Can You Change Teams in Pokémon GO? (2024 Guide)

Trainers often ask, "Can you change teams in Pokémon GO?". Niantic, the game’s developer, allows players to align with one of three teams: Valor, Mystic, or Instinct. Initially, this choice felt permanent; however, the Team Medallion, available in the Pokémon GO in-app store, now offers a method to switch allegiances. Strategic team selection impacts Gym control, influencing rewards and gameplay, hence the interest in knowing if you can you change teams in Pokémon GO.

Switching Sides in Pokémon GO: A Guide to Changing Teams

Pokémon GO, at its heart, is a team-based game. From the moment you hit level 5, you’re asked to pledge allegiance to one of three factions: Valor, Mystic, or Instinct. But what happens when your initial choice no longer suits you? Perhaps your friends are all on a different team, or maybe you want to tip the scales in your local gym scene. That’s where the possibility of changing teams comes into play.

The Lay of the Land: Valor, Mystic, and Instinct

Let’s quickly recap the teams:

• Team Valor (Red): Led by Candela, Valor emphasizes strength and power in Pokémon. They believe training is key to unlocking a Pokémon’s true potential.

• Team Mystic (Blue): Blanche leads Mystic, focusing on knowledge and evolution. They believe calm analysis will reveal the secrets of Pokémon.

• Team Instinct (Yellow): Spark heads up Instinct, trusting in intuition and believing in the power of a Pokémon’s instincts.

Each team has its own philosophy, its own leader, and its own dedicated players.

Why Your Team Matters

Your team choice isn’t just a cosmetic one. It fundamentally affects your gameplay experience, especially when it comes to gym control. Owning a Gym with your team allows you to earn valuable resources. The social aspect of Pokémon GO is also heavily influenced by your team affiliation. Raids and Community Days often become team-based activities, with players coordinating and competing with rival factions.

The Team Medallion: Your Ticket to a New Team

The key to switching sides lies in a specific item: the Team Medallion. This consumable item, purchased within the Pokémon GO Shop, grants you the ability to realign yourself with a different team. Without it, you’re stuck with your initial choice.

Restrictions and Considerations: Think Before You Leap

Changing teams isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. There are crucial restrictions and considerations that you need to be aware of before you commit. The most significant of these is the cooldown period. After changing teams, you’ll face a substantial waiting period before you can switch again. Make sure that you’re making the right choice, as you’ll be with the team for a while. This system is in place to prevent abuse and maintain balance within the game, ensuring fair play for everyone.

Meet the Key Player: The Team Medallion

So, you’re ready to jump ship and join a different team in Pokémon GO? Excellent! But before you start packing your bags (or, you know, transferring your Pokémon), there’s one crucial item you absolutely must have: the Team Medallion.

Think of it as your golden ticket, your passport to a new allegiance. Without it, you’re firmly rooted where you stand. Let’s break down everything you need to know about this pivotal item.

The Only Way to Switch Sides

Let’s get this straight: the Team Medallion isn’t just a way to change teams; it’s the only way.

Forget about special events, pleading with Niantic support, or hoping for a glitch in the Matrix. If you want to switch from Valor to Mystic, Mystic to Instinct, or any other combination, the Team Medallion is non-negotiable.

It’s the gatekeeper, the bouncer at the door of your new team. Respect its authority.

Where to Find This Elusive Item

The Team Medallion isn’t exactly hiding in plain sight, but it’s not buried too deep either. You’ll find it exclusively in the Pokémon GO Shop.

Yes, that’s right. You can find it by tapping on the Poké Ball at the bottom of the screen, selecting "Shop," and scrolling (or searching) until you find the Team Medallion.

Keep in mind that, like many items in the shop, the availability of the Team Medallion can be subject to change. Niantic might temporarily remove it or offer it in special bundles from time to time. So, keep an eye on the in-game news and announcements.

Unlocking a New Allegiance: Its Function

The Team Medallion isn’t just a pretty icon in your item bag; it has a crucial function: initiating the team change process. It’s a consumable item, meaning once you use it, it’s gone.

Think of it like a one-time-use key that unlocks the ability to choose a new team.

Once you’ve purchased the Medallion, you will find the option to change your team within the game’s settings or profile menu. From there, you will be presented with the option of joining any of the two other teams.

Carefully consider the decision as it is not one that can be easily undone.

The Price of Loyalty (or Lack Thereof)

Alright, let’s talk money – or rather, PokéCoins. The Team Medallion doesn’t come cheap.

