Here’s how Trainer Battles work in Pokemon GO

My goodness, it’s actually happening

After a basic tease last week, Niantic has detailed the soon-to-launch Trainer Battles in Pokémon GO.

You can face other Pokémon trainers by scanning the unique Battle Code associated with their account. “While Trainers will usually have to be nearby in order to initiate a Trainer Battle, Ultra Friends and Best Friends can challenge each other from any distance,” noted the developer.

Each trainer picks three Pokémon, and battles are organized under a league structure. You’ll choose to participate in either the Great League (max CP per Pokémon: 1,500), Ultra League (max CP: 2,500), or Master League (no CP limit). Just by playing, you’ll have “a chance at rare Evolution items.”

The actual battles themselves are real-time, as expected. Here’s how Niantic describes the system:

Your selected team of Pokémon will be able to execute both their Fast Attack and Charged Attack moves. In preparation for battle, you’ll even be able to use Stardust and Candy to unlock a bonus Charged Attack for your Pokémon. Timing is important! If you use your head and keep an eye on your opponent’s moves, you may be able to deploy a Protect Shield to save your Pokémon from critical damage. But you only have a limited number of these shields before your Pokémon will be left defenseless.

If you were clinging onto a sliver of hope that Niantic would more closely follow the traditional Pokémon games for Trainer Battles in Pokémon GO, unfortunately, that’s the end of that.

It’s also worth mentioning that you’ll be able to battle your team leader once per day for rewards including Stardust. So even if you aren’t serious about PvP, there’s an incentive to dabble in battling.

Niantic hasn’t come out with a date, but the company says Trainer Battles will go live “this month.”

COMING SOON: Show your skills with Pokémon GO Trainer Battles! [Pokémon GO]