So, you’ve conquered the Alolan islands, become the Champion, and now you’re looking for the ultimate challenge in Pokémon Moon. That ultimate challenge, my friend, is the Battle Tree.
This formidable facility is where the true trainers test their mettle against powerful opponents, including past Champions and renowned figures from the Pokémon world. But getting there isn’t as straightforward as just walking up to a building. It requires a bit of post-game progression and a specific journey.
Fear not, aspiring battlers! This guide will walk you through every step needed to unlock the Battle Tree and begin your ascent. Let’s get you ready to face the toughest trainers Alola has to offer!
Unlocking the Battle Tree in Pokémon Moon
The Battle Tree is the ultimate post-game challenge in Pokémon Moon, offering a gauntlet of powerful trainers and valuable rewards. To access it, you’ll need to have completed the main story and become the Champion of the Alola region. Once you’ve achieved this significant milestone, the path to the Battle Tree will open up.
The Journey to Poni Island
After becoming Champion, you’ll find that new areas and challenges become available. The Battle Tree is located on Poni Island, but it’s not immediately accessible after the credits roll. You’ll need to progress through a few more story beats that introduce you to the Ultra Beasts and the events that follow the initial Pokémon League challenge.
Specifically, after defeating the Elite Four and becoming Champion, you’ll be prompted to return to your home in Hau’oli City. This triggers a series of events that involve the Aether Foundation, Lusamine, and the mysterious Ultra Beasts. You’ll be taken to different locations, including the Ultra Megalopolis, as part of this extended storyline. (See Also: How to Hang a Baby Swing From a Tree Safely)
The Role of the Ultra Beasts Arc
The Ultra Beasts are a key component of the post-game content. You’ll be tasked with capturing them, which involves exploring various Ultra Wormholes. This narrative thread directly leads to the opening of the path to the Battle Tree. Make sure you engage with all the NPCs and follow the story prompts after becoming Champion, as these are crucial for advancing.
Navigating Poni Island
Once the Ultra Beast storyline has progressed sufficiently, you’ll be able to travel to Poni Island more freely. Poni Island is a large and diverse landmass with several distinct areas, including the Poni Wilds, Poni Meadow, Poni Garden, and the Poni Grand Resort. The Battle Tree itself is situated on the southwestern coast of Poni Island.
To reach the Battle Tree, you’ll need to make your way through the various routes and areas of Poni Island. This might involve using your Ride Pokémon for traversal, such as Lapras for water travel or Tauros for crossing open terrain. Keep an eye out for any trainers or wild Pokémon you might encounter along the way, as they can provide valuable experience and items.
Key Steps to Reaching the Battle Tree
- Become the Champion: This is the absolute prerequisite. You must defeat the Elite Four and claim the title of Champion.
- Engage with Post-Game Storyline: After becoming Champion, interact with characters in Hau’oli City to trigger the events involving the Aether Foundation and Ultra Beasts.
- Complete Ultra Beast Quests: Participate in the missions to capture Ultra Beasts. This will naturally guide you towards Poni Island and unlock further areas.
- Travel to Poni Island: Once the story allows, head to Poni Island. You can typically fly to the Poni Gauntlet or other accessible points.
- Navigate Poni Island: Explore Poni Island, following the path towards the southwestern coast. You may need to overcome obstacles or talk to certain NPCs to clear the way.
- Locate the Battle Tree: The Battle Tree is a prominent structure on the southwestern tip of Poni Island. You’ll recognize it by its imposing appearance.
Utilizing Your Ride Pokémon
Your Ride Pokémon will be indispensable on Poni Island. You’ll likely need to use:
- Lapras: For crossing bodies of water to reach different parts of the island.
- Tauros: For quickly traversing larger land areas and breaking certain barriers.
- Charizard (if obtained): For flying to specific locations, though this is generally unlocked later.
Pay attention to the dialogue from NPCs, as they often provide hints about where to go or what to do next. The game is designed to guide you through these post-game areas, so don’t be afraid to explore and interact with everything. (See Also: How Much Carbon Does One Tree Offset? The Definitive)
Inside the Battle Tree: What to Expect
Once you arrive at the Battle Tree, you’ll find it’s divided into two main sections: the Single Battle and the Double Battle formats. You can choose which format you want to challenge first, and you’ll face a series of trainers in consecutive battles. The further you progress, the tougher the opponents become.
Superintendents and Trainers
The Battle Tree is overseen by various Superintendents, including Sina and Dexio from the Kalos region, who will guide you through the initial stages. After a certain number of wins, you’ll also face powerful trainers who act as bosses for each streak. These include familiar faces from previous Pokémon games and even characters from the Alola region’s own Elite Four and Champion.
The Battle Points (bp) System
Winning battles at the Battle Tree earns you Battle Points (BP). BP is a crucial currency in the post-game, used to purchase valuable items, TMs, and even services like IV breeding and EV training. The higher your win streak, the more BP you’ll earn per battle.
Preparing Your Team for the Battle Tree
The Battle Tree is no joke. You’ll need a well-rounded team with good type coverage, strategic movesets, and optimized stats. Consider the following:
Team Composition
- Balance Types: Ensure your team covers a wide range of offensive and defensive types to handle diverse threats.
- Coverage Moves: Pokémon should have moves that hit opponents super-effectively, even if it’s not their STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) move.
- Status Conditions: Moves like Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave, and Toxic can cripple opponents.
- Entry Hazards: Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes can wear down opposing teams over time.
- Support Pokémon: Consider Pokémon that can set up screens (Light Screen, Reflect), heal status, or boost your team’s stats.
Item Usage
Held items are critical for success. Some excellent choices include: (See Also: How Was the Christmas Tree Invented: A Festive History)
- Choice Items (Scarf, Specs, Band): Boost a specific stat but lock the Pokémon into one move.
- Life Orb: Increases damage output at the cost of HP.
- Focus Sash: Guarantees survival from a one-hit KO if the Pokémon is at full HP.
- Leftovers: Provides passive HP recovery each turn.
- Assault Vest: Boosts Special Defense but prevents the use of status moves.
Ev Training and Ivs
For optimal performance, your Pokémon should ideally have good Individual Values (IVs) and be properly Effort Value (EV) trained. While not strictly necessary for your first few runs, it becomes essential for climbing higher into the Battle Tree leaderboards.
Understanding the Ai
The AI in the Battle Tree is generally programmed to use its Pokémon’s strengths effectively. It will often switch out of unfavorable matchups or use super-effective moves when possible. Anticipating its moves and making smart switches yourself is key.
The Challenge Awaits
Getting to the Battle Tree is a journey in itself, marking your true arrival in the post-game of Pokémon Moon. It’s a testament to your dedication as a trainer. Once you’re there, the real fun begins – testing your team and strategic prowess against the best Alola has to offer. Good luck, Trainer!
Conclusion
Reaching the Battle Tree in Pokémon Moon is a rewarding post-game endeavor that signifies your mastery of the Alolan region. It requires completing the main story, engaging with the Ultra Beast narrative, and navigating the diverse landscapes of Poni Island. Once there, you’ll face formidable trainers in both Single and Double Battle formats, earning valuable Battle Points to further enhance your team. Prepare thoroughly with a balanced team, strategic items, and optimized stats to conquer this ultimate challenge.
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