Pokémon Champions arrives on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on April 8. It is free to play and promises a steady flow of updates, including balance patches that could reshape the competitive scene.

Balance patches are official

Development director and producer Masaaki Hoshino said the team will operate the game for the long term and make adjustments while watching player trends. The team intends to listen to player feedback and apply balance changes over time.

What players have already spotted

  • Protect now has 8 PP instead of 10, a change that should cut down on stalling.
  • Most moves have had their default PP increased. There is no in-game method to raise a move's PP beyond those defaults.
  • Top players in early access noted specific removals: Gengar no longer has Encore, and Incineroar can no longer use Knock Off.

New abilities for some Mega Evolutions

Certain Legends Z-A Mega Evolutions have had abilities revealed. Highlights include new abilities for Mega Meganium and Mega Feraligatr. Mega Dragonite will have Multiscale, and Mega Froslass will have Snow Warning.

Quality of life changes aimed at simplification

The game is removing several traditional competitive mechanics to make play more accessible and less grind-heavy.

  • IVs are gone. Every Pokémon will automatically have maximum individual values in all stats. That removes a long-standing layer of hidden stat variance and some niche strategies that relied on non-max IVs.
  • EVs simplified. Instead of the old experience-based EV system, players will allocate stat points using a slider interface. It is a more direct, easier-to-understand approach.
  • Built-in access for new players. If you do not have competitive Pokémon to transfer from other games, Champions includes a mode that lets you obtain Pokémon from a randomized selection using Victory Points, the non-purchasable in-game currency.

These changes are meant to lower the barrier to entry for competitive play. Some players will welcome the convenience, while others may miss the finer-grained control of the older systems.

Monetization note

The developers say the game will not be pay-to-win, but Champions will offer a paid battle pass, with pricing already revealed for Japan. That is worth keeping an eye on as the game evolves.

Are these changes a step forward for competitive Pokémon or a step too far? Share your thoughts with other players and follow how balance patches shape the metagame after launch.