Dynamax Pokémon are a unique form of Pokémon which dramatically increase their size, allowing them to enter a unique type of encounter: a Max Battle.
Debuting in the main games first with Pokémon Sword and Shield’s Galar region, things work a little differently in Pokémon Go, with Dynamax requiring the use of two specific features, Max Particles and Power Spots, in order to get underway.
This pages explains how Dynamax Pokémon work, how to get more Dynamax Pokémon, and how to enter Max Battles.
Other recent additions during the “Max Out” season include new Galar Pokémon and regional exclusives, the “Galar Calling” Special Research, and the Daily PokéCoin Bounty ticket.
Latest update: Beldum debuts in Max Battles alongside Sept. 2024’s Psychic Spectacular event.
What are Dynamax Pokémon?
Dynamax Pokémon are a unique type of Pokémon that can be “Dynamaxed” and enter Max Battles. You can tell a Dynamax Pokémon at a glance by the unique symbol in your collection, or the Pokémon’s stats screen, which has a “Dynamax” drop-down below their weight, height, and typing information.
You cannot Dynamax existing Pokémon in your collection — instead, you must find and catch them separately. This is because, their huge size difference aside, they also use unique “Max Moves,” which can be unlocked and upgraded with Max Particles.
(As an aside, Dynamax Pokémon still have Fast and Charged moves, and can be used in battle elsewhere, such as in the Go Battle League, or in raids.)
Dynamax Pokémon are also different to Gigantamax Pokémon, which are similarly large Pokémon that also change form and use unique G-Max moves, even if they are also found in Max Battles.
In summary — getting Dynamax Pokémon is important if you want to enter Max Battles, as only Dynamax Pokémon will be accepted. Of course, if you need Dynamax Pokémon to enter a Max Battle, how do you get them in the first place?
How to get Dynamax Pokémon in Pokémon Go
You can get Dynamax Pokémon in Pokémon Go in a number of ways:
- Completing the “To the Max!” Special Research during the “Max Out” season, which rewards a Dynamax Wooloo and Dynamax Skwovet by completing steps one and two
- Collecting your first 1,000 Max Particles, which rewards a Dynamax Wooloo
- Completing Max Battles and catching the Dynamax Pokémon in the subsequent encounter phase
- If a Gigantamax Pokémon is placed at a Power Spot, Dynamax Pokémon can appear in the wild around Power Spots if one is placed in them
Though completing Max Battles is your primary source of finding Dynamax Pokémon, there is a chicken-and-egg situation you need Dynamax Pokémon to battle them in the first place. This is where the “To the Max!” research comes in — with two Dynamax Pokémon coming your way by completing the first two steps, which primarily involves finding Max Particles from Power Spots.
How to enter Max Battles in Pokémon Go
Max Battles can be found a Power Spots starting Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. local time, in the same way raids can be found Gyms. To enter a Max Battle, there are two requirements:
- Having at least one Dynamax Pokémon, as standard Pokémon will not be accepted
- Having enough Max Particles, with entry costing 250 MP for one-star encounters
Up to four trainers total can enter a Max Battle, each with up to three Dynamax Pokémon. These encounters start similar to raids or Go Team Rocket battles, where Fast and Charged attacks will be used while a Max Meter builds. When it’s full, your Pokémon will Dynamax, and is able to make use of any unlocked Max Moves.
Note that as well as having other trainers aid you, you can also get an additional attack multiplier through any Dynamax Pokémon that have been placed at that Power Spot by other trainers.
Additionally, in Max Battles at three star difficulty or higher, if all your Dynamax Pokémon faint, they can aid those still in battle by ‘cheering’ them on and boosting their Max Meters. If you fail to win the encounter, you’ll also be refunded the Max Particles spend to enter the Max Battle.
Max Battle rewards
Once the encounter is complete, you’ll be rewarded the following:
- Consumable items (including the likes of Golden Razz Berries and XL Candy)
- XP (increases based on difficulty)
- Premier Balls (used to catch the Dynamax Pokémon you just fought)
Unique to Max Battles is the chance to double the rewards — including the number of Premier Balls to be used in the subsequent catch phase — for 100 PokéCoins.
There are then two specific Dynamax Pokémon-related rewards:
- You can place a Dynamax Pokémon in the Power Spot, which will then assist others in their Max Battles, as well as increase the chances of wild (regular) Pokémon appearing around that Power Spot. This placed Pokémon will return to you after assisting in a certain number of Max Battles, or after the Power Spot closes.
- The chance to catch the Dynamax Pokémon you fought in the Max Battle, using the set number of Premier Balls offered, before it flees.
In summary — Max Battles are an opportunity to get more Dynamax Pokémon, as well as earn some additional items and XP.
Can you solo Max Battles, or battle Max Battles remotely?
As with raids in gyms, Max Battles found at Power Spots will range in difficulty, with a variety of one star battles that, provided you have a strong enough team and / or the right counters, should be beatable solo.
Niantic has said Max Battles cannot be fought remotely, and that only local play (whether solo or up to four players) is possible.
Dynamax Pokémon list in Pokémon Go
As of Oct. 26, the following Dynamax Pokémon are available in Pokémon Go.
Debuted in one-star battles:
- Bulbasaur (and evolutions)
- Charmander (and evolutions)
- Squirtle (and evolutions)
- Skwovet (and evolution)
- Wooloo (and evolution)
- Grookey (and evolutions)
- Scorbunny (and evolutions)
- Sobble (and evolutions)
- Gastly (and evolutions)
Debuted in three-star battles:
- Beldum (and evolutions)
- Falinks
As suggested above, it’s possible the evolve Dynamax Pokémon, and at the time of writing, is the only way to get their subsequent evolutions — meaning if you want a Dynamax Charizard, you must first catch a Dynamax Charmander, then evolve them twice.
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