So many of us have forgotten how important Pokemon types are. I covered why you need to be aware of them & plan ahead in my previous article on winning gym battles.

Today we are expanding on that knowledge by showing you some Gym Battle Tips.​ 

Preparing for Battle

Approaching the Level 3 Team Mystic Gym

Before you start a gym battle, make sure you have enough resources to last through your battling.

Common problems include:

• Not Enough Revives/Potions
• Pokemon CP Level is too low
• Picking the wrong Pokemon type

To avoid these issues, make sure you tap on the Gym to see what Pokemon you will be going up against. Keep swiping left to see all the Pokemon defending the gym.

You face Pokemon in order of Combat Power (CP). Every time you beat a Pokemon, you than face a harder one.

Here's a look at the Level 3 "Team Mystic" Gym's lineup:​

Brown Memorial Gym Level 3 owned by Team Mystic

In order to defeat this gym, you need to keep in mind the Pokemon types. When you start a battle, you don't have time for much of anything else. 

Choosing Your Lineup

Being mindful of the 6 Pokemon you choose can be the difference between a win and a loss.

Now that I've showed you what we're up against, here are the six Pokemon I selected to do battle:

Thunder & Lightning ( Jolteon x2 )

Knowing the first Pokemon I will be facing is a water type, I picked my two electric type Pokemon, both Jolteons; to do the deed.

Double stacking my Jolteons back to back ensures I will be able to defeat the higher level Vaporeon (1018 CP).

When the battle is 6 vs 3, I like my odds of winning.

The MockingJays ( Pidgeot x2 )

Next on the list will be my highest CP Pokemon, two Pidgeots.

Even though I will be going up against a CP 1089 Hypno, my colorless Pokemon should be able to make it through.​

​Normal vs Psychic  = normal damage

​

Vaporeon

By now, I should have defeated Hypno with my other Pokemon.

If I have battled well, my Vaporeon should be at full health or even waiting to be called.

Going up against a 1454 CP Flareon is no joke though.

Even though my Vaporeon does double damage, I need to have a backup.

Taurus

Not my best option, but Taurus is only here as my backup. 

The most important thing I can do in picking a backup is to make sure I'm not choosing the wrong Pokemon type.

Normal vs Fire = normal damage​

Doing Battle

When it comes to Pokemon Go Gym Battles, you will need to have a quick reaction time.

You can attack by tapping on the other Pokemon, and dodge attacks by swiping left or right with the right timing.​

I was hitting Vaporeon with enough agility that it was losing CP pretty fast. I knew I was close to the kill.​

As it turns out, I chose the right Pokemon to battle with from the start.

Vaporeon was able to deal massive damage to Flareon even though it was more than 500 CP lower.

Connecting on the Special Attack was crucial to taking down Flareon.

Taking Down The Gym

It took me 5 battles with the gym to knock the prestige down (I missed the 1st screenshot). 

Here's the breakdown of Gym prestige lost over time:

​Whether you are just starting your Pokemon Go adventure or already a seasoned vet, understanding Pokemon types and how they work is essential.

Here is the Pokemon Types Chart for 1st Gen Pokemon:

For More Pokemon Go Tips, Tricks & Battle Advice

Be sure to follow us on Instagram & Like us on Facebook to keep up to date for more advanced Pokemon Go Tips, Tricks & Battle Guides.

Oh ya, I forgot to mention......​

Go Team Valor

Calling all Pokemon Trainers! Calling all Pokemon Trainers!

It's officially been 2 weeks since the US rollout of the ridiculously popular Pokemon Go, and competition is already starting to amp up.

​We keep hearing reports of the local gyms becoming harder to take over on your own, as people have started to understand the role TEAMS play in the gym battles.

If you're still on the fence, we're giving you our 5 best tips to win your first gym battle:

1. Level Up Your Trainer

First off, you must be level 5 to choose a team (instinct, mystic, valor).

Once you have chosen a team, you are than allowed to battle at gyms. You can battle with up to 6 different pokemon.

The "Gym Level" tells you how many defending Pokemon you will have to defeat in order to get a "win".​

Each level adds another Pokemon to the gym. Playing in pairs on the same team makes it easier to take over your local gyms.

It will become increasingly difficult to take over a gym unless your pokemon have some lasting Combat Power (CP).

Leveling up your Pokemon to match the gym's defending Pokemon is the first crucial step you should take before doing your first battle.​

2. Understand Pokemon Types

Stop and stare at the picture above for a moment. Screenshot it if you have too. In order to win your first gym battle your gonna have to go back to the basics. 

Keep in mind you will need to play to your strengths and choose Pokemon that will ultimately be at a disadvantage to the gym owners. Below is an example:

Do more damage (Super Effective)

OR​

Receive Less Damage (Resistance)​

Thankfully, if you're a 90's kid; nostalgia will treat you for recalling a Flareon's weakness.

All joking aside, this is an absolute fundamental thing you need to know about in Pokemon Go. You won't win without it.​

3. Tap Those Thumbs

Unlike the original Pokemon games, the battle style within Pokemon Go is fast paced button tapping & finger swiping.

In order to win alot of gyms, you're going to need a quick trigger. 

You will want to make sure your Pokemon has a strong Combat Power (CP), as well as a high Special ATTACK. ​

How To Use Your Special Attack

When you fill your special attack bar (displayed in light blue) all the way up, you will activate your Special Attack.

In order to use your special attack, you will need to hold down the screen on the Pokemon you are attacking until the charge meter fills up (1-2 seconds).

Once it's charged, tap the opposing Pokemon again and your screen should go into a "widescreen effect" initiating your special attack.

4. Don't Forget To Dodge

Besides tapping away at your phone screen to attack, you will have to learn the art of dodging attacks if you want to increase your chances at winning battles.

If you truly want to be a #PokemonMaster, you're going to have to learn to dodge.

Getting Fried by Jolteon's Thunder

Dodging is as simple as swiping left or right as watching when the opposing Pokemons' attack animation goes through.

When we tried it out for the first time with Weepingbell, we didn't seem to get the hang of it. 

​It takes more concentration than you might think when you're first starting out.​ 

5. Keep Battling 

Perseverance is key. If you want to take down a gym, you're gonna have to start somewhere.

Keep battling and experimenting with different Pokemon lineups until your squad comes out victorious!​

Once you have won a gym battle, you will be rewarded XP and subsequently knock down that gyms prestige to a lower level.

This is the first step to taking over the gym for your team.

For More Pokemon Tips & Tricks

Be sure to follow us on Instagram & Like our page on Facebook to keep up to date for more advanced Pokemon Go Tips, Tricks & Battle Guides.

Oh ya, I almost forgot to mention.......

GO TEAM VALOR

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