Pokémon GO PvP Terminology Dictionary (A-Z)

Pokémon GO PvP has developed its own vocabulary.

Terms such as CMP, ABB, safe swap, breakpoint, Stat Product, and win condition appear constantly in team guides, simulations, and battle discussions.

This dictionary gives you one place to understand the most important Pokémon GO PvP terminology.

A — ABB Team

An ABB team uses one lead Pokémon followed by two backline Pokémon that share a similar counter profile.

The first B Pokémon is often used to draw out the opponent's answer to that type of backline. The lead then attempts to remove the counter so the second B Pokémon can perform more freely later.

Read ABB Teams Explained.

A — ABC Team

An ABC team generally uses three Pokémon with different coverage profiles.

Instead of intentionally stacking one backline weakness, ABC teams usually aim for broader overall flexibility.

Read ABC Teams Explained.

A — Alignment

Alignment describes which of your Pokémon are matched against which opposing Pokémon.

Correct alignment can allow your counter to face the opponent it was selected to handle.

Winning switch advantage often helps preserve alignment, but alignment is only one PvP resource.

A — Attack IV

The Attack IV is the Attack component of a Pokémon's individual values.

Attack contributes strongly to CP, which is why low-Attack IV spreads often rank highly in Great League and Ultra League.

Attack can also influence breakpoints and CMP.

B — Backline

Your backline is generally the two Pokémon behind your lead.

Team structures such as ABB are often described according to how these two Pokémon relate to each other.

B — Bait

A bait is the use of a lower-cost Charged Move in an attempt to make the opponent spend a Protect Shield while expecting a stronger attack.

Baiting involves risk because the opponent may choose not to shield.

Read Shield Baiting Explained.

B — Breakpoint

A breakpoint occurs when enough Attack causes a Fast Move to deal one additional point of damage against a specific opponent.

Because Fast Moves are repeated many times, one extra damage can matter in some matchups.

Read Breakpoints Explained.

B — Bulk

Bulk describes how well a Pokémon survives incoming damage.

Defense and HP are the primary stats associated with bulk.

A bulky Pokémon may survive long enough to reach an additional Charged Move or absorb attacks without using a shield.

B — Bulkpoint

A bulkpoint occurs when enough Defense reduces the opponent's Fast Move damage by one point.

Read Bulkpoints Explained.

C — Catch

A catch occurs when you switch Pokémon as the opponent throws a Charged Move so the attack hits a different Pokémon than intended.

A successful catch can redirect damage into a resistance or low-value target.

C — Charged Move

A Charged Move consumes energy generated by Fast Moves.

Charged Moves create direct damage, shield pressure, coverage, and sometimes stat effects.

Read Fast Moves vs Charged Moves.

C — Closer

A closer is a Pokémon expected to perform especially well later in the battle.

Closers often benefit from:

• Reduced opponent shields
• Stored energy
• Removal of their hardest counters
• Favorable final alignment

C — CMP

CMP stands for Charged Move Priority.

When two Pokémon attempt a Charged Move on the same turn, real Attack determines which Pokémon acts first.

Use the PVPium CMP Checker for exact comparisons.

Read What Is CMP Tie?.

C — Core

A core is usually a pair of Pokémon that cover important weaknesses for each other.

A strong core does not need perfect coverage, but it should avoid unnecessary shared weaknesses.

C — Core Breaker

A core breaker is a Pokémon that threatens multiple members of a core or team.

Read Core Breakers Explained.

C — Coverage

Coverage describes how well your Pokémon or team can respond to different opposing Pokémon.

Coverage can come from typing, movesets, role distribution, and the way teammates protect each other.

Read Team Coverage Explained.

C — CP

CP stands for Combat Power.

Great League and Ultra League use CP caps, which makes IV optimization different from uncapped formats.

• Great League: 1500 CP
• Ultra League: 2500 CP

D — Defense IV

The Defense IV contributes to the Pokémon's real Defense stat.

Defense can influence survival and specific bulkpoints.

E — Energy

Energy is generated by Fast Moves and spent on Charged Moves.

Energy is one of the most important PvP resources.

Read Energy Management Explained.

E — Energy Advantage

An energy advantage exists when one Pokémon begins a matchup with more stored energy than the other.

This can flip matchups that look different from an even-energy simulation.

F — Farm Down

To farm down means defeating an opponent using Fast Moves while building additional energy.

The goal is usually to enter the next matchup with stored energy.

F — Fast Move

A Fast Move is the repeated attack used to deal damage and generate energy.

Different Fast Moves have different damage, energy generation, and duration characteristics.

