Gigantamax Snorlax
Gigantamax Snorlax is returning to Pokémon GO for its 3rd rerun this Sunday, 14 December 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time. As with previous Gigantamax events, this rerun has reignited discussion around whether Snorlax still holds meaningful value in the current Max Battle meta, or if it has been power-crept out of relevance.
On paper, Gigantamax Snorlax looks like a textbook tank. It has relatively low Attack, but solid Defense, extremely high HP, and access to Lick, a Fast Attack with a 0.5-second animation, allowing it to generate Max charges efficiently while minimizing time spent exposed to damage. These traits slot Snorlax neatly into the tank role within a 3-Pokémon Max Battle team, where survivability and charge generation often matter more than raw DPS.
The key question remains: is Gigantamax Snorlax actually worth farming and maxing out today, and can it still be considered a meta-defining Pokémon for Max content?
Snorlax Is a Decent Neutral Tank, but Loses Out to Dynamax Blissey
From a defensive standpoint, Gigantamax Snorlax is undeniably sturdy. With 169 DEF and 330 HP, combined with being a pure Normal type Pokémon, it is weak to Fighting attacks, and neutral to 16 other typings. This makes it broadly effective against most Max Bosses, particularly those that rely on neutral or mixed-type damage. Against Ghost-type attacks, Snorlax shines even more, effectively double-resisting the element.
However, Snorlax’s biggest problem is not its own performance, it’s the existence of Dynamax Blissey.
Blissey
Dynamax
Blissey shares the same Normal typing and the same 169 DEF, but boasts an enormous 496 HP, which is roughly 50% more HP than Gigantamax Snorlax. In practical terms, this makes Dynamax Blissey a strictly superior tank in all scenarios. It survives longer, absorbs more damage, and fulfills the same role more efficiently, leaving little room for Snorlax to justify its slot from a purely meta-driven perspective. Coupled with the fact that Dynamax Chansey battles are generally more accessible and Trainer-friendlier at just 3* difficulty, Snorlax will unfortunately always trails behind.
Context also matters. During Gigantamax Snorlax’s 1st and 2nd appearances, the Max Battle ecosystem was far less developed. At that time, trainers did not yet have access to Crowned Sword Zacian, Crowned Shield Zamazenta, or Dynamax Latias. These Pokémon now form the backbone of many optimized Max teams, offering resistance to almost every elemental type in the game, with Ground being the notable exception.
With these options now readily available, trainers have far more flexibility when it comes to choosing durable counters tailored to specific Max Bosses. As a result, Gigantamax Snorlax has gradually slipped further down the pecking order, no longer standing out as a top-tier defensive pick.
Is Gigantamax Snorlax, and the Event, Still Worth Grinding?
Despite its diminished meta relevance, the event itself is still highly rewarding.
As with all Gigantamax events, the XP and Stardust payouts alone make participation worthwhile. Each Max Battle grants 25,000 XP and 25,000 Stardust by default. With a Lucky Egg and Star Piece, these rewards increase to 50,000 XP and 37,500 Stardust per battle, and trainers who own the Gigantamax Snorlax event ticket can push XP gains even further to 100,000 XP per battle.
For trainers who have already unlocked Level 75 of the December GO Pass, the event also promises additional bonus rewards, including extra Stardust, further improving the overall value of the event.
There’s also the intangible factor: Snorlax is a fan-favorite Pokémon. For collectors and longtime fans of the iconic bear-sloth, chasing a hundo, or even a shundo, Gigantamax Snorlax is a compelling goal in its own right. With Gigantamax potentially representing Snorlax’s ultimate form in Pokémon GO, this may be the definitive version worth owning for completionists.
That said, for trainers looking specifically for a meta-changer, a Pokémon that reshapes optimal Max Battle strategies, this event is unfortunately not worth the grind. Gigantamax Snorlax remains serviceable, but it no longer defines the tank role, nor does it outperform existing top-tier alternatives.
Final Verdict
Gigantamax Snorlax is solid, reliable, and iconic, but in the current Max Battle landscape, it is outclassed rather than essential. The event is absolutely worth playing for the rewards, XP, Stardust, and collection value, but trainers focused purely on competitive optimization will find little reason to prioritize Snorlax over more dominant defensive options.
If you’re here for efficiency, look elsewhere.
If you’re here for rewards, progression, or love Snorlax, this rerun still delivers.
