Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield announced that the 2020 International Challenge is set for February 27 at 7:00 p.m. EST. This is going to be the first International Challenge under the Pokémon Sword and Shield games.
For this tournament, players can create a team with the Pokémon they've found in the Galar region. Since it uses the same rules and regulations as that of the present Championship Series format, this is a good way to practice, especially for those planning to be part of the next live tournament.
The top competitors can earn as much as 50 Championship Points, which could lead to an invitation to the Pokémon World Championships. To make sure that the correct Championship Points are awarded, players need to link their Nintendo Account to their Pokémon Trainer Club account before going to battle.
Those interested in joining the competition must sign up soon. The sign-up period starts on February 20 at 1:00 a.m. EST and ends on February 27 at 6:59 p.m. EST. Players need to make sure that everything is complete during this period since entry is no longer allowed once the competition starts. Below are the steps needed in order to register:
- Launch Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield
- Enter the VS menu
- Select Battle Stadium
- Select Online Competitions
- Select Search Official Competitions
The competition is offering two divisions: Juniors for players born on January 1, 2005, or later, and a Masters division for those born on December 31, 2004, or earlier.
Ranking Results for the competition are initially scheduled to be released in March. To view their ranking, players need to follow these steps:
- Enter the VS menu
- Select Battle Stadium
- Select Online Competitions
- Select Search Official Competitions
There's also a participation gift to be handed out. This time around, the gift is the in-game Trainer clothing Casual Tee (Poké Ball Guy). To receive the gift, players need to complete at least one battle. Gifts can be redeemed once rankings are announced. To redeem the gift, select Mystery Gift, then Get Battle Stadium Rewards.
Below are the details regarding the Competition Format:
- Double Battles
- 4-6 Pokémon of Lv. 1–100.
- All Pokémon become Lv. 50 for the duration of each match.
- Four Pokémon are selected for battle.
- Eligible Pokémon
- Pokémon in the Galar Pokédex No. 001–397
- As of February 1 this is limited to Pokémon obtained in Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield)
- Gigantamax Pokémon
- Charizard
- Butterfree
- Pikachu
- Meowth
- Eevee
- Snorlax
- Corviknight
- Drednaw
- Sandaconda
- Centiskorch
- Only Pokémon caught or hatched from Eggs or received as an official Mystery Gift within Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield are eligible.
- Pokémon in the Galar Pokédex No. 001–397
- Timers
- Player Time: 7 minutes
- Preview Time: 90 seconds
- Turn Time: 45 seconds
- Battles per day: 15
- Any remaining battles under the daily limit can be carried over to the following day.
- Each day changes over at 7:00 p.m. EST.
