How To Remove A Pokemon From A Gym: Step-by-Step

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How To Remove A Pokemon From A Gym: Step-by-Step

Can you remove a Pokemon from a gym in Pokemon Go? Yes, you absolutely can! Removing a Pokemon from a gym is a core mechanic in Pokemon Go, allowing players to challenge and take over gyms controlled by opposing teams or to clear out their own Pokemon if they wish to change defenders. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from selecting the right Pokemon to understanding the battle mechanics.

Taking Control: The Basics of Gym Raiding

Gyms are central hubs in Pokemon Go. They are the points where players can defend gym locations, earn daily rewards, and showcase their strongest Pokemon. When a gym is controlled by your team, you can train your Pokemon by battling the Pokemon already there. However, when a gym is controlled by an opposing team, your goal is to reclaim gym control by battling and defeating their defenders. This process is often referred to as a “gym raid” or “gym attack.”

The Goal: Knock Out Pokemon

The primary objective when attacking an opposing team’s gym is to knock out Pokemon. Each Pokemon defending the gym has a certain amount of health. When you attack, you deal damage, reducing their health. Once a defender’s health reaches zero, they are defeated and removed from the gym. You must defeat all Pokemon in the gym to be able to place your own Pokemon there.

Preparing for the Gym Attack

Before you even think about attacking a gym, preparation is key. A well-thought-out battle strategy will make the difference between a swift victory and a frustrating defeat.

Choosing Your Battle Squad

The Pokemon you bring into a gym battle are crucial. You’ll want to select Pokemon that are strong against the defenders you anticipate facing.

Key considerations for your battle squad:

• Type Matchups: Pokemon Go’s battle system relies heavily on type advantages. For example, a Fire-type Pokemon is strong against Grass-type Pokemon, dealing double damage. Conversely, a Water-type Pokemon would be weak against a Grass-type.
• CP (Combat Power): While not the only factor, a higher CP generally means a stronger Pokemon. However, a lower CP Pokemon with the right typing and moves can often defeat a higher CP Pokemon of a disadvantageous type.
• Fast Attacks and Charged Attacks: Each Pokemon has a Fast Attack that generates energy and a Charged Attack that consumes energy. Choose Pokemon with moves that exploit the weaknesses of the defending Pokemon. For example, if you’re facing a Vaporeon (Water-type), a Grass-type Pokemon with a Grass-type Fast Attack and Charged Attack is ideal.
• Defensive vs. Offensive Movesets: Some Pokemon have movesets better suited for defending a gym, while others excel at attacking. For gym attacks, you want Pokemon with high damage output.

Understanding Gym Stamina and Motivation

Pokemon defending a gym lose “motivation” over time, represented by their CP decreasing. When a defender’s motivation is low, they faint more easily. This is why players often “feed” berries to their defending Pokemon to keep their motivation high. Your goal is to exploit low motivation or simply out-damage their defenders.

Factors affecting defender motivation:

• Time: Motivation naturally decreases over time.
• Battles: Each battle a Pokemon participates in, whether defending or attacking, can affect its motivation. However, in the context of being a defender, their motivation is primarily reduced by attackers.
• Berries: Feeding Golden Razz Berries or other berries restores motivation.

The Gym Attack Process

When you approach a gym controlled by another team, you’ll see its current defenders. Tap on the gym to initiate an attack. You’ll then be prompted to choose up to six Pokemon for your battle party.

Steps to attack an opposing gym:

1. Locate the Gym: Find a gym controlled by a rival team.
2. Tap the Gym: Interact with the gym to see its current defenders and status.
3. Initiate Battle: Select the “Battle” button.
4. Select Your Team: Choose up to six Pokemon to form your attacking squad. Consider type advantages and movesets.
5. Battle the Defenders: Engage in battles against the Pokemon defending the gym.

The Battle Itself: Tactics and Techniques

Once you’ve selected your team, the real battle begins. This is where your battle strategy comes into play.

Battling a Pokemon in Gym

You’ll face the defenders one by one, or sometimes in waves if it’s a higher-level gym with multiple Pokemon. Your Pokemon will automatically use their Fast Attack. Tapping on the screen will use your Fast Attack more quickly, generating energy. Once you have enough energy, you can unleash your Charged Attack by holding down on the screen.

In-game battle mechanics:

• Fast Attacks: These deal moderate damage and generate energy.
• Charged Attacks: These consume energy, deal significant damage, and are your primary way to knock out Pokemon quickly.
• Dodging: Swiping left or right during an opponent’s Charged Attack can help your Pokemon dodge and take less damage. This is a crucial skill for conserving your Pokemon’s health.

Defeating Gym Pokemon

To win a gym battle, you must defeat all the Pokemon currently defending it. Each Pokemon you defeat will be removed from the gym and will return to its trainer with 1 HP.

Tips for efficient battling:

• Switching Pokemon: If your current Pokemon is taking heavy damage or is at a type disadvantage, switch to a fresh Pokemon from your squad.
• Know your opponent’s moves: Pay attention to the animations of the defending Pokemon. Certain animations precede powerful attacks that you can dodge.
• Conserve energy: Don’t waste your Charged Attacks on weak Fast Attacks. Save your energy for your strongest moves.

