The ability to switch allegiances within Pokmon GO allows players to align with a different team, impacting gym control and cooperative gameplay. Once a player selects a teamValor, Mystic, or Instinctupon reaching level 5, this choice was initially permanent. However, Niantic introduced a mechanism to change teams under specific circumstances.
Team selection significantly affects the game experience, influencing the types of Pokmon encountered and the strategic approach to gym battles. The opportunity to realign becomes beneficial if a player’s current team is underrepresented in their local area, hindering their ability to participate effectively in gym activities or raids. Historically, the initial lack of a team change feature led to imbalances and frustration among players who regretted their initial selection or relocated to areas dominated by a different team.
The following sections detail the process, requirements, and considerations involved in altering team affiliation within Pokmon GO, providing a comprehensive guide to navigating this feature.
Altering team affiliation in Pokmon GO is a deliberate process with specific stipulations. Strategic planning and awareness of the implications are vital before initiating a team change.
Tip 1: Acquire a Team Medallion: The pivotal element is the Team Medallion, purchasable only from the in-game shop for 1,000 PokCoins. This item is the sole mechanism for initiating a team transfer.
Tip 2: Understand the Cooldown Period: A Team Medallion can be acquired only once every 365 days. Impulsive decisions carry long-term consequences; careful deliberation is essential before finalizing the team change.
Tip 3: Consider Gym Dynamics: Before changing teams, assess the prevailing team composition in local gyms. Joining an underrepresented team may provide increased opportunities for claiming gyms and earning PokCoins.
Tip 4: Evaluate Raid Opportunities: Team allegiance can influence raid participation. Coordinating with friends or local groups on a different team may become more streamlined following a team change.
Tip 5: Analyze Your Pokdex Progress: If focused on the completion of Pokdex challenges related to specific team events, evaluate how a change might affect progress towards those objectives.
Tip 6: Inventory Management: After a team change, all Pokmon remain in the player’s inventory. The team change solely affects gym and raid affiliations, not the Pokmon collection itself.
Tip 7: Time Zone Considerations: The in-game day resets at a specific time. Account for local time zone differences when planning the team change to maximize opportunities for gym interactions immediately following the transition.
Strategic team reassignment offers a chance to enhance gameplay experiences and adjust to shifting local dynamics. Careful consideration of these facets ensures an informed and beneficial decision.
The subsequent section addresses frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of team changes.
1. Team Medallion
The Team Medallion serves as the sole means for a Pokmon GO player to effectuate a change in team allegiance. Understanding its functionalities and limitations is paramount for anyone contemplating such a transition.
- Acquisition and Cost
The Team Medallion is not freely available; it must be purchased from the in-game shop using PokCoins. The cost is fixed at 1,000 PokCoins. This financial barrier necessitates a deliberate evaluation of the benefits versus the expense before proceeding with a team change. This expense discourages frivolous team swapping and maintains a level of stability within team distribution.
- Usage and Cooldown
Upon acquisition, the Team Medallion can be used to initiate the team change process. However, once used, a mandatory cooldown period of 365 days is imposed before another Team Medallion can be purchased. This lengthy cooldown period reinforces the importance of careful consideration before altering team affiliation, highlighting the long-term implications of the decision.
- Gym and Raid Implications
The Team Medallion facilitates changes in gym control dynamics. By switching teams, a player may gain or lose strategic advantages in their local area, impacting their ability to claim gyms and earn PokCoins. Similarly, team reassignment affects raid participation, influencing opportunities to coordinate with other players and battle raid bosses effectively. Choosing a team based on current needs will directly affect gym and raid involvement
- Inventory and Item Management
Once the Team Medallion is used and a team change occurs, all Pokmon and items remain in the player’s inventory. The Team Medallion does not affect the Pokmon collection itself, only the player’s affiliation with a specific team. This simplifies the process, as players do not need to worry about losing progress or resources as a result of the team change.
The Team Medallion, therefore, is intrinsically linked to the overarching concept of altering team affiliation within Pokmon GO. The acquisition, usage restrictions, and implications for gameplay all coalesce to underscore the significance of this item in the context of team realignment.
2. In-game shop
The in-game shop within Pokmon GO serves as the sole avenue for acquiring the Team Medallion, an item essential for altering team affiliation. Its relevance is central to understanding the process.
