Pokemon breeding is an essential part of competitive Pokemon training, allowing trainers to create the strongest and most competitive Pokemon possible. Whether you’re looking to improve your team for competitive battles or just want to produce the perfect Pokemon, understanding the basics of breeding is essential. In this guide, we will talk everything you need to know about breeding, from understanding IVs and EVs to tips for breeding competitive Pokemon.
Introduction to Pokemon Breeding
Pokemon breeding is the process of producing new Pokemon by mating two compatible Pokemon together. This can be done at a Pokemon Day Care or at a Nursery in certain games. Breeding is a powerful tool for trainers looking to improve their team and compete in battles. By breeding with the right traits and abilities, trainers can create the strongest and most competitive Pokemon possible.
Understanding IVs and EVs in Pokemon Breeding
IVs and EVs, also known as Individual Values and Effort Values, are important concepts to understand when breeding Pokemon. IVs are hidden values that determine a Pokemon’s base stats, such as its Attack, Defense, and Special Attack. These values are determined at the time a Pokemon is caught or hatched, and cannot be changed. EVs, on the other hand, are earned through battle and can be used to increase Pokemon’s stats. By breeding with high IVs and EVs, trainers can produce offspring with exceptional stats and abilities.
IVs are determined by the Pokemon’s genetic makeup, and are determined at the time the Pokemon is caught or hatched. Each Pokemon has six IVs, one for each stat (HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed). Each IV can have a value from 0 to 31, with 31 being the highest value. A Pokemon’s IVs are determined by its genetic makeup, and cannot be changed.
EVs, on the other hand, are earned through battle and can be used to increase a Pokemon’s stats. Each Pokemon can earn up to 510 EVs in total, and each stat can have a maximum of 252 EVs. EVs are earned by defeating Pokemon in battle, with each Pokemon providing a certain number of EVs for a specific stat. For example, defeating a Pidgey will give a Pokemon 1 EV in Speed, while defeating a Machop will give a Pokemon 3 EVs in Attack.
By breeding Pokemon with high IVs and EVs, trainers can produce offspring with exceptional stats and abilities. For example, breeding a Pokemon with a high IV in Attack and high EVs in Attack can produce an offspring with high Attack stats, making it a powerful attacker in battle.
How to Breed for Specific Abilities and Natures
One of the most popular uses of breeding is to produce Pokemon with specific abilities or natures. For example, breeding a Pokemon with the ability “Serene Grace” with a Pokemon with the ability “Flame Body” can produce an offspring with the ability “Flame Body,” which has a chance to burn the opponent when hit with a physical move. Similarly, breeding a Pokemon with the nature “Adamant” with a Pokemon with the nature “Timid” can produce an offspring with the nature “Adamant,” which increases the Pokemon’s Attack stat but decreases its Special Attack stat.
A Pokemon’s ability is determined by its genetic makeup, and is determined at the time the Pokemon is caught or hatched. Each Pokemon has two abilities, with one being its “hidden ability.” Hidden ability can only be obtained through breeding or through special means.
A Pokemon’s nature is also determined by its genetic makeup, and is determined at the time the Pokemon is caught or hatched. Each Pokemon has one of 25 different natures, each of which affects one of its stats in a unique way. For example, a Pokemon with a “Adamant” nature will have its Attack stat increased by 10% but its Special Attack stat decreased by 10%. A Pokemon with a “Timid” nature will have its Speed stat increased by 10% but its Attack stat decreased by 10%. By breeding Pokemon with specific natures, trainers can create Pokemon with the perfect stat distribution for their intended role in battle.
Tips for Breeding Competitive Pokemon
When breeding for competitive Pokemon, it is important to remember a few key tips:
- Use Pokemon with high IVs and EVs. This is the foundation of competitive breeding, and will ensure that your Pokemon have the best possible base stats and abilities.
- Use Pokemon with the right abilities and natures. Abilities and natures can greatly impact the performance in battle, so it is important to choose the right ones for your intended role.
- Use Pokemon with the right moveset. A Pokemon’s moveset can also greatly impact its performance in battle, so it is important to choose the right moves for your intended role.
- Use Pokemon with the right type matchups. Type matchups play a huge role in competitive Pokemon battles, so it is important to choose Pokemon that are strong against common types and weak against less common types.
- Use Pokemon with the right level, gender, and shiny status. These factors may not directly impact a Pokemon’s stats or abilities, but they can make a big difference in battle. For example, a shiny Pokemon will have a different coloration and can be sought after by collectors.
By following these tips, trainers can produce Pokemon with the best possible traits and abilities, making them highly competitive in battle.
Common Breeding Methods and Techniques
There are several common breeding methods and techniques that trainers can use to produce the strongest and most competitive Pokemon:
- Masuda Method: This method involves breeding a Pokemon from one language game with a Pokemon from another language game. This increases the chance of producing a shiny Pokemon.
- Destiny Knot: This item, when held by one of the parents, guarantees that at least 5 IVs will be passed down to the offspring.
- Egg moves: This method involves breeding a Pokemon with a move that it cannot learn by leveling up, but the desired Pokemon can learn by levelling up.
- Chain breeding: This method involves breeding a Pokemon with a specific move or ability, then breeding the offspring with another Pokemon to pass down the desired trait.
Recommended Pokemon Pairs for Breeding
Here are a few recommended Pokemon pairs for breeding:
- Togekiss and Sylveon: This pair can produce an Eevee with the move “Moonblast” and the ability “Pixie Dust.”
- Gardevoir and Gallade: This pair can produce a Ralts with the move “Drain Punch” and the ability “Justified.”
