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Dynamax is the general battle mechanic in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. Gigantamax is a rarer, species-limited version of it. Every Gigantamax Pokémon Dynamaxes, but not every Pokémon can Gigantamax. A Gigantamax Pokémon also changes appearance and gains a signature move that ordinary Dynamax Pokémon cannot use.
Where these rules apply
Dynamax and Gigantamax are documented for Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, set in the Galar region. In those games, Dynamaxing takes place in designated locations, such as Gym stadiums, and requires a Dynamax Band according to official game materials. Those materials do not give a publication date for these rules. This article describes them as they work in Sword and Shield and does not assume they carry over unchanged to later Pokémon games or competitive formats. Check the rules of any other title before applying them.
What Dynamax does
Dynamax makes a Pokémon grow dramatically and gain battle power. The Pokémon Company’s Sword and Shield strategy article reports several specific effects:
- The Pokémon’s current and maximum HP double.
- The effect lasts exactly three turns.
- It ends early if the Pokémon is switched out, and the Pokémon that replaces it does not get the effect for the rest of the battle.
The same strategy article, written by Aaron Zheng as a contributing writer, puts the usage limit this way: “Each Trainer may only Dynamax one Pokémon in a battle, and the effect lasts for exactly three turns.”
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- Catch, battle, and trade Pokémon on an all-new adventure in the Galar region
- Choose from three new partner Pokémon and encounter never-before-seen Pokémon
- Unravel the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta!
- Team up with other Trainers to participate in Max Raid Battles***!
- Battle wild Dynamax Pokémon in Max Raid Battles and try catching them***
Moves become Max Moves
While Dynamaxed, a Pokémon’s moves are replaced by Max Moves. The result depends on the type and category of the move the Pokémon knew before Dynamaxing. Official feature pages give these examples:
| Max Move | Documented effect |
|---|---|
| Max Strike | Includes an added Speed-lowering effect on the target |
| Max Geyser | Triggers rain |
| Max Knuckle | Raises allied Attack |
| Status moves | Become Max Guard |
Max Moves are the broad class of moves that Dynamaxed Pokémon use. They are not the same as G-Max Moves, which are covered below.
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- New entries in the main series of Pokémon RPGs arrive on Nintendo Switch simultaneously in late 2019
- The Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games take place in the newly discovered Galar Region
- Galar is an expansive region with diverse environments - an idyllic countryside, contemporary cities, thick forest and craggy, snow-covered mountains
- Fans will have the opportunity to visit Gyms in the Galar region in their quest to become Champion
- Newly discovered partner Pokémon join in this new iteration of the games - Grookey, Scorbunny and Sobble
What Gigantamax adds
Gigantamax is not a separate evolution or a longer-lasting version of Dynamax. Official Sword and Shield materials describe it as a special phenomenon in which eligible Pokémon become larger, change appearance, and gain a unique G-Max Move. In practice, a Gigantamax Pokémon goes through the normal Dynamax process and then gains these extra traits.
Eligibility is restricted
The official Gigantamax page states: “Only certain species of Pokémon can Gigantamax—and even among such species, only rare specimens will be able to Gigantamax.” Eligibility therefore depends on two filters: the species and the individual Pokémon. Being a member of an eligible species is not enough.
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- Part 1 - The Isle of Armor releases June 17, 2020; Part 2 - The Crown Tundra is scheduled for release during the fall of 2020
- New Areas Discovered in the Galar Region and expand Your Pokémon Adventure
- This bundle includes both the Pokémon Sword game and the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass
- Catch, battle, and trade Pokémon on a new adventure in the Galar region
- If you purchase the Pokémon Sword + Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass, you'll get some in-game apparel as a bonus.
Appearance changes
Unlike ordinary Dynamax, which makes a Pokémon enormous but leaves its look otherwise unchanged, Gigantamax also changes the Pokémon’s appearance. This is the most visible difference in battle.
The G-Max Move
Each Gigantamax species has its own G-Max Move. The official Drednaw page shows how the link works: that species’ Water-type moves turn into G-Max Stonesurge. Ordinary Dynamax Pokémon cannot use G-Max Moves at all, so a G-Max Move is available only to Gigantamax Pokémon.
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- A new generation of Pokemon is coming to the Nintendo Switch system.
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- In this all new adventure, you'll encounter new and familiar Pokemon as you catch, battle, and trade Pokemon while exploring new areas and uncovering an all-new story.
- Get ready for the next Pokemon adventure in the Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield games.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Dynamax | Gigantamax |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Broadly available to Galar Pokémon, but only where Dynamaxing is allowed | Only certain species, and only rare individuals within those species |
| Appearance | Grows enormous; ordinary look is kept | Grows enormous and changes appearance |
| Moves | Moves become Max Moves based on the original move’s type and category | Uses the Max Move system and can also use a species-specific G-Max Move |
| Duration and battle limit | Three turns; once per Trainer per battle (Pokémon.com Sword and Shield strategy article) | Same as Dynamax |
| Where it happens | Designated locations in Galar, such as Gym stadiums | Same setting; rare Gigantamax Pokémon can be encountered in Max Raid Battles |
How to get each in Sword and Shield
Dynamaxing requires a Dynamax Band and a location where Dynamaxing is allowed. Gigantamax has an additional requirement: the Pokémon must be an eligible species and must be one of the rare specimens. Official game material describes catching Gigantamax Pokémon through Max Raid Battles and characterizes them as rare, so there is no reliable way to pick a specific Gigantamax individual in advance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which term to use
- Use “Dynamax” for the general mechanic, its three-turn limit, and Max Moves.
- Use “Gigantamax” only for the rare, eligible form that changes appearance and can use a G-Max Move.
- Do not describe a Pokémon as Gigantamax just because it is large. A large Pokémon that is not one of the eligible Gigantamax specimens is still an ordinary Dynamax Pokémon.
Gigantamax also shares the same three-turn and once-per-battle limits, so calling it a stronger or longer-lasting Dynamax would be inaccurate.
Quick Recap
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![Pokémon Shield + Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51HgJEJCEcL._SL160_.jpg)
- Part 1 - The Isle of Armor releases June 17, 2020; Part 2 - The Crown Tundra is scheduled for release during the fall of 2020
- New Areas Discovered in the Galar Region and expand Your Pokémon Adventure
- This bundle includes both the Pokémon Shield game and the Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass
- Catch, battle, and trade Pokémon on a new adventure in the Galar region
- If you purchase the Pokémon Shield + Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass, you'll get some in-game apparel as a bonus.
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