Greninja PvP IV Deep-Dive

The tables hyperlinked below feature the IV spreads that meet some of the more important stat checks highlighted in the article. It’s important to review the guide itself to make sure you’re getting what you want out of your Greninja. For example, you may want a slightly higher Atk weight for higher Breakpoint potential.

GL- Bulk Focus (99.61 Def, 115 HP)

• 99.61 Def covers 122.5 Atk Froslass
• 115 HP is to avoid full farmdown scenarios from Carbink and Bastiodon
  • You can thrift down to 111 HP if you’re not concerned with those matchups, but do compare yourself vs the Diggersby 0-0
• Some of the higher Atk weights here have a good chance at the Charge Move Breakpoints highlighted in the guide

GL- Azu Slayer (140.08 Atk, 99.36 Def, 111 HP)

• 140.51, 141.09, 141.38 are notable Atk BPs for Toxapex, Swampert, and Lanturn respectively
  • See guide for details
• 99.36 Def covers 121.9 Atk Froslass
• 11356+ Bulk Product may cover the Diggersby 0-0
• 110 HP is the absolute bare minimum recommendation if you have limited options

UL- Bulk Focus (130.62 Def, 149 HP)

• This list is also solid (132.53 Def, 147 HP), but 149 HP is safer
• Higher Def is more likely to handle the SC Giratina 2-2 and Shadow Machamp 1-0 (~131.48)
• Higher Atk weights may get a Breakpoint to 1-1 some Cresselia

In the Great League, Greninja benefits most from having high bulk. 99.36 Def should keep Greninja fortified against most high stat product Froslass (1-2) and Toxapex (2-1). 110 HP covers some Deoxys Defense Forme 1-1 scenarios, the Jellicent 1-2, and Cofagrigus 0-1, but 111 HP is recommended for the Rock Throw Cabrink 2-2 and higher mirror and general consistency. Even higher HP is recommended over having even higher Def, as it can enable the Diggersby 0-0 (113 HP) and protect against some farm down scenarios vs Bastiodon and Carbink (115 HP). 

When it comes to Greninja’s Atk stat, the utility is there but is a bit niche compared to other species. Below is a list of the potential gains Greninja can have with a higher Atk stat, vs Rank 1 stat product opponents unless stated otherwise.

• 139.04, Pelipper 1-1 consistency (Hydro Cannon BP)
• 139.33, Bastiodon 0-0 consistency (HC BP) & Togedemaru 1-1 (WS BP)
• 139.59, Powder Snow Alolan Ninetales 2-2 (HC BP)
• 140.08, Azumarill 2-1 (WS BP)
• 140.27, Toxicroak 1-0 (WS BP)
• 140.51, Toxapex 1-0 (NS BP)
• 141.09, Swampert 1-1 potential (WS BP)
• 141.38, Water Gun Lanturn 1-1 (NS BP)
• 144.3, Skarmory 1-1 (WS BP)
• 144.6, Shadow Alolan Sandslash 1-1 (WS BP)

Some high bulk Greninja have a decent chance at getting some of the lower hanging Atk Breakpoints here, but 140+ Atk can be hard to balance out. For that reason, it could be worthwhile to have different stat weighted Greninja onhand so you can choose the best one for the right meta. If you’re tempted to pursue an even higher Atk or HP weighted Greninja, keep in mind that the Medicham 1-0 Breakpoint is at 97.04-98.2 Def and the Pelipper 2-2 Breakpoint starts at 94.75 Def. 

Which Great League Greninja IV is “Best”? 

For Greninja, the “best IV” isn’t as clear as it can be for other species. 99.63 Def with 115 HP casts a wide enough safety net where you could feel confident with the higher Atk weights on the “Bulk Focus” list. However, the Rank 74’s (3/9/10) 139.98 Atk does leave you shy of some of the more tantalizing Atk Breakpoints. The Ranks 136 (4/12/5) and 215 (4/10/7) operate in a nice goldilocks zone, reaching 140.6 Atk with enough bulk to manage most matchups, but they are more vulnerable to missing Charge Moves in uneven scenarios due to the drop in HP. The Rank 1 (3/15/12) isn’t the ultimate bulk solution either, as there are 10 different IV spreads with higher bulk product than it. The Rank 4 (0/9/15) has a massive 118 HP stat, but its 99.72 Def could be flying too close to the sun vs some Froslass and Toxapex. 

What’s most important is to know what advantages and risks are given by the specific Greninja IV spread you’re bringing to the Great League. 9/10 any Greninja IV will be KOing and getting KO’d the same exact way as any other, so don’t worry too much about it. However, having different stat weighted options to bring to specific metas can be beneficial. 

In the Ultra League, things are a bit more straightforward for Greninja’s stats. Greninja wants at least 130.62 Def with roughly 149 HP. Given some of the more extreme Def Breakpoints, higher Def is likely better. >132.53 Def could let you thrift down to 147 HP even, but 149 is still recommended for being more consistent. This all suggests that the Rank 6 (0/15/12) may be the most optimal IV spread for Greninja in the Ultra League. 

Here are the various bulk checks for reference, vs Rank 1 opponents unless stated otherwise:

• 130 Def w/ 149 HP, Jellicent 0-1
  • 132.53 Def w/147 can also achieve this
• 130.62-132.76 Def, Shadow Claw Giratina Altered Forme 2-2
  • Based on 4 Atk IV to raid weighted Giratina
• 131.48+ Def, Shadow Machamp 1-0 w/ 146 HP
  • Based on slight Atk weighted Shadow Machamp [video]
• 149 HP, Poison Jab Alolan Muk and Wing Attack Shadow Charizard 0-1

As for Atk, the most reasonable Atk Breakpoint is around 180.41 vs Cresselia for the 1-1. Lower Def Cresselia could get tagged by lower Atk weighted Greninja, so it’s generally not recommended to chase after this Breakpoint (but be aware of it). There are Hydro Cannon Breakpoints for the Tapu Fini 1-0 (183.88) and Scrafty 1-0 (188.3), but they’re a bit wacky high to chase after. If you should endeavor, ~143 HP covers the Dragon Breath Giratina 1-0 and Umbreon 0-0.

Greninja may be the next level of speed for Hydro Cannon, but without a big closing move, it will likely be in Shadow Swampert’s shadow. For that reason, it’s important for Greninja to play up its tech matchups over Shadow Swampert more. Having a variety of stat weighted Greninja to cover different metas better will further play to its strengths over Shadow Swampert. If you just want a 1 and done, bulk is the way to go, but variety can have its payoffs. Happy hunting!