With the recent launch of Pokemon Champions on the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo has firmly established its newest title as the epicenter for online competitive Pokémon battles.
Developed exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, Pokemon Champions brings together trainers from around the globe, serving as the future home for all official tournaments and competitions.
As the game grows into the central hub for competitive Pokémon, now is the perfect time for aspiring competitors to get involved.
Here are five essential beginner tips to ensure you have a strong start in Pokemon Champions. 1.
Complete the In-Game Tutorials Pokemon Champions offers a series of in-game tutorials that are both fast and rewarding.
New players should complete these tutorials not just for guidance, but also for valuable rewards such as VP (Victory Points), Quick Coupons, and Training Tickets—essential currencies needed to build and train competitive teams.
Notably, one tutorial grants Mega Stones for popular Pokémon like Garchomp, Beedrill, Gyarados, Steelix, Heracross, Aggron, Manectric, and Abomasnow.
Unlike some games, all in-game currencies in Pokemon Champions must be earned through gameplay, with no option to purchase them using real money. 2.
Know the In-Game Currency System Understanding the in-game currencies is crucial.
VP is the primary currency used to purchase items, Pokémon, and Mega Stones, typically earned at rates of about 300 VP per win.
Mega Stones generally cost around 2,000 VP.
Quick Coupons allow you to recruit new Pokémon for a limited time at no cost, or permanently if exchanged for VP or a Teammate Ticket.
Players with a Pokémon Home account can save time by transferring fully-evolved Pokémon from mainline games directly into Champions, bypassing standard recruitment processes.
Training Tickets enable multiple stat or move changes to a Pokémon, making them extremely valuable for team optimization. 3.
Consider Battle Pass and Membership Options While the Battle Pass in Pokemon Champions offers certain benefits—mainly cosmetic items—it remains largely non-essential for new players.
Most gameplay-affecting rewards, such as Mega Stones and Pokémon, can be unlocked through regular play.
The seasonal Battle Pass is priced at $10 USD, and the annual membership is $50 USD, which increases storage capacity.
For newcomers, however, the free tier is often sufficient, as the core gameplay experience and progression are accessible without additional purchases. 4.
Master Stats and Move Customization Traditional EVs and IVs have been replaced in Pokemon Champions by a simplified system where each Pokémon can earn up to 66 additional stat points.
Customizing stats is now more intuitive: instead of the old grind, players allocate extra points directly through the Train Pokémon menu.
For most competitive setups, maximizing two main stats (32 points each) and allocating the remainder works well.
Beginners are advised to focus on single battles for clarity, utilizing resources like Bulbapedia or Serebii to research opposing Pokémon stats and abilities.
Speed remains a pivotal stat, as many of the game’s fastest Pokémon—such as Mega Alakazam, Mega Aerodactyl, Dragapult, and Mega Greninja—dictate battle flow. 5.
Use Pokemon Home’s GTS for Hard-to-Find Mons Certain Pokémon, like Mega Floette, are only accessible in Champions if transferred from games such as Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
For players missing these exclusives, the Global Trade System (GTS) via Pokemon Home becomes invaluable.
Trainers can trade for rare Pokémon like Eternal Flower Floette by offering desirable trades, such as a shiny or legendary Pokémon, ensuring they can complete their teams and remain competitive.
It is important to specify the correct form, as only Eternal Flower Floette is compatible with the Mega Stone in Champions. Bonus Tip: Train Before Transferring Any training done in other mainline Pokémon games will not carry over once a Pokémon is transferred to Champions.
The game takes a permanent snapshot of status upon transfer, so plan your training and stat allocations before moving Pokémon into the new environment. With these foundational tips and a focus on mastering Pokemon Champions’ unique systems, new players are well-positioned to thrive in the evolving world of competitive Pokémon on Nintendo Switch.
For those looking to deepen their expertise, participating in ranked or casual matches, exploring the eShop for updates, and engaging in community events via Nintendo Direct announcements will all contribute to a richer gameplay experience.
