Dynamax & Gigantamax

Pokémon Sword & Shield introduces a new feature called Dynamax. Pokémon using Dynamax increase massively in size and boost their power. Gym leaders will use Dynamax, and there are Max Raid Battles in the Wild Area in Galar. A secondary phenomenon called Gigantamax also exists, in which Pokémon also change form and have exclusive moves.

Sword/Shield main page

Dynamax battle mechanics

Dynamax can only be used once per battle and lasts for 3 turns, after which the Pokémon will return to normal size. Their moves also turn into powerful Max moves - there is be one Max move per type for attacking moves, plus Max Guard for all status moves. This means Pokémon can end up with multiple of the same Max move.

Max moves attack with great power but also have additional effects such as inducing a sandstorm or Grassy Terrain (see below for the full list of moves and effects). They can also strike through Protect-like moves, but do so with reduced power. The Max Guard move, however, does fully protect a Dynamax Pokémon from all moves including Max moves.

Dynamax Pokémon also ignore added effects of certain moves, such as the flinching effect of the move Fake Out. Using a Max move may also cancel the effects of barrier moves like Aurora Veil.

Max Raid Battles

Wild Dynamax Pokémon can also be encountered in the Wild Area, known as Max Raid Battles. These take place at Pokémon Dens which are signified by a red light projecting into the sky. Up to 4 trainers can connect to take part in the Max Raid Battle (if no local friends are available the game will fill the remaining slots with random characters). Max Raid Battles are ranked from one to five stars depending on the Pokémon that is encountered.

Icons on the left of the screen show which category of move (Physical/Special/Status) the teammates are using. Only one of the 4 players can use Dynamax themselves during the battle, and the ability to use it cycles between each Pokémon in turn. The 3-turn limit does not exist in Max Raid Battles.

The opponent Dynamax Pokémon may use multiple moves per turn, and it can use either its regular moves and Dynamax moves. It may also put up a barrier when its HP drops below half. The barrier has a gauge and needs to be attacked several times before the Pokémon can take damage again. Each attack drops the gauge one step; Dynamax moves drop it by two steps. When the barrier is destroyed the opponent will lose some health and its defenses drop.

After defeating the Pokémon, everyone participating in the Max Raid Battle has the chance to catch the Pokémon. Various item rewards are also given. Pokémon caught in Max Raid Battles may have their Hidden Ability.

Gigantamax

A secondary phenomenon also exists in Galar, known as Gigantamax. The basic mechanics are the same as Dynamax, but only certain Pokémon can use Gigantamax, and among those only rare specimens from Max Raid Battles will be able to use it. A Pokémon's appearance will change during Gigantamax and each species receives a unique G-Max Move.

Encountering Gyarados in a Max Raid Battle

Grookey's Max Moves

Pokémon Den where Max Raid Battles occur

Catching a Dynamax Pokemon

Dynamax moves

These are the Dynamax moves for every type and their effects:

Name	Type	Additional effect
Max Guard		Protects the user from all moves, including Max moves.
Max Strike	Normal	Lowers opponent's Speed.
Max Flare	Fire	Summons harsh sunlight.
Max Geyser	Water	Summons a rain shower.
Max Lightning	Electric	Summons Electric Terrain.
Max Overgrowth	Grass	Summons Grassy Terrain.
Max Hailstorm	Ice	Summons a hailstorm.
Max Knuckle	Fighting	Raises Attack of user's team.
Max Ooze	Poison	Raises Special Attack of user's team.
Max Quake	Ground	Raises Special Defense of user's team.
Max Airstream	Flying	Raises user's Speed.
Max Mindstorm	Psychic	Summons Psychic Terrain.
Max Flutterby	Bug	Lowers opponent's Special Attack.
Max Rockfall	Rock	Summons a sandstorm.
Max Phantasm	Ghost	Lowers opponent's Defense.
Max Wyrmwind	Dragon	Lowers opponent's Attack.
Max Darkness	Dark	Lowers opponent's Special Defense.
Max Steelspike	Steel	Raises user's Defense.
Max Starfall	Fairy	Summons Misty Terrain.

Gigantamax Pokémon & moves

Pokémon	Move	Type	Additional effect
Charizard	G-Max Wildfire	Fire	Non-Fire types receive damage for 4 turns.
Butterfree	G-Max Befuddle	Bug	Causes poison, paralysis or sleep to each opponent.
Pikachu	G-Max Volt Crash	Electric	Paralyzes all opponents.
Meowth	G-Max Gold Rush	Normal	Confuses all opponents and yields money after battle.
Machamp	G-Max Chi Strike	Fighting	Increases critical hit ratio.
Gengar	G-Max Terror	Ghost	Prevents opponent switching out.
Kingler	G-Max Foam Burst	Water	Sharply lowers all opponents' speed.
Lapras	G-Max Resonance	Ice	Halves damage from Physical and Special moves for 5 turns.
Eevee	G-Max Cuddle	Normal	Infatuates all opposite-gender opponents.
Snorlax	G-Max Replenish	Normal	Restores berries that have been consumed.
Garbodor	G-Max Malodor	Poison	Poisons all opponents.
Melmetal	G-Max Meltdown	Steel	Prevents opponent using the same move consecutively.
Corviknight	G-Max Wind Rage	Flying	Removes field obstacles and terrains.
Orbeetle	G-Max Gravitas	Psychic	Summons Gravity for 5 turns.
Drednaw	G-Max Stonesurge	Water	Creates Stealth Rock.
Coalossal	G-Max Volcalith	Rock	Non-Rock types receive damage for 4 turns.
Flapple	G-Max Tartness	Grass	Lowers all opponents' evasiveness.
Appletun	G-Max Sweetness	Grass	Heals status conditions of all teammates.
Sandaconda	G-Max Sandblast	Ground	Opponent receives damage for 4-5 turns.
Toxtricity	G-Max Stun Shock	Electric	Poisons or paralyzes each opponent.
Centiskorch	G-Max Centiferno	Fire	Opponent receives damage for 4-5 turns.
Hatterene	G-Max Smite	Fairy	Confuses all opponents.
Grimmsnarl	G-Max Snooze	Dark	Makes opponent drowsy, like Yawn.
Alcremie	G-Max Finale	Fairy	Heals user's team.
Copperajah	G-Max Steelsurge	Steel	Scatters spikes on opponent's side of the field.
Duraludon	G-Max Depletion	Dragon	Reduces PP of opponent's last move.
Venusaur	G-Max Vine Lash	Grass	Non-Grass types receive damage for 4 turns.
Blastoise	G-Max Cannonade	Water	Non-Water types receive damage for 4 turns.
Rillaboom	G-Max Drum Solo	Grass	Ignores opponent's ability.
Cinderace	G-Max Fireball	Fire	Ignores opponent's ability.
Inteleon	G-Max Hydrosnipe	Water	Ignores opponent's ability.
Urshifu Single Strike Style	G-Max One Blow	Dark	Strikes through Max Guard and Protect moves.
Urshifu Rapid Strike Style	G-Max Rapid Flow	Water	Strikes through Max Guard and Protect moves.

Machamp using Max Knuckle

Max Raid Battle with both Pokémon Dynamaxed

Gigantamax Drednaw