Pokémon Black 2 and White 2
Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

Breeding and IV/EV Training — Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Guide

Master breeding for IVs and EV training in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. Create perfect Pokémon to optimize your team for competitive battling.

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Breeding and IV/EV Training

For trainers looking to truly optimize their Pokémon for competitive battles or simply to raise the strongest team possible, understanding and using breeding for IVs (Individual Values) and EV (Effort Value) training is crucial. This section will guide you through the intricacies of creating perfect Pokémon in Black 2 and White 2.

Understanding IVs and EVs

  • IVs (Individual Values): These are hidden stats ranging from 0 to 31 for each of a Pokémon's six stats (HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, Speed). A Pokémon with 31 IVs in a stat will have a significantly higher value in that stat at level 100 compared to one with 0 IVs. They are determined when a Pokémon is generated (caught, hatched, or received) and cannot be changed.
  • EVs (Effort Values): These are points gained by defeating specific Pokémon in battle or by using certain items. For every 4 EVs a Pokémon has in a particular stat, that stat will increase by 1 point at level 100. A single Pokémon can accumulate a maximum of 510 EVs in total, with a cap of 255 EVs in any single stat. This means you can maximize two stats (252 EVs each) and have 6 EVs left over for a third.

The Breeding Process for IVs

The key to obtaining Pokémon with desirable IVs lies in breeding. The Pokémon Day Care on Route 3 is your primary facility for this. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Acquire Parent Pokémon with Good IVs

Start by catching or breeding Pokémon that already have high IVs in the stats you desire. You can check a Pokémon's IVs by visiting the IV Judge in the Battle Subway (Nimbasa City) once you've beaten the Elite Four. He'll give you a general assessment and then comment on specific stats, indicating "outstanding," "superior," "above average," or "relatively superior" for the overall potential, and "stats like that can't be beat!" for a 31 IV.

Step 2: use Held Items for IV Inheritance

Certain held items can guarantee the inheritance of specific IVs from a parent. These are essential for efficient breeding:

  • Everstone: If held by a female Pokémon (or a Ditto if breeding with a genderless Pokémon), the offspring will inherit the nature of the parent holding it. This is crucial for competitive Pokémon.
  • Power Items: These items, purchased at the Battle Subway for 16 BP each, guarantee that the IV for a specific stat is passed down from the parent holding it.
    • Power Weight: HP IV
    • Power Bracer: Attack IV
    • Power Belt: Defense IV
    • Power Lens: Special Attack IV
    • Power Band: Special Defense IV
    • Power Anklet: Speed IV

Strategy: Give one parent an Everstone (for Nature) and the other a Power Item (for a desired IV). The offspring will inherit 3 IVs randomly from either parent, plus the guaranteed IV from the Power Item, and the Nature from the Everstone holder.

Step 3: The Masuda Method for Shiny Pokémon

While not directly related to IVs, if you're aiming for a Shiny Pokémon with good IVs, the Masuda Method significantly increases your chances. Breed two Pokémon from different real-world language versions of the game (e.g., a Japanese Ditto with an English Pokémon). The odds of hatching a Shiny Pokémon increase from 1/8192 to 1/1365.3.

EV Training for Optimal Stats

Once you have a Pokémon with the desired IVs and Nature, it's time to train its EVs. Remember, 4 EVs = 1 stat point at level 100.

Step 1: Plan Your EV Spread

Decide which two stats you want to maximize (252 EVs each) and where to put the remaining 6 EVs. Common spreads include 252 Attack/Special Attack, 252 Speed, and 4 HP, or 252 HP, 252 Defense/Special Defense, and 4 in another stat.

Step 2: Acquire EV-Enhancing Items

  • Vitamins: These items (HP Up, Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Carbos) each add 10 EVs to a specific stat. You can use up to 10 of each vitamin on a single Pokémon (100 EVs per stat). They can be purchased at the Shopping Mall Nine in Driftveil City.
  • Power Items: The same Power Items used for breeding also grant 4 EVs in their respective stat *in addition* to the EVs gained from defeating a Pokémon. This dramatically speeds up EV training.
  • Macho Brace: Doubles the EVs gained from battle. Obtained from a woman in the house north of the Pokémon Center in Nimbasa City.

Step 3: Target Specific Wild Pokémon

Different wild Pokémon give different EVs. Here are some common training spots:

  • HP: Audino (Outer areas of Route 1, Route 2, Route 3, Route 5, Route 6, Route 7, Route 9, Route 10, Route 11, Route 12, Route 13, Route 14, Route 15, Route 16, Dragonspiral Tower, Moor of Icirrus, Giant Chasm, Victory Road) - 2 HP EVs.
  • Attack: Patrat (Route 19, Route 20, Floccesy Town) - 1 Attack EV.
    • Alternatively, Lillipup (Route 19, Route 20, Floccesy Town) - 1 Attack EV.
  • Defense: Roggenrola (Relic Passage, Wellspring Cave) - 1 Defense EV.
  • Special Attack: Litwick (Celestial Tower) - 1 Special Attack EV.
  • Special Defense: Frillish (Route 4, Route 17, Route 18, Driftveil City, Humilau City, Undella Town - surfing) - 1 Special Defense EV.
  • Speed: Basculin (Route 1, Route 3, Route 6, Route 11, Route 14, Route 19, Route 20, Route 23, Floccesy Town, Virbank City, Castelia City, Lentimas Town, Undella Town, Humilau City, Village Bridge, Victory Road - surfing/fishing) - 2 Speed EVs.
    • Alternatively, Sandile (Route 4, Desert Resort, Relic Castle) - 1 Attack EV.

Calculation Example: To get 252 Speed EVs on a Pokémon, equip it with a Power Anklet (+4 Speed EVs per battle). Each Basculin gives 2 Speed EVs. With the Power Anklet, you get 2 + 4 = 6 Speed EVs per Basculin. 252 / 6 = 42 Basculin battles. If you also use 10 Carbos (100 Speed EVs), you'd only need 152 more EVs (252 - 100 = 152). 152 / 6 = approximately 26 Basculin battles.

Step 4: Monitor Your EVs

Unfortunately, there's no in-game EV checker in Black 2 and White 2. You'll need to keep track manually. Be careful not to accidentally gain unwanted EVs. If you make a mistake, certain Berries can reduce EVs:

  • Pomeg Berry: Reduces HP EVs by 10.
  • Kelpsy Berry: Reduces Attack EVs by 10.
  • Qualot Berry: Reduces Defense EVs by 10.
  • Hondew Berry: Reduces Special Attack EVs by 10.
  • Grepa Berry: Reduces Special Defense EVs by 10.
  • Tamato Berry: Reduces Speed EVs by 10.

These berries can be grown in the Berry Fields or occasionally found in the wild.

By diligently following these breeding and EV training strategies, you'll be able to craft a team of Pokémon with optimized stats, ready to take on any challenge Unova throws your way!