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Avalite

PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:37 pm
Welcome! In this thread we'll go over some frequently asked questions. Please refer to this page before creating a topic with a question.

Please report any inconsistencies or other errors you may come across. Thank you!

Directory;
Questions about Effort Values
Questions about Individual Values
Questions about Natures
Questions about Natures
Questions about items
Questions about the Dream World
Questions about competitive battling
Questions about cheating
Questions about time and seasons
Questions about trading  
PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:38 pm
What are effort values?
Effort Values are points you gain through defeating Pokemon. You can gain between 1-3 EV's depending on the Pokemon you defeat. You can gain a total of 510 EV's, 255 in a specific stat. Because of how stats are determined, however, it's best to gain no more than 252 EV's in a specific stat. Effort values equate to 1 stat for every 4 EV's.

How do I obtain effort values?
Defeating wild Pokemon or that of trainers you meet in the game. EV's cannot be gained through wifi battles. So, you must find a stat, corresponding Pokemon and determine the best place to train your Pokemon in that case.

How do I reduce effort values?
Certain berries reduce effort stats by 10.
These berries are;
HP - Pomeg
Attack - Kelpsy
Defense - Qualot
Special Attack - Hondew
Special Defense - Grepa
Speed - Tamato

How can I increase effort values gained?
Vitanims give 10 effort value depending on the vitamin and wings give 1 effort value per. Furthermore, Macho brace will double the amount of effort values gained from each Pokemon. Pokerus which has a 3 in 65,536 chance of being present in wild or bred pokemon, also doubles effort values gained. Pokerus combined with Macho Brace quadruples(x4) the amount of effort values one can gain through battle.

Vitamins, unlike wings, cannot raise a stat above 100 effort values, and it will not raise the total above 510(like wings)

Vitamins;
HP-HP up
ATK-Protein
DEF-Iron
SPATK-Calcium
SPDEF-Zinc
SPD-Carbos

Wings;
HP-Health Wing
ATK-Muscle Wing
DEF-Resist Wing
SPATK-Genius Wing
SPDEF-Clever Wing
SPD-Swift Wing

Finally, utilizing other held items - specific power items- will grant 4 EV in a stat associated with the bracer per battle, on top of normal EV gained.

Bracers;
HP-Power Weight
ATK-Power Bracer
DEF-Power Belt
SPATK-Power Lens
SPDEF-Power band
SPD-Power Anklet

What is the best place to gain xxx effort value?
Because of the complexity of this you will have to ask such a question in a new thread. EV training guide is a WIP  

Avalite


Avalite

PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:40 pm
What are Individual Values?
Think of them as the genetics of the Pokemon. Imagine it, for example, a Pokemon that is born exceptionally physically strong would be the same as a Pokemon with a high number of ATK IV's.

IV's increase stats by an amount that is set when it is born or caught. So, pretend a Pokemon has an attack of 5 with 31 IV's in it, their base ATK will then be 36. IV's can go no higher than 31.

How do I raise them?
You cannot raise IV's. For the most part they are determined randomly, so you will have to breed for them.

How can I know what IV's my Pokemon has?
There is an IV checker, but he will only tell you the specifics in a roundabout way. A more direct way to do it is to utilize a third part program, such as Pokecheck.

I have a really good IV'd Pokemon, but I don't like his nature, how can I fix this?
You can use breeding to breed for another Pokemon. However, you will only be able to ensure one IV stat passes over specifically. The rest will be random. Alternatively if you have two Pokemon with two different IV's that you'd like to keep and you can breed them, you'll be able to ensure two IV's are passed over, and the other two will be random.

Usually you'll have three random IV's between the two parents passed over. Using two Power items you can have four IV's, two ensured, two random.

Ensuring which stat depends on the Power item held by that parent Pokemon.
HP - Power Weight
ATK - Power bracer
DEF - Power Belt
SPATK - Power Lens
SPDEF - Power Band
SPD - Power Anklet  
PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:43 pm
What are natures?
Natures are the Pokemon equivalent to personalities. While not in depth, you can consider them an archtype. No, that doesn't mean you have to build a personality around your Pokemon, but it adds that extra bit of complexity.

