This article provides a clear explanation of Pokérus in Pokemon USUM (Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon). It also covers how to get Pokérus, methods of infection/transmission, and important points to note.
Table of Contents
What is Pokérus?
A Disease That Pokemon Can Develop
It refers to a disease that infects Pokemon with a 3/65536 chance after a battle ends. Although it's called a disease, it has no negative effects at all; in fact, it only brings positive effects.
Effect 1: Increased Effort Values (EVs) Gained
Pokemon receive Effort Values after a battle, but if infected with Pokérus, the EVs gained are doubled. This makes EV training significantly easier and speeds up raising them.
Effect 2: Pokérus is Contagious
By keeping a Pokemon infected with Pokérus in your party, you can transmit it to other Pokemon. The transmission probability in this case is high, at 1/3.
How to Check for Pokérus
Can Be Checked on the Status Screen
It may vary depending on the Pokemon game, but generally, you can check it on the Pokemon's status screen. It should be clearly written as "Pokérus," so you'll recognize it at a glance.
Get informed at the Pokemon Center
If it's the first time a Pokemon is infected, the Pokemon Center staff will inform you. If you read the text carefully when healing at the Pokemon Center, you'll notice it.
Infection/Spread Methods
Receive Through Trade From Someone
Trying to get infected with a 3/65536 chance is too unrealistic, so it's best to get a Pokemon with Pokérus by trading with someone else.
How Pokérus Spreads
Pokérus can be spread by keeping an infected Pokemon in your party. The timing for transmission is after a battle ends.
Only Spreads to the Two Adjacent Pokemon
Pokérus has a condition that it only spreads to the two Pokemon directly adjacent (before and after) to the Pokérus-infected Pokemon in the party.
Important Things to Note
Cured Instantly if Kept in the Party
If a Pokemon infected with Pokérus is kept in the party, it may be cured automatically. Once cured, that Pokemon can no longer spread Pokérus and will never be infected with Pokérus again. However, the effect of doubled EVs will continue permanently even after being cured. After curing, a smiley face mark will appear for identification.
How to Prevent It From Being Cured?
To prevent it from being cured, it's good to deposit the Pokérus-infected Pokemon into a PC Box. It will never be cured while in the PC Box, so it's a good idea to keep at least one as a source of infection.
