Crafting the Perfect Pokémon in Legends: Z-A

In order to be the best there ever was, we as trainers need to train our Pokémon. In Legends Z-A, we did not get the return of super training from X and Y, so we need to resort to more old fashioned methods. In this guide you'll learn how to properly train up your Pokémon to get the right EVs and nature.

linkSome Terminology

Now, some new to the games may be wondering what IVs and EVs even are. IV stands for "individual values" and are essentially what a Pokémon's genetics determine how strong they are. EV stands for "Effort Values," and are essentially a measure of how well a Pokémon has trained specific skills. Both of these are fan terms for two sets of six numbers assigned to each of the six pokemon stats: HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed.

Nature is like a Pokemon's personality, which may be predisposed to being better at one stat while being worse at another (this does include "neutral" where no stats are boosted or penalized). A Pokémon gets one nature, though it can be changed.

From a lore perspective, these values combined are supposed to represent the genetics and personality as well as the time and effort (see?) that a Pokémon has put into refining it's skills. This means that at the same level with the same nature and IVs, one Pokémon can have significantly higher attack than another depending on the EVs.

Mechanically, IVs are numbers ranging from 0 to 31 and are assigned when the Pokémon is generated. Currently the only way to modify these numbers is to take an IV that isn't already 31 through "Hyper Training" and power it up to 31. In competitive Pokemon, there are strategies for having lower than 31, but for the vast majority of cases it isn't required.

EVs are numbers ranging from 0 to 252 (255 in older gens) in each stat. However, once the sum of EVs across all six stats reaches 510, then a Pokémon can no longer gain more. Every 4 EVs translates into 1 additional point in its respective stat by the time it reaches 100 (there is some scaling for lower levels, so you may not see the effects of EV training right away). A common casual strategy is to train two specific stats up to the max of 252 and put the remaining 4 in another stat.

Natures are modifiers to final stats that are effectively a 1.1x boost to one stat and a 0.9x penalty to another stat. It is typically beneficial to boost either speed or the attack stat corresponding to the Pokémon's preference towards physical or special attacks (check their base stats!). There are also stats that do not provide a boost or penalty. See the table in a later section for how natures affect stats.

If you're really curious, you can check out how stats are calculated to see how these all work together. But with that out of the way, let's go over how to maximally train up your Pokémon in Legends Z-A.

linkEV Training Strategies

Legends Z-A has a few ways that you can improve EVs. First is through the simplest (though most expensive) method of purchasing vitamins and using random feathers. Another method is through defeating Pokémon. We'll go over both. But first, a Pros and Cons table for the methods here.

linkPurchasing Vitamins

This is the easiest way to train a Pokémon, but it will cost you money. Vitamins each give 10 EV points to their corresponding stat. Here's a table breakdown:

You can find these scattered throughout the world, but you can also purchase them from any Pokémon Center once you beat the game.

Purchasing vitamins will cost you a total of 265,000 for each Pokémon you are training up to the max. You need to purchase 53 Vitamins for each set of perfect stats.

This method is also the most precise and less prone to errors, but the price means you also have to grind for money in order to take advantage of it. Money grinding in Legends: Z-A mostly relies on fighting through the night, which can get tedious.

There are also Feathers that you can find all over the city randomly that reward EVs, but these give a single point and are not worth using except for "refining" specific spreads.

linkResetting EVs With the Rust Syndicate

If you want to completely reset your Pokémon's EV training, all you need to do is head to the Rust Syndicate with 5 Mega Shards.

At the reception desk the receptionist will say "You want me to clear away one of your Pokémon's base points for 5 Mega Shards?" This completely resets a Pokémon's EVs. This is a great way to fix up your main story team for online or grinding for money.

linkBerries for Fixing Stats

If you want to optimize the EVs for Pokémon that you've been using throughout the story mode or you have accidentally gained the wrong EVs, you can actually make a Pokémon lose EV stats! In Legends: Z-A all you need to do is feed your Pokémon various berries that will increase friendship but lower a specific EV stat. You can find these berries at berry stalls across Lumiose City, but in the western part of town in Magenta Sector 6 you can find a berry stall with every single one of these berries. Here are the berries, prices, and what stats they affect:

linkDefeating Pokémon

The other method for EV training is the tried-and-true method that us old Pokémon trainers had to utilize back before the 3DS era. This involves defeating various Pokémon, either in the wild or in trainer battles.

