The exciting new Dynamax feature has arrived in Pokémon GO, bringing thrilling battles and unique rewards. Power Spots, identified by a purple marker and large ‘X’ on the map, are key to gathering Max Particles (MP), essential for powering up your Dynamax Pokémon.
You can collect up to 800 MP daily through walking or interacting with Power Spots, which are mostly tied to small businesses. Max Battles, exclusive to Dynamax Pokémon, offer strategic turn-based gameplay and exciting rewards.
Players can also unlock powerful Max Moves like Max Strike, Max Guard, and Max Spirit using Max Particles and Pokémon Candy.
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Power Spot
Power Spots are special locations on the map that allow trainers to interact with Dynamax Pokémon and collect Max Particles (MP). Here’s everything you need to know about Power Spots and how they function:
Identifying Power Spots:
- On the Map: Power Spots are easily recognizable by their purple marking and the large “X” above them.
- Interacting with Power Spots: When you’re in range of a Power Spot, clicking on it will reward you with Max Particles.
- Nearby Menu: Power Spots are listed in a new tab in your Nearby Menu, similar to how raid bosses are shown.
Power Spot Features:
- Points of Interest (POI): Power Spots seem to be located at small businesses and other key points in the community.
- Max Battles: Once fully live, you’ll be able to complete Max Battles at Power Spots. In the future, Gigantamax Pokémon may also appear!
- Volatile Locations: Power Spots emit Max Particles, and they may move around, so it’s important to stay alert and check your surroundings regularly.
- Dynamax Activation: Power Spots enable your own Pokémon to Dynamax during battles.
Earning Max Particles (MP):
Max Particles are essential for participating in Max Battles and leveling up Max Moves. You can collect them through the following ways:
- Visiting Power Spots:
- Each visit to a Power Spot rewards you with 100 Max Particles.
- Clicking on a Power Spot may also give a bonus of 20 Max Particles.
- Walking:
- Walking 2 km rewards you with 300 Max Particles.
- Daily Cap:
- You can collect up to 800 Max Particles per day, but this seems to be a soft cap.
- However, by visiting 6 Power Spots and claiming your 2 km walking reward, you can earn up to 1020 Max Particles despite the soft cap.
Max Particle Storage:
- Max Particle Limit: Trainers can store a maximum of 1000 Max Particles at any given time. Your current total can be viewed in the Power Spot tab under the Nearby Menu.
- Daily Collection: The game tells you how many Max Particles you’ve collected out of 1000, and how much further you need to walk to get your walking MP.
Collecting Max Particles:
- First-Time Bonus: Extra Max Particles are rewarded the first time you interact with a Power Spot each day.
- Adventure Sync: Trainers can also collect Max Particles while exploring the world through Adventure Sync.
- In-Game Shop: Max Particles can also be purchased from the in-game shop or web store via special packs.
Once you have Max Particles, your best choice is to put them to use in Max Battles! Only Dynamax Pokémon can participate in Max Battles. Your first Dynamax Pokémon will be given to you via Special Research, and it’s a Dynamax Wooloo! You can encounter another Dynamax Wooloo by walking 2 km, and claiming your 300 MP.
Max Battles follow a straightforward set of rules designed for a dynamic gameplay experience. Here’s how they work:
Team Setup:
- You can challenge a Max Battle with up to 4 players, including yourself.
- Each player may bring up to 3 Dynamax Pokémon to the battle, though you can participate with just one.
- Only Dynamax Pokémon are allowed to compete—regular Pokémon are not eligible.
Gameplay Mechanics:
- Turn-Based System: Unlike Raiding or GO Battle League, Max Battles are turn-based. You’ll need to strategize accordingly.
- Attacks: Tap the screen for Fast Attacks, which generate energy for Charged Attacks. This process also fills up the meter at the top of your screen.
Max Particles:
- Cost: It costs 250 Max Particles (MP) to enter a 1-Star Max Battle. However, Max Particles are only consumed if you successfully defeat the Power Spot Boss.
- Requirement: Each Trainer must contribute a certain number of Max Particles to start a battle, based on the strength of the Power Spot Boss.
Battle Strategy:
- Targeting: When you see three lines above a Pokémon’s head, it means that Pokémon is being targeted by the Max Battle Boss. You can avoid damage by swiping and Dynamaxing your Pokémon.
- Max Meter: As you battle, keep an eye on the Max Meter. Once it’s full, your Pokémon will automatically Dynamax for 3 turns.
- Max Moves: When your Pokémon is Dynamaxed, you’ll have access to unlocked Max Moves. If you’re battling a higher-difficulty boss with others, coordinate your moves, shields, and spirit attacks to maximize effectiveness.
- Energy Collection: Swipe to collect energy icons that appear during battle to fill up your Max Meter faster.
Fainting and Team Support:
- If all your Pokémon faint in a battle with a 3-star (or higher) Power Spot Boss, you can still assist your teammates by cheering them on. This will help their meters fill faster.
Additional Features:
- Post-Battle Rewards: After defeating a Power Spot Boss, you can leave a Pokémon from your Battle Party at that Power Spot. This helps other Trainers earn Candy and Damage Bonuses.
