Are you the very best Pokémon trainer? Prove it in the Pokémon Go Battle League

While the hype and number of players for Pokémon Go has waned significantly three years after its release, developers Niantic and The Pokémon Company are still hard at work to provide fans and players with new features and updates.

The game launched with the original 150 species of Pokémon; it now boasts around 500 species with additions from the later generations. Other updates include Community Days, a Quest System, Buddy Pokémon, Raid battles and more.

The latest update for Pokémon Go will give players the opportunity to put their battle skills to the test against players from around the world in the Go Battle League.

The Go Battle League will be available to players depending on their level and Season One of the Go Battle League will be preceded by a preseason period, which will allow Niantic to further fine tune and balance the game.

Each season of the Go Battle League will rotate between three different PvP Leagues – Great, Ultra, and Master. As of the time of writing, the preseason has already begun with the Great League and its format will change every two weeks. The preseason’s schedule is as follows; the Great League runs from January 28^th to February 10^th; the Ultra League runs from February 10^th to February 24^th and the Master League runs from February 24^th to March 9^th.

Once you are at the appropriate level and the Go Battle League is open to you, you will first need to walk 5km to be able to participate in five online matches. The other option is to spend PokéCoins and walk 2km to start battling. 

For every battle you participate in during the preseason, you will receive a rank but when Season One of the Go Battle League is in full swing, it will reset. However, you will still earn rewards depending on how many battles you’ve won. The more wins mean the more Stardust you earn. Other rewards include TMs, Rare Candy and even encounters with special Pokémon.

As a little teaser, Niantic have announced that the very first special Pokémon players will encounter through the Go Battle League is Pikachu Libre from Pokémon Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire and the Pokken Tournament. Only players who participate in the Go Battle League will have a chance to catch this rare version of Pikachu. Exclusive Pikachu Libre-themed avatar items can also be won as rewards in the Go Battle League.

Niantic hasn’t announced when Season One of the Go Battle League will begin, so if you’re thinking of diving back in to Pokémon Go or just want to prove you are the very best, now would be the best time to do so.

[ VIA ]