Thread: Gym Discussion/Speculation

Originally Posted by Laterna

As a bit of a side-step away from what types of Gyms we can possibly expect/would like to see, I'd like to through into this discussion some talk about the Gym Leaders themselves as well as the actual battle environments.

Since Diamond & Pearl (if memory serves) Gym Leaders have popped their sprites in and out of battles to throw in comments and whatnot about the battles progress - do you think we'll see this continue in X and Y? I'd imagine that it would be a lot easier to achieve it given the 3D environment, just by having the Gym Leader always there in the background of the environment and simply have the camera cut to them momentarily (I'd imagine regular trainers would also be present in the backgrounds of regular battles too).

I'm also wondering about the Gyms themselves and how they will be represented in the 3D battle scenes. As has been since Gen I all Gyms are unique with their designs and layouts and I full expect to see this represented in the 3D battle scenes as opposed to just a generic indoor area, which is something I really look forward to seeing too.

I'd thought about, for Gym battles, actually having a Gym referee in the background of the battles too (like in the anime) and having them "announce" what happens in battle (like "foe's Fennekin fainted" for example) as opposed to it just being stated by some unknown being as has been in the past. This is something that would be purely aesthetic and exclusive to Gym battles (probably) though, but it would be a pretty neat detail that I'd love to see.

What other mechanics would you like to see (or even expect to see) incorporated into the Gyms and Gym battles based on the 3D features?

I like all of your ideas, I'd love to see the ref in the background or something like that.
I'm also intrigued to see what they do with the Gym Battle scenes, I hope they make it worthwhile and exciting!
I can imagine there being a Dark Type Gym this time around, not just by popular demand, but it hasn't been done before! I'd also like to see a Steel Type Gym! Steel Type Gym's have always been the most challenging for me (Well, Jasmine in G/S not HG/SS, and Byron was awesome).

A dark type gym and Electric/Grass Elite 4 members would be nice to see.

Preferably a male grass Elite 4 member. Every grass specialist so far has been female apart from Cilan.

I'm hopping on board the Dark type gym train. Dark types are one of my favorites! They should have had their own gym by now, don't you think? I'd like to see another poison gym as well.

Though I'm wondering... what if they decide to mix types in the gyms now? So that the pokemon and the gym's style could be a mix of two types? I dunno about how all of thatwould work but it might be interesting.

Originally Posted by PinkIceFox

Though I'm wondering... what if they decide to mix types in the gyms now? So that the pokemon and the gym's style could be a mix of two types? I dunno about how all of thatwould work but it might be interesting.

That'd be cool. I actually wouldn't mind fully mixed gym teams (i.e. a mix of six types) either, but I guess that kind of thing is reserved for champions and frontier brains and such.

Originally Posted by Allison

Originally Posted by PinkIceFox

Though I'm wondering... what if they decide to mix types in the gyms now? So that the pokemon and the gym's style could be a mix of two types? I dunno about how all of thatwould work but it might be interesting.

That'd be cool. I actually wouldn't mind fully mixed gym teams (i.e. a mix of six types) either, but I guess that kind of thing is reserved for champions and frontier brains and such.

What about having it more specified by theme? For example, say a Gym Leader who specialises in serpent/snake-like Pokémon using the likes of Arbok, Steelix, Seviper, Eelektross, etc - know that's a really simplified example, but so much could be done with that kind-of thinking and it would really open up the challenges a bit more. I think someone earlier in the thread suggested a Trick Room based Gym, which would be really cool and different.
Like, the tree-swinging gym could be adapted to use Pokémon like Primeape, Sudowoodo, Ambipom, the elemental monkeys, to give a bit more diversity... which just gave me thought, given how they seem to pushing the 3D environment a bit with this game, maybe the Gyms each specialise in one kind of environment and use Pokémon that live in said environment?

For a long time, I've liked the idea of seeing dual/multi-type gyms. Like a gym down a cave or up a mountain where it's Ice/Rock type, an industrial city by the coast where there's a Water/Electric type gym, a Fire/Ground type gym out in the desert or a Fighting/Steel type "warrior" themed gym. Those may not be the most challenging combinations in battle but you get the idea. I also think it'd be neat to have a gym of two levels; one level with one gym leader's theme and you go up a floor to a slightly different theme and battle the second gym leader to get the badge.

