Best Gym Defenders Pokémon GO 2025: Picks, Movesets & Tips

Defending gyms in Pokémon GO remains one of the best ways to earn free PokéCoins daily. But to keep your Pokémon holding a gym for hours or even days, you’ll need more than just high CP, you need best gym defenders Pokémon GO that can truly withstand repeated attacks. This guide breaks down what makes a good gym defender in 2025, the top 10 best Pokémon to defend gym, optimal movesets, and practical tips to keep your coins flowing.

A strong gym defender isn’t just about raw CP. Great defenders share a few key traits:

Combining these qualities makes your defender tougher to knock out, which means more time defending and more coins for you.

1 Blissey

Blissey is still the undefeated queen of gym defense. With the highest base Stamina in the game, she can soak up enormous damage. Her Normal typing means few direct counters other than Machamp and other Fighting-types. If you only power up one defender, make it Blissey.

Suggested Moveset: Zen Headbutt (Fast Attack) and Dazzling Gleam (Charged Attack)

2 Chansey

Chansey is Blissey’s little sister — and sometimes even better! Why? A maxed Chansey with a Gold Gym Badge can last surprisingly long due to its massive HP. Many attackers skip gyms with Chansey because it’s so time-consuming to take down.

Suggested Moveset: Zen Headbutt (Fast Attack) and Dazzling Gleam (Charged Attack)

3 Snorlax

Snorlax combines high Stamina with good overall bulk. It resists Ghost-type moves, which gives it defensive flexibility. Snorlax is also easy to find and power up for most trainers.

Suggested Moveset: Zen Headbutt + Body Slam

4 Togekiss

Togekiss is a strong Fairy/Flying defender with great all-around stats. Its Fairy typing counters common Dragon attackers like Dragonite and Garchomp. Togekiss’s double weakness to Electric is manageable since Electric-type attackers aren’t usually picked for gyms.

Suggested Moveset: Charm + Dazzling Gleam

5 Metagross

Metagross stands out as a Steel/Psychic Pokémon with excellent resistances. Its Steel typing shrugs off many common moves, forcing attackers to bring Fire or Ground counters. Shiny Metagross also looks great sitting on top of a gym!

Suggested Moveset: Zen Headbutt and Meteor Mash

6 Kommo-o

Kommo-o is an unusual but solid gym defender in 2025. Its Dragon/Fighting typing can surprise attackers — and its decent bulk makes it a fun off-meta pick. It’s not as durable as Blissey, but a maxed Kommo-o is still annoying to chip away.

Suggested Moveset: Dragon Tail + Dragon Claw

7 Milotic

Milotic is a beautiful Water-type with above-average HP and good resistances. Unlike Vaporeon, it has slightly better bulk and looks elegant guarding gyms. Its single typing means it’s only weak to Electric and Grass, which aren’t top picks for gym break-ins.

Suggested Moveset: Dragon Tail and Surf

8 Slaking

Slaking has the highest non-Mega CP in the game, paired with huge Stamina. Its main downside is its poor moveset — but for defense, high raw HP still makes it time-consuming for attackers.

Suggested Moveset: Yawn+Play Rough

9 Umbreon

Umbreon is a Dark-type with surprisingly strong defensive stats for Great and Ultra League, and works well in gyms too. It resists Ghost and Psychic, and its low CP means attackers might ignore it until last.

Suggested Moveset: Snarl+Foul Play

10 Drifblim

Drifblim is an underrated Ghost/Flying defender with high HP and tricky resistances. Its Ghost typing means Normal and Fighting moves can’t touch it, and it can annoy unprepared attackers who bring the wrong counters.

Suggested Moveset: Hex+Ominous + Wind

Tips 1 Feed Berries

Always watch your defending Pokémon’s motivation bar. If it drops too low, they’re much easier to kick out. Remote feeding with Golden Razz Berries is the best option because it fully restores motivation every time. Just tap the gym on your map, pick your Pokémon, and feed it a berry or two to keep attackers guessing.

Tips 2 Pick Off-Hours

If you want your defender to stay put longer, drop it into gyms late at night or early in the morning when fewer trainers are out battling. Picking a hidden or out-of-the-way gym helps too. Less foot traffic means your Pokémon can hold that spot for hours and farm you more free PokéCoins.

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Tips 3 Lower CP Works

Maxing CP isn’t always the smartest move for defending gyms. Sometimes a mid-level defender blends in better and doesn’t tempt raiders looking for an easy knockout. For example, a Blissey with around 2,800 CP might last longer than a fully maxed one because casual players might skip it instead of wasting time.

Tips 4 Team Up

Whenever you can, coordinate with teammates to fill gyms with different defender types. Mixing Pokémon like Blissey, Metagross, and Togekiss forces attackers to switch counters constantly instead of steamrolling with just one type. The more time they spend battling, the more coins you get.

Tips 5 Gold Badge Up

A Gold Gym Badge is your secret weapon for defending. The higher your badge level, the slower your Pokémon’s motivation drains. Keep spinning the gym, feeding berries, and defending often. One well-maintained Gold Gym can earn you daily coins for weeks without much hassle.

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1．What’s the best Pokémon for defending gyms in Pokémon GO?

Blissey is still the overall best gym defender thanks to its massive HP and decent resistances. Chansey, Snorlax, and Togekiss are also top picks for holding gyms longer.

2．How many coins do you get for defending a gym?

You can earn up to 50 PokéCoins per day by having your Pokémon hold gyms. Even if multiple Pokémon return on the same day, the daily limit stays at 50.

3．Does CP matter for gym defense?

CP does matter, but sometimes mid-level CP Pokémon are better because they blend in and don’t attract attackers. High HP and resistances are more important than raw CP.

4．Can Legendary Pokémon defend gyms?

No. In Pokémon GO, Legendary Pokémon can’t be placed in gyms as defenders. You’ll need to rely on strong non-Legendaries like Blissey or Snorlax instead.

5．How do you keep a Pokémon in a gym longer?

Pick bulky Pokémon with high Stamina and few weaknesses, drop them in low-traffic gyms at off-hours, and keep feeding them berries remotely to maintain their motivation.

6．What is the longest a Pokémon can stay in a gym?

There’s no official time limit — a Pokémon can technically stay in a gym for days or even weeks if no one kicks it out. Some defenders in remote gyms have lasted months!

Picking the best gym defenders in Pokémon GO can make the difference between earning a handful of coins and collecting your daily max. Power up high-HP Pokémon like Blissey and Chansey, mix in surprise picks like Kommo-o or Drifblim, and master timing and placement. And if you want the easiest way to reach new gyms worldwide, try AnyTo and defend like a pro — no walking required.

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Article by Ryan Miles

Ryan Miles is a seasoned gamer and mobile strategy writer with over 5 years of hands-on experience in Pokémon GO spoofing and GPS-based games. Known for breaking down complex location tricks into beginner-friendly guides, Ryan’s mission is simple: help you explore more, catch faster, and play smarter without ever leaving home.