Natures also determine buffs and minuses to stats. Specific natures will benefit a specific stat and reduce another, while others will do nothing at all.

Natures also determine what kind of food your Pokemon likes and dislikes.

How do I determine natures?
In the section for your Pokemon you'll see a nature like Bashful or Calm. These are your natures. For specific stats, see below.

What natures are good and what are bad?

ATK Natures:
Name: Adamant
Stat Reduced: Special Attack
Likes: Spicy
Dislikes: Dry

Name: Brave
Stat Reduced: Speed
Likes: Spicy
Dislikes: Sweet

Name: Lonely
Stat Reduced: Defense
Likes: Spicy Food
Dislikes: Sour Food

Name: Naughty
Stat Reduced: Special Defense
Likes: Spicy
Dislikes: Bitter

DEF Natures:
Name: Bold
Stat Reduced: Attack
Likes: Sour
Dislikes: Spicy

Name: Impish
Stat Reduced: Special Attack
Likes: Sour
Dislikes: Dry

Name: Lax
Stat Reduced: Special Defense
Likes: Sour
Dislikes: Bitter

Name: Relaxed
Stat Reduced: Speed
Likes: Sour
Dislikes: Sweet

SPATK Natures:
Name: Mild
Stat Reduced: Defense
Likes: Dry
Dislikes: Sour

Name: Modest
Stat Reduced: Attack
Likes: Dry
Dislikes: Spicy

Name: Quiet
Stat Reduced: Speed
Likes: Dry
Dislikes: Sweet

Name: Rash
Stat Reduced: Special Defense
Likes: Dry
Dislikes: Bitter

SPDEF Natures:
Name: Calm
Stat Reduced: Attack
Likes: Bitter
Dislikes: Spicy

Name: Careful
Stat Reduced: Special Attack
Likes: Bitter
Dislikes: Dry

Name: Gentle
Stat Reduced: Defense
Likes: Bitter
Dislikes: Sour

Name: Sassy
Stat Reduced: Speed
Likes: Bitter
Dislikes: Sweet

SPD Natures:
Name: Hasty
Stat Reduced: Defense
Likes: Sweet
Dislikes: Sour

Name: Jolly
Stat Reduced: Special Attack
Likes: Sweet
Dislikes: Dry

Name: Naive
Stat Reduced: Special Defense
Likes: Sweet
Dislikes: Bitter

Name: Timid
Stat Reduced: Attack
Likes: Sweet
Dislikes: Spicy

Natures that do nothing:
Bashful
Docile
Hardy
Quirky
Serious  

Avalite


Avalite

PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:45 pm
What is breeding?
Breeding is when you put two compatible Pokemon together and get an egg containing a Pokemon in return.

How do you breed?
Leaving two Pokemon at a daycare. The two Pokemon will need to be compatible. You will know if they are if they are the same species or they share at least one egg group and are of the opposite genders. Legendary Pokemon, excluding Phione and Manaphy, Unown, Baby Pokemon and evolutions of the female Nidoran cannot breed. Unknown Pokemon, unless previously mentioned, cannot breed with any Pokemon except Ditto.

After 256 steps the game has the chance of giving you an egg, return to the Daycare to see if you'll be recieving one(make sure to have an open slot in your team.) Afterwords, you will have to walk for a while to get the egg to hatch. Determining how long depends on the Pokemon, however.

How do I know what will hatch?
The egg will hatch into a first stage version of the female's species, or non-Ditto parent, of the evolutionary chain. With some exceptions.

For example, Nidoran(both genders), Volbeat and Illumise, when breeding, can grant you either one of their respective variations(you can get either gender Nidoran with Nidorans. Same as you can get Volbeat or Illumise when you breed those two).

How are moves determined?
The Pokemon will learn it's starting moves, any moves it can learn by leveling up if both parents know the moves, any TMs and HMs that the father knows that the baby can also learn and any egg moves the baby can learn that the father also knows. If more than four moves meet these criterias they'll begin to overwrite each other.