- Gyarados and Dragonite: This pair can produce a Magikarp with the move “Dragon Dance” and the ability “Moxie.”
Understanding the Breeding Mechanics in Different Games
Each generation of Pokemon games have different mechanics and features when it comes to breeding. For example, in the latest games of the series, Pokemon Sword and Shield, the Pokemon Nursery feature allows trainers to breed two Pokemon and leave an egg to hatch. The egg will contain the offspring with the combined IVs and abilities of the parents, but also have a chance to inherit egg moves from the parents as well. This opens up new possibilities for breeding specific movesets and abilities. Therefore, it’s important for trainers to familiarize themselves with the breeding mechanics of the game they are playing to fully utilize it’s features.
The use of breeding items
Some items, such as the Everstone, can be held by one of the parents to ensure that the offspring inherits a specific nature from the parent holding the item. Other items like the Destiny Knot, can be used to ensure that the offspring inherits specific IVs from both parents. These items can be a valuable tool to improve the chances of producing the perfect Pokemon. To fully maximize the potential of breeding, it’s crucial to understand how to use these items and when to use them.
The Role of Ditto in Breeding
Another important aspect of breeding is the use of Ditto, a Pokemon that can breed with any Pokemon regardless of species. This allows trainers to breed Pokemon that would otherwise be incompatible, as well as to breed Pokemon with a specific gender or shiny status. Ditto can also be used to breed Pokemon with specific egg groups, opening up even more possibilities for breeding specific Pokemon. Understanding the role of Ditto in breeding and how to use it effectively can greatly enhance the breeding experience.
Breeding for Fun and Collection
Lastly, it’s worth noting that breeding can also be a fun and rewarding experience in itself. Many trainers enjoy breeding Pokemon to obtain shiny Pokemon, or to collect all the different forms of a Pokemon species. Breeding also allows trainers to bond with their Pokemon and make them feel like a true part of their team. Even if your main goal is to breed competitive Pokemon, it’s important to remember that breeding can also be a fun and enjoyable experience.
Breeding Shiny Pokemon
Shiny Pokemon are a rare and coveted variation that are highly sought after by trainers. They have a different coloration than their regular counterparts, making them stand out from the rest. While shiny Pokemon have the same stats and abilities as regular Pokemon, they are much harder to come by and are considered a symbol of prestige and accomplishment. Breeding shiny Pokemon is a popular method for trainers to obtain these rare variant, and here are a few points that you need to know about breeding shiny Pokemon.
Understanding the odds of breeding shiny Pokemon
The odds of breeding a shiny Pokemon are 1 in 4,096. This means that for every 4,096 Pokemon that are bred, only one of them will be shiny. While these odds may seem low, there are methods to increase the chances of breeding a shiny Pokemon, such as the Masuda Method, which we will discuss later.
The Masuda Method
The Masuda Method is a method for breeding shiny Pokemon that was introduced in the fourth generation of Pokemon games. This method involves breeding a Pokemon from one language game with a Pokemon from another language game. This increases the chance of producing a shiny Pokemon from 1 in 4,096 to 1 in 639. This method is considered one of the most effective and recommended ways to breed shiny Pokemon.
Breeding with shiny Ditto
Another method to breed shiny Pokemon is to breed with a shiny Ditto. Ditto is a Pokemon that can breed with any Pokemon regardless of species. By breeding a shiny Ditto with any Pokemon, the chances of producing a shiny offspring is increased. However, keep in mind that shiny Ditto are also rare and difficult to come by.
Using the shiny charm
The shiny charm is an item that was introduced in the fifth generation of Pokemon games. This item increases the odds of encountering a shiny Pokemon in the wild and also increases the odds of breeding a shiny Pokemon from 1 in 4,096 to 1 in 2,730 when held by one of the parents. This item is only obtainable through certain means such as completing the National Pokedex or through special events.
Breeding shiny Pokemon is a popular method for trainers to obtain these rare Pokemon. Keep in mind that breeding shiny Pokemon can be time-consuming and requires patience. Additionally, trainers can also seek advice from more experienced players and join online communities dedicated to breeding shiny Pokemon. With the right knowledge and resources, trainers can become expert breeders and take their collection of shiny Pokemon to the next level.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pokemon breeding is a powerful tool for trainers looking to improve their team and compete in battles. By understanding the concepts of IVs and EVs, as well as how to breed for specific abilities and natures, trainers can create the strongest and most competitive Pokemon possible. Additionally, understanding the breeding mechanics, using breeding items and Ditto, and using breeding for fun and collection can greatly enhance the breeding experience. With the right approach, trainers can become expert breeders and take their Pokemon to the next level.
Another important aspect of breeding is understanding the breeding mechanics in the specific game you are playing. Each generation of Pokemon games have different mechanics and features when it comes to breeding. For example, in the latest games of the series, Pokemon Sword and Shield, the Pokemon Nursery feature allows trainers to breed two Pokemon and leave an egg to hatch. The egg will contain the offspring with the combined IVs and abilities of the parents, but also have a chance to inherit egg moves from the parents as well. This opens up new possibilities for breeding specific movesets and abilities.
Another important aspect to consider is the use of breeding items. Some items, such as the Everstone, can be held by one of the parents to ensure that the offspring inherits a specific nature from the parent holding the item. Other items like the Destiny Knot, can be used to ensure that the offspring inherits specific IVs from both parents. These items can be a valuable tool to improve the chances of producing the perfect Pokemon.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that breeding can also be a fun and rewarding experience in itself. Many trainers enjoy breeding Pokemon to obtain shiny Pokemon, or to collect all the different forms of a Pokemon species. Breeding also allows trainers to bond with their Pokemon and make them feel like a true part of their team.