Pokémon Go is launching Season 1 of the Go Battle League this Friday, March 13, at 4:00 p.m. EDT. If you haven't heard, the Go Battle League is a feature in Pokémon Go where Trainers can battle other Trainers anywhere in the world through online matches.
As a bonus for those who have been trying out this feature, Trainers who manage to reach at least rank 4 get the Premium Battle Pass as part of the end-of-preseason reward. The celebration for the end of the preseason started last March 5 and is set to end on March 13. During this period, all three leagues in Go Battle League are available to play. You can learn more about the Go Battle League in our Pokémon Go Guide here.
Similar to the preseason, Season 1 of the Go Battle League is going to rotate through leagues using the schedule below:
- Great League
- March 13 at 4:00 p.m. EDT to March 27 at 4:00 p.m. EDT.
- Ultra League
- March 27 at 4:00 p.m. EDT to April 10 at 4:00 p.m. EDT.
- Master League
- April 10 at 4:00 p.m. EDT to April 24 at 4:00 p.m. EDT.
After that, all three leagues are going to be available starting on April 24 at 4:00 p.m. EDT until May 4 at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Season 2 then starts on May 1 at 1:00 p.m. EDT.
The Pokémon Go team did mention in a post that the dates are tentative, but they're going to release an update if there are any changes. The development team also said that they are still fine tuning the rewards and for now it's going to be based on rank. Trainers can receive Stardust rewards along with different number of Charged and Fast TMs.
Another change is the need to win. During the preseason, wins only mattered once a Trainer reached rank 4. However, this time those who are Ranks 2 and 3 need to win a certain number of fights in order to level up.
Season 1 is also set to change the Pokémon that Trainers encounter as Go Battle League rewards. For example, Metagross is going to be a guaranteed first encounter reward. Once a Trainer reaches rank 4, they get a chance to encounter Beldum. At rank 7 it's going to be Rufflet. The goal for many should be rank 10, as here they get the chance to meet Pikachu Libre.
The Pokémon Go team did reveal that while that seems high, Pikachu Libre is going to be available at lower ranks in future seasons. While this may be good news, some Trainers may be sad in knowing that Machop, Snorlax, and Meditite are no longer going to appear as Go Battle League encounters, though Scraggy is going to be encountered more often.
Trainers that reach rank 10 can also earn avatar items along with an avatar pose inspired by the character Steven. For those who can't remember, Steven is a Pokémon League Champion who hails from the Hoenn region. A skilled and a helpful mentor, Steven's avatar items and avatar pose rewards are truly a perfect match for the Go Battle League. The pose is a reward that is exclusive to Season 1.
When season 1 ends, those who manage to reach at least rank 7 can get the Elite Charged TM. Through Elite Charged TMs and Elite Fast TMs, Trainers can select the attack that their Pokémon learns. These can also allow Pokémon to learn attacks that were available only during events like Raid Days or Community Days.
So what are you waiting for? Are you ready to be the best Pokémon Go trainer?
- As Close To Living Pokémon Fantasy As It Gets
- Active And Engaging Experience
- Lots Of Mon And Events
- Battles Aren't What Fans Expect
- Very Grindy
