Get ready trainers! Season 5 of the GO Battle League is nearly here. The shortest season yet, at only three weeks long, there are a few things you might need to know.
Dates, Times, and Themes
Season 5 is split into three cups, the Little Cup, the Kanto Cup, and the Catch Cup. Each one will have particular quirks and limitations about them. The dates and times for them are as follows.
- The Little Cup will run from Monday, November 9, 2020, at 1:00 PM until Monday, November 16, 2020, at 1:00 PM. This cup will only allow Pokémon that CAN evolve but haven’t, and are under 500 CP.
- The Kanto Cup will run from Monday, November 16, 2020, at 1:00 PM to Monday, November 23, 2020, at 1:00 PM. Only Pokémon from the original generation (Pokédex index numbers between #001 and #151) will be allowed, with a CP limit of 1,500.
- The Catch Cup will run from Monday, November 23, 2020, at 1:00 PM to Monday, November 30, 2020, at 1:00 PM. This cup will only allow newly caught Pokémon (Pokémon caught since the cup began on November 9). It will also not allow Mythical Pokémon like Mew and Celebi. The CP limit here is 1,500.
What’s Different in Season 5
A few rules and changes have been set in place for season 5. These will vary from the past due to either balance reasons or the current social situation.
- You do not need to meet a walking requirement to participate.
- Friendship level requirements will be at “Good Friends” to battle remotely.
- Pikachu Libre will stay a Rank 7 reward.
- You can still encounter Pikachu Libre once you’ve reached rank 10.
- The end-of-season rewards will be similar to those in Season 4.
- Stardust from rank 1 to rank 3
- Stardust, TMs, and a Premium Battle Pass from rank 4 to rank 10.
- You have a chance of encountering a Legendary Pokémon after Rank 7.
- Rank progression will be based on effort and not ratings.
- If you finish Season 5 at rank 7 or higher, you’ll receive an Elite Charged TM rather than an Elite Fast TM.
New Attacks
To expand on the selection of combat options, three new attacks will be added to the game.
- Incinerate: This Fire-type Fast Attack will initially be available only to Rapidash originally discovered in the Kanto region, Typhlosion, Ho-Oh, Darmanitan originally discovered in the Unova region, and Chandelure.
- Poison Sting: This Poison-type Fast Attack will now generate more energy, allowing Pokémon like Vespiquen, Drapion, and Whirlipede to use their Charged Attacks more frequently.
- Flame Charge: This powerful Fire-type attack will now be teachable to Rapidash originally discovered in the Kanto region, Entei, Emboar, and Chandelure.
Good luck, everyone planning to participate.