Pokémon Characteristics

Pokémon Characteristics

Understanding the inherent characteristics of your Pokémon is crucial for becoming a successful trainer in the Hoenn region. Beyond just types and moves, each Pokémon possesses unique traits that influence their performance in battle. Mastering these nuances will give you a significant edge, whether you're facing Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, or other trainers online.

Natures: Shaping Your Pokémon's Growth

A Pokémon's Nature is one of its most fundamental characteristics, permanently affecting two of its stats: one stat receives a 10% boost, while another receives a 10% reduction. There are 25 different Natures, with 5 of them being "neutral" (meaning they don't affect any stats). Choosing the right Nature for your Pokémon can drastically improve its battle effectiveness.

• Identifying Natures: You can check a Pokémon's Nature on its Summary screen. Look for the stat names highlighted in red (boosted) and blue (reduced).
• Strategic Nature Selection:
  • For physical attackers like Metagross or Slaking, Natures that boost Attack (e.g., Adamant, Brave) are ideal.
  • For special attackers like Gardevoir or Latios, Natures that boost Special Attack (e.g., Modest, Quiet) are preferred.
  • Defensive Pokémon such as Skarmory or Shuckle benefit from Natures that increase Defense (e.g., Impish, Relaxed) or Special Defense (e.g., Careful, Sassy).
  • Avoid Natures that reduce a Pokémon's primary attacking stat or a crucial defensive stat. For example, a Modest Nature on a physical attacker would be detrimental.
• Influencing Natures: While Natures are randomly assigned upon encountering a wild Pokémon or hatching an Egg, you can influence them:
  • Synchronize Ability: If your lead Pokémon has the Synchronize ability (e.g., Ralts, Abra, Kadabra) and has a specific Nature, there's a 50% chance that wild Pokémon encountered will have the same Nature. This is an invaluable tool for hunting specific Natures.
  • Everstone Breeding: When breeding Pokémon, if one of the parents holds an Everstone, there is a 50% chance that the offspring will inherit that parent's Nature. This is essential for competitive breeding.

Abilities: Game-Changing Powers

Each Pokémon possesses an Ability, a special power that can activate in battle or even outside of it. Abilities can turn the tide of a battle, provide strategic advantages, or offer utility. Many Pokémon have multiple possible Abilities, and some even have a rare "Hidden Ability."

• Checking Abilities: A Pokémon's Ability is listed on its Summary screen.
• Common Abilities & Their Uses:
  • Intimidate (e.g., Gyarados, Mightyena): Lowers the opponent's Attack stat by one stage upon entering battle. Excellent for weakening physical threats.
  • Speed Boost (e.g., Blaziken, Yanmega): Increases the Pokémon's Speed stat by one stage at the end of each turn. Allows for incredible sweeping potential.
  • Levitate (e.g., Gengar, Weezing): Grants immunity to Ground-type attacks. Crucial for avoiding common weaknesses.
  • Rough Skin (e.g., Gible, Gabite, Garchomp): Damages opponents who make direct contact. Useful for passive damage.
• Hidden Abilities: These are rarer and often more powerful versions of a Pokémon's standard Abilities. They cannot be found on wild Pokémon in the traditional sense.
  • How to Obtain Hidden Abilities:
    • DexNav Chaining: After defeating the Elite Four, you can use the DexNav feature on your PokéNav Plus to chain encounters with Pokémon. The higher your chain, the greater the chance of encountering a Pokémon with its Hidden Ability. Look for the "Hidden Ability" icon on the DexNav search screen.
    • Friend Safari (XY): While not directly in ORAS, Pokémon caught in the Friend Safari in Pokémon X and Y often have their Hidden Abilities and can be transferred.
    • Special Events: Occasionally, Nintendo distributes event Pokémon with their Hidden Abilities.
  • Example Hidden Abilities:
    • Protean (Greninja): Changes the Pokémon's type to the type of the move it's about to use.
    • Speed Boost (Torchic line): Makes Blaziken an incredibly potent attacker.

Individual Values (IVs): The Genetic Blueprint

Individual Values (IVs) 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 higher IV in a stat means that stat will be higher at any given level. While not visible directly, they are crucial for competitive play.

• Checking IVs:
  • Battle Resort IV Judge: After defeating the Elite Four, fly to the Battle Resort. Inside the Pokémon Center, talk to the Ace Trainer standing near the PC. He will evaluate your Pokémon's IVs and give you a general idea of their potential. Phrases like "outstanding potential" indicate high IVs, while "stats like these, they can't be beat!" means a perfect 31 IV in that stat.
  • Specific IVs: The judge will also tell you which stats are "fantastic" (30 IVs) or "best" (31 IVs).
• Maximizing IVs:
  • Breeding: This is the primary method for obtaining Pokémon with perfect or near-perfect IVs.
    • Destiny Knot: If one parent holds a Destiny Knot, five IVs from *both* parents will be passed down to the offspring. This is essential for passing on multiple high IVs.
    • Power Items: Holding a Power Anklet, Power Band, Power Belt, Power Bracer, Power Lens, or Power Weight will guarantee that the corresponding stat's IV (Speed, Special Defense, Defense, Attack, Special Attack, HP respectively) is passed down from the holding parent.
  • Wild Encounters (DexNav): Chaining encounters with the DexNav can increase the chances of finding Pokémon with higher IVs, especially after reaching a high chain count.

Effort Values (EVs): Training for Perfection

Effort Values (EVs) are points gained by a Pokémon after defeating other Pokémon in battle or by using certain items. Each Pokémon gives out specific EVs (e.g., a Zigzagoon gives 1 Attack EV). A Pokémon can have a maximum of 252 EVs in a single stat and a total of 510 EVs across all stats. Every 4 EVs in a stat equates to 1 additional stat point at Level 100.

• EV Training Methods:
  • Horde Battles: This is the most efficient method. Use Sweet Scent (or a Pokémon with the ability Illuminate/Arena Trap) in areas with specific Pokémon that yield desired EVs. For example, using Sweet Scent in Route 111 will often trigger a horde of Sandshrew, which give Attack EVs.
    • Power Items: Equipping a Power Item (e.g., Power Bracer for Attack) on your Pokémon will add an additional 8 EVs to that stat for each Pokémon defeated in battle.
    • Pokérus: If your Pokémon has Pokérus (a rare in-game virus), all EV gains are doubled. This stacks with Power Items, meaning a Pokémon with Pokérus holding a Power Bracer would gain (1 + 8) * 2 = 18 Attack EVs per Sandshrew defeated.
  • Super Training: Accessible from the bottom screen of your 3DS, Super Training allows you to play mini-games to gain EVs. It's a precise way to allocate EVs without battling.
  • Vitamins: Items like HP Up, Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, and Carbos each add 10 EVs to their respective stats. You can use up to 10 of each vitamin per stat (100 EVs total per stat) before further use has no effect.
  • Berries: Certain berries can reduce EVs in a specific stat, allowing you to re-train your Pokémon. For instance, Pomeg Berry reduces HP EVs.
• Optimal EV Spreads: Most competitive Pokémon will have 252 EVs in two key stats (e.g., Attack/Special Attack and Speed) and the remaining 4 EVs in another stat (often HP or a defensive stat).