Pokémon GO's gyms are central to the game's competitive spirit, offering opportunities to showcase your strongest Pokémon and challenge others. However, unlike PokéStops, you can't simply "make" a gym. Instead, you need to strategically conquer existing gyms to claim them for your team. This guide will walk you through the process and offer tips for success.
What is a Gym in Pokémon GO?
Before diving into the conquest, let's clarify what Pokémon GO gyms are all about. Gyms are locations in the real world, represented on the in-game map, where players can deploy their Pokémon to defend their team's territory or battle opponents' Pokémon. They are integral to team-based gameplay and earning in-game rewards.
How to Take Over a Pokémon GO Gym
Taking over a gym isn't a simple task; it requires strategy and powerful Pokémon. Here's a step-by-step guide:
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Find an Unoccupied Gym: The easiest way to get started is to find a gym that doesn't have any Pokémon defending it. These are rare, especially in populated areas.
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Challenge a Gym: Locate a gym controlled by an opposing team. Tap on the gym to initiate a battle. Remember that you can only challenge gyms controlled by teams other than your own.
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Choose Your Team: Before your first battle, you’ll be asked to choose a team (Team Instinct, Mystic, or Valor). This choice is permanent, so consider carefully which team aligns best with your play style.
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Engage in Battle: Engage in battles against the defending Pokémon. Utilize effective counter strategies, dodging attacks, and strategically switching Pokémon to exploit type weaknesses. Remember, your Pokémon's Combat Power (CP) plays a vital role in battle success.
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Defeat All Defending Pokémon: You must defeat all the defending Pokémon in a gym to claim it for your team. If you run out of Pokémon before defeating all defenders, you’ll need to heal them before continuing the battle.
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Deploy Your Pokémon: Once you've successfully defeated all defenders, you can deploy one of your own Pokémon to the gym. This will claim the gym for your team.
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Earn Rewards: Successfully taking over a gym will earn you rewards including PokéCoins and stardust, the in-game currency and essential resource for powering up your Pokémon.
Can I Create a New Gym in Pokémon GO?
No, you cannot create a new gym. Gyms are fixed locations determined by Niantic, the game's developers. These locations are typically landmarks and points of interest in the real world. The criteria for gym location selection are not publicly disclosed, but it's understood that they involve factors like community interest and accessibility.
How to Increase Your Chances of Taking Over a Gym?
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High CP Pokémon: Power up your strongest Pokémon to maximize your chances of success.
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Type Advantages: Carefully select Pokémon that have type advantages over the defending Pokémon.
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Teamwork: Teamwork can greatly increase your odds, especially against well-defended gyms. Coordinate with your teammates to take down the strongest defenders efficiently.
What Happens After You Claim a Gym?
Once you've claimed a gym, your Pokémon will defend it. Other players can challenge your Pokémon, attempting to defeat them and claim the gym for their own team. The longer your Pokémon defends the gym, the more prestige points your team earns, and you’ll be rewarded with PokéCoins and experience points. However, note that you can only claim one Pokémon in a single gym, and you cannot deploy another until you retrieve the Pokémon previously stationed there.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I have multiple Pokémon in one gym?
No, you can only deploy one Pokémon per gym.
How do I get more PokéCoins?
You earn PokéCoins primarily by defending gyms. The longer your Pokémon stays in a gym, the more PokéCoins you will receive. You also receive PokéCoins when you defeat a gym controlled by an opposing team.
What if my Pokémon faints in a gym?
If your Pokémon faints while defending a gym, you won't receive PokéCoins for that period. You can retrieve your fainted Pokémon and heal them to redeploy them or use another Pokémon.
Why can't I see any gyms nearby?
Gyms are location-based; the number of gyms you see depends on your location and the density of PokéStops and gyms in that area. Try moving to a more populated area to find more gyms.
This comprehensive guide should help you successfully conquer and control Pokémon GO gyms. Remember, strategic planning and strong Pokémon are key to dominating the arena!
