8 Hours and ‘Bad Manners’ is All it Took for One Pokemon Go Player to Enact a Petty and Valid Revenge

Unwritten rules and rivalries inside Pokémon GO's Gym that might surprise you.

Pokemon Go, Pikachu, Charmander and Squirtle

SUMMARY

  • A Pokémon GO trainer faced backlash for defying an unwritten 8-hour courtesy rule at a Gym.
  • 2. The backlash revealed a split between supporters of competitive gameplay and advocates of mutual respect.
  • 3. This incident highlighted the tension between community norms and the game's mechanics that don’t have a simple solution.
Show More
Featured Video

Gyms are strategically placed areas of interest that Pokémon trainers try to take ownership of. Control over gyms is a heated affair in the world of Pokémon GO that trainers don’t take lightly.

Advertisement

Recently, a post on Reddit revealed an intense and petty showdown over Gym etiquette, sparking a row about unwritten rules and player behavior. How did that simple Gym tussle escalate into a sort of personal vendetta that the trainer had to purge out over the internet?

The Petty Tussle for PokéCoins

Pokemon GO Gym controls
Pokemon GO players get in regular tussles over Gym controls. Image Credit: Niantic

The initial takeover was straightforward: a trainer found a Gym with Pokémon that had been defending for 23 hours. Seeing an opportunity, he battled and claimed the Gym. However, his Pokémon was ousted within 15 minutes by another player, leading to a heated exchange.

Advertisement

Pokémon GO players are frustrated with Elite Raids. The level 31 rival accused him of not allowing Pokémon to stay in the Gym for a full 8 hours. This unwritten rule is often cited among players as a courtesy to allow others to earn their maximum daily PokéCoins.

The former retorted, questioning why this unwritten rule should apply only to them, highlighting the rival’s own failure to adhere to the same standard. Feeling wronged by the encounter, the trainer decided to defend himself aggressively.

However, this act of retaliation opened up a row about the ethics of Gym ownership and access. The discussion was divided. Some users supported the trainer’s actions, citing the rival’s hypocrisy.

Advertisement
Comment
byu/Majik518 from discussion
inpokemongo

Other Pokemon Go players sympathized with the rival player, advocating for a more courteous approach to Gym battles. Gyms play a crucial role for players aiming to earn PokéCoins, which can be used for various in-game purchases.

Comment
byu/Majik518 from discussion
inpokemongo

Gyms can hold up to six Pokémon, and controlling a Gym involves keeping those Pokémon motivated. This motivation decreases over time and with each defeat in battle, requiring players to feed their Pokémon berries to keep them strong.

Courtesy or Competition in Pokémon GO?

Pokemon in Pokemon Go
Niantic needs to revamp the coin system of gyms. Image Credit: Niantic

The expectation to leave Pokémon in Gyms for a reasonable amount of time, often cited as 8 hours, is not enforced by the game but is a widely recognized community norm.

Advertisement

These norms, while not codified within the game’s mechanics, help maintain a level of respect and fairness among players. A simple trick from Niantic can calm the Pokémon GO players.

This incident raises a critical question for the Pokémon GO community: Should players adhere to unwritten rules for the sake of courtesy, or should they focus purely on the competitive mechanics of the game?

Balancing mutual respect with strategic gameplay is essential for a harmonious gaming experience. What’s your take on this Pokémon GO player’s actions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Advertisement
Avatar

Written by Arkaneel Khan

Articles Published: 165

I travel. I game. I write. In no strict order.

The single biggest lie told all around is, "It isn't that simple." It is simple, everything is. And that is what I emulate in my writing. No unnecessary jargons and no flamboyant flourish. Just what's needed to get your imagination going. After all mind has no limit, unlike the written word.