Except for Volt Tackle;
When breeding Pikachu and/or Raichu, give one of them a Light Ball. The Pichu will then be born with Volt Tackle. Note that you will have to use Pikachu and Raichu, or one with a Ditto to ensure that you get a Pichu.

How are IVs inherited?
Under normal circumstances, the Pokemon will obtain three different random IV's from its parents, the relevant parent being random. However, with the use of EV training items you can pick and choose which IV's are passed over, up to two of them. If one parent is holding an EV training item, the baby will inherit that IV place two randoms. Beneficially, you can have both parents holding EV training items and the baby will inherit one from each relevant to the item, as well as two more IV's at random.

HP - Power Weight
ATK - Power bracer
DEF - Power Belt
SPATK - Power Lens
SPDEF - Power Band
SPD - Power Anklet

How are natures inherited?
You can utilize an Everstone to pass down Natures. However, it is the mother who has to hold it. Unless you are breeding with Ditto, then Ditto is the dominant nature provider. Regardless, one must hold an Everstone and this chance is only 50%. In HG/SS either parent can hold the Everstone to pass down their nature.

How are abilities inherited?
Female Pokemon have a 60% chance to pass down hidden abilities. This requires that the male be from the same egg group. Male and genderless Pokemon cannot pass down hidden abilities.

Can I breed shinies?
A warning before trying this, it can be very taxing on you and your patience. Now, normally there is only a 1/8192 chance of breeding or finding a shiny Pokemon. Unless both parents are from different language games(Japanese pokemon breeding with a Chinese one). This increases the chance 5 fold(x5), increasing your odds to 1/1639

In the fifth generation, the odds are increased to 6 fold(x6) to breeding shinies in Black and White is changed to 1/366

How do I get xx Pokemon from breeding?
Some Pokemon require an item to get the specific form. These are incense. Without it you won't be able to obtain the baby form of the Pokemon and will instead be given the first stage version.

Full Incense - Munchlax
Lax incense - Wynaut
Luck Incense - Happiny
Odd Incense - Mime Jr.
Pure Incense - Chingling
Rock Incense - Bonsly
Rose Incense - Budew
Sea Incense - Azurill
Wave Incense - Mantyke

What are egg groups?
Egg groups are a primary determining factor in whether or not Pokemon can interbreed. Consider it beings of a similar species. All Pokemon have an egg group, and some may have more than one. In totaly there are sixteen egg groups.

Monster
Human-Like
Water 1
Water 2
Water 3
Bug
Mineral
Flying
Amorphous
Field
Fairy
Ditto
Grass
Dragon
Undiscovered
Gender Unknown

What is chain breeding?
Chain breeding is a complex method of giving Pokemon moves through breeding. An example would be say you want to put Bullet Punch and Earthquake on Earthquake and Bullet Punch on Croagunk.

You would take a male Smeargle, have it sketch both moves. You would then breed it with a female Lucario, and then evolve the Riolu and breed it with a female Croagunk. Congratulations, you would have a Toxicroak with Earthquake and Bullet Punch.  
PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:48 pm
What are items?
Items are selectable and/or obtainable goods used for a variety of reasons, from giving you a boost in the game to allowing you to progress with the game. How an item benefits you depends entirely on the item. Below are questions and explanations for the types of items.

What are contest items?
Contest items are items used during contests to give you a boost. Scarves, for example, help with stats. Background items and clothes help with appeal. Utilizing these items can and will help you get through contests.

What are decorations?
Decorations are obtainable items that are used purely for aesthetic reasons in places such as your character's hideout. They can be used purely for your enjoyment, or for the enjoyment of others in cases where you manage to get someone into your hideout.

What are devices?
Devices are such things as the C-Gear and Pokedex. Devices permit you to keep track of information that will ultimately help you along in such cases of rematches or completionist mentallity(like completing the pokedex - which is a device). You can use them to keep track of numbers, to interact with players that are close by in the real world and to keep track of pokemon locations.

What are Evolution items
Evolution items are items used to evolve Pokemon, such as evolutionary stones. The Everstone is used to reach the opposite effect, negating evolution. Utilizing these items is neccesary to reach some evolutions, such as Eevee's evolved states.

