The PvP league in Pokémon GO has started, and for some players, PvP is quite new territory. We show you 10 tips that can help you in battles.
This is what the tips are meant to show: Anyone who has previously avoided the PvP mode and is a complete beginner has probably made quite a few mistakes. The new PvP league should have piqued the interest of many players.
In order for you to surprise your opponent or counter them effectively, we will show you here 10 tips that will surely help you in battle.
Double Charge Your PvP League
Before you can start battling in the PvP league, you must walk 3 kilometers first. So only diligent walkers have daily access to the league.
What many don’t know: You can recharge your kilometers one more time. So if you have completed 3 kilometers and are not yet fighting, you can already walk for further battles. For example, if you are out for 6 kilometers in one day, you can compete in 2 sets of 5 battles back-to-back.
Cover as Many Types as Possible with Your Team
In the PvP mode, effectiveness is as important as it is in no other mode. So when you build a team before the battle, make sure you can effectively hit as many types as possible.
It doesn’t help if you go into battle with 3x Panzaeron, even if the Pokémon is good in PvP. If your opponent has the effective counter, they will take down all 3 easily.
So, rather put together a team where not one type is effective against all, but try to include different types.
Know the Counters Against the Best Teams
You will encounter serious competitors in the league who will be starting with the best Pokémon for the Super League. So you should know against which the most common Pokémon are weak.
Altaria, Panzaeron, or Sumpex can be found in almost every battle. If your opponent is not attacking with a completely unpopular Pokémon, you should at least know how to counter it.
Use Fast Charge Moves at the Start
Especially at the beginning, it is important to attack with fast charge moves. If your opponent doesn’t have much knowledge, they will likely deploy a shield first. By doing this, you’ve already baited out a shield. This is particularly important because shields can turn the whole match around at the end of the battle.
However, if you see that your opponent’s Pokémon is taking little damage from the charge attack, you should switch it out quickly.
Fast charge moves are generally the key in PvP. It doesn’t help if you have a strong attack that takes too long to charge.
Use Your Shields Wisely
The shield is one of the most important things in PvP. If you know that your opponent can’t be very dangerous with their attack, then it’s better to not use the shield.
Shields should mainly be used against effective attacks or at least when you expect an effective attack. The right use of shields can ultimately decide victory or defeat.
Save Your Charge Move
Just because you have charged a charge move, you don’t have to use it right away. If the opposing Pokémon is almost defeated, a few fast attacks might be enough.
You can then use the charged attack directly on your next opponent. Another advantage: While your charged move is finishing, the next charged move will already be charging. Then, in the best-case scenario, you can unleash two charged moves back-to-back.
However, keep in mind that this is always a risky game. Your opponent can still use a charge move at the last second because you’ve miscalculated. So if you do this, make sure that the opposing charge move cannot come right after.
Switch Pokémon with Charged Attack
If you have charged your charge attack, you can switch your Pokémon and it will still have the charged attack upon switching back in.
This is worth it if you are effectively hitting with the fast move and don’t really need the charged move. You can save the attack and use it during the next switch.
You can also do this at the beginning of a battle: You know that your opponent isn’t dealing massive damage to you, but you are also not effective. Charge up the attack and switch to a better Pokémon. The charged attack can then become important later.
Feign a Wrong Attack
This trick works only if you have taught a Pokémon two charged attacks. First, attack with a not-so-effective move. Ideally, the opponent will use a shield for that.
You then let your opponent believe that your Pokémon knows the “wrong” and ineffective attack. The next time you attack, the opponent won’t use a shield, thinking you are using a weak attack, and you can unleash your effective attack.
Exploit Your Opponent’s Switch Time
Even if the opponent is currently switching, you can still attack their Pokémon. For at least a few seconds, there is a window open where you can attack while their Pokémon is entering the fight.
So in the best case, tap continuously on the screen and try to deal damage every free second. In certain moments, those seconds are worth their weight in gold.
Don’t Compare PvP to Raids
If you go into battle with good attackers from raids, you will lose mercilessly. Only a few Pokémon that are useful in raids are also valuable in PvP.
Altaria, Bollterus, or Meditalis have no place in raid battles, but in PvP, they are among the best Pokémon.
The same goes for attacks. Many moves that are great in raids are ineffective in PvP. So always keep in mind that a different approach is needed here. Only then can you truly succeed.
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