Pokemon Go iOS/Android

[Huntn]

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Based on my Grandson's enthusiasm (he has been visiting) and a game that encourages walking, I downloaded and started capturing pokemons. The game is free to play, but up front I'll say it is pay to win.

You venture out in the real world to find Pokemons most numerous at Poke-stops. The game synchronizes with map providers to designate real world locations as highly probably areas to find pokemons. You start out with 50 balls used to capture these little creatures. At first all seems well with the world of Pokemon, as long as you don't wreck your car trying to capture them , until you run short on balls. They can be refreshed by visiting a poke-stop and spinning the icon, but it can take 1-7 balls to capture them, so this becomes an issue without spending $.* $1 buys 20 balls, that is unless you have the patience to go collect balls. While items can be earned in game slowly, $ buys you balls, incense (to attract Pokemons), eggs, and revive crystals (when your Pokemons get knocked out in the gym), etc.

The gym is where the action is having your Pokemon battle other players to take over a specific gym, physical location, so you can only interact with gyms near your physical location, which means you might have to walk or even hop into your car. Gym ownership grants in-game advantages including coins. I thought I was doing well when I evolved my top Pokemon to L256 until I spotted a gym owned by a L926! Oh well, I'll see how this goes. We are visiting relatives and there is a gym right by my house. When I get home, I'll see what is what and report back.

*Update- plenty of balls are available through local Poke Stops. If you are actively visiting Poke Stops, you get what you need to play the game.

 

[keysofanxiety]

During their lunch break today, two of my colleagues left the office for 30 minutes to beat a gym.

Seems to be getting pretty popular.

(oh, and the plural of Pokemon is Pokemon! Just so you've got the lingo down )

 

[PracticalMac]

A REAL warning,

It is possible for muggers and predators to set up locations to attract and attack inattentive people!

Was on ABC this morning, has not happened, but something to be aware of.

 

[Huntn]

A REAL warning,

It is possible for muggers and predators to set up locations to attract and attack inattentive people!

Was on ABC this morning, has not happened, but something to be aware of.

I just read this, this morning. There are certain stops that are going to be safe, I've seen many in neighborhoods.

 

[Gjwilly]

You start out with 50 balls used to capture these little creatures. At first all seems well with the world of Pokemon, as long as you don't wreck your car trying to capture them , until you run short on balls. They can be refreshed by visiting a poke-stop and spinning the icon, but it can take 1-7 balls to capture them, so this becomes an issue without spending $$

1-7 my ass!
Took me almost 20 on that damn flying bat!

 

[Mlrollin91]

1-7 my ass!
Took me almost 20 on that damn flying bat!

You need to adjust your aim! The most I have ever used on a Pokemon was 6 and that was for a CP 471 Pidgeot!

Its about time video games get kids up and out of the house (as long as they are smart about it). I have walked 20+ miles since Thursday. Definitely helping my Apple Watch goals.

 

[Huntn]

1-7 my ass!
Took me almost 20 on that damn flying bat!

I've educated myself on this game a bit and altered the title name, removing the "Warning". It maybe still be pay to win, but until after reading the following links, I did not know that balls can be recovered! Yes, click on the ball that misses to recover it. Now how hard or easy is that? Depends I think. I have yet to try it.. However, I'm kinda aggravated I wasted so many balls. (You start out with 50.)

Things Pokemon Go Don't Tell You

The Complete Guide To Pokemon Go [Updated]

Pokemon Master: 8 Advanced Tips


[doublepost=1468272300][/doublepost]I'll be honest and and say I have not read all of the content in the above links. So first questions:

* In a Blue Gym, do Blue Team members fight each other to take over a slot in the Gym? I've read the offical FAQ, but it is curiously lacking in info.
* Taking over a Hostile Gym- My understanding is that you must defeat all the occupants of that gym to turn it. Does this mean that multiple team members can sequentially fight a hostile gym until it is defeated?

Thanks!

 

[Huntn]

I've educated myself on this game a bit and altered the title name, removing the "Warning". It maybe still be pay to win, but until after reading the following links, I did not know that balls can be recovered! Yes, click on the ball that misses to recover it. Now how hard or easy is that? Depends I think. I have yet to try it.. However, I'm kinda aggravated I wasted so many balls. (You start out with 50.)

