Direct friend battles · Gen 4 & Gen 5

Battle a friend over Wi-Fi

Register each other in the Pal Pad, enter the Pokémon Wi-Fi Club together, agree on the format, and send a battle invitation.

Set up the Wi-Fi Room Open the trading guide
Before entering the room

Prepare both players

Friend battles use the same Wi-Fi Club and reciprocal Friend Code setup as direct trades.

Connect both games

Configure StarMe DNS in Nintendo WFC Connection 1 and pass the connection test.

Register both players

Exchange the 12-digit Pal Pad codes, add each other in both games, and save.

Build the parties

Bring legal Pokémon and agree on Singles, Doubles, party size, and any house rules.

Enter together

Use the Wi-Fi Club desk in the same generation and wait for both avatars to appear.

New connection or returning save? Start with the Wi-Fi Room guide for DNS setup, Connection 1, Pal Pad migration, and Relay Mode troubleshooting.
Where to go in game

Find the Pokémon Wi-Fi Club

The games call it the Pokémon Wi-Fi Club; StarMe’s Wi-Fi Room is the setup and migration guide. The Battle Tower, Battle Frontier, and Battle Subway are separate facilities.

Generation 4

Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver

Pokémon Center→B1F basement→Wi-Fi Club center desk
  1. Take the downstairs escalator in a Pokémon Center.
  2. Speak with the receptionist at the center Wi-Fi Club desk.
  3. Connect and enter the room where registered friends appear.
Local wireless is a different room. The upstairs Union Room is for nearby systems; remote Pal Pad battles use the basement Wi-Fi Club.
Generation 5

Black, White, Black 2 & White 2

Pokémon Center→2F mezzanine→Middle Wi-Fi Club desk
  1. Go to the upper communication floor of a Pokémon Center.
  2. Speak with the middle receptionist for the Pokémon Wi-Fi Club.
  3. Connect and use the warp pad to join registered friends.
Do not start from the C-Gear local/infrared menu. Remote Friend Code battles use the Pokémon Center Wi-Fi Club.
Inside the club

Send the battle invitation

Choose the battle

  1. Wait until both avatars are visible in the room.
  2. One player offers a battle using the room controls.
  3. The other player interacts with the inviting avatar or accepts the invitation.
  4. Choose the compatible battle format and confirm the participating Pokémon.

Agree before confirming

  • Singles or Doubles and the number of participating Pokémon.
  • Level rules or scaling offered by both games.
  • Species, item, move, and legendary restrictions you want to use.
  • Whether the result is casual or should count toward a community event.
Battle section explained

Wi-Fi Battles and battle facilities

Wi-Fi Battles

Use this guide for a live battle against a specific Pal Pad friend in the Pokémon Wi-Fi Club.

Tower, Frontier & Subway records

Use the Battle pages to browse trainer ladders, uploaded teams, rank rooms, and ratings from the supported battle facilities.

Trainer Ladder Rank Rooms Ratings
StarMe Wi-Fi Room reference Official Nintendo DS game manuals