Houston Pokemon Go Discord Guide

Thought it'd be helpful to compile information on using Discord for Pokemon Go around Houston. This guide has a tutorial on how to use Discord and a (work in progress) list of the Pokemon Go Discord servers around Houston.

First, what is Discord?

Discord is a free web/pc/mobile messaging app that allows different groups (called "Servers") to have conversations in various chatrooms (called "Channels"). It's an immensely helpful tool for organizing Pokemon Go raids!

Tutorial

• Installation: On a computer, go to discordapp.com or download Discord from the App/Play Store on mobile.

• Make a Profile: choose a neat username! Skip making a server if it asks. Then, claim your account by entering your e-mail, choosing a password, checking your e-mail for that verification link, and smashing that "I'm Not a Bot" capcha.

• Get a Lay of the Land: the user interface for Discord is a lot to take in at first, so I'll try my best to go over the basics. Whenever you log in, you'll be greeted with your Friends page, which for now will be empty (like mine...). The sidebar on the left of the page (top left dropdown menu on mobile) will be your main navigational tool. Here you can navigate back to the Friends/Direct Messages page (the lilac blue icon on top) or, more importantly, check out the different servers you'll soon be a part of. Whilst here, be sure to note the circle with a plus sign icon - this will be very important later!

• Joining a Server: here we finally go! Go ahead and click on that circle with a plus sign inside from the left menu. Click "Join" and put in your shiny new invite code! You can either type in the entire url (e.g. https://discord.gg/EXamPLE/ - don't forget the https://, it's needed) or just the string of letters that follow discord.gg/ (e.g. EXamPLE). But before I tell you the server codes around Houston...

• Etiquette: oh boy, I can't stress this enough. I'm basically inviting you into another person's house, so please, be respectful and follow a few rules before getting rowdy.

  1. When you join a server, the first thing you should do is immediately check out its #rules or #info channel. Read it thoroughly!
  2. Next, think before you post! Each server is organized into a variety of channels (indicated with a # symbol in front) that designate what kind of conversation should be happening in there. Try not to post in #general unless you honestly can't find a channel that fits your thought.
  3. Be informative! When posting a raid, clearly state what Pokemon it is, what the location is (cross streets or nearby landmarks are very helpful), how much time is left (or even what time it'll be there until), and, if you're really awesome, what the parking situation is. When attending a raid, tag the person who posted about it with @TheirUsername, say how many people are coming, give an estimated time of arrival [ETA], and provide updates if your ETA changes.
  4. Lastly, be calm, courteous, and respectful of everyone else on Discord! We're all here to play a game and have fun, after all!

List of Discord Servers around Houston (work in progress)

Here, I'll give a list and a brief description of the servers you may consider joining! If I leave one out (or if you're a server admin that doesn't want your server listed), please let me know in the comments and I'll update accordingly!

• Houston Raid Chat: https://discord.gg/5d3v3cr. My personal favorite, its channels are focused on different regions/neighborhoods around Houston, so you can alert/check on only the places that you're most interested in. You can find me blowing up the #rice channel most days. Special rules: don't post lat/long coordinates or map scanners, it's considered bad taste and against the #rules_and_guidelines

• Houston PoGo Raids: https://discord.gg/jXFSzPw. This server also breaks up channels into different regions around Houston as well as a few Pokemon-specific channels and boasts a very large number of members!

• Freedom Raiders: https://discord.gg/dmhSJAn. A much more specialized/focused group originally based around Alief. Raid parties assemble and hit places up throughout the day, led by designated raid leaders in their specific channels. See the comment by Txcanon1 below for a firsthand account!

• Pasadena Raids: https://discord.gg/jaA9PFr. The name says it all! They only have one channel for a no frills, no hassle experience.

• Poke Go - Clear Lake +: https://discord.gg/8UDMyGR. A server based around the Clear Lake area. When you join, you first alert an admin of what team you'll be joining before getting started. Their channel setup is pretty interesting: there are tier 3 through 5 channels as well as a #requests channel and a #no-trespass-list to warn people not to venture to certain locations.

• PogoSugarLand: https://discord.gg/gvVaDQZ. A server that focuses on both raids and rare spawns around Sugarland. Check out this post for more detailed information about the group!

• Pokemon Go - Kingwood/Atascocita/Humble/Porter: https://discord.gg/tg3q7EP. For those northeast of Houston itself, no need to feel left out! As the name suggests, this server focuses on the areas mentioned and seems to have a cool culture beyond just raids, as evidenced by channels such as #community-events and #offtopic-lounge.

• Cypress Pokemon Go: https://discord.gg/r3CvCsm. Focusing on the area in and around Cypress, Texas, this server is broken up into channels that focus on each of the legendaries, as well as team-specific channels! Simply post a screenshot of your trainer profile in their #welcome channel, and you'll soon be on your way to partake in all the festivities!

• Team Instinct Discord: https://discord.gg/durF2Mk. On a mission to unite Team Instinct, here's a server that seeks to accomplish just that! Not super active, but they're always looking for more chatter!

• Pokemon Go Houston: https://discord.gg/CQbAaG8. You're on its subreddit, why not check out its Discord? While there's no official raid channel, some people have been using #meet-ups as a way to coordinate raids!

• HoustonPokeMap: https://discord.gg/rK7nCAT. A server based around the recently beleaguered map scanner. It's got a raid chat channel, but I get the feeling that's not people's main reason for checking this one out...

• The Silph Road: https://discord.gg/hTwrdpt. Not specifically focused on Houston, but if you want the chance to interact with some awesome Pokemon Go players around the world, feel free to check this one out!

Note: the large servers sometimes have gaps in coverage in terms of locations, so try a few out until you find one that covers your area!

Closing Remarks

Sorry for the long-winded post! I hope it's helpful to at least some people. Also, if there's interest, I can add/comment with additional sections like an Advanced Tutorial going over distributing invite codes and anything else I left out, or maybe a Frequently Asked Questions. Anyways, thanks for reading, and I look forward to your comments!