Frequently asked questions
What are PvP IVs?
Every Pokémon has three hidden IVs (individual values) for Attack, Defense and HP, each from 0 to 15. In battle leagues with a CP cap, the best IVs are the ones that give the most total stats while staying under the cap. Those are called PvP IVs.
Why is 15/15/15 not the best for Great and Ultra League?
A high Attack IV raises CP fast, so a 15/15/15 Pokémon hits the CP cap at a lower level. A Pokémon with low Attack and high Defense and HP can be powered up further before it reaches the cap, and it ends up with more total stats. In Master League there is no cap, so 15/15/15 is best there.
What does rank 1 mean?
Each species has 4,096 possible IV combinations. We take each one to the highest level it can reach under the CP cap and multiply Attack, Defense and HP. That number is the stat product. Rank 1 is the combination with the highest stat product, and the percentage shows how close yours is to rank 1.
Does a rank 1 really matter?
Usually only a little. Most Pokémon above about 98 % of rank 1 perform almost the same, and moves, typing and how you play matter far more. Small IV differences can still win or lose a few close matchups, which is why top players hunt for them.
Is stat product the only thing that matters?
No. Some players prefer a higher Attack stat to win Charge Move Priority, which decides who fires first when both players throw a charged move at the same time. Others look for breakpoints, where a little more Attack or Defense changes how much damage a fast move does. The ranks here use stat product, which is the standard measure.
How do I find my Pokémon’s exact IVs?
Appraise the Pokémon in the game and look at the three bars. Each bar is split into segments, and you can match them by tapping the bars in the IV ranker. If you also enter the current CP, the ranker checks that the IVs you picked are possible.
What is an IV floor?
Some Pokémon can never have IVs below a minimum. Weather boosted wild catches have at least 4 in each stat. Raid, egg and research rewards have at least 10. Traded Pokémon depend on your friendship level: 1 for Good, 2 for Great, 3 for Ultra and 5 for Best Friends, and lucky trades have at least 12. Regular wild catches and Team GO Rocket shadows can have any IVs.
Does trading change IVs?
Yes. A trade rerolls all three IVs, using the floor for your friendship level. A Pokémon with perfect PvP IVs should therefore not be traded away unless you are happy to gamble.
What does best buddy do?
A best buddy Pokémon gets one extra level of CP boost, so it can reach level 51 instead of 50. Tick Buddy in the ranker if your Pokémon is a best buddy, or if you plan to make it one.
Do I need XL candy?
Levels 41 to 50 cost XL candy. Many Great League Pokémon with rank 1 IVs reach the cap below level 40 and need no XL candy, but some, especially weaker species, need to go all the way to 50 or 51.
Do evolutions change IVs?
No. IVs stay the same when a Pokémon evolves, which is why the ranker shows the whole evolution line at once. A Marill can be bad for Great League while its Azumarill is rank 1.
How are shadow and purified Pokémon ranked?
A shadow Pokémon has the same IVs as a regular one, so it gets the same rank. The shadow attack bonus and defense penalty are not part of the stat product. Purifying a shadow adds 2 to each IV, up to 15, which often makes PvP IVs worse.
How do the search strings work?
The search string page lists the top IV combinations for the Pokémon and league you choose and works out every CP and HP they can have at the levels you can catch them. Paste the string into the search bar in your Pokémon storage to see which of your Pokémon could have those IVs. Some matches will be close misses, so check each one in the IV ranker. The strings use English names, so the game must be set to English.
Why does a Pokémon show a warning that its level is too high?
If your Pokémon is already above the CP cap, it cannot be used in that league, since you cannot lower a Pokémon’s level. The ranker flags this so you don’t waste stardust on it.
Which Little League rules are checked?
Both standard rules are checked here: the 500 CP cap, and that the Pokémon has not evolved yet but still can. A middle stage such as Flaaffy has already evolved, and a Pokémon that never evolves has nowhere to go, so neither can enter Little League; both are marked with a cross. Limited-time Little Cups sometimes add type or species restrictions on top of that, which are not checked here.
Where does the data come from?
Base stats come from the open game master that PvPoke publishes. When new Pokémon are added or stats change, the site needs an update to include them.
Is the site free and does it track me?
Yes, it is free, and there is no tracking, no ads and no account. Your last Pokémon and settings are saved only in your own browser. Read more in the privacy policy.
Is this site made by Niantic or The Pokémon Company?
No. It is a fan-made tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Niantic, Nintendo, Game Freak or The Pokémon Company.