GO Battle League Season 17 Timeless Travels

Trainers, GO Battle League: Timeless Travels is almost here! It’s time to prepare for another epic battle season with the 17th official GO Battle League Season. There are new and exciting changes including attack changes, cups, rewards and more!

The start of any season can be an exciting time for any sort of player from being a PvP veteran or a complete newbie. Now has never been a better chance to participate in the GO Battle League for the exciting season ahead.

Let’s dive into the official announcement and break down each crucial section of information so that you don’t miss a thing.

Date, Time, Rank Resets & Rewards

GO Battle League: Timeless Travels will start on Friday, December 1, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8).

The following will occur at the beginning of the Season.

• End-of-Season rewards will be available on the battle screen.
• Your GO Battle League rank will be reset.
• Rank-up requirements will remain the same as the prior Season.

GO Battle League: Timeless Travels schedule

The following leagues will begin and end at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT
−8) on the dates listed below.

Starting with this Season, the schedule below will also be visible on the in-game GO Battle League Page.

*4× Stardust from win rewards (this does not include end-of-set rewards)

From what we can see in this graph, Season 17 is looking to be an exciting one with some brand new cups, fan favourites from the past and the classics.

GO Battle Week: Timeless Travels

Date:
Friday, January 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. to Wednesday,
January 24, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. local time.

Bonuses:

• 4× Stardust from win rewards. (This does not include the end-of-set rewards and will not stack with the 4× Stardust bonus in January.)
• The maximum number of sets you can play per day will be increased from five to 10—for a total of 50 battles—from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. local time.
• Free battle-themed Timed Research will be available. Rewards include the avatar item Ingo Style Gloves.
• Paid battle-themed Timed Research awarding Stardust, Rare Candy, and one Star Piece will be available for US$1.00 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency). IMPORTANT: Please note that Timed Research expires. To receive the rewards, the tasks associated with this Timed Research must be completed and the rewards claimed before Sunday, January 24, 11:59 p.m. local time.

If you can fight through fatigue, you will be rewarded for your efforts as GO Battle Week is a great opportunity to be able to grind your way up the ranks and to also acquire large amounts of Stardust from win rewards. 

Active Leagues:

The following leagues will be active.

• Great League
• Ultra League
• Master League

Timeless Travels: GO Battle Day

Date:
Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. local time.

Bonuses:

• 4× Stardust from win rewards. (This does not include the end-of-set rewards and will not stack with the 4× Stardust bonus in February.)
• The maximum number of sets you can play per day will be increased from five to 20—for a total of 100 battles—from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. local time.
• Free battle-themed Timed Research will be available. Rewards include various battle items and XP.

Active Leagues:

• Master League
• Evolution Cup: Great League Edition

Statistically speaking, most of the player base will be participating in the Evolution Cup: Great League Edition for this GO Battle Day. Be sure to stay tuned for our full Evolution Cup guide/tier list in the coming future.

GO Battle League: Timeless Travels rewards

Guaranteed rank-up encounters

You can encounter the following Pokémon once per Season at the designated ranks.

Rank	Guaranteed reward
Rank 1	Sneasel (Hisuian)
Rank 6	Machoke
Ace Rank	Deino
Veteran Rank	Goomy
Expert Rank	Jangmo-o
Legend Rank	Pikachu Libre

Standard Rank Reward Encounters

You can encounter the following Pokémon in reward encounters throughout the season at the ranks shown below.

Rank 1+

Rank 6+

Rank 11+

Rank 16+

Rank 20+

Active Raid Boss in five-star raids

Ace+

Veteran+

Expert+

GO Battle League Timed Research Pass

For our most dedicated battlers, a pass to access battle-themed Timed Research will be available in the in-game shop at no cost once GO Battle League: Timeless Travels begins.

This Timed Research will keep track of your victories throughout the Season. Each research page will require 100 wins to complete, and doing so will reward you with a small amount of Stardust and items, such as an Elite Fast TM (400 wins) and an Elite Charged TM (500 wins). Keep at it throughout the Season to see how far you can get!

This Timed Research Pass is another great incentive to test the waters in the GO Battle League. Everyone could use some extra Stardust, and what better way to obtain it than to earn it by outplaying another trainer!

Avatar items and other rewards

Trainers will be able to earn the following avatar items, which are all inspired by Ingo, warden of the Pearl Clan, from the Pokémon Legends: Arceus game for the Nintendo Switch!

• At Ace rank, you’ll receive the Ingo-Style Gloves and
  Ingo-Style Shoes.
• At Veteran rank, you’ll receive the Ingo-Style Pants.
• At Expert rank, you’ll receive the Ingo-Style Shirt.
• At Legend rank, you’ll receive the Ingo-Style Pose.
• At Rank 19, you’ll receive an Elite Charged TM. You’ll also
  receive an Elite Fast TM as an end-of-season reward.

Ingo was originally introduced into the main series games dating all the way back to Pokemon Black and White as the infamous leader of the Battle Subway which was the equivalent of the Battle Tower.

But wait, how can that be possible if he was also in Legends Arceus which takes place around 150 years ago in the lore? Supposedly Ingo most likely found himself in Hisui by unwittingly travelling through a space-time rift – a distortion in space and time. 

What an interesting character if you ask me. However, I personally am a fan of the attire and would love to show off the outfit in future raid lobbies.

GO Battle League Season 17 Cups

You can look forward to the following new cups this season.

Retro Cup: Great League Edition

• Pokémon must be at or below 1,500 CP to enter.
• Dark, Steel & Fairy type Pokémon are not eligible.

Holiday Cup: Great League Edition

• Pokémon must be at or below 1,500 CP to enter.
• Only Normal, Grass, Electric, Ice, Flying & Ghost type Pokémon are eligible.

Holiday Cup: Little Edition

• Pokémon must be at or below 500 CP to enter. 
• Only Normal, Grass, Electric, Ice, Flying & Ghost type Pokémon are eligible.

Fantasy Cup: Great League Edition

• Pokémon must be at or below 1,500 CP to enter
• Only Dragon, Steel & Fairy type Pokémon are eligible.

Evolution Cup: Great League Edition

• Pokémon must be at or below 1,500 CP to enter.
• Only Pokémon that are able to evolve and have never
  evolved are eligible.

Hisui Cup: Great League Edition

• Pokémon must be at or below 1,500 CP to enter.
• Only Pokémon found in the Pokémon Legends: Arceus
  Pokédex are eligible.

Great League Remix

• Pokémon must be at or below 1,500 CP to enter.
• The 20 Pokémon that are most used by Trainers
  ranked Ace and above in the Great League are not
  eligible in the Great League Remix.

The following Pokémon are not eligible.

Catch Cup: Timeless Travels: Great League Edition

• Pokémon must be at or below 1500 CP to enter.
• Only Pokémon caught during the Timeless Travels
  Season are eligible.*

*Pokémon must be caught between December 1, 2023, at
10:00 a.m. and March 1, 2024 at 9:59 a.m. local time.

Catch Cup: Timeless Travels: Little Edition

• Pokémon must be at or below 500 CP to enter.
• Only Pokémon caught during the Timeless Travels
  Season are eligible.*

*Pokémon must be caught between December 1, 2023, at
10:00 a.m. and March 1, 2024 at 9:59 a.m. local time.

There we have it, all the brand-new cups we will soon be competing in for the upcoming season. I am most looking forward to the Holiday Cup: Great League Edition and the Great League Remix. Each of these cups looks like the meta will be entertaining since I am a big fan of change when it comes to the GO Battle League. Having a wide variety of interesting Pokémon can make for some fun and unique moments and is a healthy change to the meta.

Especially with the new Attack Changes which we’ve all been looking forward to seeing.

Attack Changes

Mud Slap Ground

• Trainer Battles: Energy generation increased

In the past, Mud Slap has always lacked EPT (Energy Per Turn), now with this change, we could see Pokémon such as Gastrodon, Grimer, Marowak, Golem and even Excadrill come out of the woodwork. However, it’s still unlikely that these ‘mons will become instant top-tier meta from this change. It’s still a nice update that could give them all more play in PvE such as raids, rocket grunts and leaders.

Fire Spin Fire

• Trainer Battles: 9 → 10 power

Now this is an exciting change, although it might not seem like much, adding an extra damage point to Fire Spin allows for higher overall damage for Pokémon such as Ninetales, Charizard, Blaziken and Talonflame which can flip close matchups which these ‘mons previously just lost to. 

Will we see a shift from Wing Attack on Charizard to Fire Spin now? Only time will tell.

Incinerate Fire

• Trainer Battles: 15 → 20 power

The few Pokémon that can learn Incinerate have drastically become a lot more dominant now with this 5-damage buff. Talonflame, Skeledirge and Typhlosion to name a few will be hitting like a truck now and could even become meta again. 

Blaze Kick Fire

• Trainer Battles: 55 → 60 power

One Pokémon I’m sure we’re all thinking is looking to be an incredibly solid and powerful pick for this season, Blaziken. With a buff to Fire Spin, and now Blaze Kick, it could sneak up the list to become one of the top Fire type Pokémon. 

Lucario also has access to Blaze Kick, which, as we know can already deal massive amounts of damage. Adding this bait move to its moveset could become a force to be reckoned with.

Breaking Swipe Dragon

• Trainer Battles: The chance to lower the opposing Pokémon’s Attack is no longer guaranteed

Praise the heavens. Breaking Swipe was arguably the most toxic charge move in Season 16. It had a 100% chance to lower the opponent’s Attack by 1 stage and would only cost 33 energy. If you’ve ever come up against a Steelix in the Ultra League and wondered why your supposed ‘counter’ to it is suddenly losing the matchup, it’s because Breaking Swipe was a busted spammy move that would make your Pokémon deal little amounts of damage and force you to swap out to reset the debuff.

This nerf indirectly affects Steelix along with a few other niche picks such as Haxorus, Rayquaza and Helioisk. Good riddance. And yes, I’m not hiding my anger towards this move.

Iron Tail Steel

• Trainer Battles: 9 → 10 power
• Energy Generation increased

Speaking of Steelix, Iron Tail did gain a slight damage boost which could influence the change from Dragon Tail to Iron Tail for some Steel type STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus). Bastiodon is another tank that benefits from this change. Personally, I don’t see Iron Tail becoming a popular move despite this buff.

Steel Wing Steel

• Trainer Battles: Energy Generation increased

Another exciting change is this energy generation buff to Steel Wing. Skarmory may possibly make a great return with this change as it got nerfed to the ground in previous seasons due to the Sky Attack nerf and Air Slash not having the greatest EPT. 

Pidgeot and Dragonite can also learn this move, however, their current fast moves of Wing Attack and Dragon Breath seem to work for them already. Using Steel Wing on them would defeat the purpose of it.

Astonish Ghost

• Trainer Battles: 5 → 9 power

Finally, a damage increase to Astonish. This move has always been underwhelming, but with this change, we could possibly see some underrated Ghost types in the upcoming meta. Runerigus, Haunter, Cofagrigus, Drifblim and even Dunsparce can all learn this move which could make them all a lot more useful than before and could finally be able to hold their weight against the current meta. 

Bubble Water

• Trainer Battles: 7 → 10 power

To balance out the several buffs to Fire type Pokémon, we now have changes to Water type moves to balance it out. Bubble is now getting a damage increase which could lead to the rise of Azumarill, Poliwrath, Jellicent, Greninja and Mantine. 

Scald Water

• Trainer Battles: 80 → 85 power
• Greater chance to lower the opposing Pokémon’s
  Attack by one stage

On the topic of Poliwrath, Scald is getting a major buff. Not only is the damage being increased, but you will now have a higher chance to lower the opponent’s Attack by 1 stage which can flip a wide variety of matchups. Poliwrath is looking to be another top-tier Pokémon in the upcoming season.

Tentacruel will also benefit from this change and could make it a popular pick this season, especially with the foreseen rise of Azumarill which gets walled by our angry jellyfish friend.

Psychic Psychic

• Trainer Battles: 85 → 75 power

Oof, another nerf to Psychic. I’m sure we all know by now which Pokémon will be affected the most in the meta. Medicham will not appreciate this significant damage nerf to one of its main moves. Although I don’t feel like this is the end for Medicham, It could result in trainers running alternative moves such as Dynamic Punch or Power-Up Punch instead.

Attack Availability Updates

Ice Type Moves

The following Pokémon can now learn the Charged Attack Icy Wind:

This season is looking positive for Poliwrath, with it technically getting a triple increase to its moveset. Bubble and Scald are receiving a damage increase and now, it will be able to learn Icy Wind which deals 60 damage, costs 45 energy and has a guaranteed chance to decrease your opponent’s Attack by 1 stage. 

Along with that, we can also see a few other strong contenders that will benefit from this change, Wigglytuff, Abomasnow and Arctibax will become stronger with this move. Wigglytuff now has a utility/baiting move that will work wonders for all you Charm lovers out there. 

Arctibax really stands out for me here, its gradual rise in popularity from recent regional formats has seen that it has the potential to be an excellent core breaker with its unique typing and moveset. Avalance was its only real Ice type move, but having access to Icy Wind means it will adopt a much more spammy playstyle and will now be able to flip several matchups. I’m really keen to see how Arctibax will affect the meta in season 17.

