Mostly old news, but the weather buffs have made gyms even more easy to take over. Level 35 wild spawns and Machamp buff in cloudy weather.
I suppose that Niantic is reading fansite forums, so
Remove CP decay of defenders
Weather damage buff should be bigger for the defender, since the damage dealt by the defender is less meaningful than the time used to defeat the defender (that's why people use Machamp to counter Blissey even though Zen Headbutt and Dazzling Gleam are super effective against it).
Consider extending the raid boss system to player gym battles. Teamworking to buff one defender into raid boss-like strength.
Remove the stupid win trading requirement to get the defender bonus coins.
You should have to capture more than one gym to get the maximum reward. The current system gives too much advantage to couch gym owners.
Opinions?
It is easier but much more annoying because they can easily deny your effort by chucking gold razz berries.
I would advise:
* Add status conditions or move effects in the game so all pokemon have an equal chance of deterring opponents
* Add traits (Like in Pokemon Rumble) in place of abilities so battling becomes a bit more complicated (Also boosts Medicham to relevant levels until Gallade kicks in)
* If pokemon become too powerful in the future, allow 1 legendary per gym
Status conditions would definitely make the game pretty interesting. That would mean more movesets that cause these status effects would have to be added into the game, as well as more items like antidotes, paralyze heal, etc. I'm not exactly sure how it could be implemented with the system we have now, but definitely an idea I'm open to seeing in the game.
To be fair, Niantic is facing a tough order: to make a gym system that is both challenging to groups of die-hard-lv40 players and inviting for individual beginners, which does not become stagnant nor pointless, with well-balanced rewards and difficulties in a constantly changing ecosystem, inviting defender variety in a game where a few monsters outclass everything else. Also: It should equally cater to city players drowning in a sea a gyms and to inhabitants of desolate one-gym towns. I figure they will come up with something eventually. But it will not be minor tweaks, but a complete new gym system again.
I would make a two tier gym system (players below level 30 play in one, 30+ level players in the other.) As well as other things like overhaul the decay system. There is simply no way you can make a one tier gym system that is fair for beginners and challenging for die hards. One size doesn't fit all.
Niantic instead decided to totally pander to people who don't like any challenge and guarantee them their 50 coins a day. While people like me got completely bored of the non challenge this game provides.
