Can you leave a Pokémon at a Gym in Pokémon GO? Yes, you can! Leaving a Pokémon at a Gym is a core mechanic in Pokémon GO, allowing you to claim territory, earn rewards, and contribute to your team’s dominance. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from selecting the right Pokémon to understanding the benefits and strategies involved.
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Claiming Your Gym Territory
When you encounter a Gym that isn’t owned by your team, you have the opportunity to claim it. This involves battling any Pokémon currently defending the Gym. Once victorious, you can then place one of your own Pokémon there to begin defending it for your team. This is the first step in Pokémon Gym ownership.
How to Place Pokémon in Gyms
Placing Pokémon in Gyms is straightforward once you know the steps. It’s a key part of the game’s social and competitive aspects, and with a bit of practice, you’ll be a Gym-conquering expert in no time.
Step 1: Locate a Gym
First, you need to find a Gym. Gyms are typically located at real-world landmarks, parks, or points of interest. You’ll see them on your Pokémon GO map as tall, rotating pillars. They will be colored red, blue, or yellow, indicating which team currently controls them.
Step 2: Approach the Gym
Walk or travel until you are within range of the Gym. The Gym icon on your map will become larger and more detailed as you get closer.
Step 3: Interact with the Gym
Tap on the Gym icon on your map. This will bring up the Gym interface. Here, you’ll see information about the Gym, including the Pokémon currently defending it, the Gym’s level, and its current team control.
Step 4: Initiate Battle (If Necessary)
If the Gym is controlled by an opposing team, you’ll need to battle their defenders to weaken or take over the Gym. Tap the “Battle” button.
Battling Opposing Pokémon
- Choose Your Team: You’ll be presented with a screen to select your team of six Pokémon to battle the defenders.
- Select Your Pokémon: This is where Pokémon Gym strategy comes into play. Choose Pokémon that have type advantages against the defenders. For example, if the defender is a Water-type, use Electric or Grass-type Pokémon.
- Engage in Battle: Tap the “Go” button to start the battle. Tap your screen to attack, swipe left or right to dodge your opponent’s attacks, and tap and hold to use your charged attack.
- Victory Condition: You must defeat all the Pokémon defending the Gym to take it over. Each defeat lowers the defending Pokémon’s motivation. If you defeat all defenders, the Gym’s ownership will change to your team.
Step 5: Leave Your Pokémon
Once you’ve either taken over an opposing Gym or found a Gym controlled by your team that has an open slot, you can place your Pokémon.
- Tap the “+” Button: On the Gym interface, you’ll see a “+” button if there is an open slot or if you’ve just defeated all defenders.
- Select Your Pokémon: Tap the “+” button. A list of your Pokémon will appear. Choose the Pokémon you wish to leave at the Gym.
- Confirm Your Choice: Tap the “Add Pokémon” or similar confirmation button.
Congratulations! You have successfully left a Pokémon at a Gym.
Why Leave Pokémon at Gyms?
Placing Pokémon in Gyms isn’t just for show; it serves several important purposes within the game.
Pokémon Gym Rewards
One of the primary incentives for defending Pokémon Gyms is the rewards you receive.
- Defender Bonus: When your Pokémon are defending a Gym, they earn you a Defender Bonus.
- Spinning the Gym: If you spin the Gym’s photo disc (after placing your Pokémon), you’ll receive items like Poké Balls, Potions, and Berries.
- Daily Bonus: You can collect a daily bonus for each Gym your Pokémon are defending, up to a maximum of 10 Pokémon. This bonus typically includes PokéCoins and Stardust. The bonus is awarded when your Pokémon have been defending for at least 21 hours.
Gym Badge Acquisition
Gym badge acquisition is another significant benefit of engaging with Gyms.
- Bronze, Silver, Gold: By battling at Gyms, spinning their photo discs, and leaving Pokémon, you earn progress towards Gym Badges. These badges show your proficiency and dedication to Gym gameplay.
- Special Research: Some Special Research tasks require you to interact with Gyms, making badge progression important.
