Rating Battle Season 4 runs from May 16 at 00:00 UTC until July 17, 2017, at 23:59 UTC, providing more battling fun with Trainers around the world. As in every Rating Battle season, you can battle using a variety of formats, including Single and Double Battles, battles that match the rules of the Pokémon Championship Series, and a Special format that changes with every season. Throughout the season, check your rankings at the Pokémon Global Link to see how you’ve performed in each format.
In this Rating Battle season’s Special format, Trainers will create a team of six Pokémon from the National Pokédex, excluding Mythical Pokémon and some Legendary Pokémon. You can use Poké Transporter to bring Pokémon into Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon from previous games. Then, when the battle starts, each Trainer will select only one Pokémon to battle with. You’ll be allowed to use items, but Mega Stones, Z-Crystals, Focus Sashes, and Eviolite will not be allowed. The battles will have a five-minute match time, a 60-second Pokémon preview, and 15-second turn times. Expect speedy battles and plenty of surprises when each Trainer’s Pokémon hits the battlefield! See the Special Format Regulations for details.
Remember to visit the Pokémon Global Link to keep an eye on your record and rankings throughout Rating Battle Season 4. You can also take a look at which Pokémon are the most popular in each format, as well as their most common moves, and more.
Source: Pokémon Global Link
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The new battle season sounds interesting overall, but i’m unsure if I’d want to play too heavily in it. No Eviolite or Sash does hurt certain aspects of play, as does such a short turn timer; but no Megas or Z-moves will probably allot for interesting space in the team decisions themselves. Expect high power teams with low decision making pushes, Likely centered around HO strategies just to ensure You aren’t stressed in beating the clock. Lando-I might be able to make a mark here with those LO Boosted Sludge waves, to boot. I do hope those who are interested have fun with this new format.
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You raise some very good points about Rating Battle Season 4! I personally see the restrictions as a way to encourage players to come up with a new battle style and to get out of their comfort zones – it mixes things up.
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