Read this article to learn more about Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing, Max Moves and G-Max Moves, and the Dynamax Band in Pokemon Sword and Shield, and more!!!
Table of Contents
Two New Battle Systems
Your Pokemon Become Huge!
The two new battle transformations in Pokemon Sword & Shield are called Dynamax & Gigantamax. Both of them let your Pokemon become massive, increase their power, and give them new abilities.
Differences And Similarities
| Dynamax | Gigantamax | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Only Size Changes | Appearance Changes |
| Special Moves | Max Moves | G-Max Moves |
| Capable Pokemon | All Pokemon | Only Some Pokemon |
What Is Dynamaxing?
Dynamax Effects And Features
- Doesn't need special tools to activate
- Activation is limited to specific battles
- Used only once per battle for only 3 turns
- Pokemon's moves change to Max Moves
- Maximum HP limit is increased
- Can make some moves ineffective
No Special Tools Needed To Activate
In Pokemon Sword and Shield, all Pokemon can use Dynamax and you don't need any special tools to activate it, unlike Mega Evolution and Z-Techniques!
Choice Item Restrictions Are Lifted
Even if you've already locked yourself into a move with a Choice Scarf, once you Dynamax that limitation will disappear. You'll be able to use other moves again however the benefits of held items are rendered ineffective.
Activation Is Limited To Specific Battles
Using Dynamax is limited to big stadiums and gyms. You cannot use them in wild Pokemon battles or Trainer battles outside.
Battles Where You Can Use Dynamax
| Place | Overview |
|---|---|
| Gym | You can use Dynamax versus Gym Leaders |
| Champion Cup | You can use Dynamax in Champion Cup matches |
| Max Raid Battle | Fight against Dynamax Pokemon in Wild Area |
| Battle Stadium | Online battles versus real people |
| Battle Tower | Unlocked after endgame, used to gather Battle Points (BP) for items |
Used Only Once Per Battle For 3 Turns
Dynamax is a powerful and strategic feature but it can only be used once per battle and lasts for only 3 turns. If your Pokemon is inflicted with status effects that render them immobile, these turns are also counted.
Changing Pokemon Cancels Dynamax
When you switch out your Pokemon that's been Dynamaxed, they'll return to their normal state. If you switch them back into battle again, they won't be in Dynamax anymore.
Pokemon's Moves Change To Max Moves
| Normal | Dynamax |
|---|---|
 |  |
A Pokemon's moves turn into Max Moves when they activate Dynamax. The type of Max Move they'll have will depend on the move they already have on their list.
Dynamax Moves Can't Be Evaded
Even if you use the move "Protect", which protects a Pokemon from an opponent's move, you'll still get hit by the enemy's Max Move. Dynamax moves normally cannot be evaded or be protected from.
Max Move Power Depends On Base Move
The power of the Max Move will highly be dependent on the base move that you've chosen. For example, Max Geyser will be stronger when you choose the base move "Hydro Pump" versus "Water Gun".
Maximum HP Limit Is Increased
When a Pokemon uses Dynamax, their maximum HP limit will be increased. This allows them to withstand other Pokemon's Max Moves used against them.
Increase Dynamax Levels For Higher HP
Trainers can increase their Pokemon's Dynamax Level by feeding them a Dynamax Candy. Increasing their Dynamax Level will give them higher HP during Dynamax.
Check Out How To Increase Dynamax Level!HP Is Healed During Dynamax
Your Pokemon's HP will be healed when you activate Dynamax, helping save your Pokemon from fainting when its HP is low.
Can Disable Some Status Effects
While Dynamaxed, moves like Fake Out and Encore have no effect. More moves that have no effect are still being confirmed, but flinching moves and restricting moves (like Wrap) are ineffective.
Status Conditions Still Work
Pokemon can be paralyzed or put to sleep while Dynamaxed. Be careful with sleep, as it can waste your 3-turn Dynamax. Also, fixed damage with burns or poison is calculated based off the original Pokemon's HP.
How To Activate Dynamax
The Dynamax Band Is Required
In order to Dynamax your Pokemon, you will need to have an item called the Dynamax Band! This will be given to you by Professor Magnolia early on in the story.
