The goal of the Battle Tree is to defeat as many Trainers in a row as possible, given the restrictions by the rules. The Battle Tree offers Single, Double and Multi Battle challenges with two levels of difficulty each, with a total of six possible challenges.
Battle format
Number of eligible Pokémon
Single
3
Super Single
Double
4
Super Double
Multi
2 per player
Super Multi
A Super version of each format is unlocked when the player first beats the Battle Legend for the format, such as Super Single Battle. The normal battle formats are limited to streaks of 20, while the super battle formats end when the player loses.
Like in the Battle Maison, the player receives Battle Points (BP) at the end of every victorious match. The number of Battle Points (BP) awarded after a match varies with the length of the current win streak, as shown in the table below.
Battle Points
Win streak
Normal
Super
1-10
1
2
11-19
2
3
20 (Battle Legend)
20
3
21-30
—
4
31-40
—
5
41-49
—
6
50 (Battle Legend)
—
50
51+
—
7
Battle Legends
On the 20th battle of normal challenges and the 50th battle of Super challenges, a Battle Legend will be challenged. Red is the Battle Legend for Single Battle challenges, using three Pokémon each time. Blue is the Battle Legend for Double Battles and uses four Pokémon. For Multi Battles, both Battle Legends will appear simultaneously, each using two Pokémon. Upon defeating the Battle Legend, the Pokémon used in that battle will be awarded a Battle Tree Great Ribbon or Battle Tree Master Ribbon for normal or Super mode, respectively.
All NPC Trainers in the Battle Tree use Pokémon from a list of 996 Pokémon and moveset combinations. Each Pokémon has a fixed Nature and spread for effort values and individual values to predetermine the base stats. However, the gender and Ability are randomly selected. Each Trainer will use two to four Pokémon, depending on the challenge selected.
In Super Battles, special Trainers appear every ten battles. Like with the other Battle Tree Trainers, their teams are randomly selected from a group of Pokémon specifically preset for each of them.
In the Multi Battle and Super Multi Battle challenges, the player can choose to partner with a friend or with the AI. Unlike the Battle Maison from previous generations, there is only one default AI partner, Pokémon Breeder Rada. To increase the number of AI partners available, the player must Scout opponents after defeating them in Single or Double Battles. Scouting a Trainer costs 10 BP, and this will add the Trainer to the list of potential AI partners. When a Trainer is scouted, the first two Pokémon of their team will be the Pokémon they use in Multi Battles. Battle Legends cannot be scouted, but the other special Trainers can be recruited.
The area includes three Exchange Service Corners, where the player can buy various items with Battle Points (BP) earned through battles in the Battle Tree.
BP Shop
Battle Points earned in the Battle Royal Dome can be exchanged for prizes at the Battle Tree as well.
Upon entering the Battle Tree area for the first time, the player will encounter Red and Blue, and have a battle against one of them. The player gets to choose which one of the two they want to battle.