What are fossils?
Fossils are items that can be turned into Pokemon. These were once ancient Pokemon and are now technically extinct(I guess endangered would be a better word, since people bring them back to life). When you come across one, you can find a specific NPC in a game to turn it back into a Pokemon for you. Be aware, usually there are at least two fossils in a game, but you'll only get to choose one.

What are general items?
General items such as the Escape Rope and Repel benefit you out of the field. Such items are meant for convenience and avoiding unnecessary combat. Utilizing these items effectively can save you in a pinch, but stocking up on them can also take a chunk out of your pokedollars.

What are held items?
Held items are a broad range of items that help you in a variety of ways. Such as, the Growth Egg will help you with gaining levels by doubling experience, the Power items incease EV's gained, and the Light Orb can help you in competetive play as well as help you breed a Pichu with Volt Tackle. Because of the sheer range of held items and their abilities it would be difficult to cover them all. Just remember to read the description of all items before selling them!

What are key items?
Key items are story items. They help you progress the story as well as serve as trophies for progression. For example, one could technically call Gym Badges key items. Running Shoes are also key items, but serve more of a purpose of helping you move faster to goals. Some key items will be used depending on the point of it, others will set in your inventory without you ever having to technically use them.

What are pokeballs?
Pokeballs are used to catch Pokemon. There is a huge variety of such items, with a wide varying effects of what the different types do. There is also the Cherish Ball which Event Pokemon will be in. Reading through the effects of special Pokeballs can be beneficial in helping you plan to capture specific types of Pokemon as well as helping with any aesthetic preferences you may have.

What are restoration items?
Restoration items are items that restore specific things. Revive save Pokemon from being K.O.ed, potions heal HP and Ethers heal PP. Stocking up on restoration items is a double sided sword. Having them helps you from losing, but relying on them can cost you massive amounts of experience that losing would otherwise grant you.(retrying a specific gym a bunch of times, taking out 1/2 pokemon for a massive exp bonus)

What are rewards?
Rewards is a general thing for any reward you get. This can be any type of item, as long as you got it for accomplishing or doing something from a person. Usually. Some people gift items to you regardless, and some even gift Pokemon.

What are sell items?
Items like Nuggets hold no other purpose than being sold for large sums of cash. Figuring out what other items have no other use than being sold can be tricky, especially if a seemingly useless item has a big reward for being sold, such as shards.

What are stat-enhancing items?
Another broad term for a range of items. These include items that increase EV's such as vitamins, as well as items that temporarily increase statistics in combat. Stat enhancing items can also be held items such as a Thick Club.

What are TM/HM's?
TMs and HMs are items that permit your Pokemon to learn moves associated with the item. As of the fifth generation, they don't expire. Thus, you can use them in this generation to your hearts content. Utilizing TM's is very important in competitive battling and utilizing HMs is important in progressing and completing the game.  

Avalite


Avalite

PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:52 pm
What is the Dream World?
The Dream World is a feature introduced in the fifth generation. It allows players to send their Pokemon to meet other Pokemon through the internet via the Pokemon Global Link website. There is a variety of things to do in the Dream World.

How do I access the Dream World?
First and foremost one must set up an account at Pokemon.com. In order to have full access to your account you must send a Pokemon into the Dream World. Accounts may only have one copy of each Generation V game associated. You can only access the Dream World for one hour every twenty four hours.

What are Dream Points?
Dream Points are earned through various acitivies in the Dream World. Dream Points are used for various rewards such as new areas, and more rows for planting berries.

I get a home?
Each player gets a home that they can decorate. Decorations can be bought using certain berries. You also get a doormat which records Pokemon that enter your home.

I get a Garden?
Each player gets a garden that they can expand upon using Dream Points. These gardens permit the player to grow berries for things such as competetive play or difficult tasks such as the battle subway. You cannot water berries as soon as they are planted but otherwise, once the soil dries, they can be watered an unlimited amount of time. Players can water other people's berries up to 20 times per trip.

