Understanding Stats: Pokemon 101 2

Dive into Pokemon Sword and Shield stats! Learn how level, species, Nature, and individual training affect your Pokemon's power. Master the hexagonal chart!

Alright, let's break down how your Pokémon's stats work in Pokemon Sword and Shield. It might seem a bit complex at first, but think of it like this: some Pokémon are just naturally stronger than others, kind of like how some people are taller than others. Higher level Pokémon usually have better stats, and some species, especially Legendaries, are just built tougher.

Then there are the less obvious things. Ever notice how some stats are in red and others in blue when you look at your Pokémon? That's its Nature! It gives a 10% boost to one stat and a 10% decrease to another. We'll get into the nitty-gritty of that on other pages, but just know it's a key factor.

Also, even two Pokémon of the exact same species, level, and Nature can have slightly different stats. This is because each individual Pokémon has its own unique base stats, kind of like a hidden potential. And, of course, Pokémon you've put effort into training will generally be stronger than ones you just caught.

Putting it all together, here's the general idea of how stats are calculated:

(Note: The actual formulas for IVs and EVs are covered in more detail on subsequent pages.)

Don't stress about memorizing these formulas, though! You're not expected to be a math whiz for the game. The important thing is understanding the concepts. You might be surprised to learn that Pokémon don't actually gain stats in the traditional sense when they level up. Those little +1, +2, +3 numbers you see? That's just the difference in how their stats are scaled at the new level compared to the old one. It's like adjusting a zoom level on a picture.

This also explains why certain battles, like those where all Pokémon above Level 50 are scaled down to 50, feel different. Your Pokémon's stats aren't being permanently lowered; they're just being adjusted to fit the battle's level cap. Pretty neat, right?

Now, let's talk about the Hexagonal Chart. By default, this blue shape shows your Pokémon's current stats. The further out the points go, the better that stat is. The chart can display values up to 300, though it's possible to go even higher.

Want to see more? Press the X Button! The chart then switches to an advanced view. The pale yellow shape in the middle represents the Pokémon species's base stats. The shape inside that one shows your Pokémon's Effort Values (EVs).

If the inner EV shape is yellow, it means your Pokémon can still gain more EVs in that stat. If it's pale blue, it's maxed out for that stat. And if a stat is sparkling, you've hit the maximum possible EVs for it!