Team Contribution and Control
Pokémon Gym ownership is a crucial aspect of team-based play in Pokémon GO.
- Team Dominance: By strategically placing Pokémon, your team can control more Gyms, leading to greater resource collection and a sense of accomplishment.
- Raids: Gyms are also where Raid Battles occur. Controlling a Gym can sometimes provide an advantage in these battles, such as an extra attack bonus.
Pokémon Gym Strategy: Who to Leave?
Choosing the right Pokémon to leave at a Gym is vital for maximizing defense and rewards. This is where Best Pokémon for Gym defense comes into play.
Key Factors for Defense
- High HP and Defense Stats: Pokémon with naturally high HP and Defense stats are excellent choices. They can withstand more attacks and stay at the Gym longer.
- Good Stamina: Stamina is another term for HP in Pokémon GO, so look for Pokémon with high base stamina.
- Type Matchups: While not as critical as in attacking, having a diverse range of types across your defending Pokémon can make it harder for opponents to sweep through them easily.
- CP (Combat Power): Generally, higher CP Pokémon are more difficult to defeat, but it’s not the only factor.
- Movesets: The Fast Attack and Charged Attack a Pokémon has can significantly impact its defensive capabilities. Some moves are better for sustained damage or have quick charge-up times.
Top Pokémon for Gym Defense (General Recommendations)
Here are some Pokémon that are generally considered good for Gym defense, considering their stats and common movesets. Remember that the meta can change, and specific opponent strategies might influence your choices.
| Pokémon | Type(s) | Primary Defensive Stat | Notable Traits for Defense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chansey/Blissey | Normal | HP/Stamina | Extremely high HP, making them very difficult to knock out. Can stay at a Gym for a long time. |
| Snorlax | Normal | HP/Stamina | High HP and decent bulk, with good defensive movesets. |
| Toxapex | Poison/Water | Defense | Excellent defensive stats and a typing that resists many common attacking types. |
| Bastiodon | Rock/Steel | Defense | Very high Defense stat, but weak to common attacking types like Fighting and Ground. |
| Umbreon | Dark | Stamina/Defense | Good HP and decent Defense, with a useful Dark typing that resists Psychic and Ghost attacks. |
| Wobuffet | Psychic | HP/Defense | Very high HP and Defense, though its attacking capabilities are limited. |
| Melmetal | Steel | Defense | High Defense and HP, with a strong Steel typing. |
Note: Pokémon with less common types or those that are bulky and hard to defeat are often preferred for defending Pokémon Gyms.
Training Pokémon at Gyms
While the primary focus of leaving Pokémon at Gyms is defense and rewards, there’s also an element of “training” in a broader sense.
Boosting Your Gym’s Level
When your team controls a Gym, you and other teammates can train Pokémon at Gyms. This involves battling your own team’s Pokémon stationed at the Gym.
- Benefits of Training: Each successful battle against your own team’s Pokémon at a Gym increases the Gym’s “level” or “prestige.” A higher Gym level allows more Pokémon to be assigned to defend it, making it stronger and harder for opponents to conquer.
- Training Strategy: To train effectively, you’ll want to use Pokémon that have type advantages against the Pokémon currently defending the Gym. This makes your battles quicker and more successful, leading to faster Gym leveling.
- Earning Rewards: You also earn a small amount of Stardust and experience points for training at a Gym.
Raising Gym Prestige
Pokémon Gym mechanics dictate that a Gym can hold a maximum number of Pokémon, determined by its prestige level.
- Leveling Up: By battling and winning, you increase the Gym’s prestige. Higher prestige allows for more defender slots. For instance, a Level 1 Gym might only hold one Pokémon, while a Level 10 Gym can hold ten.
- Teamwork: This aspect of the game strongly encourages teamwork. Coordinating with fellow team members to train a Gym collectively can quickly raise its level and make it a formidable stronghold for your team.
What are Pokémon Gym Mechanics?
