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pokemon go, nintendo, level cap, incense

Pokemon GO Gym Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Here's a full rundown on Pokemon GO's Gym system.
This article is over 8 years old and may contain outdated information

Have you got to a Gym in Pokemon GO and been somewhat lost in all of its features? Don’t worry, let us run you through every last thing you need to know.

When you reach level 5 in Pokemon GO you’re given the ability to start battling at Gyms. It’s at this point that you’ll have to make a decision. Which team should you join to help in their bid for world domination of Gyms?

For those who are unaware, there are three different teams to choose from in Pokemon GO: Instinct, Mystic, and Valor, otherwise known as Yellow, Blue, and Red respectively. There’s no benefit to joining one over the other, so choose based on personal preference. this is the ultimate battling guide

Prestige is a score displayed by each Gym. It represents the collective CP or ‘Combat Points’ of the Pokemon defending that Gym. The higher the Prestige, the more difficult the Gym will be to defeat.

Winning battles against the Gym’s Pokemon will lower Prestige, and once it hits zero, you essentially boot the current team out of that Gym. Now you know what is a manageable target, it’s time to get fighting. Need a guide? here’s how to take over and win battles at them

To take on a Gym, you’re given the choice of taking six Pokemon with you. You’ll want to take your six Pokemon with the highest CP levels. Then, let the battle begin.

To attack, all you have to do is tap on the enemy Pokemon. A second attack gets charged up as the fight progresses and you continue to land your attacks. This can later be released by holding down on the screen when the power bar is full.

Once you’ve defeated a Gym you can claim it for your own team. In order to leave a Pokemon at the Gym, look for the little icon in the bottom left-hand of the screen. Tap this and then select the Pokemon you want to help defend it.

If you want your Pokemon to reign supreme at the Gym and become the Gym leader you’ll need to do one really simple thing- have the Pokemon with the highest CP at the Gym.

Do this one thing and you’ll immediately be crowned as leader of the Gym meaning that opponents will have to get through any Pokemon prior to yours before they can even lay a finger on it. It’s a good feeling being the very best.

Gyms aren’t just a way to show off to other players, they grant you rewards as well. here’s a guide to how to use gyms

For every 21 hours your Pokemon holds its place at the Gym you’ll earn 500 Stardust and 10 PokeCoins. Not too shabby at all.

Sometimes you may find that you’re only able to battle with one Pokemon. This happens when you may have started a battle at a Gym that your team already controls.

You can still attack a Gym of the same color, but you’ll find it much harder with only one Pokemon to take on multiple opponents.

For more tips, tricks, and guides, be sure to check out our Ultimate Pokemon GO Guide.

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Chris Jecks
Chris Jecks has been covering the games industry for over eight years. He typically covers new releases, FIFA, Fortnite, any good shooters, and loves nothing more than a good Pro Clubs session with the lads. Chris has a History degree from the University of Central Lancashire. He spends his days eagerly awaiting the release of BioShock 4.