Pokémon Go will soon let trainers change teams

Niantic and The Pokémon Company will finally let Pokémon Go players change their team allegiance in a forthcoming update to the mobile game. Starting Feb. 26, players will be able to purchase a new item called a Team Medallion, allowing them to switch to Team Mystic, Team Valor, or Team Instinct.

A Team Medallion will cost 1,000 PokéCoins when it goes on sale later this month. Players can purchase PokéCoins from Pokémon Go’s in-game shop with real money, but they can also be earned through play.

Niantic is limiting team changes to once per year. There are some other minor restrictions, as outlined in a post on the Pokémon Go website:

Any of your Pokémon that are in Gyms when you change teams will be returned with no PokéCoins earned once it’s defeated. You also can’t battle your own Pokémon, so if you return to a Gym one of your Pokémon is defending, your Pokémon will be returned to you with no PokéCoins earned. (You’ll be able to find more information on our Help Center page.)

While Team Medallions may be limited, the option to switch teams is a welcome feature for players who may have pledged their allegiance to a team during the game’s launch, but may now find themselves raiding with friends on a different team.