Breeding Basics: Pokemon Breeding

Egg Groups: Not all Pokémon can breed together. They must be in compatible Egg Groups. For example, Gastly is in the Amorphous Egg Group, while Dratini is in the Dragon and Water 1 Egg Groups. Some Pokémon, like Legendaries, cannot breed. Pokémon in multiple Egg Groups, like Dratini, can breed with more Pokémon and pass down more Egg Moves. Some Pokémon, like Beldum, can only breed with Ditto.

Compatibility: Breeding compatibility affects how quickly Eggs are produced. Compatibility is lowest between different species from the same Trainer OT (Original Trainer). It is highest between the same species from two different Trainer OTs. Different species from different trainers and the same species from the same trainer have the same, intermediate compatibility level.

Egg Moves: These are moves a Pokémon can only learn through breeding, passed down from a parent that knows them. They are rarely learned via TM or level up. In Generation VII, both mothers and fathers can pass down Egg Moves, and multiple Egg Moves can be passed down at once. For example, Eevee can learn Wish as an Egg Move.

Chain Breeding: This technique is used to obtain specific combinations of multiple Egg Moves on a final offspring. It often involves breeding Pokémon across different Egg Groups.

IV Breeding: This is the process of breeding to achieve Pokémon with perfect Individual Values (IVs), often utilizing the Destiny Knot item.

Abilities: Pokémon have special abilities that affect battle. Hidden Abilities are rare and can only be obtained through S.O.S. Chaining or transferring from previous generations. To check an opponent's ability, use moves like Simple Beam. The Ability Capsule can swap between a Pokémon's two normal abilities but cannot grant a Hidden Ability.

Nature: A Pokémon's Nature increases one stat by 10% and decreases another by 10%. Natures have a larger impact on final stats at Level 100 than perfect IVs.

Base Stats and Base Stat Total: Base Stats are innate, unchangeable numbers specific to each species, determining their strengths and weaknesses (e.g., Alakazam's high Special Attack and Speed, Blissey's high HP). Base Stat Total is the sum of all Base Stats. Arceus has the highest Base Stat Total for a non-mega evolved Pokémon at 720. The stats displayed in-game are Base Stats modified by level, Nature, IVs, and EVs.

IVs (Individual Values): These are numbers from 0 to 31 that are added to a Pokémon's stats. They are most impactful at level 100. Aiming for 31 IVs is generally recommended.

EVs (Effort Values): Earned by defeating Pokémon. 4 EVs grant +1 to a stat at level 100 (8 EVs for +1 at level 50). A Pokémon can have a maximum of 252 EVs in one stat (resulting in +63 at level 100) and a total of 510 EVs. A common spread is 252 EVs in two stats and 6 in a third.