- Medallion Availability
The Team Medallion is exclusively available for purchase in the in-game shop. This exclusivity establishes the shop as a critical point of access for players seeking to change teams. It ensures that the act of changing teams is a deliberate decision, requiring investment and consideration.
- Currency Requirement
The in-game shop requires PokCoins for transactions. The Team Medallion’s cost of 1,000 PokCoins necessitates either acquired currency through gym control or direct monetary investment. This introduces an economic factor into the team change equation, influencing a player’s decision to proceed based on their resource availability.
- Shop Navigation
Navigating the in-game shop to locate the Team Medallion requires familiarity with its interface. Players must locate the “Items” section, then scroll to find the medallion. The shop design affects the ease with which players can find and purchase the necessary item, thereby impacting the overall experience of changing teams.
- Limited Availability
The in-game shop’s policy of allowing only one Team Medallion purchase every 365 days shapes the team change experience. This restriction ensures that team changes are not taken lightly, promoting stability within the game’s team dynamics. It adds weight to the decision, requiring players to carefully consider their long-term alignment.
These facets highlight the direct connection between the in-game shop and altering team affiliation. The shop functions as the gatekeeper for this feature, influencing the accessibility, cost, and deliberation required to execute a team change within Pokmon GO.
3. 1,000 PokCoins
The cost of altering team affiliation in Pokmon GO is fixed at 1,000 PokCoins. This sum represents the economic barrier to the process. Without this quantity of the in-game currency, acquiring the necessary Team Medallion is impossible, effectively preventing the action. For example, a player wishing to join a more strategically advantageous team in their local area must either accumulate 1,000 PokCoins through gym defense and in-game tasks, or purchase them directly with real-world currency. The presence of this cost introduces a decision point: the player must weigh the perceived benefits of a team change against the resource investment.
The practical significance of understanding this cost lies in planning and resource management. Players contemplating a team change should actively track their PokCoin accumulation, strategize gym deployment to maximize earning potential, or budget accordingly for a potential purchase. Furthermore, understanding the cost enables players to evaluate the trade-offs. A player might determine that the time investment required to earn 1,000 PokCoins is not worth the potential advantages of changing teams, opting instead to remain with their current allegiance and adapt their gameplay. Alternatively, a player intensely focused on gym control might view the 1,000 PokCoin cost as a worthwhile investment to gain a strategic edge.
In summary, the 1,000 PokCoin requirement is an integral component of the team change mechanic. It functions as a gatekeeper, demanding resource management and strategic decision-making. A comprehensive understanding of this financial prerequisite is crucial for anyone considering altering their team affiliation within Pokmon GO, ensuring informed choices aligned with individual gameplay goals. The 1,000 PokCoins is a vital decision variable.
4. 365-day cooldown
The 365-day cooldown period is a critical element to consider in the process of altering team affiliation within Pokmon GO. It functions as a temporal restriction, preventing frequent or impulsive changes and fostering a degree of stability within the game’s team structure.
- Preventing Team Instability
The primary function of the 365-day cooldown is to mitigate excessive team switching, which could destabilize team dynamics within Pokmon GO. Without this restriction, players might opportunistically change teams to exploit temporary advantages in gym control or raid participation, leading to a fluid and unpredictable environment. The cooldown enforces a commitment to a chosen team, discouraging capricious alterations based on short-term gains. For instance, a player cannot change teams to briefly dominate a gym battle and then revert to their original team.
- Encouraging Strategic Deliberation
The year-long waiting period necessitates careful deliberation before initiating a team change. Players must weigh the long-term implications of their decision, considering factors such as local team distribution, raid coordination, and personal preferences. The cooldown forces a thoughtful approach, as a change cannot be easily reversed. A player contemplating a switch from a dominant team to a weaker one, for example, must carefully assess the trade-offs in gym control versus potential raid benefits and personal satisfaction.
- Impact on Gameplay Strategy
The cooldown influences long-term gameplay strategy by requiring players to adapt to their chosen team’s strengths and weaknesses. Instead of relying on team switching as a tactical tool, players must develop strategies for overcoming challenges within the context of their team allegiance. For example, a player on an underrepresented team might focus on developing strong individual Pokmon and coordinating with other team members to compensate for numerical disadvantages. The 365-day rule changes strategic planning.
