Starting in Generation 6 in the Kalos region, GameFreak has implemented a a new battle gimmick in each subsequent entry in the main line series of games. For Generation 6, it was Mega Evolution, a feature we are all familiar with in Pokémon GO. While not all these features are possible to implement in Pokémon GO (please no more Z-Moves ever), I wanted to go over a mechanic that we could potentially see some time down the road: Dynamax, or more specifically, Gigantamax. For those of you unfamiliar with these terms, it probably sounds like I’m talking nonsense. To start, let’s take a look at the feature’s origins!
What is Dynamax?
Dynamax was the battle gimmick introduced in Generation 8 in the Galar Region. Within the lore, the Dynamax Phenomenon is a mechanic unique to the Galar Region. Through the usage of an item called the Dynamax Band, it allows Trainers to supersize their Pokémon in battle. The Pokémon is recalled to its Pokéball, only to be sent out at many times its original size! This ability is powered by an energy known as Galar Particles, which are generated by one of the region’s legendary Pokémon Eternatus.
The Dynamax Band
Eternatus, the Legendary Pokémon of Galar
As far as how the mechanic works, trainers can choose to Dynamax any of their Pokémon at any point during a battle. Doing so doubles a Pokémon’s HP stat and changes each of their moves into Max Moves.
Max moves are extremely powerful versions of attacking moves that can never miss their target. Max Moves are determined by the typing of each move, so all Normal moves turn into the move Max Strike, all Grass moves turn into the move Max Overgrowth, etc. All status moves become the move Max Guard, a move that works similarly to Protect. It can block Max Moves, but has the same drawbacks as Protect in that it has a chance of failing if used in succession. Max Moves also each had a secondary effect, which are listed below.
Move Name | Move Type | Secondary Effect |
Max Strike | Normal | lowers opponents’ Speed |
Max Wyrmwind | Dragon | lowers opponents’ Attack |
Max Flutterby | Bug | lowers opponents’ Special Attack |
Max Phantasm | Ghost | lowers opponents’ Defense |
Max Darkness | Dark | lowers opponents’ Special Defense |
Max Airstream | raises allies’ Speed | |
Max Knuckle | Fighting | raises allies’ Attack |
Max Ooze | Poison | raises allies’ Special Attack |
Max Steelspike | Steel | raises allies’ Defense |
Max Quake | Ground | raises allies’ Special Defense |
Max Flare | Fire | sets Harsh Sunlight weather |
Max Geyser | Water | sets Rain weather |
Max Hailstorm | Ice | sets Hail weather |
Max Rockfall | Rock | sets Sandstorm weather |
Max Lightning | Electric | sets Electric Terrain |
Max Mindstorm | Psychic | sets Psychic Terrain |
Max Overgrowth | Grass | sets Grassy Terrain |
Max Starfall | Fairy | sets Misty Terrain |
Max Guard | status | protects user from all moves, including Max Moves |
The power of the Max Move is determined by power of the original move, and it will remain Physical or Special based on the original move as well. For all types except Fighting and Poison, the minimum base power of a Max Move is 90(!). Because Fighting and Poison moves boost offensive stats, they have a lower damage threshold to prevent them from being too disproportionately powerful.
As you can see, Max Moves can have a significant impact in battle. It should be noted that Dynamax only lasts for 3 turns. This balances a mechanic that would otherwise be extremely overpowered.
While it was initially unpopular (haha Pokémon get big), Dynamax ended up being one of the most interesting battle gimmicks, at least in the VGC world. It was much more unbalanced in Single Battles, but overall Dynamax was an interesting addition to the world of Pokémon Battles.
What is Gigantamax?
