Pokemon Sword and Shield

How to Play Ranked Battle

How to Play Ranked Battle.png
This article will show you all information regarding the Ranked Battle competitive online mode in the game Pokemon Sword and Shield.

To learn more about how to get your Pokemon ready to compete in the intense metagame of competitive Ranked Battles, check out our articles below.

Competitive Battling Guides
Best Pokemon Tier List Best Builds
for Ranked Battle

What is Ranked Battle?

Online Battle 4.jpg

Ranked Battle is a mode of competitive online play in Pokemon Sword and Shield wherein you battle within set rules to earn points in order for you to improve your Rank and move to higher Tiers.

You can play with other players from across the globe and fight to become the very best in Pokemon battles worldwide. Ranked Battles will test Pokemon trainers on their battling ability; as you continue to higher tiers, the difficulty also rises as highly competitive players begin to appear.

How to Compete in Ranked Battles

1. Go to the Options Menu

Options Menu.jpg
Go to the Options Menu by tapping the X button on the joycon.

2. Select the Vs. Option

Release Move 4.jpg
On the Options menu, choose and select the VS option.

3. Select Battle Stadium

Rank Battles.jpg
On the Victory Station screen (get it, VS?), choose the Battle Stadium at the bottom left of the screen.

4. Select Ranked Battles

Ranked Battles 1.jpg
Under the Battle Stadium menu, choose and select Ranked Battles.

5. Select either Single or Double Battle

Ranked Battles 2.jpg
You can select either Single or Double battle depending on what battle format you would like to participate in. Keep in mind the Ranks and Tiers are separate for Single and Double battles.

6. Select the team that you want to use

Ranked Battles 3.jpg
Select what team you want to use in the battle. You can make sets of Pokemon as presets to allow you to choose the team you want easily. You can then pick 3 out of the 6 Pokemon in Single Battle and 4 out of the 6 Pokemon in Double Battles. Picking the Pokemon with the best matchup against your opponent's Pokemon is key; however, keep in mind they will be doing the same thing against yours.

7. Wait for an opposing Trainer

Ranked Battles 4.jpg
Wait for an opposing trainer for the match to begin.

8. Battle

Ranked Battles 5.jpg
Battle other trainer and unleash your Pokemon Battling skills.

9. Get Points or Lose Points depending if you win or lose.

Ranked Battles 6.jpg
After the Ranked Battles you will get points towards your tier. You will gain a certain amount if you win and will lose a certain amount if you lose the battle.

Ranked Battle Rules & Information

Ranked Battle Season 19

Dates of Series 9
June 1st 04:00 UTC - June 30th 2021 23:59 UTC.

Rules

For comprehensive details on the rules of the current series of Ranked Battle, check out our full article below!

Ranked Battle Rules and Legal Pokemon

Legal Pokemon

All Pokemon which are included in the Galar Pokedex, #001-397, excluding Zacian, Zamazenta, and Eternatus may participate in Ranked Battles.

In addition, the Kanto Starters excluded from the Galar Pokedex (Bulbasaur and Squirtle and their evolutions), as well as the Alolan Starters and their evolutions are legal for Ranked Battle.

Lastly, Galarian Slowpoke is legal for Ranked Battle as well.

  • Galar Pokédex numbers: #001–397
  • National Pokédex numbers #001–009 (Kanto starters)
  • National Pokédex number #79 (Galarian Slowpoke)
  • National Pokédex numbers #722–730 (Alolan starters)

Single Battle

Game Pokemon Sword and Shield
Battle Format Single
Pokemon in your current team or registered to your Battle Team From 3 to 6 Pokemon
All Pokemon will have their level automatically set to Lv. 50 during battles.
Eligible Pokemon are restricted to those that you caught, hatched from eggs, or received as a Mystery gift in Pokemon Sword and Shield
Battle Times Your Time: Max 10 minutes
Selection Time: Each Trainer gets 90 seconds to select their Pokemon.
Trainer gets 60 seconds to select an action each turn.

Double Battle

Game Pokemon Sword and Shield
Battle Format Double
Pokemon in your current team or registered to your Battle Team From 4 to 6 Pokemon
All Pokemon will have their level automatically set to Lv. 50 during battles.
Eligible Pokemon are restricted to those that you caught, hatched from eggs, or received as a Mystery gift in Pokemon Sword and Shield
Battle Times Your Time: Max 10 minutes
Selection Time: Each Trainer gets 90 seconds to select Pokemon.
Turn Time: Each Trainer gets 60 seconds to select an action each turn.

Rank Tiers

Tier Rank
Master Ball Tier MAX
Ultra Ball Tier 10
Great Ball Tier 7-9
Poke Ball Tier 4-6
Beginner Tier 1-3

Additional Information

  1. Rankings for Single and Doubles are separate.
  2. You cannot go down a rank once your tier has been raised. No matter how many times you lose, your Tier will stay the same.
  3. An Internet connection is required in playing Ranked Battles. You will need an Nintendo Switch Online Subscription to participate in all online activities in Pokemon including Ranked Battles.

Related Links

Beginner Tips and Guides

Top Page
Getting a Good Start
Things to Know Before Starting Pokemon How to Adjust Screen Size
Recommended Settings
Galar Starters
Which Starter Pokemon Should You Choose? How to Get All 3 Starters
Changing Appearance
How to Change Your Appearance How to Change Your Uniform
Pokemon Battles
Type Effectiveness and Damage Output Fishing for Pokemon
How to Run Away -
Building the Best Team
How to Build the Best Team Train Pokemon Like a Pro
Catching Legendary Pokemon -
Your Pokemon
How to Stop Evolutions How to Release Pokemon
How to Get More PC Boxes -
Online Features
How to Add Friends How to Get and Use the Y-Comm
How to Battle and Trade with Friends How to Max Raid with Friends
Pokemon Camp
How to Pokemon Camp with Friends How to Get Toys
How to Make Best Curry -
Useful Information
How to Get Money (Poke Dollars) Fast Things to Do Every Day
Useful Characters and Their Locations List of Unrepeatable One-time Events
List of All Mystery Gift Codes How to Get BP
New in Sword and Shield
Differences Between Dynamax and Gigantamax Access Pokemon Boxes on the Road
How to Get Sweets Removed Features

Author

    Walkthrough Menu

    All rights reserved