What is the Friend Board?
The friend board is a place to record and store Pokemon. It will show which Pokemon you are sending back. You cannot have more than 50 pokemon stored here or else you cannot visit the island of dreams. Since only one promotional Pokemon can be stored at a time, this is unlikely. GTS Pokemon will also be stored here.

What's the Share Shelf?
The Share Shelf allows players to trade their items for other items. You cannot trade for items you already have and you cannot trade for items you have already traded. So be wary when you use this feature.

What's the Treasure Chest?
The treasure chest is a feature that allows players to see and send the items they have stored from the Dream World to their games. You can only send 20 of an item at one time and when they are transfered - via Entralink - a boy near Entree Forest will have the items in your game for you.

What is the Island of Dreams?
The Island of Dreams is an area where players can find items and befriend Pokemon. If the player has access to more than one area the area they are sent to will be random, however they can choose to go to an area they have unlocked. You can choose to make a wish using a berry on the Tree of Dreams to send a Pokemon you have befriended to the Friend Board. These Pokemon will have their Dream World ability if it is currently available.

Wait, there's Mini-Games?
Mini-Games are used to befriend Pokemon you find. The game played depends on the Pokemon encountered. Obtaining a certain amount of points permits the Pokemon befriended to obtain moves not otherwise learned by leveling up.

What are 'Dream Pals'?
Dream Pals are other players you meet and befriend in the Dream World. You can visit their house and vice versa. Requests are kept on the mat of your house and will remain their to be answered until the request is accepted, declined or expires(1 week).

What are Dream World abilities?
Dream World abilities are hidden abilities that Pokemon from the Dream World have - if they're available. Having Dream World abilities can effect Pokemon and their overall performance greatly. Sucha s Blaziken's Speed Boost ability. Some Pokemon's abilities aren't available yet.

How do I wake up?
Players can select the option to wake up and leave the Dream World. This resets things like the watering can. If the player has earned 500 dream points the sleeping Pokemon, when woken up, will gain a level unless they are already level 100.  
PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:54 pm
What is competitive battling?
Competitive battling - different from battling NPCs - is player versus player combat. Utilizing your team in real time against other player's team of Pokemon. This is done normally through wifi.

What are double battles?
Double battles is the use of two Pokemon at a time during combat.

What are triple battles?
Triple battles is the use of three Pokemon at a time during combat. Your Pokemon are also auto-leveled to 100 during this.

What are rotational battles?
Rotational battles are when you use three Pokemon on platforms that spin on command.

What are tag battles?
When two trainers participate in battle at once, each using up to three pokemon - one at a time.

What is the Wonder Launcher?
The Wonder Launcher is a device used to use items during combat. Players accumulate one point each turn and can use these points to use items that benefit stats, restore health or revive Pokemon during combat.

What are clauses?
Clauses are rules set into play during a battle. These include rules such as a Sleep Clause, which means no more than one Pokemon of each team can be asleep at any given time.

What do you mean tiers?
In competitive play Pokemon are placed into tiers depending on their ability to perform. The tiers include Uber, Overused, Boderline, Underused, Boderline2, Rarely used, Neverused, Little Cup, Limbo and Not Fully Evolved.

Generally players stick to one tier when building a team and battle others teams in that tier. However, as the Tiers aren't created by Nintendo use caution when taking Pokemon from tiers lower down the list against random players, as they don't have to abide by the tiers themselves.

What are roles?
Roles are the roles that Pokemon take on a team. Utilizing and building a team with designated roles can help you win battles easier. These include roles such as sweepers, walls and spinner.  

Avalite


Avalite

PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:55 pm
What is cheating?
Cheating is the use of third party programs to obtain, edit or copy things in your Pokemon game.

What is Action Replay?
Action Replay is a cheating device manufactured by Datel, similar to the GameShark (which was itself a rebranded Action Replay). It is one of the most common methods of cheating in Pokemon games, and can be used to obtain rare items or Pokemon, or modify a Pokemon's stats, as well as rewrite major events in the storyline.

What is GameShark?
GameShark is a cheating device often used with Pokemon games to acquire rare Pokemon or items or alter the game.

