You can’t “make” a gym in Pokémon Go; instead, you can claim an existing Gym by defeating any Pokémon defending it and then placing Pokemon in gyms of your chosen team. Gyms are special points of interest in the real world that players can interact with to battle, train, and earn rewards.
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The Core Mechanics of Pokémon Go Gyms
Pokémon Go gyms are central to the game’s player-versus-player (PvP) combat system. They represent locations in the real world, often landmarks or points of interest, that players can visit and interact with. The primary goal for many trainers is to gain controlling gyms for their team and hold them for as long as possible. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about these vital locations.
What Are Gyms in Pokémon Go?
Gyms are designated spots on the Pokémon Go map that are controlled by one of the three teams: Mystic, Instinct, or Valor. They are more than just static locations; they are battlegrounds where teams compete for dominance. When you approach a Gym, you’ll see the team that currently controls it, the Pokémon defending it, and its current status.
How Gyms Appear on the Map
Gyms are typically marked on the map with a tall, pillar-like icon. When a Gym is neutral (unclaimed by any team), it appears as a tall, white or gray pillar. Once a team claims a Gym, the pillar changes color to match the team’s color: blue for Mystic, yellow for Instinct, and red for Valor. If a Gym is being contested or is under attack, its appearance might also change to indicate this.
Claiming and Placing Your Pokémon
The first step to making a Gym your own is to claim it. This involves a Pokémon battle.
Taking Over Gyms: The Art of Battle
To initiate a battle at a Gym controlled by another team, you need to tap on the Gym icon. You’ll then see the defending Pokémon. You can then choose up to six of your Pokémon to battle against the defenders.
Gym Battles Pokémon Go: Your First Encounter
Gym battles Pokemon Go are real-time strategic encounters. You’ll use your Pokémon’s fast attacks and charged attacks to deplete the defending Pokémon’s HP. Your Pokémon can also dodge incoming attacks by swiping left or right. The effectiveness of your attacks depends on type matchups and the CP (Combat Power) of your Pokémon.
- Attacking: Tap your screen rapidly to use your Pokémon’s fast attack.
- Special Attacks: Charge up your special attack by tapping and holding your screen. Once the attack meter is full, you can unleash a powerful move.
- Dodging: Swipe left or right just before an opponent’s attack hits to dodge it. This is crucial for conserving your Pokémon’s HP.
You’ll need to defeat all the defending Pokémon to take control of the Gym.
Placing Pokémon in Gyms: Establishing Your Hold
Once you’ve successfully defeated all the defending Pokémon in an enemy Gym, it becomes neutral. You can then choose one of your Pokémon to place in the Gym to defend it for your team.
- Choosing Defenders: Select a Pokémon that is strong and has a good HP stat to make it a formidable defender.
- Limited Slots: Gyms have a limited number of slots for defending Pokémon, typically six. Once all slots are filled by your team, other trainers of your team can add their Pokémon to assist in defense.
Defending Your Territory
Once you’ve placed your Pokémon in a Gym, the next challenge is keeping it. Defending Pokemon Go gyms requires a strategy to deter attackers.
The Role of Defending Pokémon
When your Pokémon is placed in a Gym, it stays there until its HP reaches zero in a battle, or until it is returned to you (which doesn’t happen automatically). The higher the CP and HP of your defending Pokémon, the longer they are likely to last against attackers.
Berry Power-Ups: Boosting Your Defenders
You can feed Berries to your defending Pokémon to help them recover HP and increase their motivation.
- Razz Berries: Restore a small amount of HP.
- Pinap Berries: Double the candy you get when you catch a Pokémon (not directly for defense, but useful for powering up).
- Nanab Berries: Make Pokémon behave predictably, making them easier to catch (not for defense).
- Golden Razz Berries: Fully restore HP and significantly boost motivation. These are your best bet for keeping defenders strong.
- Silver Pinap Berries: Similar to Pinap Berries, but for catching legendaries.