Successfully Taking Over the Gym

After you have defeated all the Pokemon defending the gym, the gym will become “neutral.” This means no team controls it. Now is your chance to place one of your own Pokemon to reclaim gym control.

Placing Your Defender

Once the gym is neutral, you’ll see an option to “Add Pokemon.” Tap this button and select one of your Pokemon to place as the new defender. This Pokemon will now start defending the gym for your team.

Changing Gym Defender

If you’ve already placed a Pokemon in a gym and want to swap it out for a stronger defender or a different Pokemon, you can do so by attacking your own team’s gym.

Steps to change your gym defender:

1. Approach your team’s gym.
2. Tap on the gym.
3. Tap on your Pokemon defending the gym.
4. Select the “Battle” option.
5. Defeat your own Pokemon. This is a unique mechanic where you can battle your own defenders to force them out.
6. Once your Pokemon is defeated and removed, you’ll have the opportunity to place a new defender.

This is a strategic move, perhaps to place a Pokemon with a different typing to deter attackers or to replace a Pokemon that is frequently being knocked out.

The Benefits of Holding a Gym

Holding gyms isn’t just about bragging rights; it comes with tangible rewards.

Daily Gym Rewards

When you hold a gym, you earn coins and Stardust, which are essential resources in Pokemon Go. The longer you hold a gym and the more gyms you hold, the more rewards you accumulate.

Gym rewards typically include:

• Coins: Used to purchase items from the in-game shop.
• Stardust: Used to power up your Pokemon.
• XP: Experience points that help you level up your trainer.

The amount of rewards you receive is often tied to the number of gyms you hold and the duration you hold them.

Training Your Pokemon at Friendly Gyms

When a gym is controlled by your team, you can train your Pokemon by battling the defenders. Winning these battles earns you XP and also helps raise the gym’s level. A higher gym level allows more Pokemon to be placed there, making it harder for other teams to take over.

Common Gym Attack Scenarios and Strategies

Gym battles can vary greatly depending on the number and type of Pokemon defending.

Single Defender Gyms

These are the easiest to tackle. You usually only need one strong Pokemon with a type advantage to defeat the single defender.

Multi-Defender Gyms

When a gym has multiple Pokemon, you’ll need to battle through them sequentially. This is where having a diverse team with good type coverage and efficient movesets is vital.

Example Scenario:

Imagine a gym defended by a Vaporeon, a Snorlax, and a Blastoise.

• Vaporeon (Water-type): Weak to Grass and Electric. Good choices: Venusaur, Raichu.
• Snorlax (Normal-type): No significant weaknesses in terms of attacking type advantage, but generally weak to Fighting. Good choices: Machamp, Lucario.
• Blastoise (Water-type): Weak to Grass and Electric. Good choices: Venusaur, Zapdos.

Your ideal attacking team might include a strong Grass-type Pokemon like Venusaur (with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant) to handle both Vaporeon and Blastoise, and a Fighting-type like Machamp (with Counter and Dynamic Punch) to deal with Snorlax.

High-Level Gyms

These gyms have many Pokemon, often with high CP. Taking them down requires multiple waves of attackers and potentially several different teams of Pokemon. The defenders in these gyms will have their motivation maxed out, making them tougher.

Strategy for high-level gyms:

• Bring a full six Pokemon: You’ll need all the power you can get.
• Focus on type advantages: Don’t bring Fire-types against Water-type defenders if you have better options.
• Be prepared to switch: If a Pokemon is about to faint, switch it out to preserve its health and allow you to continue the attack.
• Coordinate with other players: If possible, team up with friends to attack a tough gym. This makes the process much faster and more efficient.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How many Pokemon can defend a gym?
A: A gym can hold up to six Pokemon. The first six Pokemon placed by your team will defend it.

Q2: What happens if my Pokemon is defeated at a gym?
A: If your Pokemon is defeated while defending a gym, it will be returned to your inventory with 1 HP. You will need to heal it using Potions or Revives.

Q3: Can I remove my own Pokemon from a gym without battling it?
A: Yes, if you are the trainer who placed the Pokemon, you can feed it berries from your inventory to restore its motivation. However, if you want to remove it entirely or swap it for another, battling it is the direct method.

Q4: Do I need to be near the gym to attack it?
A: Yes, you need to be within range of the gym to interact with it and initiate a battle.

Q5: How long does a Pokemon stay at a gym?
A: A Pokemon will stay at a gym until it is defeated by an attacking player or until you choose to remove defender status by battling it yourself and then potentially placing a new one.

Q6: Can I defeat a Pokemon in a gym of my own team?
A: Yes, you can battle a Pokemon in gym that belongs to your own team. This is how you remove your own Pokemon if you wish to change the defender or reclaim the gym for a different purpose.

Q7: What is the fastest way to defeat a gym?
A: The fastest way is to have a team of strong Pokemon with type advantages and effective movesets, and to coordinate with other players of your team to attack simultaneously. Efficient dodging also speeds up battles.

By following these steps and employing smart battle strategy, you’ll be well-equipped to reclaim gym control and make your mark on the Pokemon Go world. Remember, persistence and good preparation are key to success in any gym attack.