is there anything to like about the gym system?
pro's arguably prettier
cons.
1. tedious - takes ages to take down even a level 2 gym
2. rewards suck - unless you are the last person to take the gym at night you are unlikely to get anything for the time you spend.
3. highly inequitable - minority teams, high turn over areas have got no hope.
4. no longer worth travelling to a gym you might have a chance staying in.
5. bug ridden like you would not believe (comprehensive post by bio-weapon before)
spoofers relatively advantaged by many of the above.
anyone with any kind of life doesn't get a look in.
the only reason I think I will have to go to gyms is to level up badges to maximize raid rewards.
Answers
No.
Niantic, please revert the gym system. Or you lose more players than the comebacks. The reward is really sucked, having to beat Blissey multiple times seems impossible even just looking at the gyms. Nearly all low level players will be discouraged when they see a CP 3173 Blissey placed in the first slot.
It is a very bad way to make money. You won't make money, instead you lose the money on the unbelievable gym system.
If the raid and/or the PokéCoins mechanic change haven't been coming in the next few weeks, I might simply quit the game after level 30. A great job, Niantic!
So, I agree that the rewards are not particularly alluring in highly competitive areas. That said I will probably earn about 20 coins tonight from taking over two gyms at night - if I can do that consistently, it's not a bad average compared to how I was doing before.
I don't agree with your criticism that the gym play is too difficult. Pre-rework, the gyms in my area were IMPOSSIBLE for anyone under level 30 - giant towers of CP 3173 Blisseys. Low-level players have it relatively better under the new system: they can chip away at Blissey even if they can't defeat her, which might not be much, but is way better than getting nothing at all if you lose your first battle on time. Additionally, the motivation decrease means that it only gets easier to defeat her once you've chipped away at her a little.
Not sure why you are so certain that the rework is a money-loser for Niantic, or that it was primarily designed to increase revenue.
Looking at the new gym system and going through a few rounds with it, I think this system favours defenders more.
The biggest drawback will be the difficulty to get coins and the greatest impact is to gyms in cities with high turnover.
Defenders:
1. You have to go through about 6 times with each pokemon. Attackers must have a few of the same good counters or tons of potions and revives.
2. Berries make defending much easier and gyms tend to last longer.
3. Downside would be hard to defend multiple gyms as berries cannot be bought and your supply determines how effective your defence.
4. The difficulty to take down a gym quickly and the sequence of battle helps to increase time sitting in gyms.
Attackers:
1. No need to fight Blissey wall.
2. Possible to take down a full gym without an army of Blissey counters which may be hard to get for some.
3. Generalists can shine (those with narrowly resisted movesets and little weaknesses) as being able to plough through a few defenders will enable you to reduce wastage of energy for charge moves. E.g. Exeggutors, Gyarados etc.
Personally, I have put up a few other Pokemons to try out for gyms which previously in the old gym setting was not feasible. Looking forward to have fun rather than focus on coins everyday!
