Effort Value Question

[King Cobra]

I'm currently EV training my Linoone for HP/Speed/Attack since the only attack move I want for it is Headbut, but before I decided to do this I had planned on teaching it Surf so I gave it a single Calcium, or whatever the stat booster for Special Attack is.

Anyway, I'm going about this EV training rather sloppily, but I'd like to make sure my Special attack stat is as low as possible. I read on this site that a Hondew Berry lowers EVs for Special Attack by 10, but my question is...

If I go to the lady at Slateport to check my EV accumulation (since I'm doing this haphazardly and don't know exactly how much EVs I've gotten), and she ends up giving me the Effort Ribbon, will I then not be able to use the Hondew Berry to lower its Special Attack? Like, does that seal my fate for being able to lower that particular stat? Thanks.

 

[Conquistador]

im unsure, but just to play it on the safe side....

dont go to her xp

 

[The Mighty Wurmple]

You will be able to lower the Pokemon's stats after you get the ribbon.

 

[aquasuicune]

And you really should have another attacking move. By the way, return outclasses headbutt in so many ways...

 

[The Mighty Wurmple]

Only one actually. Power.

 

[Conquistador]

still, return is nice to have as well

 

[-Dragon-]

All I can say is Return > Headbutt.

 

[*Jean Grey*]

Use Return, Headbutt's power is only a measly 70.

 

[King Cobra]

Yeah but with Bulk Up and it being a normal type move, same as Linoone, (it gets a power boost right), it does rather nicely. The flinching is what I wanted it for.