Season 2 of the Pokémon Go Battle League kicks off on Monday, May 11 at 4:00 PM Eastern. Aside from being able to collect end-of-season awards from Season 1, there are some changes coming to Season 2.
First, the ranking system has been adjusted to require players to have more wins to earn ranks 4 through 7. If you finish Season 2 at rank 7 or higher, you’ll receive an Elite Fast TM. This is instead of an Elite Charged TM. Otherwise, the end-of-season rewards are staying the same.
Next are changes to the reward system. Players can earn a Pokémon reward encounter on the third win of the basic rewards track. On the premium rewards track, your reward encounter will be after your first win.
Updates to Trainer Battles
Meanwhile, Trainer Battles are getting changes as well. First, players will be able to initiate Trainer Battles via QR Code from anywhere. This is true regardless of friendship level or distance.
As for Trainer Battles with friends, the friendship level requirement will remain lowered; you can send battle invites to Good Friends and Great Friends. Originally, you could send battle invites only to Ultra Friends and Best Friends.
Attack updates
There are a handful of updates to existing attacks in Season 2:
Drill Run‘s energy requirement has been reduced. Meanwhile, Moonblast‘s energy requirement and damage have both been reduced. And it now has a chance to lower the opponent’s Attack stat.
Lastly, Wild Charge‘s energy requirement has been reduced. Plus, its damage has been increased and will now sharply lower the user’s Defense stat.
New attacks
Aqua Tail gives Palkia a powerful Water-type Charged Attack that charges quickly. This will help Palkia stand out from other Legendary Dragon types in the Master League and make Protect Shield decisions tougher for opponents.
Well, that’s all we have for now! We’ll report more on Pokémon Go and the Battle League as Season 2 progresses. In the meantime, remember that “If you don’t struggle, you don’t improve.”
