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Pokémon GO cheats, tips: Battle League Update tips to win

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Pokémon GO cheats, tips: Battle League Update tips to win

Win and earn rewards with the new Battle League update

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Pokémon GO is the game that just keeps, well, going. It has had update after update since its debut in 2016, and right now it is a better, smoother, and more enjoyable game than ever before. But Niantic aren't done improving their flagship AR game just yet, because the latest update introduces what people have been asking for since the start: online Pokémon battles against real trainers.

We've seen AI trainer battles and even local trainer battles with friends happen in the past, but as of the latest update, Pokémon battling is being pushed to the forefront, and even if you're not in the game for the competitive aspect, you should get involved for rewards that will help you catch 'em all.

The battle update has just gone live and everyone should now be able to jump in and battle against random people online - so what are you waiting for? Download the update and get ready to fight!

While it downloads though, read our tips below for everything you need to know about Pokémon GO battles in 2020!

Click Here To View The List »

1
Online combat

You will be able to select between Premium or Basic battles in the new Battle screen, which is on your home Menu alongside the Shop and your Pokémon. You can enter the Premium battles in exchange for a Premium Raid Pass, and it offers better rewards - as long as you win.

You'll be matched against random players online, and luckily, the community is very active, so you shouldn't struggle to find players. Right now you can only enter Great League battles online, meaning your Pokémon can have a CP no higher than 1500. Make sure you get some strong mons just below that CP level before you go in.

Luckily, even when your Pokémon get injured or faint in this mode, you won't need to use your Revives and Potions on them afterwards in order to get them up to fighting form again.

2
Type effectiveness and attack speed

One of the most important strategies you can put in place is also one of the most basic and obvious: type advantages. You won't be able to know what three Pokémon the enemy is coming into battle with, but you can try and ensure you have a balanced, strong team to take them down.

Normal types like Snorlax and Blissey, for example, have high HP, and can be problematic. Which is why you should come armed with a Pokémon with Fighting type moves to take them apart quickly and easily.

Pokémon with higher attack speed will also be handy and can charge their strong attack more quickly, but there is no easy way to see your Pokémon attack speed in-game, you need Google for that…

3
Swap timer

When you're up against a Pokémon with a type advantage against you, it's time to swap out, but that can cause it's own issues.

Swapping Pokémon will reset your charged attack, which of course, is the best way to do damage. But not only that, you will be set with a long swap timer wait until you can change Pokémon again, which can come back to bite you.

Though of course, if you see the opponent swapping Pokémon out, you can use this to your advantage, because you know they'll be locked into using that Pokémon for a period of time.

4
Big rewards

As long as you win, you can get big rewards from battling trainers online, especially from the Premium route, and that is most certainly the main reason to go into these battles.

The only thing you should keep in mind is that after battling against other trainers, you will have to walk for 5km before being able to battle online again. This, if nothing else, is a nice way for the game to ensure you never neglect any one aspect of the game.

But if you want Rare Candy, Sinnoh Stones, and many more items, you should definitely get battling as soon as you can.

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Dave Aubrey
Dave Aubrey
Dave is the Guides Editor at Pocket Gamer. Specialises in Nintendo, complains about them for a living.