What is the Pokemon stat formula?

For non-HP stats (Gen 3+): Stat = floor(floor((2 x Base + IV + floor(EV/4)) x Level/100) + 5) x NatureModifier. For HP: HP = floor((2 x Base + IV + floor(EV/4)) x Level/100) + Level + 10. This formula has been used in every main series game from Ruby & Sapphire onward.

How do IVs affect stats?

Each IV point adds 1 stat point at level 100 (before nature modifiers). IVs range from 0 to 31, so the difference between 0 IV and 31 IV at level 100 is 31 stat points. At level 50, each IV point is worth approximately 0.5 stat points.

How do EVs affect stats?

Every 4 EVs add 1 stat point at level 100. A stat can have up to 252 EVs (adding 63 stat points), and the total across all stats is capped at 510 EVs. The standard competitive spread is 252/252/4, which uses 508 of the 510 available EVs.

How does nature affect stats?

Each nature boosts one stat by 10% (multiplier 1.1) and reduces another by 10% (multiplier 0.9). Five neutral natures (Hardy, Docile, Bashful, Quirky, Serious) have no effect. HP is never affected by nature. There are 25 natures total: 20 modifying stats and 5 neutral.

What is the difference between Gen 1 and Gen 3+ stat formulas?

Gen 1-2 uses DV (0-15) instead of IV (0-31), Stat Experience (0-65535) instead of EVs, has no nature modifier, and shares a single Special stat for both Special Attack and Special Defense. The Gen 1 formula is: Stat = floor(((Base + DV + floor(sqrt(StatExp))) x Level/100) + 5).

What is BST (Base Stat Total)?

BST is the sum of all six base stats (HP + Attack + Defense + Sp. Atk + Sp. Def + Speed). It gives a quick overview of a Pokemon's overall power. Most fully evolved Pokemon have BSTs between 450 and 600. Pseudo-legendaries like Garchomp and Tyranitar have exactly 600 BST, while box-art legendaries like Mewtwo reach 680.

Which Pokemon has the highest base stats?

Among standard Pokemon, Mega Rayquaza and Mega Mewtwo X/Y share the highest BST at 780. Among non-Mega Pokemon, Eternatus (Eternamax form, 1125 BST) and standard legendaries like Mewtwo (680), Kyogre/Groudon (670), and Rayquaza (680) top the list. Slaking has 670 BST but is held back by Truant.

How do I find a Pokemon's base stats?

You can look up base stats on authoritative sources like Bulbapedia, Serebii, or the official Pokemon.com Pokedex. In-game, base stats are not directly displayed, but you can infer them using our stat calculator by entering known IVs, EVs, level, nature, and the actual stat values shown on the summary screen.

Do base stats change between games?

Base stats are generally fixed per species and do not change between games in the same generation. However, some Pokemon received base stat increases in Gen 6 (e.g., Pikachu's Attack went from 55 to 90). Mega Evolution, Primal Reversion, and certain abilities (like Huge Power) can effectively change base stats during battle.

What speed tier should I aim for?

Key speed tiers depend on the format. In VGC (level 50), common benchmarks include base 100 (neutral at 50), base 110 (outspeeds Garchomp), and base 130 (outspeeds most meta threats). In Smogon (level 100), the 102 speed tier is notable because a +1 Garchomp (base 102) outspeeds all base 100 Pokemon with a positive nature. Use our stat calculator to check exact speed values at different levels.

How to Calculate Pokemon Base Stats — Complete Guide

What Are Base Stats? (Plain English)

Think of base stats as a Pokemon's DNA. A Mewtwo will always hit harder with special moves than a Magikarp — not because of training or luck, but because Mewtwo's base Special Attack is 154 while Magikarp's is 15. These numbers are fixed per species: every wild Garchomp has the same base Attack of 130, every Blissey has the same base HP of 255.

But the stats you actually see in-game are much higher than the base values. That's because the game combines base stats with three additional factors — IVs (genetics), EVs (training), and Nature (personality) — then scales everything by level. This guide explains exactly how that calculation works, step by step, using the official formula from Bulbapedia and cross-referenced with Serebii.

The Six Base Stats

Every Pokemon has six base stats that define its capabilities. These are fixed per species — every wild Garchomp has the same base stats:

Hit Points — how much damage you can take

Attack

Power of physical moves

Defense

Resistance to physical moves

Sp. Atk

Power of special moves

Sp. Def

Resistance to special moves

Speed

Determines turn order

The Stat Formula (Gen 3+)

The actual stat you see in-game is calculated from the base stat plus three modifiers: IVs, EVs, and Nature. Here's the formula:

HP:

HP = floor((2 × Base + IV + floor(EV ÷ 4)) × Level ÷ 100) + Level + 10

Other Stats:

Stat = floor((floor((2 × Base + IV + floor(EV ÷ 4)) × Level ÷ 100) + 5) × NatureModifier)

Let's break down each component:

1. Base Stat

This is the species's inherent stat value. For example, Garchomp has a base Attack of 130. You can look up base stats on Bulbapedia, Serebii, or right here on our calculator.

2. IV (Individual Value)

A hidden value from 0 to 31 that represents the Pokemon's individual potential. Think of it as genetics — some Pokemon are simply born stronger. At level 100, each IV point equals 1 stat point.

