How Long Can a Pokemon Stay in a Gym in Pokémon GO?
A Pokémon can theoretically stay in a Gym indefinitely in Pokémon GO, provided its motivation doesn’t hit zero and it’s not knocked out by a trainer from a rival team. This is achieved through consistent feeding of Golden Razz Berries to maintain its CP and deter opponents. However, even if your Pokémon defends a gym for weeks, you’ll only receive your PokéCoins when it’s finally defeated and returns to you, subject to the daily limit.
Understanding Gym Mechanics and Motivation
The cornerstone of gym defense lies in understanding motivation. When a Pokémon is placed in a Gym, it starts with its full CP (Combat Power). Over time, and particularly after losing battles, this CP decreases. This decrease is referred to as motivation loss. A Pokémon with low motivation is easier to defeat, making it a prime target for opposing trainers.
Berries are the key to restoring motivation. Feeding your defending Pokémon berries increases their CP, making them tougher to take down. Golden Razz Berries are the most effective, fully restoring a Pokémon’s motivation. Regularly feeding berries, especially in unpopular gyms where there aren’t many opposing players, can extend your Pokémon’s stay significantly.
The Role of Location and Team Dynamics
The location of the gym plays a crucial role in how long your Pokémon can hold it. A remote gym, far from densely populated areas, is less likely to attract challengers. Conversely, a gym in a popular park or shopping center will see constant turnover.
Team dynamics also impact gym longevity. If your team controls the gym, friendly trainers can also feed berries to your Pokémon, bolstering its defense. However, gyms contested by multiple teams often see quicker turnovers, as motivation dwindles rapidly under constant assault.
The PokéCoin Reward System
While keeping a Pokémon in a gym for an extended period seems advantageous, the PokéCoin reward system has built-in limitations. You earn 1 PokéCoin for every 10 minutes your Pokémon defends a gym. However, the maximum you can earn in a single day is 50 PokéCoins. This cap means that after 8 hours and 20 minutes, further defending earns you no additional coins for that day.
Importantly, you don’t receive the coins until your Pokémon is defeated and returns. If you’ve already earned 50 coins from other gyms that day, the coins earned by the returning Pokémon are essentially wasted. This system encourages a balance between long-term defense and strategic placement to maximize daily earnings.
Long-Term Defense Strategies
Despite the daily PokéCoin cap, there are strategic advantages to aiming for long-term gym defense.
- Gym Badge Experience: Staying in a gym for extended periods earns you significant gym badge experience. Gym badges provide bonuses, such as increased item drops when spinning the gym’s PokéStop.
- Defender Bonus Contribution: Contributing to your team’s overall control of a gym, particularly in contested areas, can be psychologically advantageous, boosting team morale.
- Personal Accomplishment: Some players simply enjoy the challenge of maintaining a long-term presence in a gym, viewing it as a personal achievement.
- Strategic Coin Collection: You can spread out your Pokemon in different gyms to ensure to collect all 50 coins every day.
Factors Affecting Gym Turnover
Several factors can lead to a Pokémon being removed from a gym, regardless of how well-defended it is:
- Motivation Decay: Pokémon lose motivation over time, even without battling. The rate of decay depends on the Pokémon’s species and CP.
- Opponent Activity: Active players from opposing teams constantly seek to claim gyms, leading to frequent battles and motivation depletion.
- Berries: The more you keep Pokemon happy by giving them berries, the more they will stay in gyms.
- Type advantage: If a pokemon is weak to another type, then it might be knocked out more easily.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions about Gym Defense
How many coins do you get for defending a gym for 7 days?
While a Pokémon could potentially defend a gym for 7 days, you will not get coins for the total time. You can only earn a maximum of 50 PokéCoins per day. If the Pokemon is in the gym for 7 days and is then knocked out, you only get 50 coins.
Is it good to have a Pokemon in a gym for a long time?
It can be good to have a Pokemon in a gym for a long time, especially in terms of Gym Badge experience and contributing to your team’s presence. However, from a strict PokéCoin earning perspective, once your Pokémon has been defending for 8 hours and 20 minutes, further time in the gym that day doesn’t increase your coin earnings for that day. It can still be beneficial if you’re spreading out your gym defense to maximize daily coin collection or if you are in a remote area.
Can a Pokemon leave a gym on its own?
Yes, a Pokémon will automatically leave a gym when its motivation reaches zero. This typically happens after multiple battles or simply due to the natural decay of motivation over time. In this scenario, the next time it loses a battle, it is knocked out.
How long should I hold a gym Pokemon go?
Ideally, you should aim to hold a gym for at least 8 hours and 20 minutes to maximize your PokéCoin earnings for that day. After that, it is up to you to continue to defend the gym or risk getting it kicked out. But there is no additional bonus to holding the gym any longer for that day.
How long can a Pokemon stay in a gym without berries?
The amount of time a Pokémon can stay in a gym without berries varies greatly depending on its species, CP, and the activity of opposing players. High CP Pokemon may take longer for their CP to decay to zero. Without any berry support, even powerful Pokémon will eventually lose all motivation and be easily defeated.
Can you get more than 50 PokéCoins a day?
No, the maximum you can earn in a day is 50 PokéCoins, regardless of how many Pokémon you have in gyms or how long they defend.
What is the longest Pokemon gym hold?
Defending a gym for 1,422 days is an amazing accomplishment!
How fast do Pokemon lose motivation?
Motivation loss depends on multiple factors, including species, CP, and battle encounters. After one Pokemon defending a gym loses, it will lose approximately 28% of its max CP. After a second loss, it will lose another 28% max CP. After a third loss, its motivation drops to zero, and the Pokemon is knocked out of the gym.
Can a gym be removed in Pokemon go?
Yes, a PokéStop or Gym can be removed. You can submit a request for review if you believe a location is inappropriate or unsafe.
Do you get 100 coins if your Pokemon is in a gym for 2 days?
No, the maximum you can get is 50 coins per day. If your Pokémon is in a gym for two days, you will not receive 100 coins total.
Do gym Pokemon lose health over time?
Yes, gym Pokémon lose health (CP) over time due to motivation decay. Regular berry feeding is essential to counteract this.
Can I force a Pokemon to return from a gym?
No, you cannot force a Pokémon to return from a gym. It will return only when its motivation reaches zero or it is defeated by an opposing trainer.
What happens if your Pokémon stays in a gym for 24 hours?
If your Pokémon stays in a gym for 24 hours, it will continue to defend, but you will only accrue 50 PokéCoins assuming it is knocked out after that duration.
Why did my Pokémon returned without coins?
If your Pokémon returns without coins, it means it either had zero CP when it was knocked out or you had already reached the 50 PokéCoin daily limit.
Why do players put low CP Pokémon in Gyms?
While it might seem counterintuitive, some players put low CP Pokémon in gyms as “fodder,” hoping opponents will have to battle them multiple times, causing annoyance and potentially deterring them from fully taking over the gym.
This comprehensive understanding of gym mechanics, motivation, and the PokéCoin reward system is crucial for optimizing your gym defense strategy in Pokémon GO. Remember to leverage location, team dynamics, and consistent berry feeding to maximize your rewards and contribute to your team’s success.
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