This article contains a list of known differences between the PVP IV battle simulator and the Pvpoke battle simulator for 1 vs 1 battles. These comparisons show how PVP IV’s move selection and move timing algorithm can lead to a more optimized outcome in some 1 vs 1 battles. All simulations use Rank 1 (max stat product) IVs and are for the Great League, unless otherwise specified.
Please note that this post is in no way intended to to reflect negatively on Pvpoke. The two platforms use very different algorithms for their simulators, and each algorithm has its own tradeoffs. While PVP IV has more optimized move selection and move timing for 1 vs 1 battles, it also takes longer to run. On the other hand, Pvpoke’s simulations run very quickly, which make matrix battles, custom rankings, and other cool features possible.
Scrafty (1 shield) vs Swampert (1 shield)
- Pvpoke shows Scrafty using Power-Up Punch and losing to Swampert.
- PVP IV shows that Scrafty can go straight Foul Play and win the matchup.
- Corrections like this may contribute to Scrafty’s higher ranking on PVP IV compared to Pvpoke.
Vigoroth (2 shields) vs Azumarill (0 shields)
- Pvpoke shows Vigoroth using only Body Slam.
- PVP IV shows that Vigoroth wins slightly faster using one Bulldoze and two Body Slam.
Mantine (0 shields) vs Registeel (0 shields)
This matchup uses the default Pvpoke IVs, and was inspired by this Reddit thread.
- Pvpoke shows Mantine using Ice Beam and losing, while Registeel uses only Flash Cannon.
- If we reproduce the scenario in PVP IV by giving Registeel only Flash Cannon and disabling charge move timing optimizations for Registeel, PVP IV shows Mantine using a combination of Bubble Beam and Ice Beam and winning.
- However, if we give Registeel Focus Blast, PVP IV shows that Registeel wins by using Focus Blast, even if Mantine uses Bubble Beam.
- This matchup goes to show how PVP IV’s simulator provides a more complete understanding of the different ways a complicated battle like this one can resolve.
Mantine (0 shields) vs Mantine (0 shields)
Both Pokemon have only Bubble and Bubble Beam (no Ice Beam).
- Pvpoke shows Mantine winning against itself, even though both Pokemon are identical.
- PVP IV shows an even matchup, with 2 symmetric outcomes depending on the CMP tie.
- Corrections like this may contribute to Mantine’s lower ranking on PVP IV compared to Pvpoke.
Gardevoir Shadow (1 shield) vs Swampert (1 shield)
This matchup is in Ultra League with the default Pvpoke IVs, and was inspired by this Reddit thread.
- Pvpoke shows Shadow Gardevoir winning, with Swampert fainting with enough energy to use a Hydro Cannon.
- If we reproduce the scenario in PVP IV by disabling charge move timing optimizations, Swampert still loses but is at least shown using a second Hydro Cannon before fainting.
- However, if we re-enable charge move timing optimizations, we see that with proper timing, Swampert can actually use both a Hydro Cannon and an Earthquake, and win the match if the Earthquake goes unshielded.
Azumarill (0 shields) vs Registeel (0 shields) – NO LONGER RELEVANT AFTER FLASH CANNON NERF
This matchup was inspired by this Reddit thread.
- Pvpoke shows this as a win for Azumarill.
- PVP IV shows this as a win for Registeel, because it optimizes charge move timing.
- Note that PVP IV’s result matches Pvpoke’s if charge move timing optimization is disabled.
Altaria (1 or 2 shields) vs Registeel (1 or 2 shields) – NO LONGER RELEVANT AFTER FLASH CANNON NERF
- Pvpoke shows (1 shield, 2 shield) Altaria using only Sky Attack.
- PVP IV shows (1 shield, 2 shield) Altaria using Dragon Pulse once, and doing more damage overall if it goes unshielded, while doing equal damage if it’s shielded.
- This creates a win condition for Altaria in the 2 shield scenario, and allows it to do more damage before fainting in the 1 shield scenario.
- Note that this is IV dependent.
Registeel (2 shields) vs Registeel (2 shields) – NO LONGER RELEVANT AFTER FLASH CANNON NERF
- Pvpoke shows Registeel baiting twice with Flash Cannon, then landing Focus Blast.
- PVP IV shows that this match still ends in a tie if one Registeel goes straight Focus Blast.
- If a Registeel’s Flash Cannon goes unshielded, it loses, so we can learn that baiting usually isn’t worth it in this matchup.
- Note that this is IV dependent.
While this article contains many differences between PVP IV and Pvpoke, there are certainly more. Feel free add additional ones in the comments, and/or contact me if you notice any issues.
PVP IV 