- Aligning with Game’s Core Principles
The cooldown aligns with the game’s core principles of commitment and teamwork. By discouraging frequent team changes, it promotes a sense of belonging and encourages players to build relationships within their chosen team. This fosters a more cohesive and collaborative environment, enhancing the social aspects of the game. For instance, a team can develop its own internal culture by focusing on unique and exclusive strategies.
In conclusion, the 365-day cooldown is not merely an arbitrary restriction, but a deliberate design choice that shapes the team change experience within Pokmon GO. It enforces strategic planning, prevents instability, promotes long-term commitment, and encourages teamwork, all of which are significant for those contemplating altering team allegiance. Players should assess not only the immediate advantages but also the long term issues.
5. Gym dynamics
Gym dynamics, reflecting the ebb and flow of team control over Pokmon GO’s gym locations, represents a primary motivation for players contemplating a team change. The distribution of team allegiance in a given geographical area directly influences a player’s ability to participate effectively in gym battles and accrue associated rewards.
- Dominant Team Influence
If a particular team holds a significant majority of gyms in a local area, players aligned with opposing teams may encounter limited opportunities to deploy their Pokmon and earn PokCoins. Constant competition against a numerically superior force can be discouraging. In such scenarios, a player might consider switching to the dominant team to gain easier access to gym rewards. For example, if Team Valor consistently controls most gyms, a player on Team Mystic might change allegiance to Team Valor to benefit from this dominance.
- Underrepresented Team Advantage
Conversely, an underrepresented team may offer unique advantages. While controlling gyms may be more challenging initially, successfully holding a gym as a member of a minority team yields higher potential rewards and recognition. A player seeking greater challenges and unique rewards might change to an underrepresented team. A player could switch to Team Instinct in an area heavily dominated by Team Valor and Mystic, and obtain outsized rewards.
- Strategic Gym Placement
Team dynamics also affect strategic gym placement. If a player’s current team controls most gyms, finding strategically advantageous locations for deployment may be difficult. Switching to a less prevalent team can create opportunities to establish new strongholds in overlooked areas. For example, a player might switch to a team that rarely targets gyms in parks or rural locations, thereby gaining a foothold in these less contested areas.
- Collaborative Gameplay
Gym dynamics impact cooperative gameplay. If a player’s friends or local community primarily belong to a different team, switching allegiance allows for more streamlined coordination in gym battles and raids. Shared strategic goals become easier to achieve with aligned team affiliations. If a player finds that all their raiding partners are on Team Mystic, they may decide to switch to that team.
Therefore, the intricate interplay of these facets underscores the importance of understanding gym dynamics. Players evaluating the prospect of altering team affiliation should carefully assess the local gym landscape to make an informed decision that aligns with their individual gameplay goals and preferences. Gym dynamics is the fundamental reality which the change decision should reflect.
6. Raid participation
The ability to effectively engage in raid battles is a significant consideration when evaluating a team change in Pokmon GO. Raid participation, influenced by team affiliation, impacts access to high-level encounters and rewards.
- Coordinated Raiding and Team Alignment
Successful raid completion often relies on coordinated efforts among multiple players. Aligning with a team prevalent in a local raiding community streamlines communication and enhances the likelihood of finding readily available raid groups. For example, a player may observe that most local raid groups consist primarily of Team Mystic members, prompting a team change to facilitate easier group formation. This coordination can significantly enhance raid rewards.
- Gym Control and Raid Access
While not directly tied to team, gym control near raid locations can subtly influence raid participation. Gyms controlled by a player’s team may offer minor advantages during raid battles, such as increased damage output. A strategic team change could, therefore, indirectly enhance raid performance in areas where one team consistently dominates gym control. Players might strategically switch to a team which holds gyms near popular raid locations. This is a small, often inconsequential, factor.
- Raid Rewards and Team Bonuses
Historically, there have been instances of temporary in-game events that offered team-specific bonuses during raids. While not a constant feature, the potential for such bonuses can factor into a player’s decision-making process. If recurring team-based raid bonuses are anticipated, aligning with the team most likely to benefit could be advantageous. This speculation is based on limited and past event data.
- Community Perception and Inclusion
In some communities, a sense of camaraderie or rivalry exists among the different teams. While not directly affecting raid mechanics, social factors can influence raid participation. A player might change teams to better integrate into a local raid group with a strong team identity. This aspect pertains to the player’s perceived social experience rather than tangible in-game benefits.
