Pokemon Go Is Finally Getting PVP Trainer Battles - IGN

The long-teased mode is official at last.

By Nick Santangelo

Updated on Nov 30 @ 1:30PM Pacific Time with latest details from Niantic:

Since its launch in July 2016, Pokemon Go has been a strictly PvE affair – but that's about to change.

On the game’s official Twitter account, Niantic confirmed that Trainer Battles are coming to the game soon.

In additional Tweets, Niantic, revealed that Trainer Battles will involve three leagues: Great, Ultra, and Master. The leagues will be divided by CP, with the Great League capped at 1,500 CP per Pokemon, the Ultra League capped at 2,500 CP per Pokemon, and no limit on the Master League.

Teams during Trainer Battles will be limited to three Pokemon, and players can build their parties ahead of time (like preparing a Battle Party for raid battles) to have pre-selected groups.

"When designing Trainer Battles, we wanted to create an experience that everyone can enjoy and ensure that different kinds of Pokémon can show their strengths," Niantic added. "With Leagues in Trainer Battles, we hope to create a system that’s accessible to many Trainers."

Exit Theatre Mode

Pokemon Go getting competitive battles isn't a complete surprise, but it's something that Niantic and The Pokemon Company have teased for so long that many appear shocked it's finally happening. Pokemon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara said last year PvP was coming to Pokemon Go, and Niantic outright told IGN that PVP is “still on the roadmap” almost a year ago.

Pokemon Go's other long-awaited feature, trading, finally came to Pokemon Go in June.

Last month, Pokemon Go received its first Pokemon Diamond and Pearl monsters, and Pokemon from Pokemon Go can now be transferred to Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee and Pikachu!

Nick Santangelo is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia. He loves video games and sports, but not sports video games. Follow him on Twitter.

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