Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 82Power82
- 90Control90
- 89Spin82
- 84Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot84
- 82Stability88
- 76Maneuverability70
- 76Pop76
- 88Touch90
- 86Consistency90
- 70Swing weight78
- 80Twist weight84
- 50Launch angle48
- 80Plow through86
- 80Softness84
Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 | Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 | $180 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.4 | 84.7 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.2 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 19.8 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 113 | 120 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit | FiberFlex fiberglass |
| Core material | Specialized polymer honeycomb | X5 polypropylene honeycomb |
Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 verdict
Engage's most balanced Pursuit yet. The Omni grit face holds spin longer into a paddle's life than most raw carbon, which matters more than peak-day RPM numbers.
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta scores 78 against 70 for Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 — a 8-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, touch, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta is $50 cheaper at $180.
Swing weight
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 8 points (78 vs 70).
Spin
Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 leads by 7 points (89 vs 82).
Stability
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Maneuverability
Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 leads by 6 points (76 vs 70).
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 (84.3 vs 86 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta and keep the $50.
- Stability
- Twist weight
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85 vs 83.3 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta and keep the $50.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.4 vs 83.5 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta and keep the $50.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta is a narrow pick at this level — softness 84 vs 80, twist weight 84 vs 80. Its 19.8 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core at 8.4 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
Take Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 if you want spin (+7), maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 review →Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta if you want swing weight (+8), stability (+6), plow through (+6). 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 Ultra MX 6.0 vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 or the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.7 vs 84.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0, at 113 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 Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 or the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 measures 82 on power against 82 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. That comes from a 16 mm Specialized polymer honeycomb core swinging at 113 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 at 90 versus 90. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 scores 89 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit face, against 82 for the FiberFlex fiberglass face on Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. In practice a 7-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0, with 6.5 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta costs $180, $50 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?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0: 16 mm Specialized polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit face. Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta: 19.8 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a FiberFlex fiberglass face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0, 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 Ultra MX 6.0 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 at 8.2 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (113 vs 120) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 to the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads on swing weight by 8 points; everything else is within 7 points. At $230 vs $180, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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 Ultra MX 6.0 vs Crush Control 16
- Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 vs SLK Halo XL Control
- Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 vs Edge 18K V2
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Model E Max V3
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Nova R1
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Perseus Pro IV 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 and Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.