Things Pokemon Go Don't Tell You

The Complete Guide To Pokemon Go [Updated]

Pokemon Master: 8 Advanced Tips
[doublepost=1468272300][/doublepost]I'll be honest and and say I have not read all of the content in the above links. So first questions:

* In a Blue Gym, do Blue Team members fight each other to take over a slot in the Gym? I've read the offical FAQ, but it is curiously lacking in info.
* Taking over a Hostile Gym- My understanding is that you must defeat all the occupants of that gym to turn it. Does this mean that multiple team members can sequentially fight a hostile gym until it is defeated?

Thanks!

Pokemon = P
Overnight, the gym across the street from me switched from a L7 Blue Gym to a L3 Yellow Gym. While it was still Blue I fought a couple of battles as Blue and the mechanics of the Gym are questionable. When you fight someone in a friendly gym, I'm not sure if you have to start at the bottom, fighting the lowest P in that gym, but that's what I did and I won the first round, but then it went on to the second round and I lost to a higher level P. My logic would say that if I beat a P in a friendly gym, I should gain a slot kicking out the defeated P. But that did not happen.

Someone tell me if I'm wrong, it appears that fighting in a friendly gym raises its reputation and eventually it's level so that another slot can be added (new slot with each level). What happens if you defeat all members in a friendly gym, are they all tossed, does the gym retain its level, or do you replace a friendly team member?

 

[Huntn]

Strategy Post

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Image link
Page Link​

 

[Mercifull]

I'm enjoying it so far but there's a lot lacking.

The tracking system in particular it really awkward. It would be nice if there was some better indication you were going the direct direction when trying to find a pokemon. We're searching in a three dimensional space its not just a line where if you go too far one way you just turn around and walk where you came from.

The character customisation is pants.

The avatar is too large on the map. It needs to be made smaller it looks really awkward being so large against the scale of the map.

The map seems to be clever enough to know what's a building and what's forest/park or water etc but its all very flat. It would be pretty cool if there was more spites like trees or the buildings were 3d and raised up a little more

I want to be able to zoom father out the map to pan around the town. I want to be able to select a location to generate a waypoint so I can walk there like a vehicle GPS

A friend system would be brilliant. I could chat to them within the app or if they are actively playing maybe their location/avatar shows up on the map as well so i don't feel like I'm all alone.

There should be more opportunity to battle pokemon outside of gyms. Maybe when battling another person it reverts to the more traditional pokemon turn based attacks?

 

[Huntn]

I'm enjoying it so far but there's a lot lacking.

The tracking system in particular it really awkward. It would be nice if there was some better indication you were going the direct direction when trying to find a pokemon. We're searching in a three dimensional space its not just a line where if you go too far one way you just turn around and walk where you came from.

The character customisation is pants.

The avatar is too large on the map. It needs to be made smaller it looks really awkward being so large against the scale of the map.

The map seems to be clever enough to know what's a building and what's forest/park or water etc but its all very flat. It would be pretty cool if there was more spites like trees or the buildings were 3d and raised up a little more

I want to be able to zoom father out the map to pan around the town. I want to be able to select a location to generate a waypoint so I can walk there like a vehicle GPS

A friend system would be brilliant. I could chat to them within the app or if they are actively playing maybe their location/avatar shows up on the map as well so i don't feel like I'm all alone.

There should be more opportunity to battle pokemon outside of gyms. Maybe when battling another person it reverts to the more traditional pokemon turn based attacks?

A friend system or local team friend system is a must. I have a gym across the street. You must be within about 15 of a gym to interact with it. In the time I've been monitoring it, it changes hands daily. Since multiple people attacking a gym is needed often to conquer a gym, a friend system for coordination would be very helpful. The killer is 99% of the players must leave their homes to participate.

We went out last night driving around the neighborhood, picking a neighborhood park that had two Poke Stops within 15' of each other. We put a lure on each stop and popped incense and the Pokemon started flowing in. There was a group of kids there scooping Pokemon with us. (Everyone in the vicinity of a Stop benefits from a lure.)