Check Out All Story Walkthrough Here!Activate When Selecting A Pokemon Move
You can activate your Pokemon's Dynamax when you select a move from its list. When the circle is filled, you'll be able to activate Dynamax.
Max Moves List
All Dynamax Moves In Pokemon Sword And Shield
| Pokemon Type | Technique Name Additional Effect |
|---|---|
| | Max Strike Speed is lowered |
| | Max Flare Implements Sunny Day for 5 turns |
| | Max Geyser Implements Rainy Day for 5 turns |
| | Max Overgrowth Implements Grass Terrain for 5 turns |
| | Max Airstream Speed is increased |
| | Max Knuckle Attack is increased |
| | Max Flutterby Sp. Attack is lowered |
| | Max Quake Sp. Defense is increased |
| | Max Rockfall Implements Sandy Terrain for 5 turns |
| | Max Lightning Implements Electric Terrain for 5 turns |
| | Max Hailstorm Implements Hail for 5 turns |
| | Max Ooze Sp. Attack is increased |
| | Max Steelspike Defense is increased |
| | Max Mindstorm Implements Psychic Terrain for 5 turns |
| | Max Starfall Implements Misty Terrain for 5 turns |
| | Max Phantasm Defense is lowered |
| | Max Darkness Sp. Defense is lowered |
| | Max Wyrmwind Attack is lowered |
What Is Gigantamaxing?
A Stronger, Rare Version of Dynamaxing
While every Pokemon is able to Dynamax, only a limited number of Pokemon are able to Gigantamax! Also, not every member of a species can Gigantamax. This means such Pokemon will be very rare.
Check Out All Gigantamax Pokemon Here!How To Check If Pokemon Can Gigantamax
Only specific Pokemons have the ability to Gigantamax, even if its the same Pokemon species. Which Pokemons has this ability can be checked in the Summary, with a red X symbol on the top right.
Appearance Totally Changes
Unlike Dynamax Pokemon, Gigantamax Pokemon will change their appearance entirely!
Use G-Max Moves
Another big difference is that Gigantamax Pokemon have a special "G-Max Move" which is unique to each species of Pokemon.
Catch Them In The Wild Area
Gigantamax Pokemon will be available to catch in Max Raid Battles, which you can find in the Wild Area. They will be very rare, so good luck!
Learn More About Max Raid Battles HereG-Max Moves List
All G-Max Moves In Pokemon Sword And Shield
| Pokemon | Description |
|---|---|
| Gigantmax Drednaw | G-Max Stonesurge Deal damage and scatter sharp rocks around opponent. |
| Gigantamax Corviknight | G-Max Wind Rage Deal damage and remove any effects of opponent (ex. Reflect, Light Screen). |
| Gigantamax Alcremie | G-Max Finale Deal damage to your opponent and heal all Pokemon on your side. |
| Gigantamax Pikachu | G-Max Volt Crash Paralyzes all opponents. |
| Gigantamax Charizard | G-Max Wildfire All non-fire types take damage for four turns. |
| Gigantamax Eevee | G-Max Cuddle Opposite gender opponents become infatuated. |
| Gigantamax Meowth | G-Max Gold Rush Confuses all targets and earns an in-game cash bonus. |
| Gigantamax Butterfree | G-Max Befuddle Causes poison, paralysis, or asleep status. |
| Gigantamax Snorlax | G-Max Replenish Restores Berries eaten by allies in battle. |
Pokemon Sword and Shield - Related Articles
Go Back To The Top PageMust Reads For Beginners
| Popular Beginner Tips | |
|---|---|
| Recommended Starters | Story Walkthrough List | Best Team For Story |
Breeding
| Popular Breeding Articles | |
|---|---|
| Step By Step Guide On How To Breed | |
| All Egg Group List | Useful Items For Breeding |
Post Game Content
| Must Read | |
|---|---|
| What To Do After Beating The Game | |
| Ranked Battle Tier List | Ranked Battle Builds List |
| Battle Tower Guide | Ranked Battle Guide |
Database
| Popular Databases | |
|---|---|
| Galar Pokedex | Base Stats Ranking | Clothes & Hairstyles List |
