Frequently asked questions
The data
How fresh is the data?
The pipeline ingests new Showdown replays, Limitless online tournament results, and official (RK9) event data on a daily cadence, and the tools read the latest export. A brand-new regulation always starts data-poor — expect small samples and wide error bars in its first weeks, and lean on the confidence filters until the field fills in.
Which formats are covered?
The current Pokémon Champions VGC regulations (M-A and M-B at the time of writing), with historical Scarlet/Violet regulations retained in the dataset. Each tool's format selector shows exactly what is available. When a new regulation goes live, it appears once there is enough data to say anything responsible about it.
Why do your numbers differ from other stats sites?
Three legitimate reasons. First, different sources: we blend official tournament results, Limitless online events, and Showdown replays; sites that read only ladder usage will disagree with any site that also counts brackets. Second, different questions: most sites rank by usage (popularity); our headline statistic is win rate over decided games, and a popular Pokémon can absolutely have a mediocre record. Third, different windows and filters: an all-time number and a last-14-days number are both correct answers to different questions. When comparing, match source, statistic, and window first.
Is legality taken from tier lists?
No. Legality is derived from the official Champions rule set (the "Flat Rules": no Mythicals, no Restricted Legendaries, level 50, item clause) and the official format data — not from fan tier lists. If the tools say a Pokémon or Mega is legal in the selected regulation, that reflects the actual rules of that regulation.
Can I trust a suggestion with a small sample behind it?
Treat it as a lead, not a conclusion. Our own rule of thumb: around 100 games or more, a win rate starts meaning something; below that, test it yourself before it goes anywhere near a tournament team. Every number in the suite is shown with its sample size on purpose.
The tools
Where do I start?
The Guides page lays out the intended workflow: pick partners with the Win Rate Identifier, close offensive gaps with the Coverage Optimizer, then finish spreads in the EV Optimizer. Each tool also has a full walkthrough guide.
Is the damage math exact?
Yes. The Coverage and EV tools use a damage engine that implements the in-game formula exactly — stats, natures, items, abilities, weather, terrain, and all sixteen damage rolls — and it is validated roll-for-roll against the standard community damage calculator across hundreds of thousands of test cases.
Do I need an account?
No. There are no accounts, sign-ups, or paywalls. Preferences like dark mode are stored locally in your browser.
Does the site work on mobile?
Yes, though the data-dense tools are more comfortable on a larger screen. If something is unusable on your device, please report it with the device and browser.
The project
Who runs PkDaTa, and how is it funded?
PkDaTa is an independent project by a single VGC player and data hobbyist (DyreWolf). It is funded by advertising and Buy Me a Coffee support — never by selling placement in the rankings. No statistic on this site can be bought. PkDaTa is not affiliated with Nintendo, The Pokémon Company, Pokémon Showdown, Limitless, or RK9 Labs.
I found a number that looks wrong. What should I do?
Tell us — seriously. A specific report ("this core's win rate looks impossible for this window in this format") is one of the most useful things a reader can send. Use the contact page and include the tool, the format, and roughly when you saw it.
Can I use your statistics in my own content?
Yes, with attribution — a link back to the tool page you took the numbers from is appreciated. Please include the sample size when you quote a win rate; a number stripped of its sample misleads people.
Didn't find your question? The About page covers the data pipeline in more depth, and the contact page reaches a human.