As a part of the Pokémon GO Beyond update, the Pokémon GO Battle League is receiving a massive overhaul at the start of Season 6 that changes the names of ranks, expands their number, and changes the rewards players earn for attaining each. While Pokémon GO's battle system isn't as robust as the mainline games, the Season 6 overhaul seeks to transform the Battle League into a more enjoyable experience.
The Pokémon GO Battle League was introduced in January of this year as a way for players to competitively battle one another, and to earn rewards while doing so. The Battle League operates on seasons at the end of which the player's rank and ratings reset. Each season of Pokémon GO Battle League will shuffle through Great, Ultra, and Master Leagues which allow players to use different level CP Pokémon. Depending on the number of wins a player has will determine the rewards they receive at the end of each play session, and their ranking also determines which rewards they will receive.
All of this is about to change, as Season 6 of the Pokémon GO Battle League launches today, bringing with it a slew of changes explained by Niantic. The biggest change is that the number of Battle League ranks has more than doubled from 10 to 24 ranks. Players can progress through ranks 1 to 20 by winning battles, and the top four ranks can be achieved by earning certain ratings. The top four ranks have also been renamed to Ace, Veteran, Expert, and Legend, and each rank also offers new rewards (with every every fifth rank having a unique reward). Players will also be able to encounter Pikachu Libre if they reach Legend Rank before the end of the season to incentivize trainers to give Battle League a shot.
Season 6 of Pokémon GO Battle League starts today, kicking things off with Great League. This will run until December 14th when Ultra League begins along with its Premier Cup. On December 28th, Ultra League will be replaced by the Master League, its Premier Cup, Master League Classic, and Holiday Cup which will run until January 4th. To end season 6, all three normal leagues will run from January 4th until the 11th.
There are a lot more rewards trainers can look forward to if they choose to participate in Battle League Season 6. The changes that are being made will surely make Battle League a more enjoyable experience, and the season exclusive rewards will draw players back into furiously tapping their screens. While Pokémon GO's battles may lack the complexity of the main series, this new overhaul adds a lot more depth to the mobile monster collector.
Pokémon GO is available on iOS and Android.
Source: Niantic, Pokémon GO