Can you create a Gym in Pokémon Go? No, you cannot directly “create” a Gym in Pokémon Go. Gyms are pre-determined locations in the real world that Niantic, the game’s developer, places within the game. However, you can influence the existence and ownership of these Gyms through gameplay.
Pokémon Go is a game that blends the digital world with the physical one. A core part of this blend is the Gym system. Gyms are special PokéStops where trainers can battle, train, and compete for control. If you’ve ever wondered how these vital landmarks come into being or how you can become a part of their strategic importance, this guide is for you. We’ll delve into everything you need to know about Pokémon Go Gyms, from how they appear to how you can become a powerful force within the game’s territorial struggles.
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The Genesis of Poké Gyms
Gyms in Pokémon Go are not randomly generated. They are linked to real-world points of interest, often public art, historical markers, significant landmarks, or popular gathering spots. Niantic uses data from its previous game, Ingress, to seed these locations. In Ingress, these points are called “portals.” When Pokémon Go launched, many of these Ingress portals were converted into PokéStops and Gyms.
Identifying Potential Gym Locations
While you can’t create a new Gym from scratch, understanding where they tend to appear can be helpful. Gyms are typically found in places that encourage foot traffic and interaction. Think about parks, town squares, libraries, and prominent businesses. If a particular area has many PokéStops but no Gyms, it’s possible that a location within that area might eventually be designated as a Gym if it meets the criteria and Niantic makes adjustments.
How Gyms Evolve from PokéStops
Sometimes, a PokéStop might be upgraded to a Gym, or an existing Gym might be removed. These changes are usually based on player activity, the number of unique visitors to a location, or even Niantic’s own data analysis. If you notice a high concentration of PokéStops in an area without a Gym, and that area has significant player activity, there’s a chance it could become a Gym in the future.
Claiming Gyms: Your First Step to Dominance
Once you’ve found a Gym, the first step to influencing it is claiming gyms. This is where the real competition begins. When a Gym is neutral (white), any trainer can place one of their Pokémon there to claim it for their team: Mystic (blue), Valor (red), or Instinct (yellow).
The Mechanics of Claiming
- Approach the Gym: You need to be within range of the Gym’s location in the game.
- Tap on the Gym: This will bring up the Gym interface.
- Place a Pokémon: Select one of your Pokémon to defend the Gym. You can only place one Pokémon at a time.
- Team Color: The Gym will then turn to the color of your team, indicating your team’s ownership.
Strategic Pokémon Placement
The Pokémon you choose to place in a Gym is crucial. Consider Pokémon with high CP (Combat Power) and good defensive stats. Pokémon that are resistant to common attacking types are also excellent choices. This makes it harder for opposing teams to defeat your defending Pokémon.
Defending Gyms: The Art of Stalemate
Defending gyms is a constant battle of attrition. Once your team controls a Gym, the goal is to keep it that way for as long as possible. The longer you hold a Gym, the more rewards you can earn.
How Pokémon Defend
When a Pokémon is placed in a Gym, it stays there until it’s defeated in a battle and kicked out, or until you choose to retrieve it. Defending Pokémon automatically regenerate their HP over time, but they don’t heal on their own in the game. To heal a defending Pokémon, you need to use Potions.
Motivating Your Defenders
This is a vital aspect of defending gyms. You can feed your Pokémon Berries remotely to increase their motivation, which in turn increases their CP.
- Razz Berries: Slightly increase motivation.
- Pinap Berries: (Not for motivation) Double candy for catching Pokémon.
- Nanab Berries: Make Pokémon easier to catch.
- Oran Berries: Restore HP to Pokémon in the wild.
- Sitrus Berries: Significantly increase motivation.
- Golden Razz Berries: Greatly increase motivation and can also be used to catch Pokémon.
Feeding Berries to your Pokémon at a Gym not only helps them last longer in battles but also earns you Stardust and sometimes even candy. There’s a limit to how many Berries you can feed to Pokémon in all Gyms within a 30-minute period, so use them wisely.
Powering Up Gyms: Building Your Fortress
Initially, a Gym can only hold a limited number of Pokémon. To increase its capacity and make it stronger, you need to powering up gyms. This is done by increasing the Gym’s “prestige” or “level.”
Earning Gym Prestige
Gym prestige is earned through several actions:
- Defeating Opposing Pokémon: When you win gym battles against Pokémon in a Gym controlled by another team, you gain prestige for your team and lower the Gym’s current prestige.
- Training Your Pokémon: If a Gym is controlled by your team, you can train your Pokémon there by battling against the defending Pokémon. Winning these battles increases the Gym’s prestige.
- Donating Items: You can donating to gyms by feeding Berries to the Pokémon defending it. Each Berry fed contributes a small amount to the Gym’s prestige.
Gym Levels and Pokémon Slots
As a Gym gains prestige, it levels up. Each level unlocks an additional slot for a Pokémon to be placed there.
