Can Penetrate verte proc pod before Ivalidate?

My vert 95% of the time does not cast pod against any mob. Because the AI thinks it can one shot it. But can't

Maybe because it's penetrate verte, soAI thinks he shouldn't. Use pod?

That doesn't make sense.=_= Bt last time they tried to make AI very smart, it turned out even worse

The Ladder usually haves my Neon cast Thunderstorm until they are low health then cast STS so I give their new monster a free shot.

Or the AI will cast Celestial Light for my Draco when fighting another Fire monster giving them a free hit at +50% damage and all the juicy Sun benefits to use against my next monster.