When I realized the number of Poke Stops and gyms, I realized how massive this game is sucking down data over cellular networks. My neighborhood (I'm estimating) in a 5x5 mile area probably has 100-200 Poke Stops and Gyms. Most of these locations are either at churches, restaurants, park benches, grocery stores, and a significant number at walking path signs.

It would be interesting to know who's this network of stops was established, they each have a picture that looks more customized than geodata would provide, like a walking path sign. My neighborhood has a network of paved walking paths. I have to wonder if these stops were hand picked or determined by geodata? If you are playing this game and very luck, you can access a gym from your house, otherwise, you have to leave your house to interact with it, although you can capture Pokemon anywhere.

One thing I noticed driving around, there were people hanging out at most Poke Stops along with cars parked, with people interacting with gyms. This was most apparent with a gym in a neighborhood with several cars parked, brake lights on, pulled to the side of the street. There is a fake story floating around the internet about a driver causing a huge accident when he stopped on a highway, but I could easily see accidents, trying to spin a Poke Stop (get rewards) or worse yet try to capture a Pokemon while driving.

My Grandson is about to leave (he's visiting from out of town). Will I continue to make Poke Stops? That remains to be seen.
[doublepost=1468415757][/doublepost]

1-7 my ass!
Took me almost 20 on that damn flying bat!

You need to adjust your aim! The most I have ever used on a Pokemon was 6 and that was for a CP 471 Pidgeot!

Its about time video games get kids up and out of the house (as long as they are smart about it). I have walked 20+ miles since Thursday. Definitely helping my Apple Watch goals.

At L10 (me), the highest base Pokemon I've seen is a L466 Pincer, which I could not catch, despite 5 captures and using 2 raspberries, probably 12-15 balls, he escaped. Starting with a L197 Eve, after evolving it and powering it up, my highest Pokemon is a CP806 Vaporeon.

Does anyone know how long the effect of a raspberry lasts, a single throw or multiple throws?

 

[Mlrollin91]

A friend system or local team friend system is a must. I have a gym across the street. You must be within about 15 of a gym to interact with it. In the time I've been monitoring it, it changes hands daily. Since multiple people attacking a gym is needed often to conquer a gym, a friend system for coordination would be very helpful. The killer is 99% of the players must leave their homes to participate.

We went out last night driving around the neighborhood, picking a neighborhood park that had two Poke Stops within 15' of each other. We put a lure on each stop and popped incense and the Pokemon started flowing in. There was a group of kids there scooping Pokemon with us. (Everyone in the vicinity of a Stop benefits from a lure.)

When I realized the number of Poke Stops and gyms, I realized how massive this game is sucking down data over cellular networks. My neighborhood (I'm estimating) in a 5x5 mile radius probably has 100-200 Poke Stops and Gyms. Most of these locations are either at churches, restaurants, park benches, grocery stores, and a significant number at walking path signs.

It would be interesting to know who's this network of stops was established, they each have a picture that looks more customized than geodata would provide, like a walking path sign. My neighborhood has a network of paved walking paths. I have to wonder if these stops were hand picked or determined by geodata? If you are playing this game and very luck, you can access a gym from your house, otherwise, you have to leave your house to interact with it, although you can capture Pokemon anywhere.

One thing I noticed driving around, there were people hanging out at most Poke Stops along with cars parked, with people interacting with gyms. This was most apparent with a gym in a neighborhood with several cars parked, brake lights on, pulled to the side of the street. There is a fake story floating around the internet about a driver causing a huge accident when he stopped on a highway, but I could easily see accidents, trying to spin a Poke Stop (get rewards) or worse yet try to capture a Pokemon while driving.

My Grandson is about to leave (he's visiting from out of town). Will I continue to make Poke Stops? That remains to be seen.
[doublepost=1468415757][/doublepost]



At L10 (me), the highest base Pokemon I've seen is a L466 Pincer, which I could not catch, despite 5 captures and using 2 raspberries, probably 12-15 balls, he escaped. Starting with a L197 Eve, after evolving it and powering it up, my highest Pokemon is a CP806 Vaporeon.

