Pokémon Competitive Build Guide
EVs, IVs, natures, and abilities — everything you need to build a competitive team.
Updated: May 2026
Instant Answer
The Basics
Every competitive Pokémon needs: correct Nature (+10% to key stat, -10% to dump stat), maxed IVs (31 in important stats), targeted EVs (252 in two stats, 4 in a third), and the right Ability.
01 Natures — +10% / -10%
Natures boost one stat by 10% and reduce another by 10%. Common competitive natures:
- Adamant: +Attack, -Sp.Atk (physical attackers)
- Modest: +Sp.Atk, -Attack (special attackers)
- Jolly: +Speed, -Sp.Atk (fast physical)
- Timid: +Speed, -Attack (fast special)
- Bold: +Defense, -Attack (physical walls)
02 IVs — Individual Values
IVs range 0-31 for each stat. Competitive Pokémon want 31 in all relevant stats. Breed with a Destiny Knot (passes 5 IVs) and use Bottle Caps at level 100 to fix the rest.
03 EVs — Effort Values
510 total EVs, max 252 per stat. Standard spreads:
- Physical sweeper: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
- Special sweeper: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
- Bulky attacker: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
- Wall: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
04 Team Composition
A balanced team needs: a physical attacker, a special attacker, a wall/tank, a speed control (fast sweeper or Trick Room setter), a hazard setter, and type coverage across the team. Don’t stack too many weaknesses to one type.
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