The second Pokemon Scarlet and Violet ranked season is underway, so it's time once again to prove that you're the very best like no-one ever was. As ever, there are a bunch of rules and restrictions governing what you can and can't do this ranked season, which runs until the end of the month.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's first ranked season began in December and introduced players to the world of competitive Scarlet and Violet battling. As you'd imagine, the second season's rules are similar to the first; Series 1 regulations still apply, so that means you're restricted to the Paldea Pokedex.
Specifically, numbers 1 through 375 and numbers 388 through 392 are permitted. That means that while you can use the sea-dwelling mafia duo Dondozo and Tatsugiri, the Paradox Pokemon which follow in the Pokedex are out, as are the four Ruinous Quartet legendaries, the two box legendaries, and the two most powerful Paradox 'mons at the end of the Paldea Pokedex.

There are various tiers of rewards to earn based on where you land in the rankings. Here's a list of everything you could stand to gain based on your performance in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's second ranked season!
- Beginner Tier: 5,000 League Points
- Poke Ball Tier: Tera Blast TM, 10,000 League Points
- Great Ball Tier: Tera Blast TM, Bottle Cap, Ability Capsule, 30,000 League Points
- Ultra Ball Tier: PP Up, Gold Bottle Cap, Bottle Cap, Ability Capsule, 60,000 League Points
- Master Ball Tier: PP Max, Gold Bottle Cap, Bottle Cap x3, Ability Patch, 100,000 League Points
It's worth noting that this isn't the start of Series 2, which will allow you to use Paradox Pokemon. That, according to Serebii, kicks off in February with the advent of Season 3. Slightly confusing wording, no? All you need to know is that today marks the start of the second ranked season, and that next month marks the third, with the rules shifting to Series 2 regulations.
Elsewhere in the world of Pokemon, a new season of the anime begins today on Netflix. Bear in mind that this isn't Ash Ketchum's final journey; that doesn't air until next week in Japan, so you've got a little more time to say goodbye to everyone's favorite trainer and his adorable Pikachu.
Over in the mobile AR game Pokemon Go, meanwhile, a new event is underway that lets you chase down and catch Mega Salamence, as well as seek out a Zekrom that knows a powerful special move. There are also cute Fairy and Dragon-type Pokemon to look out for when you're taking snapshots, so be sure to head back into the game if that's something you're interested in!