Every single Pokémon in the game has a hidden stat that details how many EVs of any type are reward upon defeat. Just like how Pokémon gain experience when defeating Pokémon, they're also secretly gaining these EV values showing that they've learned to improve in a particular trait thanks to defeating its opponent.

For example, a Pidgey will give 1 Speed EV upon defeat, while a Flabébé will give 1 Special Defense EV. But an evolved Pokémon like Pidgeotto will give 2 Speed EVs and a Floette will give 2 Special Defense EVs. Pokémon further along their evolutionary line or that are the only Pokémon in their line will typically reward more. You can check out our Pokédex to see what EVs a Pokémon will reward (we're working on other pages to make this information easier to get at your fingertips).

So, this method will involve finding various Pokémon that give the exact stats that we want and knocking out as many of them as possible. Do note that even though all Pokémon in your party will be gaining experience, the only Pokémon gaining EVs are the ones that have been on the battlefield at the same time as the Pokémon that was defeated.

linkUsing the Power Items to Increase EV Yields

One way to improve our EV yields is by finding and using the Power items. The Power items when held by a Pokémon give additional specific EVs whenever its holder would normally earn EVs or gain experience in battle. However, a Pokémon's Speed will be halved. Fortunately for us, Speed is related to cooldown and readiness timers, so it's not much of a penalty especially with how we'll be grinding for EVs.

Here's a list of the Power items and their corresponding stats.

There are various side missions in Lumiose that give these items as rewards. After clearing the story, you can purchase them at Quasartico Inc. in exchange for Mega Shards.

Combining the Power Items with defeating Pokémon is a quick method that doesn't require lots of cash.

linkOptimal Methods for Farming EVs on Wild Pokémon

In Lumiose City, we have multiple wild zones that spawn a specific set of Pokémon consistently. By taking a look at which Pokémon spawn in the area and checking their EV yields, we can do a quick analysis to find the best places to and train specific stats. You'll want to reset these areas over and over again and battle specific targets until your Pokémon have the stats you want.

linkRecommended Pokémon to Defeat

In order to maximize your time while EV training, the best method is to just throw on a Power Item corresponding to the stat you want to train and then finding an abundant low-level spawn that at least rewards 1 or 2 of the EV you're after. Fortunately for us, there are some very common Pokémon in the first few Zones that are low level and reward EVs we're looking for.

All you need to do is run through the Zone, find the Pokémon that gives the EVs, and just KO it immediately with the Pokémon you're training. With the Power Item equpped, each KO will reward you with 9-10 EVs. You'll need to KO between 29 and 26 depending on the EV yield.

Here are the recommended Pokémon and their corresponding Zones.

linkHP EV Recommended Pokémon

Target these specific Pokémon for only HP EV training (they should be easy to spot, have multiple spawns and are fast to KO). Make sure you have a Power Anklet equipped and your Pokémon does the KOing.

	Pokémon	Zone	EV Yield
	Skiddo	3	1 HP
	Slowpoke	10	1 HP
	Stunfisk	11	2 HP
	Snorunt	12	1 HP
	Gogoat	2	2 HP

linkAttack EV Recommended Pokémon

Target these specific Pokémon for only Attack EV training (they should be easy to spot, have multiple spawns and are fast to KO). Make sure you have a Power Band equipped and your Pokémon does the KOing.

	Pokémon	Zone	EV Yield
	Ekans	4	1 Attack
	Spinarak	4	1 Attack
	Patrat	4	1 Attack
	Patrat	2	1 Attack
	Binacle	2	1 Attack
	Bellsprout	5	1 Attack

linkDefense EV Recommended Pokémon

Target these specific Pokémon for only Defense EV training (they should be easy to spot, have multiple spawns and are fast to KO). Make sure you have a Power Belt equipped and your Pokémon does the KOing.

