So, You Think You Can Beat a Gym Rat? [Part I]

  

Comprehending the fundamentals of Gym Training and Battles in Pokémon GO (PoGO) involves a long path of trial and error…seriously.  Like anything else in this world, a person will devote hours and hundred of thousands of Experience Points (XP) to learn a skill.  To be a great chef, stunning rock star, bold athlete, talented graphic designer, top chess player…to succeed at anything requires commitment, along with much patience and a bag full of rejuvenation supplies to keep on going.

In the Pokémon anime, individuals go out into the world to become Trainers at the age of ten.  Each one start out the same way, catch Pokémon and fighting battles with them.  During the journey, each Trainer travels to different regions developing their own strategies to be successful according to their own goals, specialties, and passions in mind.

For us, PoGO is our augmented reality (AR) game of strategy.  The key to winning is simply managing our resources.  Niantic Labs provided a basic starter guide to help familiarize players with the app, but it still lacks Beginner’s instructions.  To some, this may come as a surprise; however, I presume the reason is that PoGO has a huge social factor which means more engaging elements, challenges, and interaction with others.

PoGO is all about exploring and building.  At Level 25 and an incomplete Pokédex, I see this game has much more potential than just "collecting them all".  Creating a diverse team of Pokémon, powering them up, training, and capturing gyms requires so much of a true Pokémon Trainer. 

I hope this gives a little more perspective on PoGO.  Do you want to be a Pokémon collector?  Do you want to be a Pokémon Trainer?  Alternatively, do you just want to explore and study Pokémon?  It is something to think about because as Professor Oak states in mentorships, “Being a good trainer is a long and complicated process which involves working with each individual Pokémon.”  

Not all Pokémon are created equal; in order to win Battles, Trainers need to learn everything there is about each species.  If it sounds overwhelming and complex, it really is.  PoGO allows Trainers to work towards goals that are compelling, let your Pokémon inspire you to take it further and not quit when things get hard.

Level UP...and Pure Chill

Nine and a half weeks since my very first Poké Diary entry, I finally acquired 710,000 Experience Points (XP).  Everything happened right at that moment – my bag reached its limit at the last Poké Stop, "Kadabra found a candy", my 10-km egg hatched, my Avatar hit the next "Level UP!"…and then I realized at that moment…contentment.

It is the middle of the fall semester.  There is an overload of studying, college projects, full-time work, and familial responsibilities.  I am nowhere near completing my Pokédex or close to Level 30, and Hawai'i still has no access to any regional-locked Pokémon.  However, as the messaged hovered on my screen, “Level up! 25!”  I just stood there, calm, controlled, and at total peace.  Fifteen hours later, I still am not upset about hatching a Pinsir from a 10-km with an Individual Value (IV) of 77.8%.

I shared the news with my close network of Pokémon GO (PoGO) Buddies and we celebrated each of our Trainer accomplishments for the day.  My biggest reward since I began my PoGO adventure is not receiving an overflowing bag full of goodies: 25 Ultra Balls, 20 Max Potions, 15 Revives, 15 Razz Berries, an Incense, a Lucky Egg, another Egg Incubator, and Lure Module; but having such a diverse group of Buddies to share real-life adventures through our virtual fun.

As I continue counting down: T-minus seven weeks until the last final exam for the fall, I am confident all will be well as I continue to work the Black Hole in American society.   Staying afloat in Life’s Abyss comes not from my own resistance, perseverance, or accomplishments, but experiencing moments of positive interaction and growing relationships of people who continue give support and inspire one another each day.  Collaborating and working through conflicts leads to positive experiences for everyone.  There is something to gamified learning and applying to real-life situations.  We benefit greatly and develop into the very best of ourselves by combining ideas and insights from one another.