Understanding the Limits of Pokémon Gyms in Pokémon GO: A Trainer’s Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
So, you’re diving into the world of Pokémon GO and want to understand the intricacies of Gyms? Excellent! Gyms are a cornerstone of the game, a place for battle, strategy, and earning precious PokéCoins. But, like any good game mechanic, they operate within specific limits. Let’s break it all down.
The Limit: Pokémon Gym Capacity and More
In Pokémon GO, the limit of a gym is multifaceted. It’s not just about the number of Pokémon you can put in or the rewards you can reap, but also the rules governing which Pokémon can occupy a Gym simultaneously.
- Gym Defenders: Each Gym can have up to six Pokémon assigned to defend it. These Pokémon are placed by trainers of the Gym’s aligned team (Valor, Mystic, or Instinct) and act as obstacles for opposing teams to overcome.
- Trainer Limit: A trainer can only have one Pokémon per Gym at a time.
- Species Diversity: A Gym can only have one of each species of Pokémon. This means you can’t stack six Blissey in a single Gym, for example. You’ll need a diverse team of defenders!
- Daily PokéCoin Cap: Regardless of how many Pokémon you have defending Gyms or how long they stay there, you can only earn a maximum of 50 PokéCoins per day.
- Gym Placement Limit: Trainers can actively defend a maximum of 20 Gyms at any one time.
- Gym Spin Limit: The maximum number of Pokéstops, including Gyms, that you can spin within a 24 hour period is 1200.
In short, you’re limited in how many Gyms you can interact with, how many Pokémon can defend each Gym, and how many PokéCoins you can earn daily.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pokémon Gyms
Let’s dive deeper into the mechanics of Pokémon Gyms with these common questions.
Gym Battles and Defenders
-
How many Pokémon can I use to battle in a Gym?
Trainers from an opposing team can challenge the defenders with six of their own Pokémon, in hopes of claiming the Gym for their own team. Strategic team composition is key to victory!
-
What happens if my Pokémon stays in a Gym for 24 hours or longer?
A Pokémon will stay in a Gym until its Motivation hits zero, or until it is knocked out by a trainer from a different team. If you find an unpopular Gym and drop a strong defender with regular berry feeding, your Pokémon could stay there indefinitely.
-
Do Pokémon lose CP in Gyms?
Yes, Pokémon lose CP in Gyms over time. This is due to a mechanic called Motivation. As a Pokémon’s Motivation decreases, its CP temporarily decreases, making it easier for opposing trainers to defeat. You can replenish a Pokémon’s Motivation by feeding it berries.
-
Can I remove a Pokémon from a Gym if I want to?
No, you cannot manually remove a Pokémon from a Gym once you’ve placed it. You must wait until it’s knocked out by another player or until it runs out of motivation entirely. This adds a strategic element to Gym placement.
-
Do Pokémon get stronger defending Gyms?
No, Pokémon don’t gain CP or become stronger while defending Gyms. Successfully training at a Gym raises the Gym’s “prestige”, which consequentially, the Gym’s level. The only way to increase the CP of your Pokémon is by using Stardust to power them up or evolve them.
Earning PokéCoins
-
How do I earn PokéCoins from Gyms?
By placing a Pokémon in a Gym, you’ll earn the Defender Bonus: 1 PokéCoin per 10 minutes that it stays there. The PokéCoins are automatically claimed when your Pokémon returns to you.
-
How many hours does my Pokémon need to be in a Gym to earn 50 PokéCoins?
To earn the daily maximum of 50 PokéCoins, your Pokémon needs to be in the Gym for approximately 8 hours and 20 minutes.
-
Do I get 100 PokéCoins if my Pokémon stays in a Gym for two days?
No, there’s a cap of 50 PokéCoins per day, regardless of how long your Pokémon has been defending the Gym. If your Pokémon remains in the Gym at the end of the day, you won’t earn any PokéCoins until it returns. The coins are awarded upon return, subject to the daily cap.
-
Why did I only get 50 PokéCoins for defending a Gym for a week?
The maximum bonus for the day is still limited to 50 PokéCoins. You can see which Pokémon are currently defending Gyms and how many PokéCoins you have earned in a day by looking at the Today View in the game.
-
How do I effectively farm PokéCoins?
Taking and holding Gyms is the primary way to earn PokéCoins. Find Gyms and either take them down or fortify them so you can put your Pokémon there. Remember the 50 PokéCoin daily limit!
Gym Badges and Benefits
-
What are Gym Badges, and why are they important?
Gym Badges are a record of your interaction with specific Gyms. They have four tiers: Basic, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. As you interact more with a Gym, you’ll unlock new tiers. Badges earn you bonus items when spinning the Photo Disc.
-
What does a Gold Gym Badge do?
Leveling up your local Gym to a Gold badge creates a dedicated stop for bonus items, as well as increasing your chance for more rewards from Raids.
Gym Strategy
-
Why would someone leave weak Pokémon in Gyms?
Even a weak Pokémon will earn a few coins and points toward Gym Badges. Some players strategically leave Pokémon they plan to transfer, earning a small benefit without using valuable revives or potions.
-
How long should I aim to hold a Gym?
After 8 hours and 20 minutes in a Gym, a Pokémon has accrued 50 coins and can never accrue more for that day. But the trainer does not get the coins until the Pokémon is ejected from the Gym, and even then the coins may do no good if the trainer has already received 50 coins from other Gyms that day. Holding a gym longer doesn’t yield additional coins beyond that point for that day.
-
Do Pokémon decay in Gyms?
Yes, Pokémon decay in Gyms. For Pokémon 2999CP or less, they decay at 1% per hour. From this data, we can at least say that around 2300CP and greater, the decay rate is around 10%. Pokemon below 2300CP will lose less CP over time, and therefore will hold a gym longer assuming no attackers.
The Strategic Trainer: Mastering the Gym Game
Understanding these limits and mechanics allows you to be a more strategic Pokémon GO player. You can maximize your PokéCoin earnings, optimize your Gym defense strategy, and efficiently level up your Gym Badges.
Remember that Pokémon GO is a dynamic game. Niantic is always tweaking and updating features, so keep an eye on official announcements for any changes to Gym mechanics.
Want to explore the educational side of gaming? Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for insights into how games can be used for learning and development. Games Learning Society
Happy battling, and may your Pokémon always return with a full 50 PokéCoins (when applicable)!