	Pokémon	Zone	EV Yield
	Scatterbug	1	1 Defense
	Kakuna	2	2 Defense
	Spewpa	4	2 Defense

linkSpecial Attack EV Recommended Pokémon

Target these specific Pokémon for only Special Attack EV training (they should be easy to spot, have multiple spawns and are fast to KO). Make sure you have a Power Bracer equipped and your Pokémon does the KOing.

	Pokémon	Zone	EV Yield
	Budew	2	1 Special Attack
	Litleo	3	1 Special Attack
	Gastly	4	1 Special Attack
	Flaaffy	6	2 Special Attack
	Houndour	6	1 Special Attack

linkSpecial Defense EV Recommended Pokémon

Target these specific Pokémon for only Special Defense EV training (they should be easy to spot, have multiple spawns and are fast to KO). Make sure you have a Power Lens equipped and your Pokémon does the KOing.

	Pokémon	Zone	EV Yield
	Flabébé	3	1 Special Defense
	Swablu	6	1 Special Defense
	Floette	7	2 Special Defense

linkSpeed EV Recommended Pokémon

Target these specific Pokémon for only Speed EV training (they should be easy to spot, have multiple spawns and are fast to KO). Make sure you have a Power Weight equipped and your Pokémon does the KOing.

	Pokémon	Zone	EV Yield
	Weedle	1	1 Speed
	Pidgey	1	1 Speed
	Bunnelby	1	1 Speed
	Fletchling	1	1 Speed

linkAreas to Focus for a Single EV and Shiny Hunting

If you want to try shiny hunting various Pokémon while EV training, you can go through an entire Zone clearing out the Pokémon that give the EVs you want. These are the Zones with the highest EV yields:

• HP: Zone 19 (total of 6 HP EVs)
  • Kangaskhan (+2 HP)
  • Audino (+2 HP)
  • Clefairy (+2) HP
• Attack: Zone 13 (total of 8 Attack EVs)
  • Weepinbell (+2 Attack)
  • Scyther (+1 Attack)
  • Pinsir (+2 Attack)
  • Heracross (+2 Attack)
  • Phantump (+1 Attack)
• Defense: Zone 20 (total of 7 Defense EVs)
  • Hippowdon (+2 Defense)
  • Squirtle (+1 Defense)
  • Aggron (+3 Defense)
  • Scrafty (+1 Defense & +1 Sp. Defense)
• Sp. Attack: Zone 20 (total of 8 Sp. Attack EVs)
  • Bulbasaur (+1 Sp. Attack)
  • Roserade (+3 Sp. Attack)
  • Gardevoir (+3 Sp. Attack)
  • Lucario (+1 Attack & +1 Sp. Attack)
• Sp. Defense: Sewer (total of 4 Sp. Defense EVs)
  • Skrelp (+1 Sp. Defense)
  • Dragalge (+2 Sp. Defense)
  • Goomy (+1 Sp. Defense)
• Speed: Zone 1 (total of 5 Speed EVs)
  • Weedle (+1 Speed)
  • Pidgey (+1 Speed)
  • Pichu (+1 Speed)
  • Bunnelby (+1 Speed)
  • Fletchling (+1 Speed)

Now, this is not the most efficient way to get EVs, especially since some of these "high density" EVs take you to late-game Zones with much harder Pokémon to clear out. Either way, this is a method that could work for you.

linkFixing Natures with Mints

In earlier Pokémon titles, there was no way to change Pokémon's nature. You had to get lucky while breeding or hunting. Fortunately, we can now change a nature by simply using a particular Mint.

First, here's a nice table that maps stat bonuses and penalties to the nature. Using this will make selecting your Mint much easier.

Now, finding the mints is as simple as visiting the Herb Shops across Lumiose City. They'll cost you 20,000 for each one. Here's where you can find some of the more useful ones (we'll have a map up eventually on the site!):

There are a few other locations for Mint Stalls, but these are the most convenient.

linkHyper Training for IVs

In the post game you'll be able to get Bottle Caps and Gold Bottle Caps. These items can be traded at the Justice Dojo to increase one IV (Bottle Cap) to the max or all IVs (Gold Bottle Cap) to the max.

You receive 10 Bottle Caps by reaching level 36 with Mable's Research. You'll also receive 3 Gold Bottle Caps at level 48.

You can also receive Bottle Caps as rewards from the Infinite Z-A Royale at random.