F — Fast Move Counting

Fast Move counting means tracking how many Fast Moves the opponent has used to estimate their stored energy and possible Charged Moves.

Read Counting Fast Moves.

F — Fast Move Pressure

Fast Move pressure describes damage generated primarily through Fast Moves.

This damage cannot be blocked with Protect Shields.

H — HP

HP is the amount of health a Pokémon has.

One additional final HP can occasionally decide whether a Pokémon survives long enough to attack again.

I — IV

IV stands for Individual Value.

Every Pokémon has Attack, Defense, and HP IVs between 0 and 15.

Use the PVPium IV Checker to evaluate league-specific PvP IVs.

I — IV Percentage

IV Percentage measures how close the raw IV total is to 45/45.

It is not the same thing as PvP Rank.

Read IV Percentage vs PvP Rank.

L — Lead

The lead is the Pokémon that begins the battle.

A useful lead should have a plan for both favorable and unfavorable opening matchups.

M — Meta

The meta is the competitive environment created by commonly used Pokémon, team structures, counters, and strategies.

A meta can change because of move updates, new Pokémon, balance adjustments, or player adaptation.

M — Mirror Match

A mirror occurs when both players have the same Pokémon in the matchup.

CMP, IVs, energy, and shield decisions can become especially important in mirrors.

M — Move Timing

Move timing describes when you use a Charged Move relative to Fast Move cycles.

Good timing can reduce unnecessary Fast Move value given to the opponent.

Read Move Timing Explained.

N — Nuke

A nuke is an informal PvP term for a high-damage Charged Move.

Nukes usually cost more energy but can create major shield pressure or closing power.

O — Overfarm

To overfarm means continuing to use Fast Moves after enough energy for a Charged Move has already been generated.

Overfarming can create future energy advantage, but farming too far can risk fainting with unused energy.

P — PvP Rank

PvP Rank commonly compares IV combinations according to their finished stat efficiency for a selected league.

Rank 1 usually represents the highest Stat Product spread under the selected conditions.

R — Rank 1

Rank 1 is the IV combination with the highest ranking under the selected ranking method.

It is a strong default target, but specific Attack, Defense, HP, CMP, and threshold goals can make another spread useful.

Read Why Rank 1 Isn't Always the Best Pokémon.

S — Safe Swap

A safe swap is the Pokémon commonly used after an unfavorable lead.

Its goal is to create a playable battle state even when the opponent can choose a counter.

Read Safe Swap Strategy.

S — Sacrificial Swap

A sacrificial swap uses another Pokémon, often one with very low HP, to absorb an opponent's Charged Move.

Read Sacrificial Swaps Guide.

S — Shield Advantage

Shield advantage means having more Protect Shields remaining than the opponent.

It can be more valuable than switch advantage in some endgames.

S — Shield Bait

A shield bait attempts to obtain a Protect Shield using a lower-cost Charged Move rather than the stronger move the opponent expects.

S — Stat Product

Stat Product is a measure of combined real Attack, Defense, and HP.

A simplified representation is:

Attack × Defense × HP

Read Pokémon GO PvP Stat Product Explained.

S — Switch Advantage

Switch advantage describes having more control over final matchup alignment.

It is valuable, but should be weighed against shields, energy, and your win condition.

S — Switch Timer

The switch timer controls when you are allowed to freely switch Pokémon again.

Read Advanced Switch Timer Management.

T — Team Core

A team core is a pair of Pokémon selected because their strengths and weaknesses complement each other.

W — Win Condition

A win condition is the battle state or sequence of events your remaining team needs to win.

Examples include:

• Saving a shield for the closer
• Removing one counter
• Preserving alignment
• Creating enough stored energy

Read Win Conditions Explained.

X — XL Candy

XL Candy is used to power Pokémon beyond the traditional Level 40 range.

High-level Great League, Ultra League, and Master League projects may require substantial amounts of XL Candy.

X — XL Pokémon

An XL Pokémon generally refers to a PvP build requiring levels that use XL Candy.

Because these builds can be expensive, they should be evaluated before investment.

Read Should You Build XL Pokémon?.

How to Use This Dictionary

When you encounter an unfamiliar term in a PVPium guide, ranking page, Team Builder result, or battle discussion, return here for the basic definition.

Then follow the linked dedicated guide when you need the full strategy behind the concept.

Final Takeaway

Pokémon GO PvP terminology becomes much easier once you understand that most terms describe one of a few core ideas: stats, energy, shields, alignment, roles, and team structure.

You do not need to memorize every term immediately. Learn the vocabulary as each concept becomes relevant to your battles.