In Pokémon GO details about the PvP league have now been announced. Additionally, many new moves have been added and old moves are making a comeback. Here’s the overview.
What’s new? In a community note, Niantic announced many changes regarding the PvP mode. This also includes adjustments to moves, making them stronger in PvP again. New attacks are being introduced, and even moves that haven’t been in the game for some time are returning.
This brings significant changes to the game. Even some top attackers will lose their rank while new Pokémon will rise.
What to expect in the PvP league
When will the PvP league be released? There is no exact date yet. Niantic mentions early 2020, so it could be as soon as January.
This is how the PvP league works: The PvP league will have seasons and ranks. These will work together and are particularly important in the league.
In the PvP league, you must succeed in all 3 leagues. You will need Pokémon up to 1500 CP, up to 2500 CP, and then your strongest monsters. With each season, the league you must compete in will rotate. However, you’ll always play in the same league during a season.
If you win battles, you will rank up. You start at rank 1 and can progress to rank 10. You can only rise in ranks, and if you lose, you do not lose your rank during the season. The higher your rank, the better the rewards.
When you are at rank 10, you will fight against trainers with your battle rating. If you win, your rating will increase. However, if you lose, your rating will decrease. The more you win, the tougher your opponent will become.
For each battle, you must choose three different Pokémon. You cannot use the same species to attack twice.
This is changing in the PvP system: Alongside the rules of the PvP league, some rules in the system are changing. Two new things are being introduced:
- If two Pokémon use a charge attack at the same moment, the higher attack value will determine which attack is used first. If the attack values are the same, chance will decide.
- If Pokémon are switched out, they will lose their bonus in attack or defense values. Such a bonus is added with some attacks but will no longer count after switching out.
New moves and changes to old moves
This is changing with current moves: Some moves have now been adjusted so they are either not as strong or become stronger. A detailed overview of the effects is not yet known, but at least it is clear if they have improved or worsened:
- Night Slash: It now requires less energy to charge in trainer battles and boosts the Pokémon’s attack value.
- Blizzard: The opponent in trainer battles now loses some of their attack strength.
- Aqua Jet: This move is now slightly weaker in trainer battles.
- Frustration and Return: In trainer battles, they now take longer to charge.
- Sludge Bomb: This fast move has been strengthened in gyms, raids, and trainer battles.
- Sand Tomb: This move is deployed faster, but deals less damage in PvP. The opponent’s defense decreases.
- Earthquake: This charge move has been strengthened in raids and gyms.
- Heat Wave, Draco Meteor, and Psyshock: They now charge faster in PvP but greatly reduce your Pokémon’s attack value after use.
- Close Combat: This move is now deployed faster in PvP but greatly reduces your Pokémon’s defense.
These moves are now new: In addition to the changes, completely new moves are also being introduced to the game. They significantly change the meta of the game. The following moves are new:
- Octazooka: Charge move of the Water type for Seaking and Octillery.
- Flash Cannon: Charge move of the Steel type for Magnezone, Klinklang, Forretress, and Tentacruel.
- Spike Finale: Charge move of the Bug type for Beedrill, Barbacle, Pidove, and Vespiquen.
- Aura Sphere: Charge move of the Fighting type for Lucario.
- Power Whip: Charge move of the Fighting type for Pinsir, Snorlax, Hariyama, Rhyperior, and Melmetal.
Which move is worth it? The evaluation is still ongoing. Especially Aurasphere from Lucario is said to be particularly powerful. If the initial numbers hold true, Lucario will be a better battle attacker than Machamp.
These Pokémon can learn new moves: Some existing moves will now also be assigned to new Pokémon. This increases their variability. The following Pokémon can learn new moves:
- Delibird can now learn Blizzard.
- Feraligatr can now learn Ice Fang.
- Porygon2 and Porygon-Z can now learn Zap Cannon.
- Celebi can now learn Seed Bomb.
- Shuckle can now learn Heal Bell.
- Kyogre can now learn Surf.
- Swalot can now learn Shadow Ball.
- Tangela can now learn Leaf Tornado.
- Heatran can now learn Flamethrower.
- Snubbull can now learn Ice Fang.
What are the highlights here? Kyogre stands out particularly here. With Surf, the Water Pokémon becomes even stronger and deals even more damage.
These old moves are coming back: Over time, some moves have disappeared from the game, or some Pokémon simply could no longer learn these attacks. Now some Pokémon can learn moves they haven’t been able to use for a long time. These include:
- Arcanine can now learn Flamethrower again.
- Quagsire can now learn Mud Shot again.
- Machamp can now learn Cross Chop again.
- Golem can now learn Ancient Power again.
- Gengar can now learn Dark Pulse again.
- Exeggutor can now learn Confusion again.
- Pinsir can now learn Fury Cutter again.
- Gyarados can now learn Fire Spin and Whirlwind again.
- Snorlax can now learn Body Slam again.
- Dragonite can now learn Fire Spin and Dragon Claw again.
What’s a standout move here? A major highlight is Gengar with Dark Pulse. This fast move makes Gengar particularly strong and a better ghost attacker.
New Pokémon will also be coming into the game soon. We will tell you how powerful they will be:
