Each turn gets drawn as an actual battle scene, so you can see what's happening. Fight your friends, fight the bot, or work through the gyms of nine regions.
PvP goes from 1v1 up to 3v3, and you can do uneven fights like 3v1 if someone wants a challenge. If nobody's around, you can battle the bot instead.
There's also the campaign. It takes your team through the gyms, the Elite Four and the Champion in all nine regions, and the Battle Tower is waiting once you're done.
Battles use the same rules as the games. Abilities kick in, natures and EVs affect your stats, and moves work the way you'd expect. Fake Out makes the other Pokémon flinch, Brick Break smashes screens, Knock Off takes away their item for the rest of the fight, and Baton Pass hands your stat boosts to whoever comes in next.
Mega Evolutions and Gigantamax forms are in, and held items like Sitrus Berry and Black Sludge do their thing during the fight.
The tutor teaches moves. Mints change a Pokémon's nature, and capsules and patches change its ability. You can also give your Pokémon items to hold in battle.
@pokecom duel @playerChallenge someone.@pokecom duelaiBattle the bot.@pokecom hold <pokemon> <item>Give a Pokémon something to hold.@pokecom itemshopBattle items and evolution items.@pokecom movedex <move>Look up what a move does.Everything else is on the Commands page.
Up to 3v3. Uneven fights like 3v1 work too.
Yes. Battle the bot whenever you want, or play through the campaign and the Battle Tower.
Yes. Abilities, items, natures, EVs, Mega Evolution and Gigantamax all matter.
Every turn is drawn as a battle scene with both teams on screen.
Everything else you can do once PokeCom is in your server.