OPINION | GO
Ever since the beginning of Legendary Pokémon's availability in Pokémon GO, they've been banned from defending Gyms. Niantic described this as the extreme loyalty of the Legendary Pokémon making them not wanting to leave their Trainers, but that is clearly an excuse. Niantic was clearly worried about breaking the Gym meta back then, and they were probably right. But with so much time and experience between now and then, would Niantic's fear still come to pass?
The Calculations
Let's face it, the Gym system needs another update. The last rework helped, but it hasn't fixed the problem completely. In the current system, Blissey still reigns supreme. And calculations show that none of the Legendary Pokémon would be more difficult to defeat than it. So why should defenders worse than the current best be banned because of a classification?
Sure, Pokémon like Entei and Latias are powerful, but so are Pokémon like Metagross and Dragonite. A title is no reason to keep them out.
Sure, Pokémon like Entei and Latias are powerful, but so are Pokémon like Metagross and Dragonite. A title is no reason to keep them out.
Defensive Purpose
In 2018, we had the three Legendary Golems cycling through Raids. They caused a very dry Raiding scene because they are considered to be "useless;" There was no incentive to Raid. A similar atmosphere developed around Cresselia's first Raid cycle.
The solution to this problem is clear: Give defensively-focused Legendaries a purpose. Give the players of this game a reason to Raid over and over for a better-IV version and not just a handful of times for the Pokédex. Give players a reason to invest Stardust and Candy into these Pokémon. Trainer Battles have moved the needle somewhat, but allowing defensive Legendaries like Suicune to be Gym defenders would move it even further.
The solution to this problem is clear: Give defensively-focused Legendaries a purpose. Give the players of this game a reason to Raid over and over for a better-IV version and not just a handful of times for the Pokédex. Give players a reason to invest Stardust and Candy into these Pokémon. Trainer Battles have moved the needle somewhat, but allowing defensive Legendaries like Suicune to be Gym defenders would move it even further.
Not Without Restrictions
Now, if Niantic does what we are suggesting here, it wouldn't come without restrictions. Obviously, Niantic wouldn't want Legendaries overrunning Gyms, disadvantaging rural or low-level players even further. Not to mention Niantic is fond of restrictions, so they would understandably limit the feature so it wouldn't be too overpowered.
We suggest limiting each Gym to one Legendary Pokémon defending it. And we also suggest only allowing sub-Legendary Pokémon and (one day) Ultra Beasts to become defenders. Mythical Pokémon are too special, and full-fledged Legendary Pokémon are too mighty to be defenders.
The following Pokémon are classified as "Legendary," and are the main Legendary Pokémon of each generation. Based on our suggested system, these Pokémon would still be barred from Gyms:
The following Pokémon are classified as "sub-Legendary," and therefore would be allowed in Gyms based on our theoretical system:
These are the Mythical Pokémon, which would be banned from Gyms based on our system (excluding Meltan and Melmetal, who are already allowed to be defenders):
There is also a fourth subset of Legendary Pokémon that was introduced in Generation 7: Ultra Beasts. These are strange-looking Pokémon from other worlds. Out of all the Legendary Pokémon, this group seems most likely to be allowed in Gyms. The Ultra Beasts are listed below:
We suggest limiting each Gym to one Legendary Pokémon defending it. And we also suggest only allowing sub-Legendary Pokémon and (one day) Ultra Beasts to become defenders. Mythical Pokémon are too special, and full-fledged Legendary Pokémon are too mighty to be defenders.
The following Pokémon are classified as "Legendary," and are the main Legendary Pokémon of each generation. Based on our suggested system, these Pokémon would still be barred from Gyms:
- Mewtwo
- Lugia
- Ho-Oh
- Kyogre
- Groudon
- Rayquaza
- Dialga
- Palkia
- Giratina
- Reshiram
- Zekrom
- Kyurem
- Xerneas
- Yveltal
- Zygarde
- Cosmog
- Cosmoem
- Solgaleo
- Lunala
- Necrozma
- Zacian
- Zamazenta
The following Pokémon are classified as "sub-Legendary," and therefore would be allowed in Gyms based on our theoretical system:
- Articuno
- Zapdos
- Moltres
- Raikou
- Entei
- Suicune
- Regirock
- Regice
- Registeel
- Latias
- Latios
- Uxie
- Mesprit
- Azelf
- Heatran
- Regigigas
- Cresselia
- Cobalion
- Terrakion
- Virizion
- Tornadus
- Thundurus
- Landorus
- Type: Null
- Silvally
- Tapu Koko
- Tapu Lele
- Tapu Bulu
- Tapu Fini
These are the Mythical Pokémon, which would be banned from Gyms based on our system (excluding Meltan and Melmetal, who are already allowed to be defenders):
- Mew
- Celebi
- Jirachi
- Deoxys
- Phione
- Manaphy
- Darkrai
- Shaymin
- Arceus
- Victini
- Keldeo
- Meloetta
- Genesect
- Diancie
- Hoopa
- Volcanion
- Magearna
- Marshadow
- Zeraora
- Meltan
- Melmetal
There is also a fourth subset of Legendary Pokémon that was introduced in Generation 7: Ultra Beasts. These are strange-looking Pokémon from other worlds. Out of all the Legendary Pokémon, this group seems most likely to be allowed in Gyms. The Ultra Beasts are listed below:
- Nihilego
- Buzzwole
- Pheromosa
- Xurkitree
- Celesteela
- Kartana
- Guzzlord
- Poipole
- Naganadel
- Stakataka
- Blacephalon
Closing Thoughts
When Niantic added Legendary Pokémon in 2017, they were clearly worried what they could do to the Gym metagame as defenders. But we've all grown since then; We've evolved as Trainers. We've gotten new Pokémon, better Pokémon, stronger Pokémon that are more equipped to battle Legendaries. Niantic's solution of just banning Legends from Gyms altogether is now overkill. We are ready to handle at least one sub-Legendary Pokémon in a Gym.
Thanks for reading, Trainers!