We've been given a Grass gym, a Bug gym, and a Psychic gym. We've also been given a Fire Elite 4 room

Originally Posted by Laterna

Originally Posted by Allison

Originally Posted by PinkIceFox

Though I'm wondering... what if they decide to mix types in the gyms now? So that the pokemon and the gym's style could be a mix of two types? I dunno about how all of thatwould work but it might be interesting.

That'd be cool. I actually wouldn't mind fully mixed gym teams (i.e. a mix of six types) either, but I guess that kind of thing is reserved for champions and frontier brains and such.

What about having it more specified by theme? For example, say a Gym Leader who specialises in serpent/snake-like Pokémon using the likes of Arbok, Steelix, Seviper, Eelektross, etc - know that's a really simplified example, but so much could be done with that kind-of thinking and it would really open up the challenges a bit more. I think someone earlier in the thread suggested a Trick Room based Gym, which would be really cool and different.
Like, the tree-swinging gym could be adapted to use Pokémon like Primeape, Sudowoodo, Ambipom, the elemental monkeys, to give a bit more diversity... which just gave me thought, given how they seem to pushing the 3D environment a bit with this game, maybe the Gyms each specialise in one kind of environment and use Pokémon that live in said environment?

That first bit about serpent/snake-like pokemon gave me the funniest thought.

I demand a crazy cat lady gym leader. xD

I'd would die if they had a Ghost Type Gym Leader who was a Gothic Lolita!

I'm at the very least hoping each Gym Leader has more than three Pokemon. Give them a full six, please. Pokemon can repeat, that's fine with me, but it's gotten to the point where they're not even challenging and don't serve the title of "boss battle" justice. They're no better than any other trainer and frankly are just a pleasant change in background music.

Aside from that, I hope the Gym Leaders are all given plot-heavy backgrounds. Really involve them into the story. Maybe make one Gym Leader the player character's brother or sister, or let's see Norman v2.0. I was much more pleased with characters like Clay and Marlon, who had accents and used slang and epitomized their stereotypes. They seemed extremely human and were definitely relatable. As long as GameFreak improves upon the characters we had in Black & White then we should be in good shape.

Originally Posted by Beck

I'm at the very least hoping each Gym Leader has more than three Pokemon. Give them a full six, please. Pokemon can repeat, that's fine with me, but it's gotten to the point where they're not even challenging and don't serve the title of "boss battle" justice. They're no better than any other trainer and frankly are just a pleasant change in background music.

Aside from that, I hope the Gym Leaders are all given plot-heavy backgrounds. Really involve them into the story. Maybe make one Gym Leader the player character's brother or sister, or let's see Norman v2.0. I was much more pleased with characters like Clay and Marlon, who had accents and used slang and epitomized their stereotypes. They seemed extremely human and were definitely relatable. As long as GameFreak improves upon the characters we had in Black & White then we should be in good shape.

I agree with every word you posted

Originally Posted by Beck

I'm at the very least hoping each Gym Leader has more than three Pokemon. Give them a full six, please. Pokemon can repeat

Because fighting two Patrats and four Lillipups at the first gym would be just wonderful, right? Larger teams for later leaders would be wonderful, but it's unnecessary for earlier leaders.

I hope the gym leaders are a bit more challenging this time around. I found most of the Unova gym leaders minus Lenora very easy to beat. I also think the later Gym leaders should have more Pokemon or a full team, I actually want a challenge when I fight a Gym leader.

Originally Posted by Aquanova

I hope the gym leaders are a bit more challenging this time around. I found most of the Unova gym leaders minus Lenora very easy to beat. I also think the later Gym leaders should have more Pokemon or a full team, I actually want a challenge when I fight a Gym leader.

I agree, the only one's who challenged me were Lenora and Elesa.

And I beg to what ever deity will listen that their's a Dark Type Gym Leader (Preferably a 7th or 8th Gym)

Originally Posted by YamiiDenryuu

Originally Posted by Beck

I'm at the very least hoping each Gym Leader has more than three Pokemon. Give them a full six, please. Pokemon can repeat

Because fighting two Patrats and four Lillipups at the first gym would be just wonderful, right? Larger teams for later leaders would be wonderful, but it's unnecessary for earlier leaders.

It would be difficult, which is exactly what I'm asking for. Maybe in X & Y we'll be able to play with different levels of difficulty from purchase of the game, not after our first playthrough.