Galarian Stunfisk PvP IV Deep-Dive

Galar Stunfisk has been at the top of Great League Tier Lists and PvPoke’s Ratings since its release. It’s no surprise either, as Galar Stunfisk has high bulk, Steel-type resistances, and perfect coverage between Rock Slide and Earthquake. Of course, players want to know what the best IVs are for Galar Stunfisk. Is it high bulk? Or could a crafty Atk weight change the game? The Galar Stunfisk PvP IV Deep Dive seeks to answer these questions in full. This guide also discusses the minimum IVs wanted by an Ultra League Galar Stunfisk.

This guide discusses the hidden true stats of Pokemon in Pokemon GO. In order to see these true stats you need to use an IV checking app (CalcyIV, Pokegenie) or an IV checking website (GOStadium, PvPIVs.com, or PvPoke itself). To make things simple, the guide also features PvP IV tables. 

If you’re not familiar with PvP IVs, check out this PvP IVs Simplified video:

The tables 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 Galar Stunfisk. For example, you may want even more Def for some specific matchups. 

High Bulk (124.75 Def/174 HP)

• The Ranks 1, 2, and 3 stand high above the rest, aside from Charge Move Priority
• 125.9 Def is a safer “minimum” for the mirror match
• 174 HP becomes iffy the further you drop below 127 Def

Pure Mirror Slayer (101.79 Atk/127.34 Def)

• Preferred over the “Bulk Mirror Slayer”
• 127.88 Def provides better mirror coverage

Bulk Mirror Slayer (101.79 Atk/124.75/172)

• Just enough Atk and Def for mirror slaying, plus more HP

Minimum bulk (124.75 Def/172 HP)

• Basically “High Bulk” with HP dropped to 172
• If you have to thrift any lower in stats, HP is the dump stat
•  
• 125.9 Def is a safer “minimum” for the mirror match

In the Great League, Galar Stunfisk is primarily concerned about its bulk. The basic bulk goal is having higher than 124.75 Def (ideally >125.9) with at least 174 HP. Overall, the Rank 1 (0/12/15), Rank 2 (0/13/14), and Rank 3 (0/15/11) have a notably superior performance compared to other high bulk Galar Stunfisk, but all Galar Stunfisk at this bulk weight aren’t bad. 

The Def Breakpoints to keep in mind are: 

• 124.75+, avoiding the Atk Breakpoint from low Atk Galar Stunfisk
  • 127.38-.88, to avoid the Atk weight (102-102.4) of Rank 1 mirror slayers
• 125.78+, Spark Lanturn no apparent matchup changes
• 126.9+, Noctowl 0-1 and 1-2
  • 128.22 Def for Noctowl chasing the Rank 1 Azumarill’s Def
  • See the Noctowl PvP IV Deep Dive for more details
• 128.8+, Water Gun Lanturn 1-1 no bait & Cofagrigus 2-2

Having at least 174 HP is important for a variety of matchups, including but not limited to: The Azumarill 2-2 (and not getting farmed post-Ice Beam), the Altaria 1-2, and the Umrebon and Mandibuzz 1-2. Having 175 HP may also enable the Trevenant 1-1, Lickitung 0-1, Medicham 1-0, and potentiates mirror tie scenarios. Take note that 174 HP is more consistent with >127 Def, if you’re <127 Def you may need 175 HP to keep up. 172 HP is the bottom of the barrel, should you lack better options, as it may still maintain the Azumarill and Altaria matchups.

After its bulk, Galar Stunfisk’s next concern is opposing Galar Stunfisk chasing the Atk Breakpoint for the mirror. Therefore, it could be mindful to have both a high bulk Galar Stunfisk, as well as a “mirror slayer” Galar Stunfisk. To perform optimally in the mirror, you’ll want at least 101.79 Atk. This same Atk weight also gets a Breakpoint on most high Def, Traded Registeel (see the Registeel PvP IV Deep Dive for details). After that, you’ll want to dump all of your stats into Def to avoid opposing Galar Stunfisk getting the Breakpoint on yours. If you don’t have at least 127.38 Def (ideally 127.88 Def) that could spell trouble against other Galar Stunfisk.

It’s also worth noting that 101.79 Atk/124.75 Def/172 HP can be a “goldilocks zone” type of IV spread, attempting to do the bulk job while also doing the mirror slaying job. Generally it’s too inconsistent to pan out, but if you happen to have one of the 4 IV spreads that can do it, they’re worth thinking about. 

To help give a general sense of stat priority: 

Ranks 1, 2 & 3 > other “high bulk” options (127+ Def>175 HP)  > Mirror Slayers with 127.88 Def > Mirror Slayers with 127.38 Def > 101.79 Atk/124.75 Def/172 HP > at least 124.75 Def with at least 172 HP > everything else

Galar Stunfisk caps at 2474 CP at level 51, which means the best IV spread will always be the 15/15/15. If you still lack the hundo after as many Egg Hatches and Lucky Trades as you can tolerate, here are the IV checkpoints you’ll want to keep in mind.

• 15 Atk for Charge Move Priority in the mirror
  • Aside from this, Atk may be dumped
• 15 Def for the Rank 1 Escavalier
  • >12 Def for Deoxys Defense Forme
• ?? HP

Due to the shifting stat weights of opposing Pokemon, the minimum IV checks aren’t as clear cut as they are for the Master League. Basic matrix simulations suggest you don’t want to drop too low on your bulk, so try to have at least 14 Def and HP IVs. 

Galar Stunfisk dominates the current Great League meta and may be even more relevant in the post-Toxapex meta. Unfortunately, having the pinnacle of bulk (the Ranks 1-3) appears to be the ideal. Given Galar Stunfisk’s presence, having a mirror slaying Atk/Def focused Galar Stunfisk could also be ideal. Given how few ideal IV spreads there are, hopefully Pokemon GO will continue to feature Galar Stunfisk in the wild for various events.