The Best Gym Defenders of July 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

Gym battles are a cornerstone of Pokémon GO, and having a formidable defense team is crucial for maintaining gym control and earning valuable rewards. As July 2024 progressed, the meta shifted, and certain Pokémon emerged as top-tier defenders. In this article, we’ll delve into the best Gym Defenders of July 2024, exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and optimal move sets.

Understanding Gym Defense

Before we dive into the top defenders, let’s briefly discuss the key factors that make a Pokémon a strong defender:

High Stamina:

A Pokémon with high Stamina can withstand more damage, prolonging its defensive capabilities.

Effective Moveset: A well-chosen moveset can exploit type advantages and deal significant damage to attackers.

Type Advantages: Pokémon with resistances to common attacker types are more difficult to defeat.

Top Gym Defenders of July 2024

Based on player experiences, simulations, and expert analysis, here are the top Gym Defenders that dominated the July 2024 meta:

Blissey:

Why it’s strong: Blissey’s incredibly high Stamina and access to powerful Normal and Psychic-type moves make it a formidable defender. Its resistances to many common attacker types further enhance its defensive prowess.

Optimal Moveset: Pound (Fast) and Psychic (Charged)

Snorlax:

Why it’s strong: SNORLAX’s high Stamina and bulkiness make it a reliable defender. Its access to strong Normal and Dragon-type moves allows it to deal significant damage to attackers.

Optimal Moveset: Lick (Fast) and Hyper Beam (Charged)

Chansey:

Why it’s strong: Similar to Blissey, Chansey’s high Stamina and access to powerful Normal and Psychic-type moves make it a top-tier defender.

Optimal Moveset: Pound (Fast) and Psybeam (Charged)

Togekiss:

Why it’s strong: Togekiss’s high Stamina and access to powerful Fairy and Flying-type moves make it a strong defender, especially against Dragon-type attackers.

Optimal Moveset: Charm (Fast) and Dazzling Gleam (Charged)

Skarmory:

Why it’s strong: Skarmory’s Steel and Flying typing provide excellent resistances to many common attacker types. Its high Stamina and access to strong Steel-type moves make it a solid defender.

Optimal Moveset: Metal Claw (Fast) and Air Slash (Charged)

Additional Considerations

While the above Pokémon are considered top-tier defenders, several other factors influence their effectiveness in specific situations:

Gym Level: Higher-level Gyms require more powerful defenders to maintain control.

Weather Boost: Weather boosts can significantly impact a Pokémon’s performance, making certain types more effective.   

Attacker Team Composition: The types of Pokémon used by attackers can dictate which defenders are most effective.

Player Skill: Skilled players can overcome even the strongest defenders with strategic gameplay and effective dodging.

FAQs

Who are the top gym defenders in Pokémon GO in 2024?

As of July 2024, Blissey remains the top gym defender, followed closely by Snorlax, Steelix, and Metagross. Blissey, with its high HP and Normal typing, is difficult to take down quickly. Snorlax and Steelix are also excellent choices, with strong bulk and useful moves that delay attackers​.

Why is Blissey considered the best defender?

Blissey’s exceptional HP and bulk make it a powerhouse in gyms. It can absorb massive amounts of damage, forcing attackers to spend time and resources to defeat it. Using moves like Zen Headbutt and Dazzling Gleam further solidifies its defensive status​.

Are there other reliable defenders aside from Blissey and Snorlax?

Yes, Metagross, with its high defense stats and Steel typing, is resilient to common attacking types. Steelix is another excellent option with a combination of Dragon Tail and Heavy Slam that holds off many attackers, including Dragon-types​.

What are the best movesets for gym defenders?

Blissey’s ideal moveset includes Zen Headbutt and Dazzling Gleam. Snorlax can use Zen Headbutt paired with Body Slam to maximize its defense. Steelix benefits from Dragon Tail and Heavy Slam, while Metagross with Zen Headbutt and Meteor Mash is also highly effective​.

How do factors like typing and resistances affect gym defenders?

Typing and resistances play a crucial role in determining a Pokémon’s effectiveness in gym defense. Normal-type Pokémon like Blissey and Snorlax have fewer weaknesses, making them versatile defenders. Steel-types, such as Steelix and Metagross, are resilient against Poison, Rock, and Fairy moves, adding further value to gym defenses​.

Can Dragon-types be used effectively in gym defense?

Yes, Dragon-types like Garchomp and Dragonite are also viable, especially when equipped with moves like Dragon Tail and Outrage. However, they can be vulnerable to Ice-type moves, which are commonly used by attackers​.

Conclusion 

In Pokémon GO, choosing the best gym defenders requires understanding the balance between bulk, typing, resistances, and moveset. Blissey, known as the “queen of defense,” reigns supreme in gyms, offering unparalleled stamina and Normal typing, which minimizes its vulnerabilities. Its long-standing reputation comes from its ability to delay attackers significantly, allowing players to earn more PokéCoins over time. In addition to Blissey, Snorlax serves as another highly resilient option due to its well-rounded stats, few weaknesses, and access to versatile moves. Its common usage in gyms underscores its reliability.

Steelix and Metagross are also favored for their bulk and resistance profiles. Steelix, with its Dragon Tail and Heavy Slam moveset, can withstand attacks from both Dragon-types and popular PvE attackers, making it a staple for many defenders. Metagross, while typically known for its offensive prowess, holds its ground in gym defense thanks to its high defense stats and a moveset that covers multiple attacking types, particularly with Meteor Mash.

Dragon-types like Dragonite and Garchomp add a slightly riskier but powerful dynamic to gyms. Equipped with moves like Dragon Tail and Outrage, these Pokémon can challenge attackers, though they are somewhat more vulnerable to Ice moves. Therefore, placing them in combination with other defenders can add strategic variety to gym setups.

In July 2024, the meta still favors classic choices like Blissey and Snorlax, with additions such as Steelix and Metagross providing effective support. In summary, successful gym defense comes from not only choosing bulky Pokémon but also ensuring a balance of types and movesets that can cover a range of common attackers. A diversified gym lineup that includes Blissey, Snorlax, Steelix, and Metagross is often the best strategy for maximizing gym defense time and discouraging frequent attacks, allowing players to optimize their defense and reward collection​.

The July 2024 meta saw the dominance of a few key defenders, with Blissey, Snorlax, Chansey, Togekiss, and Skarmory proving to be the most reliable choices. However, the ever-evolving nature of Pokémon GO means that the meta can shift rapidly. Stay updated on the latest strategies and Pokémon rankings to optimize your Gym defense efforts.

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