Can you add a Pokémon to a gym? Yes, you can add a Pokémon to a gym in Pokémon GO if you are on the same team as the gym and it has an open slot. This guide will walk you through the simple steps involved in placing your Pokémon and contributing to your team’s dominance.
Claiming Gym Control
Before you can add a Pokémon to a gym, your team needs to control it. If a gym is neutral (gray) or controlled by an opposing team, you’ll need to battle it first.
Battling for Gym Control
- Find a Gym: Locate a gym on your Pokémon GO map. They are usually marked by a distinctive structure.
- Approach the Gym: Walk close enough to the gym to interact with it.
- Initiate Battle: Tap on the gym. If it’s controlled by another team, you’ll see an option to battle.
- Choose Your Pokémon: Select a team of Pokémon that you think will be strong against the Pokémon currently defending the gym. Consider their types and move sets.
- Win the Battles: Defeat all the Pokémon defending the gym. You’ll need to win multiple rounds if there are several Pokémon in the gym.
- Place Your Pokémon: Once you defeat the last defending Pokémon, the gym will turn neutral. You will then have a short window to place one of your own Pokémon into the now-open gym slot.
Adding Your Pokémon to a Controlled Gym
Once your team has control of a gym, or if you’ve just captured it, adding your Pokémon is straightforward.
Pokémon Placement Steps
- Locate Your Team’s Gym: On your Pokémon GO map, find a gym that is currently controlled by your team’s color (Red for Valor, Blue for Mystic, or Yellow for Instinct).
- Tap on the Gym: Interact with the gym on your map.
- Look for Open Gym Slots: You’ll see the Pokémon currently defending the gym. If there are fewer than six Pokémon in the gym, there are available gym slots.
- Tap the “Add Pokémon” Button: This button is usually depicted with a plus symbol or a Pokémon icon.
- Select Your Pokémon: A list of your Pokémon will appear. Choose the Pokémon you wish to add. It’s best to pick Pokémon that have high CP (Combat Power) and good defensive stats for defending a gym.
- Confirm Placement: Tap “Add” or “Confirm” to place your Pokémon in the gym.
Your Pokémon is now actively defending the gym!
Why Add Pokémon to Gyms?
Placing your Pokémon in gyms offers several benefits, contributing to your team’s success and providing you with rewards.
Gym Defender Bonuses
- Coin Rewards: The primary benefit of leaving your Pokémon at a gym is earning PokéCoins. You receive 1 Coin for every 10 minutes your Pokémon defends a gym, up to a maximum of 50 Coins per day.
- Stardust: Your Pokémon also earn Stardust while defending, which is crucial for powering up your other Pokémon.
- Badges: Defending gyms contributes to your Gym Badges. Earning medals for defending, spinning PokéStops at gyms, and battling at gyms can provide in-game bonuses.
Reinforcing a Gym
When your team controls a gym, you can contribute to its defense by adding your own Pokémon. This is known as reinforcing a gym.
- Increased Defense: The more Pokémon your team has in a gym, the harder it is for opposing teams to defeat it.
- Higher Gym Prestige: Each Pokémon added to a gym increases its gym prestige. As a gym’s prestige increases, it can level up, allowing more Pokémon to be placed in it.
Returning to a Gym
If your Pokémon has been defeated and returned to you after defending a gym, you can send it back to reinforce that same gym, or any other gym controlled by your team. This is a strategic way to keep your team’s presence strong.
Types of Gyms and Their Impact
Gyms in Pokémon GO are not all the same, and understanding their types can help you strategize your placement and battles.
Gym Slots and Capacity
- Basic Gym: A gym can hold a maximum of six Pokémon.
- Golden Razz Berry: Feeding a defending Pokémon a Golden Razz Berry increases its motivation and can also help prevent it from being easily defeated.
- Berry Feeding: You can also feed berries to any Pokémon in a gym controlled by your team, even if they aren’t yours. This keeps them motivated and makes them harder for opponents to defeat.
Gym Prestige and Levels
- Gaining Prestige: Placing Pokémon, battling opposing Pokémon in the gym, and feeding berries to Pokémon in the gym all contribute to increasing gym prestige.
- Leveling Up: As a gym gains prestige, it can level up. Higher-level gyms can hold more Pokémon, making them stronger defenses.
- Losing Prestige: When Pokémon are defeated in a gym, the gym loses prestige.
Strategic Pokémon Placement
Choosing the right Pokémon for defending a gym is key to maximizing your gym defender bonuses and team success.
Best Pokémon for Defense
When considering which Pokémon to use for defending a gym, think about these factors:
- High CP: Pokémon with higher CP will generally last longer in battles.
- Good Defensive Stats: Pokémon with higher Defense and Stamina stats are naturally better defenders.
