'Pokemon Go' tips, tricks news: How to take over a gym

"Pokemon Go" is largely based on amassing experience points (XP) and rising through ranks as a trainer. But leveling up can be a challenging endeavor as players work their way to level 5 catching Pokemon. At level 5, trainers will be entitled to participate in gym battles which can greatly boost their chances of leveling up. For unclaimed gyms, players can stake their claim for any these following teams: Mystic, Valor or Instinct. However, overthrowing other players in a gym takeover can be overwhelming for starters as defenders usually put their strongest Pokemon to repel any attempt by other players.

But what does it take to carry out a successful takeover bid? Well, taking over isn't just about having high combat points to overcome defenders. There are times when employing the right tactics becomes a viable means of securing victory. Here are some practical tips (via Lifehacker) when launching a takeover campaign.

First, know your Pokemon. Assess which creatures are naturally predisposed to being good at attacking. Examples of such Pokemon include Arcanine, Dragonite, Exeggutor, Lapras and Vaporeon. Second, choose a gym wisely. Do not push for a takeover bid when the target gym comes under attack all the time. It'll be wiser to conquer gyms that are less likely to attract too many challengers. Third, come up with a battle plan ahead of a mulled takeover. This requires organizing one's Pokemon roster and assigning them battle roles according to their corresponding CP with the weakest starting off the bat. Fourth, don't be foolish enough to take on a gym without some help from friends and other trainers.

What should be done after successfully taking a gym over? Strengthen one's claim and hold over a gym by placing the best defender in full health. Defenders aren't supposed to go out and fight. They are more useful if they stay behind to defend the gym from attackers. Examples of Pokemon with credible defensive prowess include Lapras, Poliwrath, Dragonite, Snorlax, Exeggutor, and Slowbro.

Meanwhile, a new "Pokemon Go" development may be in the works as Niantic exerts more effort at reversing the number of players leaving the game after a peaked surge last month following its release. Per Business Insider report, some Redditors seem to have uncovered a possible virtual reality support for the AR game in their datamining efforts. If this gets implemented sometime in the near future, this VR support feature will enable gamers to play via Google Cardboard.