Competitive Guide 2026 · Chapter 11

Quick Reference Glossary

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Section 12: Quick Reference Glossary

Term Definition GBL GO Battle League — the official ranked PvP mode in Pokémon GO CP Combat Power — a single number representing a Pokémon's overall strength, derived from its base stats, IVs, and level IV Individual Value — hidden stats (Attack, Defense, HP) ranging from 0–15 that modify base stats; cannot be changed without purifying a Shadow or using specific game mechanics DPS Damage Per Second — how much damage a raid attacker deals per second; used to evaluate and compare offensive power TDO Total Damage Output — the total damage dealt before a Pokémon faints; measures longevity combined with power in raids STAB Same-Type Attack Bonus — a 1.2× (20%) damage multiplier applied when a move matches one of the user's types CMP Charge Move Priority — determines

Term Definition

which Pokémon attacks first when both use a Charged Move simultaneously; the higher Attack stat wins Stat Product Attack × Defense × HP at the highest possible level under a CP cap; used to rank and compare PvP IV spreads Fast Move The primary attack used repeatedly in battle; generates energy with each use to fuel Charged Moves Charged Move A powerful attack requiring stored energy to activate; must be purchased with Stardust and Candy Shield Bait Using a cheap Charged Move to waste an opponent's shield, then following with a stronger, costlier move against a now-unshielded target Safe Switch A Pokémon sent in when the lead is in a losing matchup; designed to survive and respond effectively against unknown threats Closer The third Pokémon on a team, typically used in shield-exhausted endgame scenarios where it can deal unshielded damage freely Farm Continuing to use Fast Moves after a matchup is decisively won, banking energy to carry advantage into the next battle Switch Advantage Having the last switch opportunity in a battle, allowing strategic type alignment against the opponent's incoming Pokémon Shadow A Pokémon with +20% Attack and −20% Defense obtained by defeating Team GO Rocket trainers; has a distinctive purple aura Purify Converting a Shadow Pokémon back to a normal state using Candy and Stardust; removes the shadow bonuses — generally not recommended for meta picks XL Candy Special candy used to power Pokémon from Level 40 to Level 50; requires large quantities obtained through

Term Definition

catches, trades, or walking Elite TM A special Technical Machine that can teach any move, including exclusive Community Day moves; limited resource — use carefully Mega Evolution A temporary powered-up evolution that significantly boosts a Pokémon's stats and provides a passive same-type damage bonus to the entire raid lobby Primal Reversion The Primal form of Groudon or Kyogre; mechanically similar to Mega Evolution with unique in-battle effects and passive boosts Dynamax A Max Battle mechanic where Pokémon grow to giant size and use powerful Max Moves; distinct from standard PvP and raid mechanics Weather Boost A 20% damage increase applied to moves matching the current in-game weather type; also causes wild Pokémon to spawn at higher levels