PvP IV Guide — Why 0/15/15 is Optimal

Why is 0/15/15 better than 15/15/15 in PvP?

Summary

Great League (CP 1500) and Ultra League (CP 2500) have a CP cap. In the CP formula, ATK is weighted higher than DEF/HP, so a lower ATK IV lets you push to a higher level at the same CP, resulting in higher total stats.

Great / Ultra

Lower ATK is better

Toward 0/15/15

Master

No CP cap

15/15/15 optimal

Stat Product

ATK × DEF × HP

Higher = stronger

CP Formula & ATK Weighting

CP = floor(ATK × √DEF × √HP × CPM² / 10)

ATK is multiplied directly, but DEF and HP are multiplied by their square root (√). So ATK has a bigger impact on CP than DEF/HP.

Lower ATK IV means:

→ CP rises more slowly

→ You can push to a higher level at the same CP cap

→ Higher level means higher DEF/HP

→ Total stat product (ATK × DEF × HP) goes up

Higher ATK IV means:

→ CP rises quickly

→ Hits the CP cap earlier

→ Stops at a lower level

→ Lower DEF/HP, lower total stat product

Rank 1 vs 15/15/15

Comparing the optimal IV (Rank 1) vs 15/15/15 for popular PvP Pokémon.

Azumarill

Great League (CP 1500)

	IV	Lv	CP	Stat Product
Rank 1	0/15/15	45.5	1499	2,451,798.515
15/15/15	15/15/15	36	1497	2,298,149

Rank 1 has a stat product +6.7% higher than 15/15/15.

Altaria

Great League (CP 1500)

	IV	Lv	CP	Stat Product
Rank 1	0/14/15	29	1497	2,212,159.03
15/15/15	15/15/15	26	1489	2,079,384

Rank 1 has a stat product +6.4% higher than 15/15/15.

Jellicent

Great League (CP 1500)

	IV	Lv	CP	Stat Product
Rank 1	1/14/14	24.5	1498	2,122,115.157
15/15/15	15/15/15	22	1470	1,977,574

Rank 1 has a stat product +7.3% higher than 15/15/15.

Corviknight

Ultra League (CP 2500)

	IV	Lv	CP	Stat Product
Rank 1	0/15/15	48.5	2498	4,586,648.449
15/15/15	15/15/15	41	2488	4,358,067

Rank 1 has a stat product +5.2% higher than 15/15/15.

What is Stat Product?

Stat Product = ATK × DEF × HP

A measure of a Pokémon's overall performance in PvP. Higher stat product means you deal more damage while surviving longer at the same CP.

IV Rank orders all 4,096 IV combinations (0/0/0 to 15/15/15) by stat product. Rank 1 = the IV with the highest stat product in that league.

How much can you compromise?

The stat product difference between Rank 1 and Rank 100 is typically 1–2%. In practice, move timing, switch decisions, and shield management matter far more.

Rank 1–50Near-optimal. Use right away.

Rank 50–200Fully competitive. Suitable for most players.

Rank 200–500Slight loss but hardly noticeable in practice.

Rank 500+Look for a better IV if possible. But if not, still OK.

Master League is Different

Master League has no CP cap. Every Pokémon can be maxed out, so there's no level difference.

So 15/15/15 is optimal, and high-IV Pokémon from raids are ready to go.

In Master League, a 1 IV difference can affect CMP (Charge Move Priority). When both sides fire Charged Attacks at the same time, the higher ATK goes first.

IV Floor by Source

Optimal PvP IVs (low ATK) can only come from sources without a floor.

Source	IV Floor	PvP Fit
Wild catch	0/0/0	Optimal for Great/Ultra
Trade	0/0/0 (Lucky: 12/12/12)	Regular trade = can be optimal
Raid / Egg / Research	10/10/10	Limited (ATK ≥ 10)
Shadow (unpurified)	0/0/0	Optimal for Great/Ultra
GO Battle League rewards	0/0/0	Optimal for Great/Ultra

Summary

1Great/Ultra League: Lower ATK IV + higher DEF/HP IV = higher stat product.

2Master League: No CP cap, so 15/15/15 is optimal.

3Rank 200 or better is fully competitive. Don't delay using a Pokémon waiting for a perfect IV.

4Movesets, shield play, and switch timing affect outcomes much more than IVs.