Pokémon Legends: Arceus - How To Raise Effort Levels

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Effort Levels are an entirely new mechanic in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and raising them is just as important as raising a Pokémon's level. Effort Levels are similar to the Effort Value and Individual Value stats that Pokémon games have traditionally featured, as they are considered the «hidden stats» of Pokémon. Fortunately, Effort Levels are much easier to raise than either of the former values, which means players can build their best teams as they play through Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

When a Pokémon's stats are viewed in the summary menu, the Effort Levels are the numbers just outside of the main stat value and range from zero to 10. Most captured Pokémon will have their starting Effort Levels between zero and three, but Alpha Pokémon in Legends: Arceus are guaranteed to have at least three of their Effort Level stats begin at level three. Regardless of the level of the Pokémon or whether it was an Alpha, all Pokémon in Legends: Arceus can have all their Effort Levels raised to 10.

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The only way to increase a Pokémon's Effort Levels is by using the Grit items found throughout Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Grit items are similar to the various vitamin supplements, such as Protein and Calcium, that in previous games increased a Pokémon's Effort Value stats, but Grit items can be used on any Pokémon stat. While players can find more of these items by either beating or catching Alpha Pokémon in Legends: Arceus, like Infernape, the easiest way to amass a large number of Grit items quickly is by mass releasing Pokémon in the pasture.

To use a Grit item on a Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, players can open the item menu and select whichever Grit item is