Pokemon GO is implementing an overhaul to how battles work, which could have big implications for the GO Battle League. The changes are being made as part of an effort to make battles in Pokemon GO more fair, while maintaining the fast-paced gameplay players have come to expect.
Like most online games, Pokemon GO can face difficulties due to the nature of online connectivity, and that's compounded due to most players using mobile connections while battling or capturing. Variations in connection speed or losing connection entirely can lead to unfair outcomes, which is something that the developers are hoping to address.
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Pokemon GO Reveals Upcoming Trainer Battle Changes
In a new post from the developers, it has been revealed that a trainer battle overhaul is on the way that should make GO Battle League matches much more fair. The developers emphasize that "outcomes should be driven by player choices" rather than problems with connectivity or game state differences. Instead of addressing each problem individually, the team has been working on rebuilding the core battle system entirely, with an effort to reflect player skill while taking the game's feel into consideration. The team has noted that while the issues weren't constant, even small inconsistencies could have an impact on gameplay, especially when competitive and high-skill play is taken into consideration.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
To accomplish this task, a number of changes will go into effect. To start, damage will now resolve at the end of a player's turn, ensuring that Fast Attacks reliably tie when used on the same turn, energy gains are more predictable, and the outcome of a turn is based upon what both players did without their connection having an impact. Switching out Pokemon is also getting an overhaul, with swaps resolving before damage, with incoming Pokemon taking the hit when facing an opponent's Fast Attack or a Charged Attack. The timing has also been standardized, with fainted Pokemon swaps not costing a turn, but voluntary Pokemon swaps costing one turn. Swaps at the end of a Charged Attack sequence also don't cost a turn.
Charged Attacks in Pokemon GO are also facing some other changes. Charged Attacks will now always begin at the start of the turn after they were triggered, whereas they used to begin immediately. Charged Attack damage will resolve before Fast Attacks that finish during Charged Attack sequences, so stat changes and effects will happen before Fast Attack effects are applied. Swaps should also be easier to queue following Charged Attack completion, so players who may have adapted their battle style to avoid problems will be able to utilize these attacks fully. The HP bar is also getting some animation updates, which take Charged attacks into consideration, with an update to "better communicate" when damage is pending and when it's applied.
Another important change is how battles will be handled in the event that a player disconnects. With the changes in effect, both players will need to connect before a Pokemon GO Battle League match starts, and the battle will continue even if one player disconnects. The developer indicates that this should help battles to resolve fairly if one player stops playing for any reason.
While no exact date was specified for when these changes would officially roll out, if they play out the way that the developer is hoping, Pokemon GO Trainers should be able to expect fairer outcomes when they or their opponent experience connection or device problems. This change should be particularly meaningful for players in both rural areas and heavily-populated areas, as both can experience difficulties with maintaining a steady connection to their mobile network. With any luck, these changes will work as intended, and give everyone a better experience while battling.
