Can You Get Legendaries at Rank 20 in Pokémon GO? The Definitive Guide
Yes, you absolutely can get Legendary Pokémon at Rank 20 in Pokémon GO’s GO Battle League. Once you reach Rank 20, every subsequent reward encounter has a chance to be a Legendary Pokémon that is currently appearing in five-star raids. It’s a fantastic opportunity to bolster your team with powerful Pokémon!
Understanding Legendary Encounters in GO Battle League
The GO Battle League offers several ways to earn rewards, and encountering Legendary Pokémon is one of the most exciting. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
- Reaching Rank 20: This is the crucial step. You must achieve Rank 20 within the GO Battle League season.
- Reward Encounters: After hitting Rank 20, your reward encounters from winning battles now have a chance to reward the Legendary that is appearing in the current 5-Star Raids.
- Raid Boss Rotation: The specific Legendary you encounter depends on the current raid boss rotation. Niantic frequently changes which Legendary is featured in raids, so keep an eye on in-game announcements.
- No Shiny Guarantee: While encountering a Legendary is exciting, these reward encounters do not guarantee a Shiny Pokémon. You’ll have to rely on luck!
Maximizing Your Chances for Legendary Encounters
To improve your odds of catching Legendary Pokémon in the GO Battle League, consider these strategies:
- Battle Regularly: Engage in GO Battle League battles as often as possible to increase your chances of triggering reward encounters.
- Win Battles: While encountering a Legendary is ensured, winning battles is the best way to earn a reward encounter.
- Monitor Raid Schedules: Stay informed about the current five-star raid boss to know which Legendary you might encounter. Pokémon GO news outlets and community forums are great resources.
- Team Composition: Build a balanced team with diverse type coverage to handle various opponents in the GO Battle League. Understanding type matchups is essential for success.
- Use Stardust and Candy Wisely: Power up your Pokémon strategically. Focus on Pokémon with high IVs and CP that are effective in the GO Battle League meta.
Beyond Rank 20: More Opportunities and Rewards
While Rank 20 unlocks the possibility of Legendary encounters, there’s plenty more to strive for in the GO Battle League:
- Higher Ranks: Achieving higher ranks like Ace, Veteran, Expert, and Legend unlocks even better rewards and opportunities.
- End-of-Season Rewards: At the end of each GO Battle League season, you’ll receive rewards based on your highest rank achieved. These rewards can include rare items like Elite TMs.
- Pikachu Libre: Reaching the highest rank in the GO Battle League, Legend, unlocks a guaranteed encounter with Pikachu Libre, a special costumed Pokémon, which can also be shiny.
- Unique Poses: Certain ranks unlock unique avatar poses to customize your in-game appearance and show off your battling prowess, such as the Gladion Pose for reaching Rank 20 in an Interlude Season.
Pokémon GO and Educational Gaming
The strategic elements of Pokémon GO, from team building to resource management, have potential applications in education. The Games Learning Society researches how games can enhance learning and development. Explore their work at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Legendary Encounters in Pokémon GO Battle League
1. What are Reward Encounters in GO Battle League?
Reward Encounters are opportunities to catch Pokémon after achieving certain milestones in the GO Battle League, typically awarded after a set number of wins.
2. Is the Legendary encounter guaranteed after reaching Rank 20?
No, the Legendary encounter is not guaranteed after reaching Rank 20. However, reaching Rank 20 enables a chance for the Legendary currently featured in 5-Star Raids to appear as a reward encounter after battles. Every victory that nets you a mystery Pokémon encounter has a chance to be the featured Legendary.
3. Can the Legendary Pokémon from GO Battle League encounters be Shiny?
No, the Legendary Pokémon encountered as a reward in the GO Battle League cannot be Shiny. Shiny Pokémon are extremely rare alternate color variations.
4. How often does the Raid Boss change in Pokémon GO?
The Raid Boss rotation varies. Sometimes it’s weekly, and other times it aligns with specific in-game events or celebrations. Stay updated through official Pokémon GO channels.
5. What are the requirements to reach Rank 20 in GO Battle League?
Reaching Rank 20 requires accumulating enough wins in the GO Battle League. The exact number of wins may vary slightly between seasons.
6. What other rewards do I get for reaching Rank 20?
Besides the chance for Legendary encounters, reaching Rank 20 grants you various items like Premium Raid Passes, Rare Candies, and other useful resources. You also unlock a new avatar pose, such as the Gladion Pose during Interlude Seasons.
7. What happens if I don’t win any battles after reaching Rank 20?
You won’t get a reward encounter. You need to win battles to earn rewards, including the chance for Legendary Pokémon after reaching Rank 20.
8. Do I need a high rating to encounter Legendaries in GO Battle League?
No, a high rating is not required. As long as you reach Rank 20, you have the chance to encounter Legendaries. However, a higher rating will assist you in getting to Rank 20.
9. What are the benefits of increasing my rank beyond 20?
Increasing your rank beyond 20 unlocks better rewards and opportunities, like encountering different Pokémon and earning more valuable items at the end of the season.
10. What is Cosmic Flux used for?
Cosmic Flux is a resource used in other games, like World of Warcraft, for crafting high-level items, including Legendary armor. It is not related to the GO Battle League or Pokémon GO.
11. How do Special Research tasks relate to Legendary Pokémon encounters?
Special Research tasks often involve completing objectives that lead to encounters with Legendary Pokémon as rewards. These are separate from GO Battle League rewards.
12. What is the difference between a Standard Encounter and a Reward Encounter?
Standard Encounters occur in the wild, while Reward Encounters are earned by completing specific tasks, such as winning battles in the GO Battle League.
13. How does CP (Combat Power) impact my success in GO Battle League?
CP is a measure of a Pokémon’s strength in battle. Higher CP generally means stronger attacks and better endurance. However, IVs (Individual Values), move sets, and type matchups are also crucial factors for success.
14. What are IVs, and why are they important?
IVs (Individual Values) represent a Pokémon’s potential. Pokémon with higher IVs will be stronger than those with lower IVs when fully leveled up.
15. How do I find out which Legendary Pokémon is currently in Raids?
Stay updated by following Pokémon GO’s official social media channels, news outlets, and in-game announcements.
By understanding how the GO Battle League works and implementing these strategies, you can increase your chances of catching Legendary Pokémon and dominating the arena!