GO Battle League
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The GO Battle League (Japanese: GOバトルリーグ GO Battle League) is a feature in Pokémon GO for competitive, online Trainer Battles. It was first introduced on January 28, 2020.[1] Due to an exploit that allowed players to cheat, the GO Battle League was taken down on June 12, 2020 until a fix could be patched into the game.[2] It was restored on June 23, 2020.
Rules and mechanics
Official rules for the GO Battle League were first announced on December 11, 2019.[3]. They are as follows:
- A season is a predetermined period of time during which players can battle to increase their rank and rating. At the start of a season, all players start from Rank 1 and can work their way up to the maximum rank. Once a Trainer's rank moves up, it will not drop down for the remainder of the season. The current top-rated players are displayed on a leaderboard.
- Starting with Season 6, players can first work their way up to Rank 20. Upon reaching Rank 20, players are assigned a rating and can raise it to reach the Ace, Veteran, Expert, and ultimately Legend Ranks.
- Prior to Season 6, Rank 10 was the maximum rank and the rating was assigned upon reaching Rank 7.
- Winning a match increases a Trainer's rating, and losing a match lowers it; currently[citation needed] a tie counts as a loss. If the timer expires, the Trainer having the most remaining cumulative HP among their remaining Pokémon wins.
- GO Battle League matches take place in all three leagues: Great, Ultra, and Master Leagues. The available leagues rotate throughout the season. Restricted versions of each league are sometimes offered as well (see Special Leagues and Cups below).
- Teams with multiple Pokémon of the same species are not allowed. As with other Trainer Battles, Ditto and Shedinja are also ineligible to participate.
- Battles are organized into sets of five. Players may battle in five sets per day, though sets left unfinished until another day do not count against that day's limit. Rewards are granted at the end of the set based on the player's performance.
Walking requirement
Prior to March 13, 2020, players would have to walk a certain distance in order to unlock a set of five GO Battle League matches, or alternatively could spend PokéCoins to unlock them immediately. Since March 13, 2020, there is no longer any walking requirement.
From January 28 (the launch of GO Battle League) until January 31, 2020, players would have to walk 5 km; from January 31, 2020 until March 13, 2020, players would have to walk 3 km. After unlocking a set, any additional distance traveled will be rolled over towards unlocking the next set. A player could only participate in at most five sets (or 25 GO Battle League matches) per day, but afterward, could still accumulate distance for the next day's set.
The PokéCoin cost to immediately unlock the next set depended on how much distance was left:
200 if at least 2 km remaining- 100 if at least 1 km remaining
- 50 if less than 1 km remaining
Starting March 13, 2020, the walking requirement was temporarily waived amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] On April 5, 2021 (just before Season 7), it was announced that the walking requirement had been permanently removed.[5]
Ranks
The following lists the requirements to move up in each rank. All listed requirements are non-cumulative, so the counters restart upon reaching a new rank.
| Rank | Unlock requirement | |
|---|---|---|
| File:GO Battle League tier 0.png | 1 | Start |
| 2 | Battle 5 times | |
| 3 | Battle 5 additional times | |
| 4 | Battle 5 additional times | |
| 5 | Battle 5 additional times | |
|
6 | Battle 5 additional times |
| 7 | Win 1 battle | |
| 8 | Win 1 additional battle | |
| 9 | Win 1 additional battle | |
| 10 | Win 1 additional battle | |
|
11 | Battle 5 additional times |
| 12 | Win 5 additional battles | |
| 13 | Win 6 additional battles | |
| 14 | Win 7 additional battles | |
| 15 | Win 8 additional battles | |
|
16 | Battle 5 additional times |
| 17 | Win 10 additional battles | |
| 18 | Win 15 additional battles | |
| 19 | Win 20 additional battles | |
| 20 | Battle 5 additional times | |
| File:GO Battle League Ace.png | Ace | Achieve a rating of 2000+ |
| File:GO Battle League Veteran.png | Veteran | Achieve a rating of 2500+ |
| File:GO Battle League Expert.png | Expert | Achieve a rating of 2750+ |
| File:GO Battle League Legend.png | Legend | Achieve a rating of 3000+ |
Original Ranks
Prior to Season 6, the ranks went from Rank 1 to Rank 10. The thresholds for Ranks 8, 9, and 10 varied during Seasons 1 through 4. In Season 5, all ten ranks were achievable by winning a set number of battles.
