Pokémon GO battle simulation methodology

Current lineup scenarios

Shadow Battle Lab expands each Rocket opponent's lead, second, and closer options into exact three-Pokémon lineup scenarios. “Lineups beaten” is the share of those combinations the team wins in the simulation. For example, 9 out of 10 means 90% coverage—not a 90% chance of winning your next battle.

Stats, types, and moves

The model uses Pokémon species stats, combat power multipliers, type effectiveness, fast-move timing, charged-move energy and damage, Shadow modifiers, and eligible Mega or Primal forms. Recommended moves are shown directly on each team card, including Elite TM notices where applicable.

Rocket battle behavior

Leader and Giovanni recommendations account for shield pressure and the post-switch or post-charged-move delay used in Rocket battle planning. Team order is evaluated by role: opening pressure, shield support, and closer safety. Settings let trainers prioritize survival or speed and compare direct leads with an opening swap.

Ranking and replacements

Teams are ranked first by exact scenario outcomes, then by the selected survival or speed priorities. Choosing “I don't have this” removes that exact form and state—such as Shadow Kyogre without removing regular Kyogre—and reranks the same evaluated team pool.

Max Battle benchmark

Max Battle Lab does not read your Pokémon storage. It compares released and announced Dynamax and Gigantamax candidates at the selected level with perfect 15/15/15 IVs, no weather, the normal Power Spot attack bonus, and no paid Max Mushroom. Move damage, energy, duration, typed Max Moves, species-specific G-Max Moves, boss defense, and survival are calculated in the browser.

Because the exact boss moveset is unknown before entry, incoming damage uses every likely boss attack type: 65% of the estimate reflects the full threat pool and 35% adds protection against the most dangerous matchup. Dynamax and Gigantamax boss forms remain separate selections, and Gigantamax encounters use the higher-endurance benchmark from the source Max Battle model. Group-size estimates assume each selected trainer contributes a team of comparable strength. The selected group size scales battle duration, benchmark score, total incoming damage, and the Revive and Potion estimates shown for the complete group.

Max Battle team roles and score

Recommendations pair a durable tank with two damage-focused counters. Balanced, damage, and survival settings change role emphasis and assumed time on the field. The team benchmark score combines counter-table alignment, survival, and estimated duration into a score out of 100. It is a comparison score based on those assumptions, not a win percentage measured from live battles.

Duration uses a simplified boss HP benchmark based on species stats and Max form, with a fixed ordinary-attack and Max-phase cycle. The model does not reproduce individual dodges, exact Max Meter generation, coordinated Guard and Spirit actions, or all groups in a large Gigantamax lobby. A high score or short estimate cannot establish that a particular live encounter is clearable with the selected group.

Announced Max forms and fallback candidates

The Max roster includes released and announced forms so trainers can prepare. Availability in the selector is not a live Power Spot schedule. For announced species absent from the source counter tables, the exporter selects a legal moveset using a simplified damage comparison against the boss. Those candidates receive provisional table-alignment values after the retained ranked pool; they do not have the same evidence as a source-ranked entry.

For a practical comparison workflow, read our Max Battle planning guide. Save resources until event details and live difficulty are known.

Data updates and limitations

Rocket rotations and battle data are refreshed through an automated validation pipeline. Pokémon GO can change lineups, moves, stats, and battle behavior; real outcomes also depend on tapping, switching, lag, Pokémon level, and IVs. Please report suspected differences through the contact link on our About page.