Adding Pokémon to a Gym in Pokémon GO is a core mechanic that allows you to assert your team’s dominance over a territory and earn valuable rewards. You can add a Pokémon to a Gym by tapping on a friendly Gym that has an open slot and selecting the Pokémon you wish to place from your collection. This guide will walk you through the process, offering quick tips to maximize your Gym-holding efforts.
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The Basics of Gyms in Pokémon GO
Pokémon Gyms are special locations in the real world that players can visit to battle and gain control for their team. There are three teams in Pokémon GO: Mystic (blue), Instinct (yellow), and Valor (red). When you encounter a Gym, it will either be neutral (gray), controlled by another team, or controlled by your own team.
Why Place Pokémon in Gyms?
Placing Pokémon in Gyms serves several key purposes:
- Defending your territory: Once you place a Pokémon in a friendly Gym, it starts defending that Gym. This makes it harder for opposing teams to take control.
- Earning Coins: For every Pokémon you have defending a Gym, you can earn a set amount of Coins daily. The longer your Pokémon stays in a Gym, the more Coins you can potentially earn.
- Earning Stardust: Pokémon defending Gyms also earn Stardust, which is crucial for powering up your Pokémon.
- Gym Badges: Successfully defending Gyms and interacting with them contributes to your Gym Badges, which are cosmetic achievements that track your progress at each Gym.
Gym Prestige and Levels
Gyms have a concept called “Gym prestige.” When you add a Pokémon to a friendly Gym, you increase its prestige. As prestige increases, the Gym levels up, allowing it to hold more Pokémon.
- Level 1 Gym: Holds 1 Pokémon.
- Level 2 Gym: Holds 2 Pokémon.
- Level 3 Gym: Holds 3 Pokémon.
- Level 4 Gym: Holds 4 Pokémon.
- Level 5 Gym: Holds 5 Pokémon.
- Level 6 Gym: Holds 6 Pokémon.
Higher Gym levels require more prestige. You increase the prestige of a friendly Gym by feeding it Berries or by having your Pokémon participate in defending it (though this is indirect).
Selecting the Right Pokémon for Gym Defense
Choosing the right Pokémon to defend a Gym is crucial for its longevity. Not all Pokémon are created equal when it comes to holding a Gym.
Key Factors to Consider:
- Pokémon CP (Combat Power): A higher CP generally indicates a stronger Pokémon. While CP is important, it’s not the only factor.
- Defensive Stats: Some Pokémon have naturally higher defense stats, making them harder to defeat.
- Pokémon Types and Resistances: The type of your Pokémon and its resistances to common attacking types can significantly impact its survivability.
- Unique Movesets: Certain movesets can be more effective for defense than others.
Top Tier Gym Defenders:
Here’s a look at some of the most effective Pokémon for defending Gyms:
| Pokémon Name | Primary Type | Secondary Type | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snorlax | Normal | – | High HP, good CP, decent defense | Fighting |
| Blissey | Normal | – | Extremely high HP, excellent CP, great defender | Fighting |
| Lapras | Water | Ice | High HP, good defensive typing, resists many attacks | Fighting, Rock, Grass, Electric |
| Umbreon | Dark | – | Great bulk, good defensive typing | Fighting, Bug, Fairy |
| Togekiss | Fairy | Flying | High CP, good defensive typing | Poison, Steel, Rock, Ice, Electric |
| Metagross | Steel | Psychic | Excellent typing, high CP, strong resistances | Fighting, Ground, Fire, Ghost |
| Bastiodon | Rock | Steel | Very high defense, excellent resistances | Fighting, Ground, Water, Steel, Rock, Fighting |
Tip: Consider placing Pokémon with different types to cover a wider range of potential attackers.
Understanding Pokémon CP and Gym Defense
While a high Pokémon CP (Combat Power) is a good starting point, it’s important to remember that CP is a combined stat. Pokémon with higher defensive stats and HP will often outlast Pokémon with just high attack, even if their overall CP is slightly lower.
For example, Blissey, despite not always having the absolute highest CP, is an exceptional Gym defender due to its colossal HP pool and good defense. This allows it to withstand many attacks before being defeated.