It costs PokéCoins, the in-game currency of Pokémon GO. You can earn PokéCoins by defending gyms or purchase them with real money.

The exact cost of the Team Medallion may fluctuate or vary slightly depending on your region or any ongoing promotions. Be sure to check the Shop for the current price.

Consider whether the cost is worth it for your desired team change.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your Team in Pokémon GO

Okay, so you’ve made the momentous decision, saved up your PokéCoins, and are ready to defect. Now what? Let’s walk through the precise steps required to switch teams in Pokémon GO. It’s not brain surgery, but you do want to get it right. This is your definitive "how-to" guide.

Acquiring the Team Medallion: Your First Hurdle

Before you can even think about donning new team colors, you need that all-important Team Medallion. Think of it as your permission slip to join the other side.

Here’s the breakdown of securing this essential item:

1. Open the Pokémon GO Shop: Tap the Poké Ball icon at the bottom of your screen. This is your gateway to all things purchasable in the game.

2. Locate the Team Medallion: Navigate through the shop’s offerings. The Medallion’s visibility can fluctuate. Keep an eye out for it—Niantic sometimes shuffles the shop’s inventory. You might need to scroll or even use the search function.

3. Purchase the Medallion: Once you’ve found it, the final step is to exchange your hard-earned PokéCoins. Confirm the purchase, and the Team Medallion will be added to your inventory. Be absolutely sure you want to make the switch before committing.

Executing the Switch: From Medallion to New Team

Now that you’re a proud owner of a Team Medallion, it’s time to put it to use. This is where the magic happens.

Here’s how to activate the switch:

1. Access Your In-App Settings Menu: This is where you’ll find the controls for various game configurations. The method can vary depending on updates. Try looking at your profile page.

2. Find the "Change Team" Option: This is the key step. You will find it somewhere in the settings. Look for a prompt that directly says, "Change Team", or something similar. This option’s location can shift with game updates. Check the bottom of the menu, or explore the settings thoroughly.

3. Select Your New Team: Once you’ve located the "Change Team" option, you’ll be presented with a crucial choice: Valor, Mystic, or Instinct. Choose wisely – this decision has consequences, and you can’t immediately undo it. Select your desired team.

Life After Switching: What Happens Next?

So, you’ve bravely (or perhaps strategically) defected. You’ve traded in your old allegiance for a shiny new team. But what exactly happens once you hit that confirmation button? It’s not as simple as just seeing a new logo next to your name. There are immediate, tangible consequences, especially when it comes to your hard-earned Pokémon defending gyms.

Gym Defenders: The Homecoming

The most immediate impact of your team switch revolves around your Pokémon currently stationed at gyms. Consider this a mandatory recall.

As soon as the team change is complete, all Pokémon you had diligently placed in gyms are unceremoniously returned to you. They’re not injured, they don’t lose motivation faster; they simply appear back in your Pokémon storage, ready for a new assignment.

Think of it as a courtesy dismissal. Your Pokémon are essentially told, "Thanks for your service, but we’re going in a different direction now."

This means you’ll need to re-strategize and redeploy to new gyms, keeping in mind your new team affiliation.

Coin Conundrum: No Rewards for Past Valor

Here’s where things get a little less rosy.

While you might expect to collect the PokéCoins earned by your Pokémon while they defended their gyms, think again.

This is crucial: You will NOT receive any PokéCoins for the defense time of your Pokémon if they are knocked out of the gym AFTER you’ve changed teams.

Let that sink in. All that effort, all that stardust investment, all that strategic gym placement… if they’re defeated after your defection, those potential PokéCoins vanish into thin air.

It’s a harsh reality of team switching. Niantic likely implemented this to prevent exploitation or gaming the system. Imagine the chaos if players could jump between teams, collecting rewards from gyms they helped conquer under different banners.

Strategic Considerations

Therefore, a crucial piece of pre-switch planning is gym management.

Before you change teams, consider pulling your Pokémon from gyms, if possible. This ensures you at least collect the coins they’ve already earned before the switch negates future earnings.

It might require a bit of patience, waiting for your Pokémon to be defeated, but it’s a far better alternative than losing out on those valuable PokéCoins.

Timing your team switch carefully can save you from coin-related heartbreak.

Ultimately, changing teams in Pokémon GO is a significant decision with repercussions that extend beyond just aesthetics. Understanding these consequences – especially regarding gym defenders and coin rewards – is paramount to making an informed choice and avoiding post-switch regret. Plan accordingly, trainer!

