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Effort Values

Effort value reflects how much effort you have put into raising the Pokemon. In Gold/Silver/Crystal, each Pokemon could achieve 255 Effort Points per statistic, which made them capable of becoming very powerful. In Ruby/Sapphire, each Pokemon is limited to a total of 510 Effort Points, or the equivalent of achieving the maximum in 2 of the 6 statistics. Thus, if you are trying to modify your Pokemon to a specific purpose, you must be more careful AT THE BEGINNING. Once your Pokemon has achieved 255 Effort Points, the lady next to the Energy Guru in Slateport will give your Pokemon an Effort Ribbon. That also means that further training has no more impact on how your Pokemon grows.

You get effort points in two ways. The first way to get effort points, is from beating Pokemon, either in the wild or those owned by trainers in your game. Pokemon defeated in the Battle Tower or in Matches against your friends over the cables do not count. The table below shows what kind of effort points each Pokemon gives yours when you defeat it. If you use Experience Share, effort points are also shared. For example, when you defeat a Treecko, it gives you one effort point towards speed.

The second way is by giving your Pokemon nutrients. Each nutrient gives the Pokemon 10 Effort Points toward a statistic. For example, Protein gives the Pokemon 10 effort points toward Attack. While in Gold/Silver/Crystal you were allowed to give the Pokemon 10 Nutrients for each category, and then go out and earn more effort points in each, you are now allowed to only earn 510 effort points. So if you give out those ten, you are basically finished! So, if you want to build up two particular attributes, only give it the nutrients for those attributes and don't give it any other! Then go out and earn the proper effort values!

Let's assume you want to raise an Alakazam with super-high Special Attack and super-high Speed.

Get the baby Abra of your choice, one that has not fought a single battle! Now, give it ten Calciums (for 100 Effort Points toward Special Attack) and ten Carbos (for 100 Effort Points toward Speed). Now go out and take it just north of Oldale Town, and fight 155 Zigzagoons and Wingulls. DO NOT fight any Pochyenas, just run from them.

If you are wearing Macho Brace, you get double the effort points per Pokemon that you fight, but you act slower, allowing them to get the first hit in even when your speed is technically faster than theirs. Once you take it off, you go back to normal speed. The advantage of the Macho Brace is that you get your effort points much faster.

Then, fly up to Fallarboro Town and go fight Spindas in the soot, ONLY Spindas! Do not fight any one else! Once you have fought either 155 of them, or 78 if wearing a Macho Brace, you can now fly to Slateport to get your Effort Ribbon. The Effort Ribbon shows that you have finished your "training" and can now fight anyone without any more effect on your stats!

Another note: If you are using Experience Share, then both the Pokemon get the effort points, they are NOT cut into halves, or thirds. Every Pokemon in the fight gets the full Effort Value for the Pokemon that is defeated!

Another note, if you want to build a fast Pokemon, give it ten Carbos, then go fight Zigzagoons, Linoones, Electrikes, Manectrics and such. Defeat enough to earn another 155 Effort Points, and you have maximized your ability to get Speed points. Wearing a Macho Brace means you could fight half as many to get to the same point. Remember, some Pokemon give you 1 Effort Point, some give you 2 Effort Points, and there are also times when the Pokemon earns you 3 Effort Points. Here's the table:

Effort Points List