How to Place Pokémon in a Gym
Once you’ve decided on a Pokémon, the process of placing it in a Gym is straightforward.
Steps to Place Your Pokémon:
- Locate a Friendly Gym: Find a Gym on your Pokémon GO map that is the same color as your team.
- Approach the Gym: You need to be within range of the Gym to interact with it.
- Tap on the Gym: This will open the Gym interface.
- Look for an Open Slot: If the Gym has fewer than its maximum number of Pokémon (usually six), you’ll see an open slot.
- Tap the “Add Pokémon” Button: This button typically appears at the bottom of the screen.
- Select Your Pokémon: A list of your available Pokémon will appear. Choose the Pokémon you want to place.
- Confirm: You’ll be asked to confirm your choice.
Important Considerations When Placing:
- Gym Slot Limit: Each Gym can hold a maximum of six Pokémon. Once a Gym is full, you cannot add more Pokémon to it until one is defeated.
- Once Placed, It Stays: Unless the Gym is defeated by an opposing team, your Pokémon will remain there until you choose to recall it.
- Berry Feeding: You can feed Berries to your defending Pokémon to help them regain motivation and to increase Gym prestige.
Strategies for Effective Gym Defense
Holding a Gym for an extended period requires a bit more than just placing your strongest Pokémon.
Berry Feeding Mechanics:
- Motivation: When a Pokémon defends a Gym, its motivation decreases over time and after each battle. A Pokémon with low motivation has reduced CP, making it easier for attackers to defeat.
- Golden Razz Berries: These are the most effective Berries for restoring motivation to full.
- Razz Berries and Nanab Berries: These can also be used, but they restore less motivation.
- Feeding Limits: You can feed up to 10 Berries per Pokémon per hour. There’s also a limit of 100 Berries you can feed to all Pokémon in a Gym per hour across all trainers of your team.
Pro-Tip: If you see your Pokémon’s motivation is low in a Gym you control, feed it a Golden Razz Berry to restore it to full. This significantly increases its CP and makes it much harder to defeat.
Leveraging Pokémon Types for Defense:
Choosing Pokémon with advantageous typing can make a huge difference. Consider the Pokémon types that are commonly used by attackers in your area.
Example Type Matchups for Defense:
- Against Fighting Types: Psychic, Flying, Fairy Pokémon are strong.
- Against Water Types: Grass, Electric Pokémon are strong.
- Against Fire Types: Water, Rock, Ground Pokémon are strong.
- Against Electric Types: Ground Pokémon are strong.
By placing Pokémon like Metagross (Steel/Psychic) or Togekiss (Fairy/Flying), you can effectively counter many common attacking Pokémon. Bastiodon (Rock/Steel) is a defensive behemoth with resistances to numerous types.
The Role of Pokémon CP in Defense
While defensive stats and typing are crucial, a high Pokémon CP still plays a role. A Pokémon with a higher CP will have a higher base stat total, contributing to its overall effectiveness. However, it’s a balance. A Pokémon with a lower CP but excellent defensive typing and good HP might hold out longer than a Pokémon with a higher CP but poor defensive typing.
Think of it this way:
- High CP + Good Defense: Ideal defender.
- High CP + Poor Defense: Might be defeated quickly by the right attackers.
- Low CP + Great Defense: Can still be effective, especially with Berry support.
Gym Rotations and Keeping Defenders Fresh
It’s a good idea to periodically check the Gyms you’ve placed Pokémon in. If a Gym is frequently being attacked, your Pokémon might be defeated more often.
- Recall Your Pokémon: If a Pokémon has been defending for a long time and you need it for raiding or battling, you can recall it from any Gym you control, provided it hasn’t been defeated. You will receive your Pokémon back, along with some Poké Balls.
- Keep Defenders Motivated: Regularly feeding Berries to your defending Pokémon will keep their CP high and deter attackers.
- Vary Your Defenders: Don’t always place the same Pokémon in every Gym. Mix it up to surprise opponents and provide varied defensive typings.
Battling at Gyms: Attacking Gyms
While this guide focuses on adding Pokémon to Gyms, it’s important to know how Gyms work from an attacking perspective.