- Level 1: 1 Pokémon slot
- Level 2: 2 Pokémon slots
- Level 3: 3 Pokémon slots
- Level 4: 4 Pokémon slots
- Level 5: 5 Pokémon slots
- Level 6: 6 Pokémon slots
A Gym reaches its maximum capacity and level when it holds six Pokémon.
Gym Battles: The Heart of the Competition
Gym battles are the primary way to challenge opposing teams and gain control of Gyms. These battles are real-time, player-versus-player (PvP) encounters where your Pokémon’s stats, moves, and battle strategy come into play.
How Gym Battles Work
- Initiating a Battle: Approach a Gym controlled by an opposing team and tap on it. Select the “Battle” option.
- Team Selection: You’ll then choose a team of up to six Pokémon to attack the defending Pokémon.
- Battle Mechanics: The battle proceeds like standard Pokémon Go battles. You tap to attack and swipe to dodge. Each Pokémon has a primary attack and a charged attack.
- Defeating Defenders: You need to defeat all the Pokémon in the Gym to lower its prestige. If you defeat enough Pokémon, you can eventually bring the Gym down to neutral, allowing you to claim it.
Types of Gym Battles
- Attacking an Opposing Gym: This is when you are trying to take over a Gym controlled by another team. You battle against their defending Pokémon.
- Training at Your Team’s Gym: If a Gym is controlled by your team, you can battle against the Pokémon already there. Winning these battles increases your team’s Gym prestige and earns you items.
CP Decay and Motivation
A crucial aspect of defending gyms is CP decay. Pokémon defending Gyms gradually lose motivation over time. As their motivation drops, their CP effectively decreases, making them easier to defeat. Feeding them Berries is the only way to restore their motivation and keep their CP high. When a Pokémon’s motivation reaches zero, its CP is significantly reduced.
The Gym Lock: Temporary Immunity
When you place a Pokémon in a Gym, it enters a “gym lock” for a period of time (usually 10 minutes). During this time, that specific Pokémon cannot be battled by other trainers. This prevents immediate defeats and allows for a brief period of stability. However, other Pokémon in the Gym can still be battled.
Gym Prestige and its Significance
Gym prestige is the backbone of the Gym system. It determines how many Pokémon can be placed in a Gym and is the primary metric for a team’s dominance over a location.
Factors Influencing Prestige Gain and Loss
- Winning Battles: The more Pokémon you defeat in an opposing Gym, the more you chip away at its prestige.
- Losing Battles: When your Pokémon are defeated at a Gym, they are removed from it. This doesn’t directly affect prestige but is a consequence of losing battles.
- Training: Training at your own Gym increases its prestige. The stronger the Pokémon you defeat in training, the more prestige you gain.
- Berry Feeding: As mentioned, donating to gyms via berries contributes to prestige.
The Impact of CP on Prestige
The CP of the Pokémon you place in a Gym also plays a role. Higher CP Pokémon generally require more wins in gym battles to be defeated, thus contributing to a Gym’s longevity.
Gym Badges: A Token of Your Conquests
Every time you interact with a Gym, whether it’s by battling, defending, or donating, you earn progress towards a gym badge. These badges are visual representations of your involvement with specific Gyms.
Types of Gym Badges
- Bronze Gym Badge: Awarded for minimal interaction.
- Silver Gym Badge: Earned through more significant engagement.
- Gold Gym Badge: Represents mastery and extensive interaction with a Gym.
- Platinum Gym Badge: The highest tier, awarded for exceptional dedication.
Earning Badge Points
You earn points towards your Gym Badges by:
- Adding a Pokémon to a Gym: 100 points
- Battling in a Gym: 100 points per battle (win or lose)
- Defending a Gym: 100 points for every 10 minutes your Pokémon is defending
- Using Berries: 10 points per Berry fed
- Evolving Pokémon at a Gym: 500 points (rarely occurs)
Benefits of High-Tier Gym Badges
Higher-tier gym badges can provide bonuses when you spin the Gym’s Photo Disc. For example, a Gold Gym Badge might increase your chances of receiving rare items or more items overall.
Gym Bonuses: Rewards for Your Efforts
The Gym system is designed to reward players for their participation. You can earn several types of gym bonuses in Pokémon Go.
Defender Bonus
The most significant gym bonus is the Defender Bonus. When your Pokémon has been defending a Gym for at least 21 hours, you can tap on the Gym icon to claim a bonus. This bonus includes:
- Coins: A small amount of PokéCoins, the premium in-game currency. You receive 1 Coin for every 10 minutes your Pokémon defends, up to a maximum of 50 Coins per day.
- Stardust: A useful resource for powering up Pokémon.
You can only claim the Defender Bonus once per Pokémon that has been defending. If multiple Pokémon have been defending for over 21 hours, you can claim bonuses from them individually by tapping on each Gym.