| Rank | Unlock requirement | |
|---|---|---|
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|
1 | Start |
| 2 | Battle 5 times | |
| 3 | Win 2 additional battles | |
| |
4 | Win 4 additional battles |
| 5 | Win 8 additional battles | |
| 6 | Win 10 additional battles | |
|
|
7 | Win 14 additional battles |
| 8 | Achieve a rating of 2000+ | |
| 9 | Achieve a rating of 2500+ | |
|
10 | Achieve a rating of 3000+ |
Rewards
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This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Exact amounts of Stardust awarded for finishing a set |
Trainers can earn up to five reward bundles per set for winning in the GO Battle League. Before starting a set of battles, the Trainer can choose either basic or premium reward track. A Premium Battle Pass is required for the premium reward track, which has better rewards than that of the basic. And upon finishing a set of five matches, the player will earn Stardust based on how many matches were won. The available rewards for both tracks improve as the player moves up in rank.
| Tier | Wins | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Basic | 
|
|
|
 ×3* |
|
 Premium |
|
|
|
×6* |
 ×5 |
Stardust
The amount of Stardust awarded increases linearly with the player's rank.
| Rank | Basic | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 win | 5 wins | 3 wins | |
| 1 |  300 |
600 |
900
|
| 2 | 330 |
660 |
1,000
|
| 3 | 330 |
660 |
1,000
|
| 4 | 370 |
740 |
1,100
|
| 5 | – | – | – |
| 6 | 400 |
800 |
1,200
|
| 7 | 430 |
860 |
1,300
|
| 8 | 430 |
860 |
1,300
|
| 9 | 470 |
940 |
1,400
|
| 10 | – | – | – |
| 11 | 530 |
1,060 |
1,600
|
| 12 | 530 |
1,060 |
1,600
|
| 13 | 570 |
1,140 |
1,700
|
| 14 | 600 |
1,200 |
1,800
|
| 15 | – | – | – |
| 16 | 700 |
1,400 |
2,100
|
| 17 | 730 |
1,460 |
2,200
|
| 18 | 770 |
1,540 |
2,300
|
| 19 | – | – | – |
| 20 | 870 |
1,740 |
2,600
|
| Ace | 900 |
1,800 |
2,700
|
| Veteran | |||
| Expert | |||
| Legend | |||
Random items
The following lists the possible random item that may be awarded in the GO Battle League. The items do not appear to differ between reward tiers and rank.
|
| |
|---|---|
 |
Fast TM |
| |
Charged TM |
 |
Sinnoh Stone |
|
Silver Pinap Berry |
Wild encounters
The possible wild Pokémon encounters as rewards vary depending on the Rank. They are caught at Power Up level 20 and have a guaranteed 10 IVs per stat. Currently, the wild encounter rewards are the same between the basic and premium reward tracks.
Usually, the awarded Pokémon is randomly selected from a pool that expands as the player increases in rank. However, reaching certain ranks will guarantee a specific Pokémon encounter for the first time only. If the player reaches another higher rank, that also has a guaranteed encounter, before being awarded the previous one, then the next wild encounter will be from the lower Rank first, and the higher rank's encounter will be queued for the next wild encounter that is earned.
From March 3 to April 21, 2020, it was also possible to encounter the current level 5 Raid Boss from these wild encounters at any rank. This feature was brought back on November 9, 2020, at the start of Season 5 of the GO Battle League.
| Rank |
| |
|---|---|---|
| Random | First-time guaranteed | |
| Rank 1 |
    
|
|
| Rank 4 |
  
|
|
| Rank 7 |
   
|
|
| Rank 8 |
|
|
| Rank 9 |
|
|
| Rank 10 |
| |
Seasonal Rewards
As of Season 6, players can earn one Elite Fast TM and one Elite Charged TM per season by reaching Rank 19. The Elite Charged TM is received upon ranking up while the Elite Fast TM is given at the end of the season.
All players who rank up in a season receive stardust according to their rank when the season ends. This reward can be further boosted by using a Star Piece.
| Season | Stardust (thousands) by rank | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | Ace | Veteran | Expert | Legend | |
| 8 | –
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
4
|
6
|
6
|
8
|
10
|
12
|
14
|
18
|
22
|
28
|
32
|
40
|
50
|
60
|
74
|
90
|
110
|
134
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164
|
200
|
Special Leagues and Cups
In addition to the regular Great, Ultra, and Master Leagues, some seasons also offer restricted leagues where Pokémon must meet additional requirements to be used.
- In the Premier Cup, all Legendary and Mythical Pokémon (including Meltan and Melmetal) are ineligible. The Premier Cup for the Master League was introduced in GO Battle League Season 2 and for the Ultra League in Season 3.
