Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
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
- 82Power90
- 90Control80
- 82Spin86
- 84Forgiveness84
- 84Sweet spot84
- 88Stability84
- 70Maneuverability76
- 76Pop88
- 90Touch74
- 90Consistency82
- 78Swing weight74
- 84Twist weight80
- 48Launch angle58
- 86Plow through84
- 84Softness62
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta | Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $180 | $180 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.7 — better | 82.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 19.8 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 120 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.6 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | FiberFlex fiberglass | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | X5 polypropylene honeycomb | Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls |
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.
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 verdict
Six Zero finally built a power paddle. Pop 88 and power 90 at $180 undercut every flagship drive paddle in the database, and the DBD forgiveness DNA mostly survives the switch.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta scores 84 against 62 for Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on plow through, forgiveness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($180 vs $180) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 22 points (84 vs 62).
Touch
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 16 points (90 vs 74).
Pop
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 12 points (88 vs 76).
Control
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 10 points (90 vs 80).
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
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta is a narrow pick at this level — consistency 90 vs 82, control 90 vs 80, stability 88 vs 84. Twist weight 6.5 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Consistency
- Control
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.3 vs 81.6 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Vanguard 2.0 Invikta, elongated on the Black Diamond Power 16.
- Touch
- Control
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.5 vs 82.5 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Vanguard 2.0 Invikta, elongated on the Black Diamond Power 16.
- Touch
- Control
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta is the clearer pick at this level — softness 84 vs 62, 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?
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta if you want softness (+22), touch (+16), control (+10). 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 →Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Take Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 if you want pop (+12), launch angle (+10), power (+8). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 review →Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta or the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.7 vs 82.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16, 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 Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta or the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 measures 90 on power against 82 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls core swinging at 113 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta at 90 versus 80. Its 19.8 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?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 scores 86 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon 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?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16, with 6.6 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- 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. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 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 Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 84 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 at 8.1 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 Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 to the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads on softness by 22 points; everything else is within 16 points. At $180 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.
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Model E Max V3
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- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Perseus Pro IV 16
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Vantage Power 16
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs AMPED Pro Air Invikta
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Evoke Premier Pro
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs 2X Power Series
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta and Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.