Is it always better to max HP EV I stead of splitting between defense?

I’ve read multiple times that putting 252 EVs into HP is better than putting 126 in Def and SpD each, and I know this question has generally been asked, but I’m hoping mine is a bit more specific. I’m wondering if this is always the case, specifically when the rest of the EV are in speed or an attack.

The example that brings me to ask this, is Aegislash. I have 252 EV in attack, but his HP stat isn’t very good, and his stance change ability gives him amazing defense stats when in shield forme.

So, would it be better to put 252 into HP, or 129 into def and special def? Also, would this normally be the case when a Pokémon has bad HP stats, and decent defense stats?

Note: I’m only wondering in cases where you would split Def and SpD evenly rather than maxing HP. I know there are obvious cases where EV would go into one defense stat or the other.

Pleaselog inorregisterto add a comment.

It’s useful to think in terms of a so-called “bulk rating”, which is HP times the appropriate defense stat, because that’s pretty much what you’re measuring with respect to how well you can survive certain hits.

Things get messier when you consider that not everything has its defense and special defense stats the same, and some of the really lopsided cases like Chansey make for interesting decisions in allocation. Going full-on into physical defense there makes a difference of more than 100%, and you have more points to work with because it’s extremely uncommon that a Chansey would ever want to invest in the attacking stats or speed, but do you want to really shore up that physical side and prevent it from being taken as a weakness (in which case you’ll choose to put the rest in HP) or do you want to simply achieve the highest sum of the bulk ratings on each side (in which case it’s actually better to go for Special Defense, because even as high as that is, the EVs there will make more of a difference than they would going into Chansey’s ludicrous HP)? The answer really depends on what role you expect it to play, and what attacks you expect it to come in and try to sponge up. There is the issue that the opponent is the one who decides what moves they use, not you, so you can almost never be sure of statements like “it’s okay, this Chansey won’t face off against any physical attackers.” But if you think you’ll have enough control over its use in the heat of battle, you can skew a particular Pokemon to give extra attention to one side or the other, and shift the EVs accordingly with what makes sense to you.

it depends. Since Ash-Greninja has high special attacks but so low hp and defense it depends. If you have bad hp and defense(s) you should ev both. If you have it even, Do HP and speed or attack / special