In Pokémon GO, conquering gyms is part of everyday life. However, it is a topic that can sometimes cause irritation.
How does it work with gyms? In Pokémon GO, there are three teams: the red, the yellow, and the blue. All trainers join one of these teams at the beginning of the game.
Gyms, in turn, are specific points on the Pokémon GO map, but also in the real world, that can be conquered and defended by these teams. Once a gym is conquered, it takes on the color of the defending team.
Then begins the waiting, because the longer the team can hold the gym, the more coins there are. The maximum limit of coins per day is 50, which is reached after 8 hours in a gym.
Conquering gyms is one of the fundamental mechanics of the game. However, for some trainers, it seems particularly crucial to have dominance in their own neighborhood – a topic that players in the community discuss from time to time.
The most recent example of this is a post from a trainer who reports how his mother has apparently become unpopular with a trainer in the area.
Players report rivalries over gyms
What happened? As a user reports in the Pokémon GO subreddit, his 70-year-old mother has discovered Pokémon GO for herself. The lady enjoys playing since her retirement to get out and has even reached level 46 by now.
Under the name “doonmom,” she is out in the game, conquering the gyms in her vicinity. Recently, however, she noticed something: another trainer, under the name “doonmomFU,” has made it his mission to kick her out of the gym. Apparently, someone has a problem with her frequently conquering the local gym.
Nevertheless, the 70-year-old has apparently made a personal opponent, which she and her child initially took with humor – and also, players in the comments of the post react with jokes. However, some emphasize that they are familiar with the problem.
This is how other players react: Many commentators are particularly amused that someone apparently feels offended by the 70-year-old lady – though it should also be noted that the “opponent” does not necessarily know who is behind the avatar in the game. Nevertheless, players suggest solutions, such as a name change to “DoonmomFUFU.”
Others comment that they also know the “problem” themselves. One player reports about his mother, who is also playing in retirement, and who is now being kicked out of gyms by many players because she would belong to the yellow team – and this, without the gym being occupied by the conquerors afterward.
Others report of “rivalries” in the local community that can be pleasant but sometimes less fun.
“For me, there is a local guy, when I kick him out of ‘his’ gym, he kicks me out of every gym where he can find me. Just me, without taking over the gym,” writes user Swolie7 (via reddit).
Others, however, emphasize that they cannot understand why some players take the gym game so seriously. “People get so angry about their gyms and 50 coins,” comments one (via reddit), “Imagine being so bitter about losing fake money in an online game just to curse other players with a changed username” (via reddit). Another says: “It’s crazy to me how seriously some people take this game. Good for your mother that she handles it with composure (via reddit)”.
Are there other opinions? Some players also advise that the user’s mother should be careful not to hoard
gyms or throw out opposing Pokémon too early. Because some communities have rules for when to take a gym that she might not know. In some, for example, it’s only okay
to take a gym after 8 hours, as that is when the coin limit is reached. However, the user also emphasizes that she does not immediately rush to kick people out of gyms as soon as they have lost, but that there can be days in between.
What do you think about the gym topic? Have you had similar experiences in Pokémon GO? Do you also have a “Pokémon GO enemy” or a gym situation that is comparable? Tell us in the comments! And if you want to read about an alternative way: some players have sworn off team gameplay in the gyms and instead dedicated themselves to “Team Harmony.” What that is, you can read here.
