Catching Pokemon with high IVs is key to reliably winning tough Tera Raid battles and online matches in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. Luckily, players have a number of different ways of doing so.
IVs were long a hidden stat in Pokemon games that secretly dictated how strong a specific Pokemon was in battle relative to others in its species. The only way to judge a Pokemon’s IVs throughout most of the series’ history was vague statements from a specific NPC. Thankfully, things are much easier in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.
Players can get the judge function in the game after defeating the Elite Four and Pokemon League Chairwoman Geeta. After becoming champion, the Judge Function becomes available from the attendant at Pokemon Centers. Unfortunately, players will likely be disappointed by the discovery that their Pokemon all have poor stats. Thankfully, it’s easier than it ever has been to get battle-ready Pokemon.
How to Get High-IV Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Players can get high-IV Pokemon from Tera Raid battles and by catching wild Tera Pokemon. Each of these Pokemon are guaranteed to have a number of perfect IVs.
The best option available to players when it comes to finding high-IV Pokemon are Tera Raid battles, particularly five-star raids and higher. Pokemon caught from six-star Tera Raid battles are guaranteed to have five perfect IVs and have a 1/32 chance of having perfect IVs across the board.
The ideal situation is to catch Pokemon from limited-time seven-star Tera Raid battles, like those seen for the fighting-type Mightiest Mark Cinderace. Pokemon caught from these battles have thus far had six perfect IVs, making them incredibly valuable both on their own and for breeding.
If players have a male Cinderace or Charizard caught from these events, they can pair it with a female Pokemon from the same egg group to breed powerful Pokemon of other species. For example, a male Cinderace caught during this event can be paired with a female Ceruledge or Armarouge to start breeding Charcadets with high IVs.
Wild Tera Pokemon that appear out in the world emanating a pillar of light are also guaranteed to have high IVs. These Pokemon have guaranteed perfect IVs, which is much better than what players would typically find in the wild.
Use Hyper Training to Improve Pokemon’s IVs
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet players can improve their Pokemon’s IVs artificially by using Hyper Training. Hyper Training boosts a Pokemon’s stats to the point where they would be if they had perfect IVs.
Players can get Hyper Training for their Pokemon in Montenevera. There is an NPC in the city with an Abomasnow as its partner who will boost one stat of a Pokemon at level 50 or higher in exchange for one Bottle Cap. Bottle Caps are relatively rare items in the game, but they can be purchased for $20,000 apiece from Delibird Presents shops.
Hyper Training allows players to optimize all their favorite Pokemon, but there is a catch. A Hyper-Trained Pokemon enjoys those improved stats, but will not pass them down to their children when breeding. This is still a great option for players who become attached to their starter Pokemon and want to climb the ranked ladder with their first partner.