Spinning the Gym Photo Disc
When you are within range of a Gym controlled by your team, you can spin its Photo Disc, much like a PokéStop. This provides:
- Items: Poké Balls, Potions, Berries, and other essential items.
- XP: Experience points to level up your Trainer.
The number and type of items you receive can be influenced by your gym badges.
Team Dynamics and Gym Control
The core of the Gym system revolves around team competition. Gym control is dynamic, constantly shifting as players battle and strategize.
The Battle for Control
- Attacking: When you attack an opposing Gym, you aim to defeat its defenders and reduce its prestige. If you defeat all the Pokémon and bring the Gym’s prestige to zero, it becomes neutral.
- Claiming: Once neutral, you can place your own Pokémon to claim the Gym for your team.
- Holding: Your team now controls the Gym, and other teams will try to take it.
Strategic Considerations for Gym Control
- Pokémon Diversity: Having a variety of Pokémon at a Gym makes it harder for attackers to build an effective attacking team.
- Berries: Constantly feeding Berries to your defending Pokémon is essential to keep their motivation high and make them harder to defeat.
- Teamwork: Coordinating with other players on your team can make a significant difference. Multiple trainers can attack a Gym simultaneously, or several trainers can reinforce a Gym with their Pokémon.
- Location: Gyms in high-traffic areas are more likely to be contested. Gyms in less frequented areas might remain under your team’s control for longer.
Advanced Gym Strategies
Beyond the basics, there are deeper strategies for maximizing your effectiveness in the Gym system.
Golden Razz Berry Strategy
Golden Razz Berries are the most potent berries for motivation. Using them on your strongest defenders or Pokémon that are about to be kicked out can dramatically increase their survivability. They are also crucial for preventing an opposing team from taking over a Gym quickly.
The “Baiting” Technique
Sometimes, players will intentionally leave lower-CP Pokémon in a Gym to “bait” opponents into wasting their resources. This can be a risky strategy but can sometimes deter attackers if they perceive the Gym as too much trouble to take down.
Synergy of Pokémon Placement
Consider the types of Pokémon you place in a Gym. A good defensive lineup might include Pokémon that cover each other’s weaknesses. For example, a Water-type Pokémon can counter a Fire-type, and a Grass-type can counter a Water-type.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How many Pokémon can be in a Gym?
A: A Gym can hold a maximum of six Pokémon. The number of slots available increases as the Gym’s prestige level rises.
Q: What happens to my Pokémon when they are defeated in a Gym?
A: When your Pokémon is defeated, it is automatically returned to your Pokémon storage. It will have low HP and will need to be healed with Potions.
Q: Can I fight my own Pokémon at a Gym?
A: No, you cannot fight your own Pokémon at a Gym. However, you can train against Pokémon of your own team at Gyms controlled by your team.
Q: How long does a Pokémon stay in a Gym?
A: Your Pokémon will stay in a Gym until it is defeated in a battle and kicked out, or until you decide to retrieve it. There’s no automatic time limit for a Pokémon to remain in a Gym.
Q: What is the limit for Berry feeding?
A: You can feed a total of 10 Berries per Pokémon per hour across all Gyms. There is also a global limit on how many berries you can feed to any Pokémon in any Gym within a 30-minute window. This limit resets every 30 minutes.
Q: How do I get coins from Gyms?
A: You earn coins by having your Pokémon defend Gyms. You receive 1 Coin for every 10 minutes of defense, up to a maximum of 50 Coins per day. You must manually claim this bonus by tapping on the Gym icon after your Pokémon has defended for at least 21 hours.
Q: What happens if all Pokémon in a Gym are defeated?
A: If all Pokémon are defeated, the Gym’s prestige drops to zero, and it becomes a neutral Gym. Any trainer can then place a Pokémon in it to claim it for their team.
Q: Can I place the same Pokémon in multiple Gyms?
A: Yes, you can place the same Pokémon in multiple Gyms simultaneously. However, if that Pokémon is defeated and returned to your storage, it will be removed from all Gyms it was defending.
Q: How do I get a Platinum Gym Badge?
A: Platinum Gym Badges are awarded for completing specific, challenging achievements at Gyms, such as winning a certain number of battles or earning a large amount of Stardust from defending. These often require a very high level of engagement.
Conclusion
While you can’t directly “create” a Gym in Pokémon Go, you can certainly influence the existence, ownership, and strength of these vital locations. By understanding how Gyms are established, how to claim them, how to defend them effectively, and how to leverage gym bonuses and gym badges, you can become a significant player in the ongoing territorial battles within the game. Master the art of gym battles, strategically place your Pokémon, and work with your team to maintain gym control. Your efforts will be rewarded with valuable items, experience, and the satisfaction of contributing to your team’s dominance. Go forth and conquer those Gyms!