Effort Values (EVs) are an essential component of Pokémon training in Pokémon Sword and Shield, influencing how a Pokémon’s stats develop as they level up. Utilizing vitamins, known as “Nutritious Drinks,” is one of the most efficient methods for EV training. Here’s a detailed look at how vitamins work, where to find them, and tips for effective use in training.

What Vitamins Are and How They Work

Each vitamin boosts the EVs of a specific stat by 10 points. The types of vitamins and their respective effects are as follows:

– HP Up: Increases HP EVs
– Protein: Increases Attack EVs
– Iron: Increases Defense EVs
– Calcium: Increases Special Attack EVs
– Zinc: Increases Special Defense EVs
– Carbos: Increases Speed EVs

These vitamins allow trainers to directly influence a Pokémon’s development, making it much easier to tailor their abilities for battle.

Where to Get Vitamins

Vitamins can be purchased at the Wyndon Pokemart for 10,000 Pokédollars each. This is useful for trainers looking to rapidly enhance their Pokémon’s EVs. Additionally, in the Isle of Armor DLC, players can utilize the Master Dojo. By donating Watts, trainers can unlock a drinks machine that sells vitamins in batches of 25 at approximately half the price when fully upgraded. This option significantly reduces the cost for trainers looking to engage in bulk EV training.

Using Vitamins for EV Training

Vitamins provide an instant increase of 10 EV points per use in the selected stat. This mechanism speeds up the EV training process considerably compared to traditional methods like battling wild Pokémon. Notably, Pokémon Sword and Shield eliminate the previous limitations on vitamin use; players can give a Pokémon up to 26 vitamins (resulting in a total of 260 EVs) per stat to maximize its potential. It is important to note that while 252 EVs can be effectively utilized in a single stat, the 510 EVs total limit across all stats allows for versatile training strategies.

Strategic Considerations

1. Maximizing EVs: Trainers often allocate 252 EVs to two primary stats and distribute the remaining EVs (up to 6) into a minor stat for more balanced performance.

2. Combining Resources: While feathers can also provide EVs, they are significantly less effective (adding only 1 EV per use) compared to vitamins. Thus, when resources allow, vitamins are the preferred choice for EV training.

3. Cost Management: Vitamins are quite expensive, making it crucial for trainers to accumulate enough Pokédollars through battles or other activities to sustain this method of training.

In Summary

To effectively train your Pokémon using vitamins in Pokémon Sword and Shield, visit the Wyndon Pokemart or the Isle of Armor drinks machine to purchase the appropriate vitamins. By feeding these to your Pokémon, you can efficiently raise their EVs in targeted increments of 10. This method allows for swift and strategic training, bypassing the longer processes typically involved in battling for EV gains, making your Pokémon ready for competitive play sooner.