Gigantamax is a variation of Dynamax that is limited to specific species of Pokémon. When these Pokémon Dynamax, they take on a unique Gigantamax Form. These Gigantamax Forms also get a signature Max Move that will replace one of its generic Max Move types. For example, G-Max Charizard’s G-max move is G-Max Wildfire. All of Charizard’s Fire moves will become G-Max Wildfire instead of Max Flare. Each of the G-Max Pokémon and their Max Moves are listed below:
Pokémon | G-Max Form | G-Max Move | G-Max Move Type | G-Max Move Effect |
Venusaur | G-Max Vine Lash | Grass | deals passive damage to non Grass opponents | |
Charizard | G-Max Wildfire | Fire | deals passive damage to non Fire opponents | |
Blastoise | G-Max Cannonade | Water | deals passive damage to non Water opponents | |
Butterfree | G-Max Befuddle | Bug | inflicts Poison, Paralysis, or Sleep | |
Pikachu | G-Max Volt Crash | Electric | inflicts Paralysis | |
Meowth | G-Max Gold Rush | Normal | increases prize money, inflicts Confusion | |
Machamp | G-Max Chi Strike | Fighting | increases Crit Chance | |
Gengar | G-Max Terror | Ghost | prevents opponent from switching out | |
Kingler | G-Max Foam Burst | Water | lowers opponents’ Speed by 2 stages | |
Lapras | G-Max Resonance | Ice | sets Aurora Veil | |
Eevee | G-Max Cuddle | Normal | inflicts Infatuation to opponents of opposite gender | |
Snorlax | G-Max Replenish | Normal | 50% chance to restore a consumed Berry | |
Garbodor | G-Max Malodor | Poison | inflicts Poison | |
Melmetal | G-Max Meltdown | Steel | prevents opponent from using the same move twice in a row | |
Rillaboom | G-Max Drum Solo | Grass | move can be used regardless of ability, always base 160 power | |
Cinderace | G-Max Fireball | Fire | move can be used regardless of ability, always base 160 power | |
Inteleon | G-Max Hydrosnipe | Water | move can be used regardless of ability, always base 160 power | |
Corviknight | G-Max Wind Rage | removes field effects (screens, hazards, terrains) | ||
Orbeetle | G-Max Gravitas | Psychic | sets Gravity effect | |
Drednaw | G-Max Stonesurge | Water | sets Stealth Rocks | |
Coalossal | G-Max Volcalith | Rock | deals passive damage to non Rock opponents | |
Flapple | G-Max Tartness | Grass | lowers opponents’ Evasiveness | |
Appletun | G-Max Sweetness | Grass | cures allies’ Status Conditions | |
Sandaconda | G-Max Sandblast | Ground | inflicts Sand Tomb | |
Toxtricity | G-Max Stun Shock | Electric | inflicts Poison or Paralysis | |
Centiskorch | G-Max Centiferno | Fire | inflicts Fire Spin | |
Hatterene | G-Max Smite | Fairy | inflicts Confusion | |
Grimmsnarl | G-Max Snooze | Dark | 50% chance to inflict Yawn | |
Alcremie | G-Max Finale | Fairy | heals allies for 1/6 of their max HP | |
Copperajah | G-Max Steelsurge | Steel | sets Steel type entry hazard (similar to Stealth Rocks) | |
Duraludon | G-Max Depletion | Dragon | removes 2 PP from opponents’ last used move | |
Urshifu (single strike) | G-Max One Blow | Dark | hits through protecting moves, even Max Guard | |
Urshifu (rapid strike) | G-Max Rapid Flow | Water | hits through protecting moves, even Max Guard |
As you can see, there’s a lot of potential! A lot of Pokémon get some much needed attention. Some standouts like Kingler, Machamp, and Garbodor come to mind. Gigantamax forms could definitely help bring some new life to the game! But how could we see these forms implemented into Pokémon GO?
Dynamax/Gigantamax in Pokémon GO?
This section of the article is now going to be pure speculation. Niantic may never actually implement these features into the game, but here’s how I think they could use these forms to help expand the game.
First of all, Dynamax is unfortunately not really possible. Its primary benefits rely heavily on main series mechanics. While I thought about things such as doubling a Pokémon’s HP or giving it a special charged move, none would be able to be implemented in a balanced and engaging way.
That brings us to Gigantamax forms. While again, we likely wouldn’t be able to implement anything like their special G-Max moves, we can draw upon some other Pokémon media to help figure out how these special forms might work.
Pokémon Radical Red is a fan made alteration of Pokémon Fire Red, known as a rom hack. This altered version of the game features updated mechanics, Pokémon up to Generation 8, and much more challenging opponents, all while using the beloved 8-bit graphics from the Game Boy era. This game implemented the Gigantamax forms in a unique way: they treated them as Mega Evolutions!
I would love to see Niantic implement Gigantamax forms in a similar way. They could be featured in the same category of Raids as Mega Evolutions. In fact, in their home game, Gigantamax Pokémon are actually encountered through a mechanic also called Raids! Seeing as there are a limited number of unique Mega Evolutions, its no wonder why we don’t see new species released very frequently. This would allow us to see new Raid Bosses in Mega/G-Max raids much more often, keeping the game fresh!
Potential Obstacles
There is one big drawback that could potentially impact this method of implementing Gigantamax. This is the fact that unlike Mega Evolution, Gigantamax Pokémon do not gain an increase in stats. They have their HP doubled for a limited time mid battle, but I don’t think that this would be realistic. In Pokémon Radical Red, they received an increase in stats, as well as new Abilities and sometimes new typing. However, Radical Red is a fan game that has creative freedom, whereas Pokémon GO is based off of the main series of games, meaning that this type of alteration could not be made. I thought about a universal stat increase across the board, but this could be unbalanced with some of the stronger species.
What I do see, however, is giving G-Max forms an HP increase for the duration of the 8 hour period. I think 2x would be a bit much, but a 1.5x would definitely be possible. Pair this with the same passive boost that Mega Evolution also offers, and this could be usable. This would mean that Mega Evolution and G-Max would have different uses, as Mega Evolutions would be good for adding more all out power, and G-Max Pokémon would be more effective at sticking around and boosting their allies for longer. This isn’t to say they would be useless, though. Pokémon that were already good attackers like Gengar and Machamp would still do some good damage!
Conclusion
In my opinion, seeing Gigantamax being implemented as an extension of the Mega Evolution mechanic would be a great way to see this feature in Pokémon GO. It would be balanced and would add some more spice to the Raid pool. However, there is no way to tell what Niantic has planned. This feature could just never be introduced. However, hopefully they find some interesting way to implement the feature. Only time will tell!