- Typing: Certain types are more effective against common attacking types. For example, a Pokémon with high Defense and a Water or Grass typing can be good against Fire or Ground types.
- Movesets: Pokémon with defensive movesets (Fast Attacks that generate energy quickly and Charged Attacks that are powerful or have lower energy costs) can be advantageous.
Here’s a table of some generally good defensive Pokémon:
| Pokémon Name | Type(s) | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snorlax | Normal | High HP and Defense | Fighting |
| Blissey | Normal | Extremely high HP and Defense | Fighting |
| Chansey | Normal | High HP and Defense | Fighting |
| Gardevoir | Psychic/Fairy | Strong against Fighting, Dragon, Dark, Psychic | Poison, Ghost, Steel |
| Metagross | Steel/Psychic | Resists many types, strong attacks | Fire, Ground, Ghost, Dark |
| Slaking | Normal | Very high CP | Fighting |
| Tyranitar | Rock/Dark | High CP and good resistances | Fighting, Bug, Ground, Steel, Water, Grass, Fairy |
| Dragonite | Dragon/Flying | High CP, good resistances | Ice, Rock, Fairy |
Note: This is a general guide. The “best” Pokémon can vary depending on the current meta and what Pokémon your opponents are likely to use.
Motivation Decay
Pokémon defending gyms experience motivation decay. This means their CP will decrease over time, making them easier to defeat.
- Motivation Level: You can see a Pokémon’s motivation by tapping on it in the gym. When it’s low, its CP will be significantly reduced.
- Feeding Berries: To restore motivation and keep your Pokémon strong defenders, you or your teammates can feed them Berries. Golden Razz Berries fully restore motivation. Razz Berries, Nanab Berries, and Pinap Berries also help restore a small amount.
Returning to a Gym: A Second Chance
If your Pokémon has been knocked out of a gym, it will return to your inventory. You can then heal it and send it back to defend a gym.
Healing Your Defenders
- Potions and Revives: Use Potions (and Revives if needed) to restore your Pokémon’s HP and status.
- Re-Deployment: Once healed, you can select that Pokémon again and place it in any gym controlled by your team that has an open slot.
The Importance of Gym Control
Maintaining gym control is vital for your team’s progress and your personal rewards in Pokémon GO.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
- Coordinated Attacks: Work with your teammates to attack and capture gyms controlled by opposing teams.
- Strategic Reinforcement: Discuss with your team which Pokémon are best suited for defending specific gyms.
- Shared Berry Feeding: Encourage teammates to feed berries to all Pokémon in gyms to keep them motivated and strong.
Gym Types and Their Influence
While there aren’t strictly defined “gym types” in terms of elemental properties like Pokémon types, the strategic positioning and type of Pokémon placed can be considered a form of gym specialization. For example, a gym might be reinforced with Pokémon strong against common attacking types in your area, effectively making it a “defense against X type” gym.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many Pokémon can be in a gym?
A gym can hold a maximum of six Pokémon.
How long can my Pokémon stay in a gym?
Your Pokémon can stay in a gym indefinitely until it is defeated by an opposing team or you choose to remove it. However, its motivation will decay over time, making it weaker.
What happens when my Pokémon is defeated in a gym?
When your Pokémon is defeated in a gym, it is automatically returned to your Pokémon storage. Its HP will be reduced to 0, and it will need to be healed with Potions or Revives before it can be used in battles or placed in another gym.
Can I put a Pokémon in a gym that is already full?
No, you cannot place a Pokémon in a gym that already has six Pokémon defending it. You must wait for an opposing team to defeat one of the defending Pokémon, creating an open slot.
What are gym defender bonuses?
Gym defender bonuses are rewards you receive for having your Pokémon defend a gym. These primarily include PokéCoins and Stardust. You get 1 PokéCoin for every 10 minutes your Pokémon defends a gym, up to a maximum of 50 coins per day.
How do I get Golden Razz Berries?
Golden Razz Berries can be obtained by spinning PokéStops, completing Field Research tasks, participating in raids, and feeding berries to Pokémon in gyms (with a small chance).
Does placing a Pokémon with higher CP matter more for defense?
Yes, a Pokémon with higher CP generally has higher stats and will last longer in defense. However, a Pokémon with good defensive stats and a strong defensive moveset can also be very effective, even if its CP is not the absolute highest.
Can I put a Pokémon in a gym that my team controls but another player from my team has already put Pokémon in?
Yes, as long as there is an open slot (the gym has fewer than six Pokémon), any player from the controlling team can add their Pokémon to it.
How do I check the gym prestige?
You can check the gym prestige by tapping on the gym icon on your map and then tapping the “View Gym” button. The total prestige points will be displayed, along with the level of the gym.
By following these simple steps and keeping these considerations in mind, you can effectively add your Pokémon to gyms, contribute to your team’s control, and reap the rewards of your efforts in Pokémon GO!