In Pokémon GO there are some monsters that only a few trainers possess. One of them you can now obtain much more easily than usual.
Collecting monsters is one of the main aspects of the Pokémon world. There are trainers who focus more on collecting strong monsters, and trainers who are more interested in rare Pokémon.
In the new season “Valuable Paths”, which started on December 2, 2025, and runs until March 3, 2026, you can obtain one of the rarest monsters much more easily than usual. However, you still need to plan some time for it.
Fight for the Wrestler
What kind of Pokémon is this? The monster is a special variant of Pikachu: the Pikachu Libre. Only a few trainers are likely to possess this Pokémon, as you can only obtain it in the Pokémon GO battle league – and you have to work hard for it.
In other seasons, you needed to have reached rank 20 in the league and then go further to achieve the rank of Legend. This is the highest rank available in the battle league. Therefore, it is correspondingly difficult to obtain the monster.
What is different this season? In the current season, things are a bit different. According to Niantic, this season is an “interlude season”, basically a mid-season of the battle league. Thus, this time there is a limit after rank 20, and you cannot achieve higher ranks.
Accordingly, the rewards have also been adjusted. While you usually needed the Veteran rank to obtain the rare Pikachu, it is sufficient this season to reach rank 20. And that is much easier.
Why is it easier? For the ranks Ace, Veteran, Expert, and Legend, which come after rank 20, you must possess certain point totals in the battle league. If you are victorious in the league, you earn points. However, if you lose more often, your point total decreases.
This only applies after rank 20. Up to rank 20, your point total does not matter. What counts here is simply the number of battles fought (in the initial ranks of the league) and your number of victories.
This means: You can gradually earn the ranks of the league. If you lose more often, it may take longer, but over time and with the corresponding number of victories, you will automatically reach rank 20 – and thus can obtain the rare Pikachu.
Even if you are not a fan of the battle league, it is worth utilizing this season and playing until rank 20. It does not matter which league you are in. However, the costs of preparing monsters are the lowest in the Super League. Our tips for strong monsters in the Super League can help you with this.
What other monsters are there in the battle league? In addition to the Pikachu Libre at rank 20, there are the following fixed rewards for reaching certain ranks:
- Rank 1: Galarian-Yamask*
- Rank 6: Pancham*
- Rank 17: Togetic*
- Rank 18: Honedge
- Rank 19: Dreepy
- Rank 20: Pikachu Libre
Not only the battle league is worth it this current season in Pokémon GO. In the coming weeks, there will be plenty of events happening in the game that will provide you with various contents. You can find out what they are in our overview with all events in December 2025 in Pokémon GO.
