Pokemon GO trainer battles can be tricky to win, especially when you’re just starting out. Whether you’re looking to climb the ranks in the GO Battle League or just want to beat your friends, there’s a fair bit to wrap your head around. If you’re someone struggling with it all, this one’s for you. So get your Pokeballs ready and dive in as we give you the best tips to win trainer battles in Pokemon GO.

1. Getting Started

When you jump into a Pokemon GO battle, you’ll be working with three Pokemon on your team. The battle system is pretty straightforward – you tap the screen to do fast attacks, and you’ll build up energy to do stronger-charged attacks. You also get three protective shields to block big hits from your opponent. Think of these shields as your safety net as they can save you in tough spots.

The battle keeps going until someone’s Pokemon are all knocked out, or until you hit the time limit. If you run out of time, whoever has more Pokemon left wins. If you both have the same number of Pokemon, it comes down to who has more health.

2. Picking Your Battle League

Pokemon GO gives you different leagues to choose from, and each one has its own style. The Great League caps Pokemon at 1,500 CP, the Ultra League goes up to 2,500 CP, and the Master League lets you use any CP level.