Does anyone know how long the effect of a raspberry lasts, a single throw or multiple throws?

Single throw. So every time it escapes, give it another berry.

 

[Huntn]

Single throw. So every time it escapes, give it another berry.

Thanks. You seem knowledgeable, I assume a lure and incense stack?

 

[Mlrollin91]

Thanks. You seem knowledgeable, I assume a lure and incense stack?

I typically done use an incense when sitting around. So because I'm sitting at a stop when I lure, I don't feel the incense works that well. When I'm walking around, the incense seems to be really effective.

 

[Huntn]

Strategy Post

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My experience is that you will collect a multitude of Pidgeys and Rats, but online guides indicate that you want to collect everything based on the XP and the dust you get (used to power up pets). I would agree with this. You transfer the low level critters to The Professor for candy, used to evolve the Pokemon that are able to be evolved.

My suggestion is this, unless you live in a location where low level gyms abound, do not start evolving Pokemon (using the large quantity of collected resources it takes) until you are L10 and start collecting approximately or >CP200 critters. It's just not worth evolving low level Pokemon. They will not be competitive at gyms.
[doublepost=1468419708][/doublepost]

I typically done use an incense when sitting around. So because I'm sitting at a stop when I lure, I don't feel the incense works that well. When I'm walking around, the incense seems to be really effective.

It's hard to evaluate the combined effect of a lure and incense. You may be right though.

 

[Huntn]

Is there a way to actively defend a gym?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

So what do you actually do in the game? You find pokemon and catch them, then go to a gym and battle an AI, and that's it?

 

[gkarris]

This belongs in the iOS Apps thread, not PC/Mac Gaming...

 

[Huntn]

So what do you actually do in the game? You find pokemon and catch them, then go to a gym and battle an AI, and that's it?

No, not exactly.

You run across Pokemon out in the real world, you grind for hours collecting them, gaining XP, collecting stardust, and leveling up. Capturing a Pokemon, consists of flicking Poke Balls at them until you bonk them on the head. Balls are replenished by visiting Poke Stops and spinning the icon to receive a variety of goodies, including Poke Balls. Poke Stops replenish every 5 min or so.

Pokemon have HP (hit points) and attack power that combines into a single term called CP (combat power). You turn in (transfer) low level Pokemon to the Professor to gain Poke-specific candy used to evolve your Pokemon. You evolve your Pokemon raising their HP and you use stardust to power up your Pokemon. These are permanent buffs (as far as I can tell). In other words CP does not fade.

As you level up, the level of Pokemon encountered in the wilds increases.

You can take possession of a gym, where you can train your Pokemon, but as far as I can tell, they don't gain levels by fighting. I could be wrong about this. I know that you the player (called trainer) gains XP, while raising the level (reputation) of the gym so more members of your team (blue, red, or yellow) can place Pokemon there, making the gym harder for different color teams to defeat.

A gym fight consists of rapidly tapping your screen, swiping left and right to dodge attacks (mostly luck), and holding down on the screen momentarily to execute a special attack (enabled after combat meter fills).

If you train at a gym not owned by your team and win matches, you lower the reputation of the gym until it is defeated and turns neutral ejecting current occupants. Then you can take possession of the gym, turning it to your color. Ownership of the gym over time, gives benefits to occupants, coins and other stuff.

As far as I can tell, you never directly fight another player. When you fight , you control your Pokemon, and AI controls the Pokemon in the gym you are fighting, (that belongs to another player). I don't know what can be done as the member of a gym to counter an attack from a different team. Note, if you are attacking your own gym, these counts as practise matches that raise the level/reputation of a gym allowing for more of the same colored team members to place a Pokemon in the gym. A L7 gym can hold 7 occupants of the same color as the gym.

I've been playing for a week and acknowledge its grindy nature, while recognizing it's never ending. The gym across the street changes hands several times a day. The biggest aspect of this game is that for the most part, you must leave your home to play. The only end game I see is collecting all the Pokemon and bragging rights about having the highest level.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Yeah, that does sound a bit repetitive.. Thanks for the in depth explanation though. A like for you sir.

