If you’ve spent hours training your Pokémon only to realize you misallocated their stats, don’t worry — you’re not stuck with your mistakes. In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, resetting Effort Values (EVs) is possible, and it’s easier than you might think. Whether you want to rebuild your Pokémon for competitive battles or simply fine-tune their strengths, this comprehensive guide will help you reset EVs efficiently using Mega Shards and other in-game tools.
Understanding EVs in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Before diving into the reset process, it’s important to understand what EVs (Effort Values) actually are and how they function in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
EVs are hidden values that influence your Pokémon’s stats — such as Attack, Defense, Speed, or HP — depending on the Pokémon they defeat in battles. Over time, these values add up, shaping how strong or fast your Pokémon becomes.
In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the EV system works similarly to older Pokémon games, but it’s more refined and transparent. Each Pokémon can accumulate a maximum of 510 total EVs, with up to 252 EVs in any one stat. That means you can fully maximize two key stats while still having a few points left for flexibility.
Example:
If you want a speedy attacker, you might assign:
- 252 EVs in Speed
- 252 EVs in Attack
- 6 EVs in HP
This optimization gives your Pokémon the best possible performance in battle. However, what if you later realize you want to focus more on Special Attack instead of Attack? That’s where resetting EVs comes into play.
Why Reset EVs?
Resetting EVs in Pokémon Legends: Z-A gives trainers the freedom to rebuild and re-optimize their team without catching or breeding new Pokémon. Here are some common reasons to reset EVs:
- You trained your Pokémon in the wrong stats early in the game.
- You want to rebuild a Pokémon for a new competitive format.
- You’re experimenting with new team strategies or battle types.
- You made accidental EV gains from battling random wild Pokémon.
- You simply want a fresh start with your favorite Pokémon.
Resetting helps you start from zero, giving your Pokémon a clean slate to redistribute effort points exactly as you wish.
Step-by-Step: How to Reset EVs in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Now that you know why it’s important, let’s walk through how to reset EVs in Pokémon Z-A step by step.
Step 1: Reach the Right Progress Point
Before you can reset EVs, make sure you’ve advanced far enough in the storyline. The reset feature becomes available only after you complete Mission 20 in the main questline. This milestone unlocks the post-game services in Lumiose City — including advanced training, stat tuning, and EV management options.
If you haven’t reached Mission 20 yet, focus on completing the story missions first. Once you hit that point, new facilities will open up for your use.
Step 2: Visit the Rust Syndicate Reception in Lumiose City
After unlocking the post-game content, head to Lumiose City, one of the central hubs in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Look for the Rust Syndicate Reception, a special area that offers advanced Pokémon services.
This location is easy to find — it’s marked on the city map with a training icon once it becomes available. Inside, you’ll meet several NPCs offering unique functions like EV modification, nature tuning, and move re-learning.
Step 3: Speak to the EV Reset NPC
Once inside the Reception area, talk to the non-playable character (NPC) behind the counter who specializes in EV adjustments.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Approach the desk and interact with the NPC.
- Select the option for EV Modification or Reset.
- The NPC will explain that they can completely wipe all current Effort Values on your selected Pokémon.
This is your confirmation point — once you proceed, all of that Pokémon’s EVs will be reset to zero.
Step 4: Pay the Fee Using Mega Shards
The reset process isn’t free. You’ll need to pay a small fee of five Mega Shards to perform a full EV wipe.
After you confirm your payment, the reset is immediate. All previously allocated EVs will disappear, allowing you to retrain the Pokémon from scratch using Power Items, battles, or training sessions.
Tip: Mega Shards are a valuable resource, so make sure you’re certain before confirming the reset.
Where to Find Mega Shards in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Mega Shards are the key currency for EV resets, so collecting them efficiently is essential. Thankfully, there are several reliable ways to obtain them across Lumiose City and beyond.
1. Shattering Mega Crystals
Mega Shards primarily drop from bright pink Mega Crystals scattered throughout Lumiose City. These glowing crystals can be shattered using one of your Pokémon’s moves, rewarding you with shards upon breaking.
The best farming spots for these crystals include:
- Rooftops of Lumiose buildings — especially those near the city center.
- Wild Zone 9, where clusters of Mega Crystals appear frequently.
- Around Hotel Z, another hotspot with dense crystal spawns.