Developed exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, Pokemon Champions brings together trainers from around the globe, serving as the future home for all official tournaments and competitions.
As the game grows into the central hub for competitive Pokémon, now is the perfect time for aspiring competitors to get involved.
Here are five essential beginner tips to ensure you have a strong start in Pokemon Champions. 1.
Complete the In-Game Tutorials Pokemon Champions offers a series of in-game tutorials that are both fast and rewarding.
New players should complete these tutorials not just for guidance, but also for valuable rewards such as VP (Victory Points), Quick Coupons, and Training Tickets—essential currencies needed to build and train competitive teams.
Notably, one tutorial grants Mega Stones for popular Pokémon like Garchomp, Beedrill, Gyarados, Steelix, Heracross, Aggron, Manectric, and Abomasnow.
Unlike some games, all in-game currencies in Pokemon Champions must be earned through gameplay, with no option to purchase them using real money. 2.
Know the In-Game Currency System Understanding the in-game currencies is crucial.
VP is the primary currency used to purchase items, Pokémon, and Mega Stones, typically earned at rates of about 300 VP per win.
Mega Stones generally cost around 2,000 VP.
Quick Coupons allow you to recruit new Pokémon for a limited time at no cost, or permanently if exchanged for VP or a Teammate Ticket.
Players with a Pokémon Home account can save time by transferring fully-evolved Pokémon from mainline games directly into Champions, bypassing standard recruitment processes.
Training Tickets enable multiple stat or move changes to a Pokémon, making them extremely valuable for team optimization. 3.
Consider Battle Pass and Membership Options While the Battle Pass in Pokemon Champions offers certain benefits—mainly cosmetic items—it remains largely non-essential for new players.
Most gameplay-affecting rewards, such as Mega Stones and Pokémon, can be unlocked through regular play.
The seasonal Battle Pass is priced at $10 USD, and the annual membership is $50 USD, which increases storage capacity.
For newcomers, however, the free tier is often sufficient, as the core gameplay experience and progression are accessible without additional purchases. 4.
Master Stats and Move Customization Traditional EVs and IVs have been replaced in Pokemon Champions by a simplified system where each Pokémon can earn up to 66 additional stat points.
Customizing stats is now more intuitive: instead of the old grind, players allocate extra points directly through the Train Pokémon menu.
For most competitive setups, maximizing two main stats (32 points each) and allocating the remainder works well.
Beginners are advised to focus on single battles for clarity, utilizing resources like Bulbapedia or Serebii to research opposing Pokémon stats and abilities.
Speed remains a pivotal stat, as many of the game’s fastest Pokémon—such as Mega Alakazam, Mega Aerodactyl, Dragapult, and Mega Greninja—dictate battle flow. 5.
Use Pokemon Home’s GTS for Hard-to-Find Mons Certain Pokémon, like Mega Floette, are only accessible in Champions if transferred from games such as Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
For players missing these exclusives, the Global Trade System (GTS) via Pokemon Home becomes invaluable.
Trainers can trade for rare Pokémon like Eternal Flower Floette by offering desirable trades, such as a shiny or legendary Pokémon, ensuring they can complete their teams and remain competitive.
It is important to specify the correct form, as only Eternal Flower Floette is compatible with the Mega Stone in Champions. Bonus Tip: Train Before Transferring Any training done in other mainline Pokémon games will not carry over once a Pokémon is transferred to Champions.
The game takes a permanent snapshot of status upon transfer, so plan your training and stat allocations before moving Pokémon into the new environment. With these foundational tips and a focus on mastering Pokemon Champions’ unique systems, new players are well-positioned to thrive in the evolving world of competitive Pokémon on Nintendo Switch.
For those looking to deepen their expertise, participating in ranked or casual matches, exploring the eShop for updates, and engaging in community events via Nintendo Direct announcements will all contribute to a richer gameplay experience.
