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.