Pokémon GO is about to get a lot more competitive. The GO Battle League has begun rolling out to Pokémon GO players, based on trainer level.
The GO Battle League is Pokémon GO’s online competitive multiplayer mode. As per the announcement last year, the GO Battle League features three different leagues (Great, Ultra, Master), though only one will be available at a time, rotating throughout a season.
During the preseason everyone will start with the Great League, before rotating to Ultra and Master every two weeks. Ultra League will be available starting Monday, Feb. 10, and Master beginning on Feb. 24, with Great League returning March 9.
Ranks begin at 1 and go up to 10, though ranks will partially reset when Season 1 officially begins. Niantic has not yet determined how long the preseason – or any season will be, a factor that will be determined throughout the preseason.
To access the Battle League you’ll need to walk five kilometers (3.1 miles) to unlock five online matches, which can be done up to three times a day. You can also spend PokéCoins to skip the walk and jump right into battle. Your first set of matches will be free, however.
Winning matches earn large amounts of Stardust as well as items and exclusive pokémon encounters. The first exclusive GO Battle League reward pokémon will be Pikachu Libre.
Pokémon GO is also in the middle of its Lunar New Year event, causing more red pokémon like Charmander, Vulpix, and Magikarp to appear in the wild and hatching from eggs. A Limited Research event tasks you with encounter Minccino, and because of the Year of the Rat, you’ll find lots of mouse-themed pokémon in the wild, such as Sentret and Pikachu.
The Pokémon GO Lunar New Year event ends Feb. 3.
