OK. Some topic in General Pokémon Discussion brought this to my attention, and I felt it'd be interesting to discuss.
Most of you are aware that the EV system suffered a significant rehash in the 3rd Generation. Back in the days, there was no limit on the total EVs a Pokémon could have. In the current Gen, a limit of 510 points total per Pokémon was established. There are many sides in this change, but I must say it was for the better. But I'm not here to discuss the new system's pros or cons. I'm starting this to see people's opinions on how this system should change in Diamond/Pearl to make it more balanced, and more user-friendly.
First off, and most importantly, I feel the 510 cap is not enough. There's a simple reason: it favors offensive strategies. And it also screws mixed offensives/defensives. Now, it surely makes it so certain Pokémon end up with several lower Stats so underdog Pokémon can stand up to them with moderated success. However, it makes the overall strategy pool rather one-sided. And I feel that variety should be addressed in a higher degree. For this effect, I think the EV Cap should be raised to 765. That's the magic number, as I see it. It allows 3 maxed Stats out of 6, and it also allows halved spreads on all 6 Stats, as oppossed to only 4. With this, mixed attackers and defenders would resurge, which would allow more diversity and more chances for defensive spreads. Though maybe it'd allow the stronger Pokémon to dominate even more. Maybe an increase to 2 and a half maxed Stats (637 Points per Pokémon.) would work better...
Now, about the system's affinity with the average player... this needs major fixing. Fact is, EV Training can get tedious after time. Also, most average players find it to be a big chore than anything else. Others don't even know what the hell EVs are. There are ways to fix this, though. I'd suggest an increase in the Vitamin cap. 100 points just isn't enough to start off, and asks for tedious battles. Increasing this cap to 15 or 20 Vitamins per Stat would reduce the EV Training time to an estrict minimum, which would greatly help most casual players. I believe this is the most needed change after the next one.
Let's face it: this game keeps too many things in secret. Things that'd be so useful to have, at the very least, a rough knowledge of. The old man that tells you a rough summary of your Pokémon's IVs is a start, but more stuff like this needs to be done. Especially with EVs. I'd recommend that EVs should be visible. Add an EV gauge to each Stat, which would give you a rough idea on how much EVs a Stat has. It'd also help when using EV-reducing Berries, Vitamins, and your EV Training over time. This is the most factible and helpful modification... but I doubt Nintendo is eager to make this so well-known or easy to take track of (Why? Don't ask...).
If that weren't possible, I'd say that there should be another person or a group of Trainers that'd give you more elaborated hints regarding EVs. Say, one would tell you to name a Pokémon in your Pokédex. The word bank would then appear. You choose a Pokémon, and the person would give you tidbits about which EVs that Pokémon increases. Say, if you show him a Raichu, he'd say: "Raichu, eh? This Pokémon is good if you want to improve your Pokémon's Speed!". Things to that effect.
Another one would give you a rough idea of how much EVs a Stat has. He'd say something like "This Stat isn't trained at all..."; "It seems this Stat has reached a small increase."; "Seems your Pokémon is halfway in this Stat."; "Wow! This Stat is very well trained." and "Excellent! This Stat has grown to its highest point!". Things to that effect. While it'd be less efficient than having a gauge, it'd help players a wee bit...
I know all this can be implemented. And no... an increase in the EV Cap wouldn't screw compatibility betwen 3rd Gen and 4th Gen games. The system is the same. The only change is that there are more points you can add. The only conflict would be the Ribbon you obtained in a 3rd Gen game, but that's rather aesthetical and can be done already (Use an EV Reducing Berry on a fully-Trainer Pokémon, and the Ribbon remains anyway.). Still, maybe the change would upset players that worked hard to train their Pokémon in the 3rd Gen games (Not really... or so I like to think.). I do believe the increase of the Vitamin Cap and a wider knowledge of EVs is needed (Be with a gauge or with nifty hints... though the gauge would be MUCH better...).
What are your views on this? This thread is open for discussion and ideas. You can also debate if they should return to the old way, but I'd prefer you didn't. They changed it for a reason. A good one at that. And I doubt it'll be dropped one Gen later just like that...