Taking Down Opponent Gyms:
- Gym Battle: When you encounter a Gym controlled by another team, you can initiate a Gym battle.
- Defeating Defenders: You must defeat all the Pokémon defending the Gym.
- Reducing Gym HP: Each Pokémon you defeat reduces the Gym’s HP. When the Gym’s HP reaches zero, it becomes neutral.
- Claiming the Gym: Once neutral, you can place one of your own Pokémon in it to claim it for your team.
Attacking Gym Strategies:
- Type Advantages: Use Pokémon that have type advantages against the defenders. For example, use Electric-type attacks against Water-type Pokémon.
- High CP Pokémon: Powerful Pokémon with high CP are effective attackers.
- Counters: Research common Gym defenders in your area and prepare a team of Pokémon that are strong counters.
Earning Rewards: Coins and Stardust
Successfully defending a Gym for a certain period earns you rewards.
Pokémon GO Gym Coins:
- Daily Limit: You can earn a maximum of 50 Coins per day from Gyms.
- Reward Calculation: You earn 1 Coin for every 6 minutes your Pokémon is defending a Gym.
- Maximum Reward per Pokémon: A single Pokémon can contribute a maximum of 500 Coins per day, but this is highly unlikely as you’d need to defend a Gym for over 8 hours without being defeated. The daily cap is what matters most.
Earning Stardust:
- Stardust Bonus: Pokémon defending Gyms also earn you Stardust. This is a passive way to accumulate Stardust, which is essential for powering up your Pokémon.
- Bonus for Gym Badges: Higher-level Gym Badges can also provide bonuses when interacting with Gyms.
Gym Badges: A Measure of Your Gym Prowess
Gym Badges are your personal trophies for your efforts at each Gym.
How to Earn Gym Badges:
- Interacting with Gyms: Spinning Gym Photo Discs, defending Gyms, battling at Gyms, and placing Pokémon all contribute to your Gym Badge progress.
- Levels of Badges: Gym Badges have different levels:
- Bronze: Initial level.
- Silver: Requires more interaction.
- Gold: Requires significant interaction and defense.
- Platinum: The highest level, requiring exceptional dedication to a Gym.
Benefits of Higher Gym Badges:
- Increased Item Drops: Spinning a Gym Photo Disc with a Gold or Platinum badge yields more items.
- Prestige Boost: Some players believe higher badges might offer a slight edge in defense, though this is unconfirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I add multiple Pokémon to the same Gym?
No, you can only add one Pokémon to any given Gym. However, your team can fill up the Gym with up to six different Pokémon.
What happens if the Gym I placed my Pokémon in is attacked?
If an opposing team attacks and defeats a Pokémon defending your team’s Gym, your Pokémon will be knocked out. It will then return to your Pokémon storage, and you will receive some Poké Balls as a reward.
How long does a Pokémon stay in a Gym?
A Pokémon will stay in a Gym until it is defeated by an opposing team or until you choose to recall it.
How many Coins can I get from Gyms per day?
You can earn a maximum of 50 Coins per day from defending Gyms. This limit applies across all Gyms you might be defending.
Is there a limit to how many Gyms I can place Pokémon in?
No, there is no limit to the number of Gyms you can place Pokémon in, as long as they are controlled by your team and have an available slot.
What is the best Pokémon for defending a Gym?
While there isn’t a single “best” Pokémon, Pokémon like Blissey, Snorlax, Lapras, Umbreon, Togekiss, Metagross, and Bastiodon are highly regarded for their defensive capabilities due to their stats, typing, and HP.
How do I increase Gym prestige if I’m on the defending team?
You increase Gym prestige by placing Pokémon in it and by feeding Berries to your defending Pokémon. Each time you feed a Berry, it restores motivation and contributes to the Gym’s prestige.
Can I add a Pokémon to a Gym controlled by another team?
No, you can only add Pokémon to Gyms that are neutral or controlled by your own team. To place a Pokémon in an enemy Gym, you must first battle and defeat all the defending Pokémon to make it neutral.
By following these tips and strategies, you can become a formidable Gym defender and contribute significantly to your team’s success in Pokémon GO. Happy Gym battling!