Seven of the subway Lines involve battling. Like the Generation IV Battle Tower, the player may participate in single battles, double battles, multi battles, or Wi-Fi battles. In each mode, the player must defeat seven Trainers in a row (two Trainers at a time in multi battles) to earn Battle Points. Afterwards, the player can continue battling or return to Nimbasa City. The player's total win streak is reported after each battle, and the player's current win streaks and Battle Points can be viewed in the Vs. Recorder.
The single, double, and multi battle modes contain two Lines: the Normal Line and the Super Line. In the Normal Line, the opponents only use Generation V Pokémon, and the Subway Boss can be challenged in the 21st battle. After defeating the Subway Boss, the Line ends and the player is returned to Nimbasa City.
The Super Line is unlocked after defeating the Normal Line's Subway Boss. In this mode, the opponents use fully evolved Pokémon from all five generations. After 48 battles, the Subway Boss can be challenged once again.
| Line
|
Number of Eligible Pokémon
|
| Single
|
3
|
| Super Single
|
3
|
| Double
|
4
|
| Super Double
|
4
|
| Multi
|
2 per player
|
| Super Multi
|
2 per player
|
| Wi-Fi
|
3
|
| Normal
|
Takes the player to Anville Town.
|
All Pokémon are set to level 50 on the Battle Subway, unlike previous Generations this also includes Pokémon below level 50. Like all battle facilities, if a consumable item is used, it will be restored at the end of the battle. Unlike previous battling facilities, the player does not automatically lose if both Trainers' last Pokémon faint simultaneously; instead, the Trainer whose Pokémon fell first loses.
In the multi battle lines, the player can team up with another player via wireless or infared. Otherwise, the player can team up with the NPC Hilbert or Hilda, depending on the player's gender. The NPC asks what kind of team they prefer to team up with, based on attack, defense or balance, and adjust their team accordingly.
For every time a Trainer is defeated and the player advances to the next cabin, a sound effect or beat is added to the background music. At the first cabin of every train, only the sound of train tracks is played. Subsequently, jingles, bongo drum beats, and a bass tune are added, until the last (seventh) cabin, where a soft melody can be heard in the background.
