What must my Pokémon do in order to gain an EV? Must it deliver the final blow?

Question

I was going to evolve my Tyrouge (with currently equal attack and defense) into a Hitmontop by defeating only Boldores (which give one attack and one defense). Do Pokémon gain EVs just by participation in a battle? Do they have to deal the final blow?
Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

No. A Pokémon does not need to be the one to finish the battle to gain EVs. It at least needs to gain experience in battle. So if it is too weak in battle, just switch train it, which is just sending your weak Pokémon that needs the EVs, and switch out to another Pokémon that is able to battle, and finish the opposing Pokémon off to gain EVs to the desired Pokémon, or, just pop an EXP. Share on it. Or if it is capable of battling you can just go ahead and finish the foe off. This is really helpful for EVs training weak Pokémon. So, at least the Pokémon has gained experience in the battle, it will gain the EVs that the foe provides it!

I hope this helped!

Answer 2

The Pokemon dosen't need to deliver the final blow, just participate or be in your party with EXP share on.
But when you have EXP share on remember that all Pokemon in you're party gains thoose EV's If they haven't already maxed them out. For example you battle the Boldor and all your Pokemon that haven't maxed out thier EV's gains one attack and one defense EV.