Level Grinding vs. EV Training

[Garren]

So, I just recently got into the world of EV Training through Platinum and raising a Stantler, and while I have already finished EV training it to the max, I still have to raise it 37 levels so I'll be able to use it in the Battle Frontier with the rest of my crew which led me to wonder...

Y'know, EV Training is usually accused of being a huge waste of time yet but, in my opinion at least, I find it to be a much smoother process compared to the much more obnoxious level grinding, and the gap has only further widened thanks to the great EV Increasing items in Platinum. Yet for level grinding, all we've got is the Lucky Egg and the VS. Seeker, the lack of which in HGSS has made that game quite annoying in the later parts when you're stuck leveling up on its pathetic wild Pokemon. I actually have traded my team over to Platinum in order to level them up quicker for the Elite Four.

The only plus I see in level grinding is that you don't have to keep track of anything, but even then I still find it more annoying than EV training.

So, what say you trainers? Do you find EV training or level grinding more tedious? I'm sorry if I made my post a little biased, but I really think the level grinding system needs to be streamlined before Gamefreak focuses on improving (or removing, if you're that way) the EV System.

 

[SharKing]

Isn't it obvious? Level-grinding.

 

[Rainbow]

I don't really know, because I don't even know what EVs are. I usually just level up my pokemon normally though, so I'll just say level-grinding.

 

[Garren]

Ah, I think I might've made the wording confusing.

The poll options are actually meant to be for the method of training. So, voting EV Training means you find it less tedious. Sorry.

Oh, and when I say "Level Grinding", I mean spending large amounts of time trying to level up Pokemon as opposed to just fighting what you have to to get through the game. Tec

I don't really know, because I don't even know what EVs are

Well, from a story standpoint, basically fighting Pokemon who are strong in one stat improves your Pokemon's proficiency in that stat. There's a lot of extra math involved, but that's a nice way to see it.

 

[PlatinumDude]

I voted EV training. Before I get started on EV training, I infect the Pokemon I'm training with Pokerus, then feed it the necessary vitamins (provided I can afford them). Then I give that Pokemon the appropriate Power item, then head to an appropriate area where I can EV train that Pokemon (i.e. I go to the Old Chateau if I want Special Attack EVs, since Gastly are the only Pokemon in the area (or Haunter/Gengar with a GBA game in the GB slot).

 

[Tookieman]

EV trainng. If you level grind what happens when you get to level 100? You're topped out. If you EV train you get higher stats when you reach 100 even though it may take longer.

 

[VanillaThunderbolt]

Wow, I like how my vote literally made it a 3-3-3 split. o.o

My usual thing with run throughs isn't really based on anything but trying to create a varied team. I never try to nature catch, and RARELY do I catch for specific abilities (only when one ability just... sucks haha.) I kind of like seeing how everything turns out when I don't specifically EV train it, and I really love how it makes everything more free to use mix sets. That, and no matter what, you can ALWAYS take out the story line challenges by being a high enough level, so EV training just makes it so that you MAY be able to do it at a sooner level. =/

Now the Frontier... that's a whole different story. EVs all they way c:

 

[Brent]

EV training is fast and fairly straightforward once you memorize the best spots. I use the VS seeker to EV train too. Level grinding is time consuming but very easy and anyone can do it as long as you aren't getting knocked out. Now breeding.. THAT is a time consumer and is more complicated than EVs (IVs that is), and harder to control (as much as it can be controlled). *goes back to breeding more Pokemon*

 

[Lt.]

i have level grinded countless times, for the E4, for the Champion, to evolve, For that one damn leader
i have honestly EV trained 1 pokemon, a Wobbuffet, i had to grind him for Red, so i figured "Meh, might as well EV train him too"
EVing is SO much eaiser

 

[NeoKING]

EV Training is a bitch, but it's sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo worth the effort! Trust me, there have been stories of EV trained Level 16-21 Pokemon taking down normal Level 60s. An EV trained Pokemon is like a boxer who understands the art of not being hit; absolutely dangerous to the nth degree.

 

[loudpipes]

I've only tried level-grinding up until very recently.

 

[BladeEntity]

EV training and grinding at the same time in HGSS I managed to do both thats to that I flew through the E4...

Now starts breeding like a maniac I have 60 Eevees like 30 Elekids hehehehhe...

 

[Gentleman]

Level-grinding is typically more tedious, in my opinion. Given such stuffs as Pokerus and the Power items, it's fairly easy to get EV training over with. Level-grinding, I think, takes much more time. It takes a lot more effort than, say, twenty-five battles with low-level Pokemon, I think.

 

[Gligar13]

I mainly level grind to beat the games themselves.

 

[jigglysama]

I do EV training first, then I do level grinding. So I am the winner in the end! ;D

 

[Red G]

I don't grind or ev in-game. I just level up my 5 pokes equally, add the legend, and go fight the e4 with plenty of bitter herb revive things.I fight all the trainers though, and all the pokes I see in victory road.

I only ev trained 3 pokemon ever, for the frontier. I found it quite tedious without pokerus or a lucky egg.

 

[Ghost]

I voted EV training. Before I get started on EV training, I infect the Pokemon I'm training with Pokerus, then feed it the necessary vitamins (provided I can afford them). Then I give that Pokemon the appropriate Power item, then head to an appropriate area where I can EV train that Pokemon (i.e. I go to the Old Chateau if I want Special Attack EVs, since Gastly are the only Pokemon in the area (or Haunter/Gengar with a GBA game in the GB slot).

I do the exact same thing as PlatinumDude.

 

[Rellik]

Just wanna say: BEST. POLL. EVER.

Anyways, on-topic, EV training is cake if you have the right materials. Pokerus+Power Item+1 EV Pokemon = 10 EVs in a single battle. Give the thing 10 vitamins before hand, and it'll only takes 16 battles before you max it out. As far as level grinding goes, I've never had a problem with it, but that's mainly because I have an AR and a Max Medicine cheat. I'm sure if I didn't have access to unlimited Rare Candies, it'd be a real bitch.

 

[Inon]

None of them, I've got no real reason to have an EV Trained Team, since I'm not competitive, And I usually get bored very fast.

 

[Daxdiv]

EV Training pays off in the long run, strong EV Trained Pokemon can be beasts. I guess it also helps that with the right tools, I can stop even before I get my desired Pokemon to the evolved form.