Discuss...
Most of you are aware that the EV system suffered a significant rehash in the 3rd Generation. Back in the days, there was no limit on the total EVs a Pokémon could have. In the current Gen, a limit of 510 points total per Pokémon was established. There are many sides in this change, but I must say it was for the better. But I'm not here to discuss the new system's pros or cons. I'm starting this to see people's opinions on how this system should change in Diamond/Pearl to make it more balanced, and more user-friendly.
First off, and most importantly, I feel the 510 cap is not enough. There's a simple reason: it favors offensive strategies. And it also screws mixed offensives/defensives. Now, it surely makes it so certain Pokémon end up with several lower Stats so underdog Pokémon can stand up to them with moderated success. However, it makes the overall strategy pool rather one-sided. And I feel that variety should be addressed in a higher degree. For this effect, I think the EV Cap should be raised to 765. That's the magic number, as I see it. It allows 3 maxed Stats out of 6, and it also allows halved spreads on all 6 Stats, as oppossed to only 4. With this, mixed attackers and defenders would resurge, which would allow more diversity and more chances for defensive spreads. Though maybe it'd allow the stronger Pokémon to dominate even more. Maybe an increase to 2 and a half maxed Stats (637 Points per Pokémon.) would work better...
Now, about the system's affinity with the average player... this needs major fixing. Fact is, EV Training can get tedious after time. Also, most average players find it to be a big chore than anything else. Others don't even know what the hell EVs are. There are ways to fix this, though. I'd suggest an increase in the Vitamin cap. 100 points just isn't enough to start off, and asks for tedious battles. Increasing this cap to 15 or 20 Vitamins per Stat would reduce the EV Training time to an estrict minimum, which would greatly help most casual players. I believe this is the most needed change after the next one.
Let's face it: this game keeps too many things in secret. Things that'd be so useful to have, at the very least, a rough knowledge of. The old man that tells you a rough summary of your Pokémon's IVs is a start, but more stuff like this needs to be done. Especially with EVs. I'd recommend that EVs should be visible. Add an EV gauge to each Stat, which would give you a rough idea on how much EVs a Stat has. It'd also help when using EV-reducing Berries, Vitamins, and your EV Training over time. This is the most factible and helpful modification... but I doubt Nintendo is eager to make this so well-known or easy to take track of (Why? Don't ask...).
If that weren't possible, I'd say that there should be another person or a group of Trainers that'd give you more elaborated hints regarding EVs. Say, one would tell you to name a Pokémon in your Pokédex. The word bank would then appear. You choose a Pokémon, and the person would give you tidbits about which EVs that Pokémon increases. Say, if you show him a Raichu, he'd say: "Raichu, eh? This Pokémon is good if you want to improve your Pokémon's Speed!". Things to that effect.
Another one would give you a rough idea of how much EVs a Stat has. He'd say something like "This Stat isn't trained at all..."; "It seems this Stat has reached a small increase."; "Seems your Pokémon is halfway in this Stat."; "Wow! This Stat is very well trained." and "Excellent! This Stat has grown to its highest point!". Things to that effect. While it'd be less efficient than having a gauge, it'd help players a wee bit...
I know all this can be implemented. And no... an increase in the EV Cap wouldn't screw compatibility betwen 3rd Gen and 4th Gen games. The system is the same. The only change is that there are more points you can add. The only conflict would be the Ribbon you obtained in a 3rd Gen game, but that's rather aesthetical and can be done already (Use an EV Reducing Berry on a fully-Trainer Pokémon, and the Ribbon remains anyway.). Still, maybe the change would upset players that worked hard to train their Pokémon in the 3rd Gen games (Not really... or so I like to think.). I do believe the increase of the Vitamin Cap and a wider knowledge of EVs is needed (Be with a gauge or with nifty hints... though the gauge would be MUCH better...).
What are your views on this? This thread is open for discussion and ideas. You can also debate if they should return to the old way, but I'd prefer you didn't. They changed it for a reason. A good one at that. And I doubt it'll be dropped one Gen later just like that...
Discuss...