What Are IVs?
Individual Values (IVs) are hidden numbers between 0 and 31 that every Pokémon has for each of its six stats. Think of them like genetic potential — two Pikachu at the same level with the same EV training can still have different Speed stats if their Speed IVs differ. A perfect IV of 31 in a stat gives the maximum possible value; 0 is the minimum.
Determines max health. A 31 IV Pokémon will have noticeably more HP than a 0 IV one at high levels.
Affects physical move damage. Key for physical attackers like Machamp and Garchomp.
Reduces physical damage taken. Tanks like Skarmory and Ferrothorn want max Defence IVs.
Determines special move damage. Vital for special attackers like Alakazam and Gengar.
Reduces special damage taken. Blissey and Goodra want this maxed.
Determines turn order. The most critical IV for offensive Pokémon — speed ties can decide battles.
How to Check IVs in Cobblemon
Open your Pokémon's Summary screen (press the Summary keybind — default M — then navigate to the Stats tab). IVs are shown as numbers next to each stat. You're looking for 31s in the stats you care about.
Hyper Training — Fixing Bad IVs
Added in Cobblemon v1.7.0, Hyper Training lets you modify a Pokémon's IVs using special candy items. Each candy adjusts a single IV up or down by 1 — so to go from 0 to 31, you'd need 31 candies for that stat.
| Candy Type | Effect | How to Get |
|---|---|---|
| HP Candy (↑) | Raises HP IV by 1 | Crafted or found in loot chests |
| Attack Candy (↑) | Raises Attack IV by 1 | Crafted or found in loot chests |
| Defence Candy (↑) | Raises Defence IV by 1 | Crafted or found in loot chests |
| Sp. Atk Candy (↑) | Raises Sp. Atk IV by 1 | Crafted or found in loot chests |
| Sp. Def Candy (↑) | Raises Sp. Def IV by 1 | Crafted or found in loot chests |
| Speed Candy (↑) | Raises Speed IV by 1 | Crafted or found in loot chests |
| Sickly Candy (↓) | Lowers any IV by 1 | For IV breeding tricks (e.g. 0 Speed for Trick Room) |
What Are EVs?
Effort Values (EVs) are earned through battles and items, and they directly boost your Pokémon's stats. Each Pokémon can have a maximum of 510 total EVs, with a cap of 252 per stat. The typical competitive spread is 252 in two key stats and 6 in a third.
252 EVs in a stat adds roughly 63 points to that stat at level 100 (for most Pokémon). On a fast attacker, 252 Speed EVs can mean the difference between moving first or second — which can decide who wins.
How to Train EVs
Method 1: Vitamins (Fastest)
Vitamins each give +10 EVs to their corresponding stat. You can apply up to 26 vitamins per stat (260 EVs) before hitting diminishing returns — finish the last few EVs with Mochis or battles.
| Vitamin | Stat | EVs Given | Crafting Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP Up | HP | +10 | Medicinal Brew + Pomeg Berry + Raw Meat |
| Protein | Attack | +10 | Medicinal Brew + Kelpsy Berry + Raw Meat |
| Iron | Defence | +10 | Medicinal Brew + Qualot Berry + Bone Meal |
| Calcium | Sp. Attack | +10 | Medicinal Brew + Hondew Berry + Sugar |
| Zinc | Sp. Defence | +10 | Medicinal Brew + Grepa Berry + Raw Fish |
| Carbos | Speed | +10 | Medicinal Brew + Tamato Berry + Wheat |
Method 2: Mochis (+4 EVs each)
Mochis are a slower but more precise method — each gives exactly 4 EVs. They're useful when fine-tuning a spread, e.g. getting those last 4 EVs after using 25 vitamins.
Method 3: EV-Reducing Berries (Reset)
These berries each reduce a stat's EVs by 10 and slightly raise friendship. Use them to fix a messy EV spread before retraining properly.
| Berry | Reduces | Also |
|---|---|---|
| Pomeg Berry | HP EVs −10 | +Friendship |
| Kelpsy Berry | Attack EVs −10 | +Friendship |
| Qualot Berry | Defence EVs −10 | +Friendship |
| Hondew Berry | Sp. Atk EVs −10 | +Friendship |
| Grepa Berry | Sp. Def EVs −10 | +Friendship |
| Tamato Berry | Speed EVs −10 | +Friendship |
Natures
A Pokémon's Nature increases one stat by 10% and decreases another by 10%. For a Pokémon at level 100 with max EVs, this can be a difference of 20+ points — significant in competitive play. Five natures are neutral (Hardy, Docile, Serious, Bashful, Quirky) and don't affect stats.
Competitive Natures — Quick Reference
Changing Natures with Mints
If your Pokémon has the wrong nature, Mints change its nature's effect without changing the displayed nature. There's a mint for every nature — find them growing as plants in specific biomes.
Building a Competitive Pokémon: Full Guide
Putting it all together — here's the optimal order for building a competitive Pokémon in Cobblemon:
- 1Catch or breed a Pokémon with at least decent IVs (use breeding + Destiny Knot for best results).
- 2Check its nature in the Summary screen. If wrong, find and apply the correct Mint.
- 3Reset EVs using EV-reducing berries if needed (especially if you've been casually battling).
- 4Apply vitamins for your target EV spread — 252 in primary stat, 252 in secondary, 4 in a third is the standard competitive spread.
- 5Fix IVs using Hyper Training candies for any stat that's below 31 (or 0 for a Trick Room Speed IV).
- 6Set moveset via the Summary screen — Cobblemon lets you freely change moves.
- 7Give a held item (Choice Band, Life Orb, Leftovers etc.) and you're ready to battle.