How the League Works

Trainers

The League will be using all DS games, but we prefer to fight on Generation V where available.  Generation IV games are not banned, however, but we prefer to use the newest games if possible.  Most challenges will take place over Wi-Fi, so please have your Friend Code available to make this possible.

Every year, the League will travel to Anime Iowa, so all trainers are encouraged to attend to face the Leaders (or representatives of the Leaders) at the convention.  We will try to have additional meetings outside of the convention.

Gyms

Anyone is free to create a gym and submit it for our approval.  Make sure you follow the following guidelines when submitting a gym, and if approved, you will be able to receive challenges and give out badges.  At any one time, we prefer to have only 12-13 gym maximum.

Once you have a Gym, you have full reign over your it.  You are expected to keep track of your Members and who has your badge.  Accept challenges on your own terms, whether by posting an availability schedule or scheduling with Trainers case by case.

-Themes

There are twokinds of themes your gym can have, so keep these in mind when creating a gym.  You cannot choose a type that matches or significantly overlaps with an existing Gym or Elite Four.  (For example, choosing Rock/Ground if there’s already a Rock Gym)

Elemental Type:  All Pokémon share the same elemental type, or two very closely related elemental types.  (Example: Electric, Water/Ice)

Theme:  Your Pokémon share something very specific in common, usually a physical characteristic.  Your theme should be specific enough that only a maximum of 10-20 Pokémon can qualify.  For example, “mythical creatures" could be too vague, but “Japanese mythical creatures” is more specific. (Other examples: Canines, Eeveelutions)

-Badges

When creating a gym, you get to select a badge too.  Give it a name and a design, and either you or we can create it for you.  Whether in person or online, make sure to record the names of the people that beat you.

Badges can be awarded in person, or online. In-person badges will consist of either metal pins or business cards. Online badges will take the form of a specific Pokemon representing that Gym, which will carry the Nickname of the badge and the gym leader's ID number.

-Gym Members

Any trainer is free to join a Gym under an existing Gym Leader (with their permission) and build a team based on the Gym’s type.  It’s a good way to trade advice on using the Gym’s theme, as well as giving trainers something to do if, for example, they’ve gained all the badges and are still looking for more challenges.  Gym Leaders are allowed to—but not required—to have challengers fight Gym Members before facing the Leader him/herself.

-Replacing Gym Leaders

If a Gym Leader leaves, there are a number of options, but the best option is for the Gym Leader (or one of the League Coordinators) to select a Gym Member to step up to the position.  If none are available, any non-members willing to join the Gym are free to do so.  The new leader is not allowed to change the Gym type or badge.

-Champion

The first Champion is the first trainer to complete the Elite Four challenge. Gym Leaders ARE eligible but must also have 8 Badges from the other Gym Leaders.

The Champion is required to honor all challenges in a timely manner.  Any Champion failing to respond to a challenge within one month will be treated as if he/she had lost the match.  Of course, they are free to retry for the spot.

-Replacing an Elite Four

If a Leader wants to join the Elite Four and push out an existing member, the prime prerequisite is to gather EVERY Gym Badge that currently exists.  After that, they must challenge an Elite Four for their spot.  The Elite Four can either accept or decline the challenge.

The Elite Four puts forth his/her own specific conditions for defeat.  (For example, an Elite Four can ask that a challenger defeat him five times in a row.)  The conditions can be anything at all, but as a rule, should be considered fair.  If both parties agree upon the conditions and the League Coordinator clears it, the challenge can take place.

During the contest for the Elite Four, are the leaders required to use their gym's team, since types obviously have weaknesses? For example, it's not really a fair show of skill if the Steel Gym were to face the Fire Gym.

No, Leaders aren't required to use their Gym teams to face the Elite Four.

Same thing for when we pick the Elite Four out of the Gym Leaders, any team is welcome.