‘Pokemon Go’ Is Finally Adding Trainer Battles

Despite popular Pokemon propaganda, it isn’t enough to catch ’em all. It’s also important to physically and spiritually destroy others in your power-hungry mission to be the very best, like no one ever was. And now, finally, Pokemon GO is letting players do just that.

Niantic has announced that Pokemon GO will be adding trainer battles this month, two years after the game launched. Players have been clamouring for the feature since day one, hoping to beat each other’s cute little creatures into a bloody pulp, so it’s a welcome addition to the game.

The new Trainer Battles won’t be the steadily paced fights you fondly remember from Pokemon Red and Blue, but they will be familiar to anybody who has participated in Pokemon GO’s tap-happy Gym and Raid battles. According to details released today, Trainer Battles will take place in real time, rather than through players taking turns. Players will also be restricted to teams of three Pokemon, rather than the traditional six.

As in Gym and Raid Battles, Trainer Battles require you to quickly tap your screen to use your Pokemon’s Fast Attack. This builds up their Charged Attack meter, which allows you to trigger a more powerful Charged Attack.

However, Trainer Battles will add an extra Charged Attack that can be unlocked with Stardust and Candy. Players will also be able to deploy a Protect Shield a limited number of times during the battle, mitigating the damage taken. The Mercury News reports that potions and revives won’t be usable during battle, but Pokemon will be restored to full health after it has ended.

To battle, you have to scan a Battle Code (a QR code) on your opponent’s phone, meaning you can only battle people who are physically close to you. The exception is with your Ultra Friends and Best Friends, who you can battle from any distance. Friends are added by inputting another player’s Trainer Code, and you can level up friendships over multiple days by doing things such as participating in Gym Battles.

Players are also restricted to competing in the same Trainer Battle League as their opponent. This puts a limit on the maximum CP of participating Pokemon, so you won’t have to watch your 112 CP Caterpie get mashed into bug paste by someone else’s 17,990 CP Machamp. According to IGN, choosing your League occurs after scanning your opponent’s Battle Code but before choosing your team lineup.

But even if you get your arse handed to you, it won’t be a complete loss. Players will receive rewards regardless of whether they win or lose, IGN reporting that possible prizes include Stardust and Sinnoh Stones. Players can also battle computer-controlled Team Leaders Spark, Candela and Blanche, gaining rewards once per day and work towards earning an Ace Trainer medal.

Pokemon GO looks as though it will make battles enjoyable for everyone, even if you’re a casual player rocking a team of sub-500 CP bug Pokemon. Though you might want to consider farming up some Candy and Stardust anyway.