- Silver Nanab Berries: Makes Pokémon behave predictably, useful for Raid bosses.
Feeding Berries is a key aspect of defending Pokemon Go gyms. The more you feed your Pokémon, the more motivated they will be, and the harder they will be to defeat.
Gym Prestige and Motivation
Gyms have a “prestige” level, which increases as your team adds Pokémon or feeds Berries to defenders. Higher prestige unlocks more slots for Pokémon and makes the Gym harder for opponents to attack. Conversely, when Pokémon are defeated in gym battles Pokemon Go, the Gym’s prestige decreases.
Gym Prestige Pokemon Go: A Deeper Look
The prestige system was more significant in the earlier versions of Pokémon Go. Now, while prestige still exists implicitly, the primary mechanic for Gym difficulty is the number of Pokémon defending and their motivation. A Gym filled with highly motivated Pokémon is much tougher to take down than an empty or low-motivation Gym.
CP Decay and Motivation
Pokémon defending a Gym gradually lose motivation over time. Their CP effectively decreases, making them easier to defeat. Feeding them Berries restores their motivation and CP. A fully motivated Pokémon is at its strongest.
Gym Types and Their Significance
Pokémon Go features different types of Gyms, each with its own characteristics and strategic implications.
Standard Gyms
These are the most common types of Gyms. They function as described above, with teams battling for control and placing Pokémon to defend.
Raid Gyms
When a Gym is controlled by a team, it can host Raids. Raid battles are cooperative PvE (Player versus Environment) events where multiple trainers team up to defeat a powerful Raid Boss Pokémon. Once a Raid is completed, the Gym remains under the control of the winning team, and any Pokémon placed there immediately after the Raid will receive a temporary CP boost.
EX Raid Gyms
Some Gyms are designated as EX Raid Gyms. These Gyms are chosen to host EX Raids, which feature incredibly powerful Legendary Pokémon that cannot be obtained through normal gameplay. To receive an invitation to an EX Raid, you must have recently battled at that specific Gym or raided at a Gym in close proximity to it.
Earning Rewards and Progressing
Holding Gyms and participating in battles comes with its own set of rewards.
Pokemon Go Gym Rewards: What You Get
There are several ways you can earn rewards from interacting with Gyms:
- Defeating Defenders: For each Pokémon you defeat in a Gym battle, you earn a small amount of Stardust and XP.
- Taking Over Gyms: When you successfully take over a Gym and place a Pokémon in it, you earn Stardust, XP, and can potentially earn items from the Gym PokéStop spin.
- Holding Gyms: For every Pokémon you have defending a Gym, you earn 1 PokéCoin and 500 Stardust for every 10 minutes the Pokémon remains in the Gym, up to a daily cap of 100 PokéCoins and 5,000 Stardust.
Gym Badges Pokemon Go: A Mark of Achievement
Every Gym you interact with can be awarded a gym badges Pokemon Go. These badges track your progress at each Gym.
- Interacting: Spinning the PokéStop at a Gym or battling at it earns you progress towards its badge.
- Tiers: Gym badges have several tiers:
- Beginner: Earned by interacting once.
- Trainer: Earned by interacting 10 times or battling 30 times.
- Hobbyist: Earned by interacting 50 times or battling 100 times.
- Expert: Earned by interacting 250 times or battling 500 times.
- Grandmaster: Earned by interacting 1,000 times or battling 2,000 times.
- Gold Gym Badge: Earned by interacting 1,500 times or battling 3,000 times.
- Platinum Gym Badge: Earned by interacting 10,000 times or battling 20,000 times.
Higher-tier badges can offer bonuses, such as increased item drops when spinning the Gym’s PokéStop.
Pokémon Go Gym Types and Their Impact on Rewards
While the core reward mechanics are similar across Gym types, the context can differ:
- Standard Gyms: Rewards are primarily based on how long your Pokémon defend and your battle activity.
