The highly-anticipated Dynamax phenomenon is finally here in Pokémon GO, and players of the mobile game are eager to wield this fan-favorite Gen 8 gimmick in battles.
Despite being so popular, many fans find it perplexing and assume it to be just “Pokémon getting big.” However, it’s bigger than that (no pun intended).
With that being said, let’s dig into every single detail about the history, significant events, and science of the origins of Dynamax (and Gigantamax).
What’s Dynamax all about?
Dynamax is a phenomenon limited to the Galar region that has drastic effects on Pokémon undergoing it. These ‘effects’ pertain to both the species’ biological and combat characteristics, amplifying their size to huge proportions. Ultimately, it can change the dynamics of a battle completely.
The history of Dynamax dates back to 3,000 years ago when after a 17,000-year-long sleep, the Legendary Pokémon Eternatus woke up and began emitting Galar Particles. These are filled with a unique type of energy from the core of its body.
The uncontrolled emission of Galar particles resulted in Pokémon becoming gigantic, with some even changing their appearance. It’s similar to radioactivity, with this event resembling a nuclear power plant accident (such as in Chernobyl).
Pokémon were not used to handling this sort of exposure to foreign energy, and this made them go berserk and rampage all around Galar. This event is known as the Darkest Day. Only when the Legendary Galar duo of Zacian and Zamazenta intervened did Eternatus weaken, and was ultimately put into stasis.
It was too late however, since the energy released by Eternatus had spread across Galar. This energy covered most places with no real effect on the resident Pokémon, but was concentrated in specific areas known as Power Spots.
In these Power Spots, trainers’ Pokémon can salvage these excessive amounts of energy to transform by using a Wishing Star. These items are essentially broken pieces of Eternatus’ body that absorb and release Dynamax energy to regular Pokémon. Keep in mind that Dynamax energy is available throughout Galar, so you can find Pokémon transforming immediately in hotspots of Dynamax energy called Dens.
Dynamaxing a Pokémon
Trainers can wear a Dynamax Band infused with high concentrations of energy thanks to an embedded Wishing Star. You can get your own Dynamax Band for your avatar in Pokémon GO in the To The Max special research.
This Band channels Dynamax energy to Pokémon and causes the transformation, making them embrace their inner kaiju. Remember that Pokémon are typically unable to handle this Dynamax energy for long, and it takes a toll on them. As such, Dynamax is retained only for three combat ‘turns’ in competitive battling.
In underground areas of the Galar however, the flow of this energy is so intense that it lets wild Pokémon sustain their Dynamax forms for much longer periods of time.
Dynamax effects on stats and combat
A Dynamax Pokémon is pretty similar to a Raid Boss in Pokémon GO, with not only an increase in size, but also in base HP. In particular, the Dynamaxed Pokémon gains a temporary 50% boost to their HP, altered to be in sync with the HP value they have left at the time of Dynamax.
In addition to this, the Dynamax Pokémon gets access to Max Moves, which are juiced-up versions of basic attacks infused with Dynamax energy. These moves increase the Base Power and tunes it to a Max Move of a certain Pokémon type.
Gigantamax
Alongside Dynamax, there is a special class of Pokémon that can go beyond the realm of DMax to become something more – Gigantamax. While it’s not established why only a few species are compatible with GMax, these Pokémon in question can achieve this by consuming Max Soup. So, GMax results in a Dynamax Pokémon adopting an entirely different and unique form.
When a Pokémon Gigantamaxes, not only does its form change physically, it becomes far stronger and more formidable, even though there are no major changes to its stats other than HP.
However, usual Max Moves will instead become G-Max Moves. They have added effects making them more special, with extra power used against opponents in combat. Ultimately, this makes GMax forms scarier.
Dmax/GMax is as exciting as Mega Evolutions, and while we don’t know its combat applications in Pokémon GO yet outside of Max Battles, we can bet that it will be absolutely amazing. The inclusion of this gimmick could very well breathe in a new lease of life to the game and send you to adventures unlike never before.
All the best, trainers!
