Progressing Through the Go Battle League

I've already discussed about the ranking system of the community adjunct for PvP tournaments involving Pokémon Go, as that which belongs to the Silph League Arena or SLA. Now it seems apt that I should discuss about that which belongs to the official side of things, which would be the Go Battle League. This is something that I haven't addressed since the implementation of the feature over half a year ago, and now is a good time as any to discuss it. For an added perspective, I'll also couple it with some of the experiences from my fellow Pokémon Go Trainers as well as myself.

As I've noted, the Go Battle League has 10 ranks that can be achieved through battling in sets of five battles at a time and fulfilling certain requirements. While those requirements have changed over time, some general things can be observed. Typically, the first few ranks simply demand battling to advance - winning or losing doesn't matter - and in effect they're the easiest to get through. Most ranks in the middle demand not only battling but also winning, and the number may be greater than the number of battles in a set, making it necessary (and not so easy) to go through multiple sets to get to the next rank. At the highest few ranks, a rating is conferred to a Trainer, and advancing requires increasing this rating, which indeed may be downright difficult. For those who aim for the top, these are the challenges that they need to go through.

Some changes have or had also occurred in the way one battles. For a bit of time after current conditions worsened, one could continue battling until one won a battle if one lost all five battles in a set; it was essentially to allow one to earn at least the first reward in the set, and once that happened, a new set then started. This change was supported by some and opposed by others, and it was reverted after some time. Rewards for winning battles have also changed every so often to keep Trainers going, and this has included Pokémon that can be caught as a reward. Even so, some of the changes may be considered to be dubious, considering prior conditions (regarding Scraggy) or general situations (regarding Pikachu Libre). Then, an additional format had been implemented, which can and does lead to other possible formats, but this needs its own discussion when the time is right. Further changes will certainly keep things lively.

As for experiences from myself and others, there is actually quite a bit of those. I find that since most Trainers (may) be well prepared for the SLA, which utilizes the Great League, there is an imperative to battle hard and fast during the Great League phase of a season to elevate ranks as much as possible, after which one may rest easy... or not. That's because the most grueling portion is increasing one's rating after getting to the ranks that necessitate this. For someone with only mediocre skill like me, it seems easy to watch my rating tumble after losing even just once. By the experience of more skilled Trainers, a large number of (consecutive) wins and therefore time almost becomes necessary, and that may prove to be a deterrent instead, even for someone of the caliber of my podcast friend. I find it easier not to worry about things anymore after this point and just to "enjoy the ride". Those whose rides are not yet over will still have their work cut out for them.

Trainers who wish to achieve PvP success in Pokémon Go certainly won't overlook the Go Battle League as the official path for that. It does, however, have its intricacies, some of which have become apparent and/or changed over the course of over half a year since its addition. Within that time, I and some of my fellow Trainers have observed and gone through them, and we've discovered the good and not-so-good things with them. Great hopes are still abound in PvP for those willing to make efforts to advance in Go Battle League while coping with its intricacies, which should also mean great success as well.

One year ago: At a Starry Night Time

Two years ago: Approaching Field Research Tasks

Three years ago: Restarting Go Fever Among Players