What is Monster Brain?
Monster Brain is a cheat device specifically designed for Pokemon games. It allows for game save backups, and also allows the user to modify their saved games to edit multiple properties, including name, gear and monsters. It can also create custom color palettes for the Game Boy Color when used with a Type 1 or Type 2 game cartridge.

What is PokeSav?
Pokesav is a program that edits save files for the Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, HeartGold and SoulSilver games. It can export Action Replay DS codes, and can edit many of the properties of the game, including Pokemon, gear and inventory, in-game records and movesets.

How does hacking Pokemon affect my game?
Pokemon that cannot pass the verification test created by Nintendo cannot be traded or battled with.  
PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:56 pm
How does Spring effect my game?

Spring (January, May, September)

Morning: 5AM-
Day: -7:50PM
Night:

Weather: Snow is nonexistent, some areas have rain

-Cythia is in Undella Town, will battle daily
-Lass Maya/Dancer Dirk, is at the Rondez-View Ferris Wheel in Nimbasa City

How does Summer effect my game?
Summer (February, June, October)

Morning: 4AM-
Day: -8:59PM
Night: 9PM-3:59

Weather: No snow

-Cynthia is in Undella Town, as well as additional NPCs
-Hiker Andy/Ace Trainer Austin are at Rondez-View Ferris Wheel in Nimbasa City


How does Autumn effect my game?
Autumn (March, July, November)

Morning: 5AM-
Day: -7:59PM
Night: 8PM-4:59M

Weather: No snow
- Cynthia is not in Undella Town.
-Clerk ♀ Trisha/Waitress Aurora is at the Rondez-View Ferris Wheel in Nimbasa City.

How does Winter effect my game?
Winter (April, August, December)
Morning: 6AM-
Day: -6:59PM
Night: 7PM-5:59AM

Weather: Dragonspiral Towner, Driftveil, Icirus City, Moor of Icirus, Route 8, and Twist Mountain have snow and ice tiles. Snow can make some areas inaccessible. Hail, rain, or blizzards are also common in these areas, as well as Mistralton.

-Casteliacones are not sold
-Cynthia is not in Undella Town


There are time specific events?
Time specific events are events that happen at specific times of day or during the week or even seasons. Time specific events are thus, something you have to plan around.

How does time work in the game?
You are capable of setting your clock, once it is set the time will control time of day which effects some Pokemon as well as events you will come across. It also changes how you will visually experience the game due to sunlight, night time, etc.  

Avalite


Avalite

PostPosted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:58 pm
What is trading?
Trading is the art of trading one of your Pokemon to recieve a Pokemon from another player.

What do I trade?
Connecting to the Global Trade Station will allow you to trade Pokemon. The GTS is located on the second floor of any Pokemon Center.

What are the benefits of trading?
Access to pokemon that are in no other way available, I.e. Trading to get/evolve A 1.5&#xxp; increase and 1.7% if traded cross country

Drawbacks of trading?
Traded pokemon are Outsider pokemon, new trainer can't change pokemon name. Pokemon will not obey players when traded without a certain number of badges.

Limitations of trading?
Generations I and II can trade. III and IV can trade and IV can trade with V. There are restrictions on moves, such as moves that exist in generation IV will stop that Pokemon from being traded to III and Pokemon that did not exist in generation III can not be traded to that generation. Trading with foreign countries works as well, but there have been prior difficulties with it.

Requirements for trading?
One must aquire the first badge - Trio Badge - and the completion of the C-Gear mini-quest from Fennel in order to trade Pokemon. You can also relocate Celebi and Shiny Legendaries using the Relocate mechanic. Players that have the National Pokedex and have defeated the Elite Four gain access to Poke Transfer which allows them to, using a mini-game, transfer up to six Pokemon at a time from their Gen IV games. There is no limit to using Poke Transfer.

Pokemon evolve when trading?
Some Pokemon require being traded in order to evolve. Some require holding specific items such as Metal Coat when being traded in order to evolve as well. Thus it is an important aspect of evolution to be able to trade Pokemon.  
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