# Keripo's Nikke PvP Test Matrix V2

# Context

This is the revamped version of my old test matrix (which you can see as the "Test Matrix (Old)" tab). Instead of trying to be a *comprehensive* test matrix like V1 and include a bunch of team comps that no one actually uses, this test matrix only includes *practical* team comps that you can actually run in Rookie/SP Arena. The included team comps are manually curated by myself but should roughly represent the majority of meta defence teams you can build today. Of note is the introduction of 5 "Gate" attack teams used as gatekeeper tests to determine whether or not a new team comp should be included in the test matrix. Teams that fail to defend against at least 3/5 of the Gate attack teams get moved to the "Graveyard V2" tab. The result is a test matrix that is a lot more useful as reference for your own Rookie/SP Arena team building.

# Testing methodology

* Lvl 600+ synchro players (e.g. Keripo vs Noeita)
* Core 7 units, max bond
* Full OL (usually, +5 where meaningful)
* Lvl 7+ skills (usually)
* Each test run multiple times to ensure consistency

# How to read the matrix

* **All results are from the DEFENCE team's perspective (cause attack is easy)**
* Defence teams are represented as columns, Attack teams are represented as rows
* 2RL/2.5RL/3RL = system we use for comparing burst gen speeds in reference to Rocket Launcher shots (2RL = burst after 2 RL shots, 3RL = burst after 3 RL shots)
* Units with a "\*" need a Quantum cube (lvl 7+) equipped
* Win (green) = clear win, Win (yellow) = close win
* Lose (orange) = close loss, Lose (red) = clear loss
* RNG (grey) = not consistent, too much RNG involved, Ignore (grey) = mirror match
* B1 units = blue background, B2 units = yellow background, B3 units = red background
* Support units = green text, Defender units = brown text, Attacker units = red text

# How to use the matrix

* For **Rookie Arena defence**, look at the team with the high defence success rate (e.g. row 8) and take your pick
* For **SP Arena defence**, try to pick 3 teams of relatively high defence success rate and adjust based on your unit availability and available substitutes where needed (e.g. remember, you only have one Jackal so don't try running 3 teams that depend on Jackal). Or you can pick 2 teams of very high defence success rate and CP pad your 3rd team.
* For **attack**, use the matrix to look up what defence team your opponent is running (or a team that is similar) and see what team comps it loses against. Keep in mind that this test matrix is just a reference, not an exhaustive lookup-table, so don't expect this to always work.

# Common questions

**Q: Why isn't <random team comp X> included?**

A: The list of team comps are manually curated by myself (Keripo). This is not meant to be a comprehensive lookup-table.

**Q: Can you add <random team comp X>?**

A: Only if 1) it is drastically different from any of the existing comps, and 2) it can beat 3 or more of the Gate comps. If both requirements are met, feel free to ping me on Discord and I can consider it on a case-by-case basis.

**Q: Can you help me build a team?**

A: No. I don't offer individualized help. Join the official Nikke Discord and ask in the #pvp-arena channel there instead at [https://discord.gg/nikke-en](https://discord.gg/nikke-en)

**Q: Where can I learn more about what units are good for PvP?**

A: For starters, I recommend you check out my [PvP tier list](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1R6qzhnPx85kEoYidYUs-K0hJy61APMQGj5nRSgdvRUU/edit#gid=0). I also occasionally post unit reviews for newer units on Reddit. You can also read through the various guides linked to in the pins of the #pvp-arena channel on the official Nikke Discord

**Q: I don't have <unit X>, can I use <unit Y> instead?**

A: Depends entirely on the unit and the replacement. For the most part, battery units like clip SGs can be interchanged safely, and in some cases, buffer units can be swapped. But when making substitutions, always make sure that 1) the resulting team strategy hasn't changed, and 2) the resulting team still has enough burst gen to operate at its desired speed. Use the burst gen calculator to double check

**Q: I don't have Quantum 7 cube. Can I still run a team comp with a "\*"?**

A: You will have to do the math, but most likely not. These "\*" teams require the Quantum cube to work and hit certain burst gen breakpoints. Otherwise, your 3RL\* team will become a 4RL team. Use the [burst gen calculator](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11KWYeyvef91A-vfFuqglJJ8-OhR90TcKFVpJ6Ny_5h4/edit#gid=1990278246) to double check

**Q: How important is skill levels/cores/OLs/bond levels? Can I still PvP without them?**

A: Depends entirely on you and how much. For some units, skill level is very important as it defines the character. For some units, cores are very important as it directly scales to their damage output or tankiness. OLs and bond levels used to not be so important but with the recent patch, they affect your unit's CP, and making sure you aren't CP-gapped (e.g. more than 15% difference in CP) is very important as otherwise you will likely lose regardless of what team comp you run.

**Q: I tried running your team and am still losing. Why?**

A: Could be a number of reasons, but almost always its either due to 1) investment difference, 2) synchro level differences, or 3) RNG/bugs. For 1), my tests are run in full-investment conditions using two accounts with very similar investment levels. Your mileage may vary. For 2), I test at lvl 600+ synchro, but at lower synchro levels there's a lot more imbalance in power (for example, Scarlet might not even need a single buffer to 1-shot your team) so keep that in mind. For 3), there's nothing you can do about it, RNG mechanics such as whiffing and crits and bugs like residual targetting just sucks like that. For more details on these RNG/bugs, check out the [Prydwen PvP guide](https://www.prydwen.gg/nikke/guides/pvp-mechanics)

**Q: I have all the units and am running all the best teams and still keep losing. Why?**

A: PvP defence is hard. Every defence team can be beaten (as shown by this test matrix). The only real guaranteed winning strategy for Rookie and SP Arena is to CP-gap (e.g. have >15% more CP than their teams) them via unit investments and/or synchro levels. In other words, swipe. Welcome to gacha gaming. Maybe Champion Arena will be synchro-level locked, but I doubt it.

**Q: How do I know what attack teams my opponents used to attack me with?**

A: You don't. The game doesn't show. Would be nice if they added this though as a QoL *cough cough*. So all you can do is guess and keep switching up your defence team to try to throw your opponents off.

**Q: How can I learn more about PvP?**

A: Check out and read through the pinned resources in the #pvp-arena channel of the official Nikke Discord

Have fun out there PvPing and looking forward to Champion Arena this September!

\~Keripo