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Pokémon Go major update will dramatically change how Gyms operate

Massive changes are coming to Pokémon Go‘s Gyms, developer Niantic recently confirmed.

First, players will soon be able to spin a photo disc at a Gym much like they already can at Pokéstops. More importantly, Gym battles will feature “six permanent slots that can be filled by the controlling team’s Pokémon,” Niantic said. “Each Pokémon assigned to these slots must be unique. For example, only one Blissey can be assigned to a Gym at a time. In addition, opposing teams will battle the Pokémon in the order they were assigned to the Gym.”

Pokémon assigned to a Gym must be properly motivated to keep fighting with efficiency — a Berry or two will take care of that.

Players will also be able to earn Gym Badges by interacting with these new-style Gyms. Badges can be levelled up by battling, giving Berries to Pokémon in battles and by spinning Gym Photo Discs.

Finally, a new Raid battle system will be implemented.

“A Raid Battle is a cooperative gameplay experience that encourages you to work with other Trainers to defeat an extremely powerful Pokémon known as the Raid Boss,” Niantic said. “Before a Raid Battle begins, a large Egg will appear atop the Gym. When the countdown above the Egg reaches zero, the Raid Boss will be revealed.”

To battle a Raid Boss, you’ll need a Raid Pass. One Pass is issued to players for visiting a Gym each day, but you can also use real world money to buy more.

Gyms will be taken offline to implement these new changes.

Pokémon Go is available on iOS and Android devices.


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Steve Wright

Steve's the owner of this very site and an active games journalist nearing twenty (TWENTY!?!) years. He's a Canadian-Australian gay gaming geek, ice hockey player and fan. Husband to Matt and cat dad to Wally and Quinn.