Tips for playing Pokémon Go at Baylor

There’s a strange phenomenon happening at Baylor, and the rest of the world. Students are aimlessly wandering around campus, phones in hand, exclaiming to each other about stops, lure modules, eggs, gyms, teams, claiming they’re seeing Pokémon.

I’m sure by now you’ve guessed what they’re talking about: Pokémon Go. For the unfamiliar, it’s a game — an app for your phone — based on the 20-year-old franchise that transforms the world around you into the Pokémon universe, using augmented reality technology. Via the app, users explore the world around them, catching Pokémon and battling against each other in imaginary gyms.

[SEE photos of Pokémon all over campus on the Baylor Facebook page]

Yes, it’s all a bit strange and nerdy. But the strangest part of it all? I’ve joined them. It’s easy to get sucked into the game — and it’s been a fun new way to explore the Baylor campus. Along the way, I’ve learned some helpful tips and tricks:

The best places to catch Pokémon are Moody Library, McLane Stadium, and Armstrong Browning Library’s Garden of Contentment. They’re surrounded by Pokéstops, where you can continually restock on Pokéballs. Plus, it’s highly likely that another trainer has added a lure module to that Pokéstop. To top it off, they’re all beautiful locations to visit with friends as you play! The most common Pokémon you’ll see on campus (and most everywhere else) are Pidgey, Zubat and Rattata. If you’re looking for some water Pokémon — especially to evolve your Magikarp into a Gyarados — your best bet will be buildings near water. Check out the Baylor Marina, McLane Stadium’s riverfront and basin, and the Turner Riverfront Athletic Complex. If you’re already past level 5 and ready for some action, the gyms on campus are McLane Stadium, Robinson Tower, McCrary Music Building, Pat Neff Hall, Armstrong Browning Library, and the BSB fountain. There are some intense battles to gain control of these gyms, with trainers collaborating in their respective teams to take over and defend them. To get even more tips of how to catch ‘em all on campus, check out the growing communities in the PoGoWaco Reddit group and the Baylor Pokémon Go Facebook group.

One last tip, and perhaps the most important one: Make sure you’re paying attention to your surroundings while using the app! Baylor should remain a welcoming campus, so enjoy the game — but don’t get so caught up in it that you fail to be friendly to others around you.

Sic ’em, Pokémon trainers!