The Exp. Share is a held item introduced in the second generation. When the player attaches an Exp. Share to a Pokémon in their party that isn't first in the lineup and battles, part of the experience points gained by the battling Pokémon is given to the one holding the Exp. Share. However the Pokémon who is battling does not gain the regular amount of experience; it gains half of the normal amount. There is usually only one Exp. Share found in each game, you can however obtain more by cheating, winning one at the lottery, trading Pokémon holding another Exp. Share, or, in Pokémon Black and White, receive a second one from the Pokémon Fan Club Chairman.
Any Pokémon actively in the battle receive half of the total experience. The other half gets split up among any Pokémon holding Exp. Shares. Example:
Opponent | Gives | Battling Pokémon | # of Pokémon with Exp. Share | Battling Pokémon receives | The Pokémon with Exp. Shares receive |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
100 Exp. points | 2 | 50 Exp. points | 25 Exp. points |
- Note: If the Pokémon that is holding the Exp. Share is the one fighting, extra experience is not gained and experience is not given to any of the other Pokémon in the party. The only item that raises the amount of XP gained is the lucky egg which can be found rarely being held by a wild Chansey.