The Pokémon Gym mechanics encompass how Gyms function in Pokémon GO, including battling, defending, leveling, and taking over.
- Team Control: Only one team can control a Gym at a time.
- Defender Slots: A Gym can hold a certain number of Pokémon, with higher levels accommodating more defenders.
- Motivation: Defending Pokémon gradually lose motivation over time, making them easier to defeat. Feeding them Berries restores their motivation.
- Battling: Players can battle at Gyms to reduce the motivation of defending Pokémon, eventually knocking them out, or to take over a Gym entirely.
- Items: Spinning Gym photo discs yields items.
The Battle for Gym Ownership
Taking over Gyms is a competitive and strategic part of Pokémon GO.
Attacking Opposing Gyms
When you encounter a Gym controlled by an opposing team:
- Tap the Gym: Access the Gym interface.
- Tap “Battle”: This initiates the battle sequence.
- Select Your Pokémon: Choose six Pokémon with type advantages against the defenders.
- Battle: Engage in turn-based combat.
- Victory: Defeat all defending Pokémon to lower the Gym’s CP and knock out defenders. You may need to battle multiple times to fully take over a Gym, especially if it’s high-level.
- Claim the Gym: Once all defenders are defeated, the Gym becomes neutral. You can then immediately place one of your Pokémon in it.
Defending Your Gym
Once you have Pokémon Gym ownership, you’ll want to keep it.
- Placement: Place your strongest, most defensively oriented Pokémon.
- Motivation: Regularly feed Berries to your defending Pokémon to keep their motivation high. This makes them harder to defeat and helps them stay at the Gym longer, earning you more rewards.
- Teamwork: Encourage teammates to also place Pokémon in the Gym and to help defend it by training it and feeding Berries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How many Pokémon can I leave at a Gym?
A: The number of Pokémon you can leave at a Gym depends on its level. A Gym can hold a maximum of 10 Pokémon. As you and your teammates train the Gym, its prestige increases, allowing more Pokémon to be placed there.
Q: What happens to my Pokémon when it’s defeated at a Gym?
A: When your Pokémon is defeated at a Gym, it is automatically returned to your Pokémon storage. It will have zero HP and will need to be revived using a Revive item and healed using a Potion.
Q: How long can my Pokémon stay at a Gym?
A: Your Pokémon can stay at a Gym indefinitely until it is defeated by an opposing trainer or until you decide to recall it. However, they will gradually lose motivation over time, making them easier to defeat.
Q: Can I have Pokémon at multiple Gyms at once?
A: Yes, you can leave Pokémon at multiple Gyms simultaneously, as long as there are open slots available and the Gyms are controlled by your team.
Q: What are the best Pokémon for attacking Gyms?
A: For attacking Gyms, you generally want Pokémon with high Attack stats and strong offensive movesets that exploit the defenders’ weaknesses. Legendary Pokémon, powerful attackers like Rayquaza, Moltres, Gengar, and strong attackers with super-effective moves are excellent choices for leaving Pokémon for battles in an offensive capacity.
Q: How do I get more PokéCoins?
A: PokéCoins are primarily earned by defending Gyms. For every 24 hours your Pokémon successfully defends a Gym, you earn 5 PokéCoins, up to a maximum of 50 PokéCoins per day across all defended Gyms.
Q: What is the limit on the Defender Bonus?
A: You can earn a Defender Bonus for up to 10 Pokémon per day. This means the maximum number of PokéCoins you can earn from Gym defense daily is 50.
Q: Can I recall my Pokémon from a Gym?
A: Yes, you can recall your Pokémon from any Gym your team controls. This is useful if you need your Pokémon for another purpose or if you want to reassign it to a different Gym. To do this, tap on the Gym, select your Pokémon, and then choose the “Recall Pokémon” option.
By mastering the art of placing Pokémon in Gyms, strategizing your defensive lineup, and actively participating in Gym battles, you’ll find yourself earning more rewards, contributing more to your team, and enjoying a deeper engagement with the world of Pokémon GO. Good luck, Trainer!