Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, forgiveness and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta, which costs $180.
Power
Too close to call
82 vs 82
Spin
86 vs 82
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Forgiveness
88 vs 84
Hand speed
114 vs 120 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$180 at IQ 84.7 vs $220 at IQ 85.9
Overall pick: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 · $220 · IQ 85.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 82Power82
- 90Control90
- 86Spin82
- 88Forgiveness84
- 88Sweet spot84
- 86Stability88
- 76Maneuverability70
- 74Pop76
- 90Touch90
- 90Consistency90
- 72Swing weight78
- 84Twist weight84
- 46Launch angle48
- 82Plow through86
- 86Softness84
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 | Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $220 | $180 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.9 — better | 84.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 19.8 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 120 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured graphite | FiberFlex fiberglass |
| Core material | Control Pro Black core | X5 polypropylene honeycomb |
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 verdict
Engage's soft-core philosophy taken to its logical end. Launch angle 46 is the lowest in the database — the ball simply does not pop up off resets.
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta verdict
Selkirk's long-running Invikta shape in the softer Vanguard 2.0 build. Touch 90 and consistency 90 with 86 plow-through make it a drive-and-reset paddle for patient players.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 scores 76 against 70 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, pop, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta is $40 cheaper at $180.
Maneuverability
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 6 points (76 vs 70).
Swing weight
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 6 points (78 vs 72).
Spin
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 4 points (86 vs 82).
Forgiveness
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86 vs 87.5 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta and keep the $40.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 76 vs 70, spin 86 vs 82, forgiveness 88 vs 84. At 114 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.5 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta and keep the $40.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 86 vs 84, forgiveness 88 vs 84. Its 16 mm Control Pro Black core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta if you want swing weight (+6), plow through (+4). Its swing weight of 120 kg·cm² and 19.8 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta review →Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Take Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 if you want maneuverability (+6), spin (+4), forgiveness (+4). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 review →Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta or the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.9 vs 84.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16, at 114 kg·cm² swing weight against 120 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta or the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 82 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 scores 86 for spin off its Textured graphite face, against 82 for the FiberFlex fiberglass face on Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 84). Its 6.8 twist weight against 6.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta costs $180, $40 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta: 19.8 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a FiberFlex fiberglass face. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16: 16 mm Control Pro Black core with a Textured graphite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 at 8.3 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 120) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta to the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads on maneuverability by 6 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $180 vs $220, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Luxx Control Air
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Model E Max V3
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Bantam ALW-C 14
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Radius CGS 16
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Quartz Hybrid 16
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs LUXX Control Air Invikta
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs 2X TruFoam Genesis
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs LUXX Control Air Invikta
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Model E Max V3
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs 2X TruFoam Genesis
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.