The following Pokémon can now learn the Charged Attack Triple Axel:

The only one that really stands out here is Froslass. Which is actually a rather major benefit for it. It’s already a popular Ice type Pokémon which plays a unique role in beating Fighting types with its dual Ghost typing. With energy, Froslass has the capability to flip even bad matchups for it. Having Triple Axel as its charge move will mean that Froslass will become even more deadly it can now increase its own Attack by 1 stage using Triple Axel. I expect to see Froslass a lot more than normal in this season.

Electric Type Moves

The following Pokémon can now learn the Charged Attack Parabolic Charge:

This move change does not benefit Dedenne at all unfortunately since Discharge will still be the better moveset for it. Parabolic Charge costs 55 energy and deals 65 damage, whereas Discharge only costs 45 energy and deals 65 damage. 

Grass Type Moves

The following Pokémon can now learn the Charged Attack Trailblaze:

While this list may look long, there isn’t much here when it comes to meta Pokémon. Alolan Raichu along with Greedent and Ariados seem the be the only real winners here when it comes to PvP. This move increases the user’s Attack by 1 stage, it’s essentially the Grass type equivalent of Triple Axel. 

It could be good to surprise those Water and Ground type ‘mons (looking at you Swampert), however, I don’t see them benefitting too much from this change.

Flying Type Moves

The following Pokémon can now learn the Charged Attack Aerial Ace:

I’m on the fence about this one. It’s good to have a move that can fight back against Fighting types that melt Alolan Sandslash like butter, but you’re much weaker against Steel, Ice, Rock, Electric, Fire and Poison by not having Drill Run. It could potentially come in handy, but I feel as though if you’re already in a matchup versus a Fighting type, you’ll either get KO’d before you can get to Aerial Ace or they can just comfortably shield and farm you down. Either way, it does not seem like the best idea to run this move over Drill Run.

The following Pokémon can now learn the Charged Attack Fly:

Fly is a heavy-hitting and low-energy cost Flying type move. It only costs 45 energy but hits for a whopping 80 damage. From this list, the biggest winner to me has to be Talonflame. You now have a strong Flying type move that doesn’t decrease your defence as Brave Bird does. Combining this with the damage increase of Incinerate, it’s looking to be a top-tier Pokémon soon. 

Water Type Moves

The following Pokémon can now learn the Charged Attack Scald:

The new and improved Scald will soon be available on all these Pokémon. There are a few to talk about here, let’s start with Galarian Slowbro and Slowking. We’ve seen these 2 brothers paired together in past cups such as the Psychic Cup. Surf was originally the best Water type move on them. Having access to Scald will mean that they will be able to flip more matchups and could even see them possibly making an appearance in the Great League meta. 

Politoed suffered from a previous nerf to Weather Ball, but with this moveset update, it will now have yet another spammy and annoying move in the form of Scald. I’m sure this change will make players dust off that old Politoed they had at the back of their inventory and give it another shot.

Lotad, believe it or not, is another Pokémon that will benefit from this change because of its use in Little Cup formats. It combines bulk with the heavy-hitting Razor Leaf fast move to output pressure onto your opponents. Scald could make it even deadlier. 

One last Pokémon to mention here is Whiscash, since before this, it did not have a reliable Water type move to use. Water Pulse was all it had, but this could make Whiscash a powerhouse in season 17, especially with all those Fire type buffs!

Rock Type Moves

The following Pokémon can now learn the Charged Attack Rock Slide:

This moveset change is interesting to say the least, it can now threaten Flying types that often gave Vigoroth a hard time in the past, however, not having access to Bulldoze means that it would be weaker against certain Steel types. I do see this as a win though and could see a rise in Vigoroth stonks soon. 📈

Ghost Type Moves

The following Pokémon can now learn the Charged Attack Shadow Ball:

The following Pokémon can now learn the Fast Attack Astonish:

Any Pokémon that can learn Shadow Ball is often a good thing as the raw damage output on this move can threaten shields or nuke your opponent, Toxicroak will now be able to fight back against common Ghost and Psychic type answers such as Cofagrigus, Sabeleye and now, Medicham! That’s a W.

Parting Words

Season 17 of the GO Battle League looks to be focused on change. These new moves will most certainly see a dramatic shift to the current meta. It is safe to assume that we will be seeing many previously uncommon Pokémon come out of the woods to show off their new potential. 

Personally, I don’t feel as though this season will have a dramatic change to the meta, but it’s clear that we will see a lot of new Pokémon taking the spotlight. Either way, I am excited to see how things play out and I’m looking forward to using heavy hitters such as Shadow Poliwrath and Shadow Blaziken.

GL&HF!
–Adam ‘Avrip’