Using a lower-energy Charged Move to force the opponent to burn a shield, then following with a stronger nuke.

A specific Attack IV where a Fast Move deals one extra point of damage per hit. Can matter in close matchups.

A Defense or HP IV where a Pokémon survives one additional hit. The defensive counterpart to breakpoints.

When a Pokémon loses a 2-shield vs 0-shield fight, it banks significant energy advantage heading into the next battle.

Reaching a Charged Move first, forcing your opponent into early shield decisions before they're ready.

Powerful moves costing Energy. You can hold up to 2. The moments that define battles — shield or take the hit?

Your third Pokémon. Designed to clean up after your lead and safe switch do their work.

Charge Move Priority. When both trainers fire Charged Moves simultaneously, the higher Attack stat fires first. High Attack IVs can win CMP ties.

Using Charged Moves that hit a wide range of types super effectively. Good coverage shrinks your list of hard counters.

Combat Power. The summary stat for league eligibility. Great League: 1500 cap. Ultra: 2500 cap. Master: no cap.

Damage Per Turn. How much damage a Fast Move deals each turn. High DPT puts immediate pressure on opponent shields.

A rare resource that unlocks legacy or event-exclusive moves. Many top PvP moves require one.

Built with Fast Moves, spent on Charged Moves. Energy management is the central skill of competitive PvP.

Energy Per Turn. How fast a Fast Move generates energy. High EPT means reaching Charged Moves before your opponent.

Spamming Fast Moves after a fight is effectively won to bank energy for the next battle.

Free to use, generates energy. Evaluated by EPT and DPT. The backbone of sustained damage output over a full battle.

Go Battle League. Pokémon GO's ranked PvP mode, running in seasons with rotating leagues and cup formats.

The 1500 CP cap league. Most popular and balanced format — where the majority of foundational PvP knowledge lives.

Individual Values. Hidden stats for Attack, Defense, and HP. In PvP, low Attack IVs are often preferred to maximize bulk under a CP cap.

Your first Pokémon. Sets the tempo, shapes the energy state, and drives your opponent's opening switch decision.

A move no longer obtainable normally — requires an Elite TM. Examples: Shadow Ball Mewtwo, Body Slam Snorlax.

No CP cap. Fully powered Pokémon only. The format where stardust investment decides everything.

Both trainers running the same Pokémon. Outcome usually decided by CMP, IV differences, or move timing.

Exploiting Mud-slap's high EPT to reach Charged Moves rapidly, creating near-constant pressure. Swampert is the prime example.

A Shadow that has been purified. Gets Return as a Charged Move and a minimum 2/2/2 IV floor. Rarely better than Shadow in PvP.

Your second Pokémon. Should come in safely against almost anything — typically a bulky generalist.

Shadows deal 20% more damage and take 20% more. A pure glass cannon multiplier — great for some, harmful for others.

Team Rocket Pokémon with Frustration. Remove Frustration during a Rocket Takeover event to unlock full PvP potential.

2 per trainer per battle. Blocking a Charged Move costs one. Shield parity and shield advantage determine most battles.

Attack × Defense × HP at the CP ceiling. The standard metric for PvP IVs. Higher stat product = more bulk at the cap.

Switching in at the right moment to create a favorable matchup mid-battle. A high-skill, high-reward decision.

Swapping your active Pokémon — costs a 60-second cooldown in most formats. One of the most impactful tactical decisions.

Some types deal 1.6× and resist 1.6× from opposing types. Double weaknesses scale to 2.56×.

The 2500 CP cap league. Bulkier Pokémon and a distinct meta from Great League.