful | Sp. Def | Sp. Atk | Special walls (physical moves) |
Mints: Change a nature's stat effect without changing the displayed nature name. Mint plants grow naturally in plains, forests, and other biomes. The color corresponds to the nature applied.
Abilities
Pokemon have standard abilities matching the mainline games, including hidden abilities.
Getting Hidden Abilities:
- Use honey on trees to attract Pokemon with hidden abilities.
- The Ability Patch item switches a Pokemon to its hidden ability.
- Hidden ability Pokemon sell for a minimum of $50,000 on GTS.
Breeding
Place two compatible Pokemon (same egg group, opposite genders, or one Ditto) in a Ranch Block. Every 10 minutes there is a 50% chance of producing an egg. Walk with the egg in your party to hatch it. Having a Pokemon with the Flame Body or Magma Armor ability in your party halves the required steps.
Key Breeding Items:
- Destiny Knot: Passes 5 of 6 IVs from parents. Essential.
- Everstone: Guarantees offspring inherits the holder's nature.
- Power Items: Force inheritance of a specific IV stat.
Egg Moves: Moves a Pokemon can only learn at birth. The father must know the move.