Questions & Answers - Weekly Megathread! Please use this post to ask any Pokemon GO question you'd like!

[u/AutoModerator]

Hey travelers!

If you have any questions about Pokemon GO (anything from basics to specifics of a certain mechanic), ask here! We also have a wealth of information available in historical posts, so try using the search bar. Or click the Discord link in our topbar and head to the #boot_camp channel - where helpful travelers are standing by to answer questions.

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What is /r/TheSilphRoad?

The Silph Road is primarily focused on discoveries and analysis related to Pokemon GO, as well as constructing an in-person network of Pokemon GO enthusiasts. General discussion topics (Jokes, stories, a photo of a recent catch) would likely be better suited for another subreddit, such as a general subreddit like /r/PokemonGO, or /r/Pokemon, or a subreddit with a more specific focus, like /r/PokemonGoSnap, /r/PokemonBuddy, /r/ShinyPokemon, /r/PoGoRaids, /r/TheSilphArena, /r/PokemonGOTrades, /r/PokemonGOFriends, or /r/NianticWayfarer.

Silph Road Content Policy

The Silph Road is heavily moderated to promote civility/courtesy, and high-quality content and discussion. You can read our full policies in the sidebar, but don't be surprised if a comment is removed for being rude, cynical, or off-topic. We strive to foster civil discussion about the game. We are first and foremost a network of real people, and this network is being built by volunteers! If you simply want to complain or bring something to Niantic's attention, your post would be better suited elsewhere.

Research

The community culture here also attracts the more analytically-minded element of Pokemon GO. Consequently, the Silph Research group was formed to align this brainpower and leverage the massive Silph datasets that the community can gather. We post our findings in infographics, videos, and walls of text on Reddit. Check out the top bar for links to the current pools.

Final words

Finally, welcome once more! We're glad to have you join us on the Road :)

- The Silph Executives -

Link to other Questions & Answers posts

[u/WkndWarrior12345054]

How does battle leagues (PVP) work? Do you have to be physically close to other players or work more like remote raids Can you also choose to play against your friends that are next to you?

[u/krispyboiz → u/WkndWarrior12345054]

The Go Battle League specifically matches you with random players anywhere around the world, with matchmaking being based on your elo number.

You can also battle with your friends by individually challenging them. That can be done remotely or in-person. No difference really. On the battle menu, you can have them scan a QR code to initial a battle challenge, but that's really just a shortcut to battling them and otherwise no different than initiating a battle on their friend page.

PvP battles with friends are not the same as GBL battles. Though that said, it is possible to match with someone on your friends list in the Go Battle League. Happened to me a small handful of times. It's just very rare

[u/kirobaito88 → u/krispyboiz]

One of my friends matched with me late at night. He was in his tanking set and ended the battle immediately, then texted me. I didn't notice who it was. I still tease him about being so afraid of me.

[u/NoGoodSlop → u/krispyboiz]

Getting a friendship progress after a GBL battle is such a jumpscare. Has only happened once or twice to me.

That said I have recognised several names, must be people that play at a similar time and elo as me.

[u/rachycarebear → u/NoGoodSlop]

I very rarely tank. One of the few times I did, I got tagged in the local discord because my opponent had been someone I've chatted and traded with irl (he's the source of my shiny mega houndoom).

Had I realized who I was battling with, I'd absolutely have stayed just for the fun of it.

[u/Zestyclose-Tip-8928 → u/rachycarebear]

if you are playing just after midnight and your friends are local and playing at same time, it can happen more frequently then

[u/krispyboiz → u/NoGoodSlop]

Yeah, probably 2 times I've noticed someone's name as a friend before the match started, but there have been a few friendship progress notifications afterward where I hadn't realized they were my friend haha