- Pokémon Count: The trophy icon in the top right of the initial screen indicates how many Pokémon are left at the Power Spot.
- Wild Encounters: On the bottom left of the initial screen, you’ll find a free wild encounter, though it won’t be a Dynamax Pokémon.
- Boosting Rewards: You can earn additional rewards by spending 100 PokéCoins after defeating a Power Spot Boss.
- Experience Points: Completing a 1-Star Max Battle rewards you with 5000 XP.
Timing and Limitations:
- Lobby Timer: The battle lobby is timed for 120 seconds, though it can be shortened by using the “Ready Up” button or when the lobby is full.
- No Time Limit: Max Battles themselves don’t have a time limit.
- Master Ball Restriction: You cannot use a Master Ball to catch a Dynamax Pokémon at this time.
- End Conditions: The Max Battle concludes when either the Power Spot Boss is defeated, or all your Pokémon faint.
Difficulty:
- 1-Star Max Battles: These are typically easy to solo.
- 3-Star Max Battles: Difficult solo, but possible
After defeating a Power Spot Boss, you can leave one of your Pokémon from your Battle Party at the Power Spot. This allows other trainers to benefit from your Pokémon’s presence, earning Candy and a Damage Bonus for themselves.
How It Works:
- Damage Bonus Tiers: The damage boost given to other trainers is based on the number of Pokémon left at the Power Spot. The boost is divided into four categories:
- First Damage Boost: 1 Pokémon at the Power Spot.
- Second Damage Boost: 2-3 Pokémon.
- Third Damage Boost: 4-14 Pokémon.
- Fourth Damage Boost: 15-20 Pokémon.
- Return and Rewards: When your Pokémon returns from the Power Spot, you’ll receive rewards based on how helpful it was to other trainers during battles.
Candy Rewards:
- Pokémon Withdrawal: You can withdraw your Pokémon from the Power Spot at any time.
- Power Spot Closing: When the Power Spot closes, your Pokémon will automatically return to you, and you’ll earn Candy.
- Max Battles: Your Pokémon can also earn Candy after completing a certain number of Max Battles while stationed at the Power Spot.
Dynamax is a unique phenomenon where Pokémon grow significantly larger, surrounded by a mysterious red glow and swirling clouds. Pokémon with the ability to Dynamax can be encountered, battled, and caught through Max Battles.
Finding Dynamax Pokémon
- Power Spots: Dynamax Pokémon can be found in the wild at Power Spots, which are scattered throughout the map.
- Encounter Screen: Catching a Dynamax Pokémon from a Power Spot provides a special encounter screen, similar to the Dynamax Raid capture screen from Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Max Moves
Dynamax Pokémon have access to powerful Max Moves that offer offensive, defensive, and healing benefits:
- Max Strike: A special attack unique to Dynamax Pokémon, with power and type varying based on their Fast Attack type.
- Max Guard: A shielding move that reduces incoming damage from opponents.
- Max Spirit: A healing move that restores HP for both yourself and your allies.
Unlocking and Leveling Up Max Moves
- You can unlock Max Guard and Max Spirit by spending 400 Max Particles and 50 Candy each.
- Max Moves can be leveled up from Level 1 to Level Max (Level 3), enhancing their effectiveness.
- Cost to Max Out: To fully upgrade each Max Move, you’ll need:
- 1,800 Max Particles
- 150 Candy
- 40 Candy XL
Trading D-Max Pokémon resets Max Move level
Trainers have reported that Level 2 and 3 max moves get reset to Level 1 when traded, regardless of the trade condition. This is quite unfortunate, as it means that any Max Particle investments you have made will be lost if that Pokémon is traded.
Fortunately, the traded Dynamax Pokémon will keep their move unlocks, but all of the moves will be downgraded to Level 1.
Special Features of Dynamax Pokémon
- Unique Appearance: Dynamax Pokémon have a glowing pink appearance and are registered in their own Dynamax Pokédex.
- Shiny Potential: Dynamax Pokémon can be shiny, although the shiny rates are currently unknown.
- AR Mode Restriction: At this time, Dynamax Pokémon cannot be photographed in AR mode.
Mega Evolution and Dynamax
- Max Battles Restriction: Mega Evolved Pokémon cannot participate in Max Battles.
- Dual Phenomenon: While Dynamax Pokémon can Mega Evolve, you won’t have access to the Dynamax option while the Pokémon is in its Mega Evolved form.
- Collect additional Energy during fights: Sometimes during the Max Battle, an energy icon will pop up and you can collect it by “dodging” into it or tapping on it. It then fills up the Max Meter faster
- You can kinda pick which Pokémon to Dynamax: Once the max meter is full, you have a few seconds to switch out the Pokemon that will Dynamax if you want to.
- Doubling rewards: You can double the rewards you got for 200 coins. This includes rare candy XL.
- Guaranteed XL candy: You get a guaranteed candy XL of the Pokemon after defeating it.
- Rare XL Candy can drop from Dynamax Raids
- Dodging: It is possible to dodge in Max Battles, but it is tricky to time correctly
