Dynamax is one of the most exciting battle mechanics in Pokémon Go, letting your Pokémon grow to an enormous size and unleash powerful Max Moves during Max Battles. Niantic introduced Dynamaxing to the game on September 4, 2024, nearly five years after the mechanic first appeared in Pokémon Sword and Shield on the Nintendo Switch. If you are just getting started with Max Battles or want a complete breakdown of how the system works, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Is Dynamax in Pokémon Go?
Dynamax is a temporary transformation that makes a Pokémon grow to a massive size for three turns during a Max Battle. While Dynamaxed, a Pokémon takes on a reddish glow with swirling clouds around its head and gains access to a set of special moves called Max Moves instead of its regular attacks. The transformation lasts exactly three turns, one per Max Move used, and then the Pokémon returns to its normal size.
Dynamax first debuted in the mainline series in Generation VIII (Pokémon Sword and Shield) as a Galar-region mechanic tied to Power Spots scattered across the region. Pokémon Go adapts this concept through its own Max Battle format, which replaces traditional raid structures with a unique cooperative battle experience.
How to Dynamax in Pokémon Go
To Dynamax a Pokémon in Pokémon Go, you need to be in an active Max Battle. Outside of Max Battles, you cannot trigger the transformation, so there is no way to Dynamax your Pokémon during standard PvP or Gym battles.
Here is how the process works step by step:
- Join a Max Battle at a Power Spot near you.
- Use your Pokémon’s Fast and Charged Attacks during the battle. Every attack you land adds energy to the Max Meter displayed at the bottom of your screen.
- Move your Pokémon around during the battle to collect bonus Max Meter energy.
- Once the Max Meter fills completely, a short window opens letting you select which of your Pokémon to Dynamax.
- The chosen Pokémon grows to giant size and can use Max Moves for the next three turns.
The Dynamax selection window gives you a chance to swap in a Pokémon better suited for the Power Spot Boss you are fighting. Any Pokémon that has not fainted remains eligible to Dynamax, so use this window strategically. After three Max Moves, the Pokémon returns to normal, and you need to refill the Max Meter to Dynamax again.
Note that Dynamaxed Pokémon will automatically use their attack Max Move after a short countdown if you do not manually select a move. Pay attention to the timer so you always make an intentional choice.
How to Get Dynamax Pokémon in Pokémon Go
You need at least one Dynamax Pokémon to participate in any Max Battle, so obtaining your first one is the top priority when you start engaging with this mechanic.
Max Battles (Primary Method)
Defeating a Power Spot Boss in a Max Battle gives you Premier Balls to attempt a catch, similar to how raids work. A one-star boss rewards 10 Premier Balls by default. You can increase that number by spending 200 Poké Coins. If the Pokémon escapes before you use all your Premier Balls, you have to attempt another Max Battle to get another shot. Shiny Dynamax Pokémon can appear as rewards from Max Battle victories.
Alternative Methods
Three additional ways let you earn Dynamax Pokémon without winning a Max Battle:
- “To the Max!” Special Research rewards a Dynamax Wooloo and a Dynamax Skwovet upon completion.
- Collect 1,000 Max Particles to earn a Dynamax Wooloo. Walking 2km contributes 300 Max Particles toward this goal.
- Wild Power Spot Spawns occasionally feature Dynamax Pokémon in the wild around Power Spots. These spawns are rare, so do not count on this as a reliable source.
Starting with the Special Research and Max Particle routes gives you your first Dynamax Pokémon quickly without needing to beat a Max Battle cold.
Max Moves in Pokémon Go Explained
Every Dynamax Pokémon has access to three Max Moves while in its giant form. These replace the Pokémon’s regular moveset for the three turns it stays Dynamaxed.
| Max Move | Effect |
|---|---|
| Max Attack | An offensive move with a type matching the Pokémon’s current Fast Attack type. The name changes based on type, for example Wooloo (Normal-type) uses Max Strike. |
| Max Guard | Reduces incoming damage from the Power Spot Boss. |
| Max Spirit | Heals both your Pokémon and your allies in the Max Battle. |
You get immediate access to Max Attack the moment you catch a Dynamax Pokémon. Max Guard and Max Spirit start locked and require resources to unlock before you can use them.
How to Unlock and Level Up Max Moves
Unlocking and leveling up Max Moves costs both Max Particles and Candy specific to the Pokémon you want to improve. For example, improving a Dynamax Wooloo’s Max Moves requires Wooloo Candy. Every time you unlock or level up a Max Move, you also earn bonus XP.
Unlocking Max Guard and Max Spirit
Each move costs 400 Max Particles and 50 Candy to unlock. Unlocking both gives you the Pokémon’s complete Max Moveset for a total cost of 800 Max Particles and 100 Candy. You also receive 4,000 XP per move unlocked, and once unlocked, the moves stay available on that Pokémon permanently.
Leveling Up Max Moves
Each Max Move has three levels: Level One, Level Two, and Level Three. All moves start at Level One. The upgrade costs are the same for every Max Move regardless of which one you are upgrading:
| Upgrade | Max Particles | Candy | XP Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level One to Level Two | 600 | 100 Candy | 6,000 XP |
| Level Two to Level Three | 800 | 40 Candy XL | 6,000 XP |
Leveling up Max Moves to Level Three requires Candy XL, so prioritize Pokémon you actually use in Max Battles before spending the rarer currency.
Dynamax vs Gigantamax in Pokémon Go
Dynamax and Gigantamax are two forms of the same core mechanic, but they differ in one key way. Most Pokémon simply grow larger when Dynamaxing while keeping their normal appearance. A Gigantamax Pokémon, on the other hand, takes on an entirely different physical form specific to that species.
A classic example is Pikachu, which reverts to its original chubby 1990s design when it Gigantamaxes. Meowth becomes an extremely elongated version of itself. Not every Pokémon has a Gigantamax form, so most Dynamax Pokémon just appear as oversized versions of their normal selves.
Gigantamax Pokémon also carry a unique move category called G-Max Moves, which function like Max Moves but with additional or stronger effects. These are exclusive to Gigantamax Pokémon and cannot be learned by standard Dynamax Pokémon.
Currently, 32 species can Gigantamax across the franchise, with 33 total Gigantamax forms since both Urshifu styles (Single Strike and Rapid Strike) each have their own unique Gigantamax form despite being the same Pokémon species.
Both Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon are available in Pokémon Go, so as more species get added through future events, expect the roster to expand over time. Play Now!
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