Important Restrictions and Considerations Before You Commit

Before you impulsively jump ship and pledge allegiance to a new Pokémon GO team, it’s crucial to pump the brakes and acknowledge some rather significant caveats.

Changing teams isn’t like changing your outfit.

It’s a commitment, and Niantic has implemented safeguards to prevent players from treating team affiliation as a revolving door. So, let’s delve into the crucial restrictions you absolutely must understand before making that final, potentially game-altering, decision.

The Cooldown Period: Patience is a Virtue (and a Necessity)

The single most impactful restriction to bear in mind is the infamous cooldown period.

Once you use that Team Medallion and embrace your new team, you’re locked in for a substantial amount of time before you can even think about switching again.

We’re not talking about a few days or weeks; we’re talking about several months.

This waiting period exists for a reason, and it’s a crucial aspect of maintaining the delicate balance of the Pokémon GO ecosystem.

Why the Wait? Preventing Chaos and Maintaining Order

Why this draconian cooldown, you ask?

It’s all about preventing abuse and fostering a sense of long-term commitment to your chosen team.

Imagine the chaos if players could freely bounce between Valor, Mystic, and Instinct at a whim, strategically aligning with whichever team currently controls the most gyms in their area.

Gym control would become meaningless.

The game’s competitive landscape would devolve into a free-for-all.

The cooldown period is a necessary evil, a barrier against opportunistic team hopping that could undermine the entire team-based dynamic of Pokémon GO.

It ensures that team choices carry weight and that players invest in the success of their chosen faction.

Niantic’s Tweaks and Twists: The Ever-Evolving Landscape

It’s also important to remember that Niantic is constantly tweaking and refining the mechanics of Pokémon GO.

What’s true today might not be true tomorrow.

The availability of the Team Medallion, the cost in PokéCoins, and even the length of the cooldown period itself are all subject to change based on Niantic’s evolving vision for the game.

Stay informed by monitoring official announcements and reputable Pokémon GO news sources.

While community insights can be valuable, always verify information against official channels to avoid misinformation.

Don’t blindly trust everything you read on Reddit or hear from your buddy down the street.

A Thoughtful Choice is a Good Choice

Changing teams in Pokémon GO is a significant decision with long-term implications.

Don’t rush into it.

Carefully consider your reasons for wanting to switch, weigh the pros and cons, and, most importantly, understand the restrictions in place.

A little forethought can save you from a world of regret down the road.

Staying Informed: Navigating the Pokémon GO Information Maze

Alright, you’re considering a team swap, but how do you stay on top of the ever-shifting sands of Pokémon GO’s rules and items?

It’s not always easy, and knowing where to get your info is half the battle. Let’s cut through the noise and pinpoint the reliable sources you need.

The Holy Grail: Pokémon GO Support Website/Help Center

First and foremost, your absolute go-to should be the official Pokémon GO Support website and Help Center.

This is where Niantic drops the official word on everything, straight from the source.

Forget whispers and rumors, this is where you’ll find the real deal regarding game mechanics, troubleshooting tips, and (crucially) any news related to the Team Medallion and team changes.

Think of it as the Pokémon GO bible. Consult it often.

Beyond the Source: Third-Party Sites and the Wisdom (and Peril) of Crowds

Okay, the official site is great, but it’s not always the fastest to update, or the most insightful when it comes to player strategy.

That’s where trusted third-party sites come into play.

Gold Standards: Bulbapedia and Serebii.net

Sites like Bulbapedia and Serebii.net are meticulously maintained wikis packed with information.

They track item availability, community discoveries, and historical game data.

They can be excellent resources for understanding the nuances of team changes and Medallion availability.

Community Insights: Proceed with Caution

The Pokémon GO community is a powerhouse of shared knowledge, but it’s also a breeding ground for misinformation.

Forums, Reddit threads, and Discord servers can be valuable for gathering tips, but remember to approach everything with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Always verify information against official sources before you treat it as gospel.

Verifying Information: Your Cardinal Rule

That brings us to the most critical point: always, always, always verify information.

No matter how credible a source seems, double-check it against the official Pokémon GO channels.

Niantic’s support site is your bedrock.

Don’t rely on assumptions or secondhand accounts. A few extra minutes of fact-checking can save you from making decisions based on bad intel.

So, can you change teams in Pokémon GO? Absolutely, but it’s not quite as simple as snapping your fingers. You gotta grab that Team Medallion, understand the cooldown, and really think about where your loyalties lie. Choose wisely, Trainer, and may your new team bring you all the gym victories!