Each crystal can drop between 1 to 3 shards depending on your luck and any equipped boosters.
2. Using the Pink Canari Plush for Bonus Shards
Want to increase your shard yield dramatically? Get yourself the Pink Canari Plush, an exclusive item available from the Colorful Screw Exchange. When equipped, it boosts the number of shards you receive from every Mega Crystal shattered.
If you’re serious about EV training and resetting multiple Pokémon, this plush is worth the investment. It turns shard farming into a much faster process, helping you gather what you need in less time.
3. Exploring Hidden Locations
Some Mega Shards can also be found as hidden loot in treasure chests or as quest rewards in Lumiose City’s side missions. Completing optional objectives or exploring rooftops and alleyways can uncover rare clusters of crystals or hidden caches containing shards.
Keep an eye out for faint pink glows—they often mark collectible shards or crystal fragments nearby.
After Reset: Rebuilding EVs the Smart Way
Once you’ve reset a Pokémon’s EVs, you’re free to redistribute effort values however you like. Here’s how to optimize your Pokémon’s new training plan.
1. Use Power Items for Targeted Training
Power Items, such as the Power Bracer, Power Lens, or Power Anklet, make EV training much faster. You can purchase or craft them using Mega Shards in Lumiose City’s training center.
Each item boosts a specific stat’s EV gain during battles:
- Power Bracer → Attack
- Power Lens → Special Attack
- Power Belt → Defense
- Power Anklet → Speed
- Power Weight → HP
- Power Band → Special Defense
Equip the item that matches your target stat, then battle specific Pokémon that grant EVs in that area.
2. Track Your Progress
Unlike earlier Pokémon titles, Pokémon Legends: Z-A provides an EV progress tracker in your Pokémon’s summary screen. This lets you visually monitor how close each stat is to its maximum. Keep training until your chosen stats are capped at 252 EVs each.
3. Experiment with Different Builds
One of the joys of Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the ability to experiment with builds. Want to switch a defensive wall into a speedy attacker? No problem — just reset the EVs again and reallocate accordingly.
For example:
- Offensive Build: 252 Attack / 252 Speed / 6 HP
- Defensive Build: 252 HP / 252 Defense / 6 Special Defense
- Mixed Attacker: 252 Special Attack / 128 Speed / 128 HP
Each combination drastically changes battle performance, allowing you to adapt to new challenges or opponents.
Tips for Efficient EV Management
Here are a few expert tips to make your EV training and resetting more efficient in Pokémon Legends: Z-A:
- Save Mega Shards in Bulk – You’ll need them not just for resets but also for buying Power Items and tuning moves.
- Plan EV Spreads Ahead – Decide your stat goals before resetting to avoid wasting shards.
- Pair with Nature Optimization – After resetting EVs, check your Pokémon’s nature and use nature mints if needed to match the desired stat boost.
- Use Auto-Battle Strategically – Auto-battling specific wild Pokémon is a fast way to gain targeted EVs once you’ve equipped Power Items.
- Keep Records – Many competitive players maintain EV spreadsheets or use apps to track progress and team balance.
Troubleshooting: EV Reset Not Working?
If your EV reset option isn’t available or not functioning, here are common causes and fixes:
- You haven’t completed Mission 20 — finish this to unlock the Rust Syndicate services.
- You don’t have enough Mega Shards — you must have at least five in your inventory.
- You selected the wrong Pokémon — only Pokémon you own and can train are eligible.
- Temporary bug or glitch — save, restart, and retry from Lumiose City.
If issues persist, check for game updates or official patches, as post-launch updates often fix such bugs.
Final Thoughts: Mastering EV Resets in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Resetting EVs in Pokémon Legends: Z-A is one of the most valuable tools for trainers who want total control over their team’s growth. It gives you the freedom to experiment, optimize, and rebuild without losing your favorite Pokémon.
Using Mega Shards and accessing the Rust Syndicate Reception, you can wipe away all previous training mistakes and start fresh with a competitive-ready build. Whether you’re preparing for high-level battles, story mode optimization, or just perfecting your dream team, the EV reset system ensures no training effort ever goes to waste.
As Pokémon Legends: Z-A continues to evolve, mastering EV management — from training to resetting — will become one of the most important skills for serious players. So go ahead, collect those Mega Shards, clear out the old stats, and unleash the full potential of your Pokémon lineup.