So what's the general attraction, since it sounds a bit shallow? I get the fun of fighting it out over gyms, and finding random pokemon in museums, but it sounds as if the fun will be over in 14 days time? Is it just Pokemon nostalgia mostly?

 

[Teon]

Excellent opportunity for criminals to lure victims.

 

[Huntn]

Yeah, that does sound a bit repetitive.. Thanks for the in depth explanation though. A like for you sir.

So what's the general attraction, since it sounds a bit shallow? I get the fun of fighting it out over gyms, and finding random pokemon in museums, but it sounds as if the fun will be over in 14 days time? Is it just Pokemon nostalgia mostly?

After doing the routine for about 10 days, I think I got it and in the process of talking myself out of this game.
1. It's a time sink.
2. Unless you are lucky enough to have a gym in front of your house (some people do) it requires jaunts to the local gym and always requires daily trips to the local Poke Stops for tools of the trade.
3. There is no direct PVP.
4. Controlling a gym seems to be the end all, be all along with having the top level Pokemon(s).

That said, if you look at this game as something to do while on a walk, and your goal is to collect all the Pokemon at your pace, then maybe. It's a good incentive to get out and walk. I was driving by a park last night with 2 Poke Stops together, both had lures on them and there was a crowd of people there, some parked in their cars, others on foot. This is like a phenomena. Everywhere I go now, I see people hanging out at Poke Stops, every person that walks by seems to be staring at their phones, and I imagine are playing Pokemon Go!! Lol. I also suspect that most participants are relying on heavy use of their automobiles for hitting Poke Stops. I know I have been. Walking takes too long. And I can see businesses getting cross with people loitering around their business or church collecting Pokemon.

Game mechanics. Some of this is repeat. When a different team is taking over your gym, they are battling your Pokemons directly while A.I. controls your Pokemon. If there is a gym close by, it maybe too far away to interact with it, but if you can see it on your map, you can still select it and see what's happening. When it's being attacked, it looks like electricity and lighting bolts shooting out of it.

Anyone correct me if I'm wrong, but my impression is that when your gym comes under attack and you are aware of it, the only thing you could do is rush over to the gym, and start practice fights with your own Pokemon. A successful attack from a different team, lowers the gym's reputation, while a practice fight from members of your team raise the gym's reputation. But I've not done this simultaneously with an attack.

The gym I've been interacting with is across the street at a church. When I see action there, I usually wait for the dust to settle, wait for the people to leave and decide whether I want to go over and take it back. A coordinated team of friends will have a distinct advantage.

A L1 gym is very easy to take over if you have a stable of Pokemon, practically no matter how high the owner's Pokemon is. Because the game will pit your top 6 Pokemon against the gym, so lets say the L1 gym is occupied by a single L1000, you would attack it with your top 6, the fights are sequential, and the Pokemon's health between fights does not recover. So, sequentially, you just pummel it until it passes out, and the gym is yours. For a L7 gym (7 occupants) and I'm sure if you'd have to defeat all seven, but you probably do... have to.
[doublepost=1468593314][/doublepost]Taking Over A Gym Question- How do you change your order of battle? When you say you want to take over a hostile gym, a grid of 6 Pokemon appears, can you tap on them to change the order in which they fight? Thanks!

 

[Huntn]

Lol, ok I've come to my senses. It was fun, but it's unsustainable and can be easily made into a substantial time sink. I may break it out for future walks, but the spell has been broken... Back to Fallout 4 lol.

 

[ChrisTX]

Honestly I've given up on most gaming but have recently been hooked on Pokemon. There's a hotbed for rare Pokemon near me which has kept my interest alive. I also don't let this get in the way of my priorities like work, family and the gym/running. However if I'm out and about, I'm probably playing!

 

[Huntn]

Strategy Post

Image link
Page Link​

To make use of this chart properly for combat at a gym, you also need a Pokedex App, or a list of all Pokemon, found online, (something like this) because until you capture one, it does not show up in your Pokedex so you may not know the characteristics of the Pokemon you want to fight. I presume that more Pokemon will appear and I have found complete Pokedexs online with 700+Pokemon, so the first list linked may not remain current. Also, you can just wing it and see what works and what does not.