How to participate in the First Pokémon Sword & Shield Online Tournament
The first big Online Ranked Battle Tournament is coming to Pokémon Sword & Shield. Here is all you need to know.
When will the tournament take place?
The Pokémon Company will be hosting the very first Pokémon Sword & Shield online competition for Ranked Battle next month, on 6th December. If you would like to participate in the Galar Beginnings tournament, all you have to do is sign up between now and 5th December 2019 to take part.
The competition itself will run from 6th December until 8th December and will allow you to make your Pokémon huge by Dynamaxing them—or even have their form change by Gigantamaxing them. These effects will last for three turns per battle.
How do I enter the tournament?
To do this, you’ll need to enter the VS menu within your copy of Sword or Shield and select Battle Stadium. From here, you select Online Competitions and select “Search Official Competitions” to enter. Entry into the competition is not allowed once the event has begun, so be sure to sign up while you still can.
What format will be played?
Battle Format: Single Battle
That means you will have to register three to six of your Pokémon to your Battle Team. All Pokémon in this competition will automatically become Lv. 50 for the duration of each match.
What Pokémon can I use?
Only Pokémon which can be obtained in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are eligible.
- Zacian, Zamazenta, Mew (contained in the Poké Ball Plus), Eternatus and certain special Pokémon will not be allowed! Special Pokémon for example are Pokémon like starters with Hidden Ability, which should not be in the game yet, but have already been spread by cheaters. So don’t rely on those even if you got them via trading.
What can I win?
You can view your rank by entering the VS menu, then selecting Battle Stadium, then selecting Online Competitions, then selecting Participate in an Official Competition. Everyone will get at least 50 Battle Points as a participation gift.
- You must complete at least one battle resulting in a win or a loss to be eligible.
- Once rankings are announced, rewards can be received by selecting Mystery Gift, then Get Battle Battle Stadium Rewards. What kind of rewards will be given is yet to be announced.