- In the Classic version of a League or Cup, only Pokémon up to level 40 (or level 41 with an active Best Buddy boost) may be used. Pokémon that have been powered up using Candy XL are ineligible. Classic leagues were introduced in Season 6 alongside the Candy XL mechanic.
- In the Remix versions of a League or Cup, the Pokémon most-used in its previous appearance are not eligible.
- Season 7's Great League Remix banned the 10 most common Pokémon: Venusaur, Raichu (both forms), Marowak (both forms), Azumarill, Umbreon, Skarmory, Swampert, Galvantula, Stunfisk (both forms), and Talonflame.[6]
- Season 8's Great League Remix banned the 20 most common Pokémon above Ace rank: Venusaur, Alolan Ninetales, Alolan Marowak, Meganium, Azumarill, Politoed, Umbreon, Skarmory, Swampert, Pelipper, Vigoroth, Medicham, Altaria, Defense Forme Deoxys, Bastiodon, Toxicroak, Scrafty, Galvantula, Galarian Stunfisk, and Talonflame.[7]
- Season 8's Ultra League Remix banned the 20 most common Pokémon above Ace rank: Venusaur, Charizard, Clefable, Poliwrath, Alolan Muk, Gyarados, Lapras, Articuno, Umbreon, Scizor, Swampert, Registeel, Empoleon, Togekiss, Altered Forme Giratina, Cresselia, Escavalier, Talonflame, Melmetal, and Obstagoon.[7]
- Season 9's Great League Remix banned the 20 most common Pokémon above Ace rank: Venusaur, Alolan Ninetales, Alolan Marowak, Azumarill, Politoed, Umbreon, Skarmory, Swampert, Pelipper, Vigoroth, Sableye, Medicham, Altaria, Defense Forme Deoxys, Bastiodon, Scrafty, Jellicent, Galvantula, Galarian Stunfisk, and Talonflame.[8]
- Season 9's Ultra League Remix banned the 10 most common Pokémon above Ace rank: Clefable, Alolan Muk, Swampert, Empoleon, Togekiss, Altered Forme Giratina, Cresselia, Talonflame, Melmetal, and Obstagoon.[8]
- Great League-based Cups use the 1500 CP limit:
- The Halloween Cup only allows Poison-, Ghost-, Bug-, Dark-, and Fairy-type Pokémon to battle.
- The Flying Cup only allows Flying-type Pokémon to battle.
- The Kanto Cup only allows Pokémon with Pokédex numbers #1 through #151 to battle. Non-Kanto regional forms are allowed.
- The Holiday Cup only allows Normal-, Grass-, Electric-, Ice-, Flying-, and Ghost-type Pokémon to battle.
- The Love Cup only allows red or pink Pokémon to battle. The list of eligible species is given here.
- The Retro Cup only allows Pokémon with the original 15 Types to battle. Dark-, Steel-, and Fairy-type Pokémon are ineligible.
- The Catch Cup in Season 5 only allowed Pokémon caught during that season to battle. Mythical Pokémon were not eligible.
- The Little Cup and its restricted forms use a limit of 500 CP:
- In Season 5's Little Cup, only Pokémon that can evolve and are first in their evolutionary line could battle.
- The Element Cup only allows Fire-, Water-, and Grass-type Pokémon to battle. Pokémon must be able to evolve and be first in their evolutionary line.
- The Little Jungle Cup only allows Normal-, Grass-, Electric-, Poison-, Ground-, Flying-, Bug-, and Dark-type Pokémon to battle. Pokémon do not need to be able to evolve to enter, but Shuckle and Smeargle are not eligible.
GO Battle Days
GO Battle Days are a recurring event where players can complete 20 sets of battles rather than the usual 5. These were introduced in Season 4 as GO Battle Nights, running from 6 PM to 11:59 PM local time, but were changed as of Season 9 to last an entire day.
- Season 4
- November 5, 2020: All 3 leagues, the Ultra Premier Cup, and the Flying Cup were available. Players received 2x Stardust from GO Battle League and Pidgeot obtained during the event knew the move Gust.
- Season 8
- June 3, 2021: Great League was available. Players received 3x Stardust from GO Battle League.
- July 11, 2021: Master League, Master League Classic, and Element Cup were available. Players received 3x Stardust from GO Battle League rewards.
- August 26, 2021: All 3 leagues were available. Players received 3x Stardust from GO Battle League.
- Season 9
- September 18, 2021: Ultra League and Ultra League Remix were available. Players received 4x Stardust from set rewards.
- November 1, 2021: Great League, Great League Remix, and Halloween Cup were available. Players received 4x Stardust from set rewards.
