After teasing the upcoming PvP update earlier this week, Niantic has revealed a few more important details on how Trainer Battles will work in Pokémon GO.
Trainers will be able to battle each other via one trainer scanning a QR Code of another. Trainers can be complete strangers, but if you’ve reached a certain level of friendship via gifting (Ultra and Best), you can challenge each other from any distance.
Both trainers must compete within the same Battle League, which was previously announced as three separate leagues divided by max CP per Pokémon. Great League is 1,500, Ultra is 2,500, and Master has no upper limit.
Trainers will battle each other using a team of three Pokémon. Like the Gym and Raid battles, combat is in real time and plays out quickly. Trainers will be able to execute regular attacks and charged attacks. Trainers can also use a Protect Shield to avoid critical damage if they use it at the right time, though you’ll only have a limited number of shields to use. Stardust and Candy can be used before a fight to unlock another charged attack.
Although Trainer Battles are designed for PvP, you will be able to battle your respective team leader, Spark, Candela, or Blanche, once per day as a training exercise. You can earn rewards such as Stardust. Regular Trainer Battles will net rewards for both the winner and loser, including a chance at highly-coveted evolution stones.
Trainer Battles are coming later this month for Pokémon GO.
