All Pokémon of the same species are not the same. Each creature has its own unique strengths and weaknesses.
Although they will share similar Attack or Special Defense levels, Pokémon of the same species can have noticeable differences in their stats.
For instance, if you have two Pikachu, one might have a higher Special Attack stat while the other has better Speed.
If you want to learn how to check IVs in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, this guide is what you are looking for.
How to Check Individual Values
In order to be able to check your Pokémon’s IVs, you must first finish the Pokémon League storyline.
To do that, you must get the eight badges and defeat the Elite Four. With that out of the way, go to the Pokémon center and talk to the woman that heals your Pokémon.
Finishing this storyline will grant you the ability to check your Pokémon’s IVs. Now, all that you have to do is to check it by pressing the plus button twice when hovering over the Pokémon whose IVs you want to see.
Finishing this main quest will take a while, and it might help if you have the best fire Pokémon and learn the enemies’ weaknesses and strengths.
It also helps to have naturally powerful Pokémon at your side. You should check how to catch all Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet so you can make the best possible team.
I recommend you go after Charizard in that case. Not only it’s an S-Tier Fire-type Pokémon, but it is also one of the best Flying-type Pokémon in the game.
Don’t forget that you are always accompanied by a legendary Pokémon, so make sure you learn how to use Koraidon and Miraidon in battle.
How IVs work in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
IVs, short for Individual Values, operate as Pokémon’s unique characteristics, adding another layer to the game and the competitive scene.
You don’t just want a Pokémon of a specific species; you want one with the best possible IVs.
A Pokémon’s IV scales from 0 to 31 for each stat. All Pokémon have six stats: HP, Speed, Defense, Special Defense, Attack, and Special Attack.
Every time you catch a Pokémon, it will have different IVs for each of its stats. This makes each captured Pokémon unique, even if they belong to the same species.
IVs are just base stats. When a Pokémon levels up, its stats grow into much larger numbers. For instance, a Pokémon with an Attack stat of 300 isn’t unusual.
However, that value is added to the Pokémon’s individual value.
Although a stat as high as 31 won’t mean much at first, those extra 31 points in Special Attack might be the difference between winning and losing. 31 extra Attack points can make a battle with a single attack, while 31 extra
Defense points might mean your Pokémon won’t fall after being hit only once.
You won’t need to care much about IVs until you finish the game. Learning counters and the right composition should be enough.
That said, playing Pokémon competitively against other players will most likely involve hunting Pokémon to find the best possible IVs once you have figured out the team composition you want.
What to Do Next
Once you’ve got to grips with IVs and why they’re so important, the next logical step is to spend some time looking at the type counters and match-ups in Pokemon. It’s good to have a decent understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, so you know what to look out for in battles and where your team might be lacking.
If you’re a fan of competitive matches, it’s worth looking at the best Pokemon in the game that can counter your team. For example, if you have a Fire Pokemon as your opener, check out the best Water Pokemon in the game so you can figure out a good strategy and counter.