These facets underscore the nuanced relationship between raid participation and team affiliation. While raid battles are fundamentally accessible to all players regardless of team, strategic team alignment can enhance coordination, potentially improve performance, and facilitate greater integration within the local raiding community. However, tangible benefits are limited and often secondary to factors like individual Pokmon strength and player skill. The impact on raid experiences is a factor in the changing decision, but is often not the strongest reason.
7. Strategic planning
Strategic planning is a crucial prerequisite when considering altering team allegiance in Pokmon GO. The decision to change teams necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of current game status, long-term objectives, and the prevailing environment within the game.
- Assessment of Local Gym Control
A thorough understanding of the local gym landscape is essential. This involves identifying the dominant teams, noting frequently contested locations, and evaluating the likelihood of successfully holding gyms as a member of a different team. For example, if Team Valor consistently controls most gyms in a particular area, a player considering a change must weigh the potential benefits of joining that team against the possibility of facing increased competition for gym slots. A player has to analyse the gym landscape and their skill in gym combat.
- Evaluation of Raid Coordination Opportunities
Effective raid participation often hinges on coordinated efforts among multiple players. Strategic planning involves assessing the team affiliations of local raid groups and determining whether a team change would enhance opportunities for collaboration. A player may observe that most successful raid groups consist primarily of members from a specific team, indicating a potential advantage in aligning with that team. The evaluation should take in to account existing relationships with other players and other teams.
- Resource Management and PokCoin Allocation
The cost of a Team Medallion (1,000 PokCoins) necessitates careful resource management. Strategic planning includes evaluating current PokCoin reserves, identifying opportunities to earn additional PokCoins through gym control, and determining whether a direct purchase is financially justifiable. Players should avoid impulse purchases of a Medallion. For example, a player may decide to prioritize gym defense to accumulate the required PokCoins, rather than spending real-world currency.
- Long-Term Gameplay Objectives
A team change should align with long-term gameplay objectives. Players must consider their goals, whether they prioritize gym control, raid completion, Pokdex completion, or social interaction. For example, a player focused on Pokdex completion may strategically change to a team with a higher representation in specific regions to access region-exclusive Pokmon more easily. This requires advance planning and knowledge of Pokmon distributions.
In conclusion, strategic planning is indispensable for anyone contemplating altering team affiliation within Pokmon GO. A methodical assessment of local gym control, raid opportunities, resource management, and long-term gameplay objectives ensures an informed decision that aligns with individual preferences and enhances the overall gaming experience. These considerations minimize the risk of buyers remorse.
Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Teams in Pokmon GO
The following section addresses common inquiries regarding the process and implications of altering team affiliation within Pokmon GO.
Question 1: Is there a cost associated with changing teams?
Yes, acquiring a Team Medallion, which is required to change teams, costs 1,000 PokCoins from the in-game shop. There is no other method for changing teams.
Question 2: How often can a player change teams?
A Team Medallion can be purchased only once every 365 days. This limitation encourages careful consideration before making a team change decision.
Question 3: Do Pokmon or items disappear upon changing teams?
No. All Pokmon, items, and progress remain intact. The team change solely affects gym and raid affiliations.
Question 4: Does gym control reset upon switching teams?
Any Pokmon deployed in gyms prior to the team change will remain. However, upon changing teams, the player will no longer be associated with those gyms.
Question 5: Does a team change affect friendship status with other players?
No, a team change does not affect friendship status with other players. Friendships remain regardless of team affiliation.
Question 6: If a player changes their mind, can they revert immediately to their original team?
No. Once a Team Medallion is used, the player must wait 365 days before acquiring another one to change teams again.
Careful consideration of these points should inform the decision-making process for anyone considering a team change.
The subsequent section provides a summary of the key considerations involved.
The preceding exploration of “how do i change teams in pokemon go” underscores the strategic depth inherent in this decision. It necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of local gym dynamics, raid coordination opportunities, and individual gameplay objectives, all weighed against the cost of 1,000 PokCoins and the 365-day cooldown period. The process demands calculated resource allocation and an understanding of its long-term implications.
Altering team affiliation within Pokmon GO is not a trivial act. It requires careful consideration and an understanding of the game’s mechanics. It is a decision that will shape the players journey and experience significantly. Ensure to fully measure the decision before taking actions.
