Along with Evs, PVs, and GVs (effort values, personality values, and gender values respectively), the pokemon franchise uses a unique training system through IVs, or Individual Values (Note: They are also known as DVs, or Dynamic values, but since IV is the more common usage I shall refer to them as such).
So what are IVs? Well, in the most basic sense their the genes of a particular pokemon. When a pokemon is captured, an IV for each of the six base stats is generated randomly. The random number is a numerical value between 0 and 31 (thus 32 possible values). The higher the IV, the better a poke will be at a certain stat. These increases are proportional by level through a formula that will be explained later. At level 100 the pokemon will have the exact IV bonus (therefore if you had two identical pokes, one with an IV of 31 and one with an IV of 0, the one with an IV of 31 would have 31 more points in a given stat than the one with an IV of 0). So how do you influence this value? By a process known as ?V Training or ?V Breeding?
When 2 compatible pokemon in the Day Care Center have an egg, the newly hatched pokemon will have three random IVs and 3 IVs inherited from its parents (each parent contributes at least 1 IV). By breeding pokemon with the best IVs over several generations the odds of pokemon obtaining higher IVs in each stat increases significantly over each new generation. However, to do this process you need to know the IVs of each of your pokemon that you are breeding with. These values are hidden from the player, however, so various means to figure out IVs have been created. If you are math savvy you can derive the IVs from these formulas.
IV = (( Math.Ceiling( Stat/P ) - 5 ) * 100/Level ) - 2 * BaseStat - EV/4
IV = (( Stat - Level - 10 ) * 100/Level ) - 2 * BaseStat - EV/4
(Note: ?ath Ceiling is a mathematical term that simply means that you round up the number in the parenthesis) As mentioned earlier the IV bonus of the pokemon is proportional to the pokemon? level, therefore the higher the pokemon? level the more accurate the result of the IV will be. Also remember that an IV can be a decimal, not an exact numeral, so it can be between 28.000000 and 28.999999, but since the game rounds down they will both be counted as an IV of 28. An easier way of achieving the IVs of pokemon are one of the very convenient IV Calculators. Here are some of the best on the net:
The Aurora Gate's IV Calculator
While the values of IVs are hidden from the player, as previously mentioned, there are some hints to what they are. Ever wonder what those random descriptions meant on the first page of a pokemon? summary? The ones that say ?apable of taking hits or ?ischievous? They actually follow a certain pattern that can give you an idea of the pokemon? abilities without having to go through the whole IV calculating process. Each of the descriptions matches to the highest IV of the pokemon, however, it stands for more than one number. There the IV could be 31, but it could also be 26, 21, 16, 11, 6, or 1. The series repeats in that order.
HIT POINTS
31-Often dozes off
30-Loves to Eat
29-Likes to Relax
28-Likes to scatter things
27-Often Naps
26-Often dozes off
ATTACK
31-Likes to thrash about
30-Proud of its' Power
29-Hot Tempered
28-Quick tempered
27-A little Quick-Tempered
26-Likes to Thrash about
DEFENSE
31-Capable of taking hits
30-Sturdy Body
29-Good perseverance
28-Good endurance
27-Highly persistent
SPEED
31-Alert to sounds
30-Likes to run
29-Quick to flee
28-Somewhat of a clown
27-Impetuous and silly
26-Alert to sounds
SPECIAL ATTACK
31-Mischeivous
30-Highly Curious
29-Very Finicky
28-Often lost in thought
27-Thoroughly cunning
26-Mischeivous
SPECIAL DEFENSE
31-Somewhat Vain
30-Strong Willed
29-Somewhat Stubborn
28-Hates to lose
27-Strongly Defiant
26-Somewhat Vain