>>56037942yes really.
IVs did not give you "extra stat points", they give you the exact same number of points as the system before it. if you can't visualize the formulas, play around in showdown's teambuilder to get an idea of how it works.
gen 2's special split had much less of an impact to pokemons' stats than gen 3's EV system revamp. gen 2's special split was basically just akin to the base stat nerfs/buffs we saw in gens 6-8. Stats in gens 1 and 2 look pretty similar for the most part. Some notable nerfs and buffs (snorlax buffed, chansey nerfed), but stats as a whole for most pokemon were not radically altered. Venusaur and many others remain identical stat-wise in gen 1 vs gen 2, whereas in gen 3 everything's stats look completely different.
510 EVs instead of 1530 EVs. Also natures. And it's a big deal. Everything is less bulky, but not only less bulky, mixed attacking sets become much less viable. There's a lot more opportunity cost to mixed attacking sets in a world with limited EVs and natures (3+) than without (1-2).
gen 4 and 5 would play 99% the same with or without the split. most of the best physical moves are still physical, most of the best special moves are still special. the split doesn't begin to become too relevant until gen 6+ imo, and even then, it's a minority of pokemon affected. whereas every single pokemon was radically affected by gen 3's stat system overhaul. every single pokemon's stat spreads look radically different thereafter.
