How does Gigantamax work in Pokémon Go?

Although Dynamax is widely available in Pokémon Go, it is eligible Pokemonthe more exclusive Gigantamax mechanic is also being rolled out for specific species.

Dynamaxing in Pokémon Go is very confusingbut finding a Pokémon that can Gigantamax might be one of the hardest things to do in the entire game. From having to personally participate in a special type of raid with multiple other players to the sheer power of a Gigantamax Raid Boss, prepare for a challenge – and here’s everything you need to know about that Gigantamax Pokémon.

A Pokémon that can Gigantamax completely changes its appearance when it Dynamaxes in Pokémon Go. This special type of Dynamax form is only available to a limited number of Pokémon and can only be obtained through specific Max Battles.

Just like with normal Dynamax PokémonGigantamax is a state in which a Pokémon can increase its size and power exponentially for three turns during a Max Battle, and only in Max Battles, after your Max Meter has been filled. Once Gigantamaxed, a Pokémon has access to three Max Moves, but there is an important difference from a Dynamaxed Pokémon.

While a Gigantamax Pokémon will still have access to Max Spirit, a healing move, and Max Guard, a defensive move, its offensive Max Move will be entirely unique. Each type of Pokémon with the Gigantamax form has a G-Max Move that is exclusive to that Pokémon.

You can also use Max Particles and Candy to level up Max Moves for Gigantamax Pokémon, which will increase their power/effects and give you some extra XP.

As with Dynamax Pokémon, you must reach Trainer Level 13 and unlock the To The Max Special Research to gain access to Gignatamax Pokémon. This research will allow you to encounter Dynamax Pokémon for the first time, allowing you to then participate in Max Battles.

Although Dynamax Pokémon will regularly appear at Power Spots, varying locations that spawn in places other than Gyms, Gigantamax Pokémon will only spawn in Max Battles with six stars. You must challenge and win these Max Battles for a chance to catch a Pokémon capable of Gigantamaxing for yourself.

This is much harder than it sounds, as Gigantamax Max Battles are extremely difficult and can have up to 40 players, split into several smaller groups that can participate personally. Without a large group of trainers ready to take on the Power Spot Boss, there’s a good chance you’ll lose. Fortunately, Max Particles are only used when you win a Max Battle, meaning you won’t be punished as severely if you lose.

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If you manage to complete a six-star Max Battle, you have the chance to catch the Gignatamax boss with Premier Balls. You should also probably use as many Razz Berries as possible to increase your chances of capture, as missing a Giganatamax capture will still cost you all your Max Particles since you successfully completed the battle.

Six-star Max Battles are impossible to play solo due to their difficulty, can only be challenged with Pokémon capable of Dynamaxing/Gigantamaxing, and are limited to in-person participation.

Without the ability to enlist friends via Remote Raiding, many players, especially in rural areas, will struggle to get anywhere near the 40-player lobby limit that the six-star Max Battles offers. This means that some of the toughest raid-style battles in all of Pokémon Go will be nearly unbeatable for some players outside of major events, due to the way Power Spots spawn within a time limit.

Not only is there a player count hurdle, but you can only use Pokémon capable of Dynamaxing or Gigantamaxing in Max Battles. This limits the options for a potential ‘raid’ party and requires you to invest heavily in Candy, Stardust, and Max Particles to even have a few Pokémon ready to take on a Gigantamax Power Spot Boss.

You also need 800 Max Particles to participate in a six-star Max Battlewhich is another barrier to entry since that’s the maximum number of Max Particles you can get in a day without buying more from the store. You won’t lose your Max Particles if you lose the raid, but if you win and want to participate in a second one, you’ll need to buy more Max Particles, as the maximum you can hold at any time is 1,000.

If you want to have the best chance of taking down a Gigantamax Max Battle boss, form a group with as many other high-level players as possible, take your best Dynamax team into battle and do your best. Since Max Battles are turn-based, you can even avoid some attacks and work on building up your Max Meter quickly to deal massive damage when using Dynamax.

You can use Dynamax multiple times in a Max Battle, so keep launching those quick attacks and hope your party can do enough damage to take out a Gigantamax Pokémon. And if you want to help the next group, don’t forget to leave one of your team’s Pokémon at the Power Spot so that other players who take on the boss will get an attack buff.