Genetic Engineering

Learn how to breed Pokémon with specific moves, IVs, Natures, Abilities, and Poké Balls in Pokémon X and Y. Master the art of genetic engineering for competitive play.

This guide details the mechanics of genetic engineering in Pokémon X and Y, focusing on how to influence the offspring's traits through breeding.

Moves

Certain moves can be inherited. If a Pokémon can learn a move by leveling up, either parent knowing it can pass it down. Special 'Egg Moves,' unique to certain species, can also be passed down by either parent.

Individual Values (IVs)

Individual Values (IVs) range from 0 to 31 and contribute to a Pokémon's stats at Level 100. When breeding, holding specific 'Power' items by a parent can influence which stat's IV is inherited by the offspring. The Destiny Knot ensures 5 random IVs are inherited. If both parents hold an item that influences a specific stat, that stat's IV inheritance is nearly certain.

• Destiny Knot: 5 random IVs
• Power Anklet: Speed
• Power Band: Special Defense
• Power Belt: Defense
• Power Bracer: Attack
• Power Lens: Special Attack
• Power Weight: Max HP

Nature

A Pokémon's Nature provides a 10% boost to one stat and a 10% decrease to another. To guarantee the offspring inherits the Nature of a parent, that parent must hold an Everstone. If both parents have different Natures and both hold Everstones, the offspring's Nature is determined by a 50/50 chance.

Species

When breeding Pokémon from the same Egg Group, the offspring will be of the female parent's species, with few exceptions.

Abilities

Pokémon have two Ability slots. The first listed Ability has an 80% chance of being inherited by the offspring from the female parent. The second Ability has a 20% chance. If the female parent has a Hidden Ability, there is a high chance of it being inherited. If not, breeding the male parent with a Ditto can also result in inheriting the Hidden Ability.

Poké Ball

In Pokémon X/Y, the offspring inherits the Poké Ball of the female parent. This can be used strategically to imply certain moves or origins of the Pokémon.

Shininess

The Shiny attribute is not inherited. However, the Masuda method, which involves breeding Pokémon from different real-world nationalities, significantly increases the chance of hatching a Shiny Pokémon. The base chance of a wild Pokémon being Shiny is 1 in 4,096. Using the Masuda method, this chance increases to approximately 1 in 1,366.