- Raid Gyms: Completing a Raid provides specific items like Rare Candy, TMs, Golden Razz Berries, and a chance to catch the Raid Boss. These rewards are often more substantial than those from standard Gym interactions.
- EX Raid Gyms: EX Raids offer the chance to catch extremely rare Legendary Pokémon, which is arguably the biggest reward in the game.
Strategies for Gym Control
Controlling gyms is a strategic game. Here are some tips to help you and your team dominate.
Choosing Your Defenders Wisely
- High HP and Defense: Pokémon with high HP and good defensive stats are excellent for prolonging battles. Pokémon like Snorlax, Blissey, Chansey, and Lapras are classic defenders.
- Type Coverage: While it might seem counterintuitive, having a variety of Pokémon types can make it harder for attackers to find a consistent type advantage.
- High CP: A higher CP Pokémon will generally be more effective. Power up your best defenders.
Berry Management
- Golden Razz Berries: Save these for your most critical defenders or when you see an attacker trying to take down your Gym.
- Razz Berries: Use these more freely to keep your defenders motivated and in the fight.
Teamwork
- Coordinate with Teammates: If you have teammates nearby, coordinate your efforts. You can take down a Gym together or reinforce a Gym that’s under attack.
- Reinforce Gyms: If your team controls a Gym and it’s being attacked, quickly add your own Pokémon to help defend it.
Timing Your Attacks
- Attack when Weak: Attack Gyms that have fewer Pokémon or Pokémon with low motivation.
- Target Low-Tier Badges: Gyms with low-tier badges might indicate less experienced defenders or less active players on the defending team.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I place the same Pokémon in multiple gyms at once?
A1: No, a Pokémon can only defend one Gym at a time. Once placed, it cannot be used in other battles or raids until it is defeated or returned.
Q2: How many Pokémon can I place in a gym?
A2: You can place one Pokémon at a time. If your team controls a Gym and there are open slots, you can add more Pokémon from your team to defend it.
Q3: What happens if my Pokémon is defeated in a gym battle?
A3: If your Pokémon’s HP reaches zero during a battle, it will be returned to you in a fainted state. You’ll need to use a Revive to bring it back to consciousness.
Q4: Is there a limit to how many PokéCoins I can earn per day from gyms?
A4: Yes, you can earn a maximum of 100 PokéCoins per day from defending Gyms. This limit applies to all Gyms combined.
Q5: Can I spin a Gym’s PokéStop even if my team doesn’t control it?
A5: Yes, you can spin any Gym’s PokéStop, regardless of which team controls it. However, controlling a Gym can provide additional benefits, and higher Gym badge tiers increase item drops.
Q6: How do I know if a Gym is an EX Raid Gym?
A6: You’ll see a special tag or indicator on the Gym’s information screen if it’s an EX Raid Gym. Niantic also sends in-game notifications to eligible players.
Q7: What are the benefits of having a Gold Gym Badge?
A7: Having a Gold Gym Badge on a specific Gym increases the number of items you receive when spinning that Gym’s PokéStop. It’s a great way to farm items from your most frequented Gyms.
Q8: My Pokémon is in a Gym, but I can’t see it. Why?
A8: Your Pokémon is visible in the Gym on the map. If you’re looking at the Gym’s detail screen, your Pokémon should be listed along with other defenders. Ensure you are looking at the correct Gym on the map.
Q9: Can I heal Pokémon defending gyms?
A9: You can “feed” Berries to your Pokémon in gyms to restore their HP and motivation. This is the primary way to keep them strong and defending.
Q10: What is the difference between CP and HP in gym battles?
A10: CP (Combat Power) is an overall indicator of a Pokémon’s strength, affecting its attack and defense. HP (Hit Points) is how much damage a Pokémon can take before fainting. Both are crucial in gym battles.
By mastering these mechanics, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a formidable force in the world of Pokémon Go, not just by placing Pokemon in gyms, but by effectively defending Pokemon Go gyms and achieving team dominance. Happy training!