- November 1, 2021: Master League, Master League Premier Classic, and Kanto Cup were available. Players received 4x Stardust from set rewards.
Seasons
- Preseason
- Great League: January 28 - February 10, 2020
- Ultra League: February 10 - February 24, 2020
- Master League: February 24 - March 5, 2020
- All 3 Leagues: March 5 - March 13, 2020
- Season 1
- Great League: March 13 - March 27, 2020
- Ultra League: March 27 - April 10, 2020
- Master League: April 10 - April 24, 2020
- All 3 Leagues: April 24 - May 1, 2020
- Season 2
- Great League: May 1 - June 1, 2020
- Ultra League: June 1 - June 15, 2020
- Master League and Premier Cup: June 15 - June 29, 2020
- All 3 Leagues and Master Premier Cup: June 29 - July 6, 2020
- Season 3
- Great League: July 27 - August 10, 2020
- Ultra League and Premier Cup: August 10 - August 24, 2020
- Master League and Premier Cup: August 24 - September 7, 2020
- All 3 Leagues and Master Premier Cup: September 7 - September 14, 2020
- Season 4
- Great League: September 14 - September 28, 2020
- Ultra League and Premier Cup: September 28 - October 12, 2020
- Master League and Premier Cup: October 12 - October 26, 2020
- Halloween Cup: October 26 - November 3, 2020
- All 3 Leagues and Master Premier Cup: November 3 - November 9, 2020
- Season 5
- Little Cup: November 9 - November 16, 2020
- Kanto Cup: November 16 - November 23, 2020
- Catch Cup: November 23 - November 30, 2020
- Season 6
- Great League: November 30 - December 14, 2020
- Ultra League and Premier Cup: December 14 - December 28, 2020
- Master League, Premier Cup, Master League Classic, and Holiday Cup: December 28, 2020 - January 4, 2021
- All 3 Leagues and Ultra Premier Cup: January 4 - January 11, 2021
- Great League: January 11 - January 25, 2021
- Ultra League and Premier Cup: January 25 - February 8, 2021
- Master League, Premier Cup, Master League Classic, and Love Cup: February 8 - February 15, 2021
- All 3 Leagues and Ultra Premier Cup: February 15 - February 22, 2021
- Kanto Cup (unranked): February 22 - March 1, 2021
- Season 7
- Great League: March 1 - March 15, 2021
- Ultra League and Premier Cup: March 15 - March 29, 2021
- Master League, Master League Classic, and Great League: March 29 - April 5, 2021
- All 3 Leagues: April 5 - April 12, 2021
- Great League and Great League Remix: April 12 - April 26, 2021
- Ultra League and Premier Cup: April 26 - May 10, 2021
- Master League, Master League Classic, and Retro Cup: May 10 - May 17, 2021
- All 3 Leagues: May 17 - May 24, 2021
- Kanto Cup (unranked): May 24 - May 31, 2021
- Season 8
- Great League: May 31 - June 14, 2021
- Ultra League and Premier Cup: June 14 - June 28, 2021
- Master League, Master League Classic, and Element Cup: June 28 - July 12, 2021
- Great League and Great League Remix: July 12 - July 26, 2021
- Ultra League and Ultra League Remix: July 26 - August 9, 2021
- Master League, Master League Classic, and Ultra League Premier Cup: August 9 - August 23, 2021
- All 3 Leagues: August 23 - August 30, 2021
- Season 9
- Great League and Great League Remix: August 30 - September 13, 2021
- Ultra League and Ultra League Remix: September 13 - September 27, 2021
- Master League, Master League Classic, and Little Jungle Cup: September 27 - October 11, 2021
- Great League and Halloween Cup: October 11 - October 25, 2021
- Ultra League, Ultra League Premier Classic, and Halloween Cup: October 25 - November 2, 2021
- Ultra League and Ultra League Premier Classic: November 2 - November 8, 2021
- Master League, Master League Premier Classic, and Kanto Cup (Player's Choice): November 8 - November 22, 2021
- All 3 Leagues: November 22 - November 29, 2021
In other languages
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References
- ↑ Battle other Trainers globally soon—the GO Battle League has started rolling out!
- ↑ https://twitter.com/NianticHelp/status/1271594784461778944?s=20
- ↑ Community Note: GO Battle League preview, combat system update, legacy attacks, and more!
- ↑ Niantic Support on Twitter
- ↑ GO Battle League Season 7 begins Monday, March 1, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8)
- ↑ https://pokemongolive.com/post/gobattleleague-season7
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 https://pokemongolive.com/post/gobattleleague-season8
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 https://pokemongolive.com/post/gobattleleague-season9