Example: A Garchomp with 31 Attack IV at level 100 has 31 more Attack than one with 0 IV, before nature and EVs.

3. EV (Effort Value)

Points gained by battling. Each 4 EVs = +1 stat point at level 100. Max 252 per stat, 510 total. This is why competitive players spend time "EV training" — defeating specific Pokemon to earn the right EVs.

Example: 252 Attack EVs = 63 bonus Attack points at level 100. That's nearly a 50% boost for Garchomp (130 base → ~193 actual)!

4. Nature Modifier

Each nature increases one stat by 10% and decreases another by 10%. Neutral natures (like Hardy) don't modify any stats. HP is never affected by nature.

Example: Adamant nature = +10% Attack, -10% Sp. Atk. Perfect for physical attackers like Garchomp that don't use special moves.

5. Level

Stats scale with level. At level 50, stats are roughly half of their level 100 values. Competitive VGC battles use level 50; Smogon uses level 100.

Step-by-Step Calculation Example

Let's calculate Garchomp's Attack at level 100 with 31 IV, 252 EV, and Adamant nature:

Base Attack = 130
IV = 31
EV = 252 → floor(252/4) = 63
Inner calc: (2 × 130 + 31 + 63) × 100/100 = 354
Add 5: 354 + 5 = 359
Apply Adamant (+10%): floor(359 × 1.1) = 394
Final Attack = 394

That's a massive increase from the base 130 — nearly tripled! This shows why IVs, EVs, and natures matter so much in competitive play.

What These Numbers Mean in Practice

Knowing the formula is one thing — understanding what the results mean on the battlefield is another. Here are the practical thresholds that competitive players care about, based on common VGC and Smogon metagame benchmarks:

Speed Tiers That Matter

Speed determines turn order, making it the most tactically important stat. Missing a speed tier by even 1 point means you attack second and potentially get KO'd before moving. Key benchmarks:

Base Speed	What It Outspeeds	Notable Pokemon
130+	Almost everything	Jolteon, Aerodactyl, Ninjask
110-129	Most of the meta	Garchomp (102), Greninja (122), Dragapult (142)
100	The "standard" benchmark	Charizard, Salamence, Celebi
70-99	Mid-tier speed	Lucario (90), Tyranitar (61), Metagross (70)
<70	Relies on Trick Room or priority	Snorlax (30), Blissey (55), Ferrothorn (20)

Pro Tip: The "102 speed tier" is famous in Smogon because a +1 Speed Garchomp (base 102, Jolly nature) reaches 394 Speed at level 100 — exactly outspeeding all base 100 Pokemon with a positive speed nature (328 at +1 = 492... actually 328 × 1.5 = 492). Use our calculator to verify these breakpoints yourself.

Attack & Defense Benchmarks

For attacking stats, the difference between a 2HKO (two hits to knock out) and an OHKO (one hit) often comes down to a few stat points. Here's what different base stat ranges typically mean:

Base 130+ Attack/Sp.Atk: Premier wallbreakers — can 2HKO most of the metagame (e.g., Garchomp, Kartana)
Base 100-129: Solid attackers that benefit greatly from Choice items or Life Orb
Base 130+ HP/Defense: Reliable physical walls (e.g., Snorlax HP 160, Aggron Def 180)
Base 130+ Sp.Def: Special walls that shut down special attackers (e.g., Blissey Sp.Def 135)

BST (Base Stat Total) Ranges

BST gives a rough power level at a glance. While distribution matters more than total, BST is useful for quick comparisons:

600 BST: Pseudo-legendaries (Garchomp, Tyranitar, Salamence, Dragapult) — the strongest non-legendary Pokemon
500-580 BST: Most fully evolved standard Pokemon — the backbone of lower tiers
580-600 BST: Sub-legendaries (Articuno, Zapdos, Suicune, Latias)
670-680 BST: Box-art legendaries (Mewtwo, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Dialga, Palkia)
700+ BST: Mega Evolutions and ultra-powerful forms (Mega Mewtwo Y: 780, Eternamax Eternatus: 1125)

Gen 1-2 Formula (Legacy)

Older generations used a different formula:

Stat = floor(((Base + DV + floor(sqrt(StatExp))) × Level ÷ 100) + 5)

Key differences: DVs (0-15) instead of IVs, Stat Experience (0-65535) instead of EVs, no natures, and Special Attack/Defense share a single stat. Use our Gen 1 calculator for retro games.

Quick Reference: Nature Chart

+↑ / ↓→	Attack	Defense	Sp.Atk	Sp.Def	Speed
Attack	Hardy	Lonely	Adamant	Naughty	Brave
Defense	Bold	Docile	Impish	Lax	Relaxed
Sp.Atk	Modest	Mild	Bashful	Rash	Quiet
Sp.Def	Calm	Gentle	Careful	Quirky	Sassy
Speed	Timid	Hasty	Jolly	Naive	Serious

Rows = increased stat, Columns = decreased stat. Diagonal = neutral natures.

Start Calculating

Now that you understand the formula, use our calculators to plan your builds:

Main Stat Calculator — Calculate any Pokemon's stats
IV Calculator — Check your Pokemon's hidden IVs
EV Calculator — Plan your EV training
Damage Calculator — Calculate battle damage
Stat Comparison — Compare two Pokemon side by side