How Dynamax Battles work in Pokémon Go

Prepare your Pokémon for any Dynamax Battles.

How Dynamax battles work in Pokémon Go
Image via Niantic

Dynamax Battles are a Pokémon Go activity introduced in the Max Out season. These are similar to the standard Raids and Mega Raids you can find at Gyms, but distinct differences make these activities unique.

Recommended Videos

You’ll want to know everything before diving into a Dynamax Battle. Tracking them down will be a key objective, and you need to know what Pokémon you can use in these activities, how many players you can bring with you, and how to activate them. Here’s what you need to know about how Dynamax Battles work in Pokémon Go.

How to start Dynamax Battles in Pokémon Go

How to find Power Spots in Pokemon Go
You can begin a Dynamax Battle by finding a Power Spot. Image via Niantic

You can find a Dynamax Battle by visiting a Power Spot. A Power Spot in Pokémon Go is similar to a PokéStop or a Gym, but it’s a location that appears before disappearing after the timer at the landmark reaches zero. Power Spots appear in different places than you’ve discovered them previously, unlike PokéStops or Gyms.

If you find a Power Spot, there should be a Dynamax Pokémon protecting it you can battle. You can start this fight if you have enough Max Particles.

Max Particles are a unique resource added alongside Power Spots and Dynamax Pokémon. You can get them by interacting with a Power Spot or purchasing them from Pokémon Go’s store using Niantic’s exclusive bundles. You can only acquire a set amount of Max Particles daily before waiting to gather more. If you have enough, you can start a battle against a Dynamax Pokémon with up to three other players with you.

What to do during Dynamax Battles in Pokémon Go

How to Dynamax Pokémon in Pokémon Go
Use Dynamax Pokémon during a Dynamax Battle. Image via Niantic

When participating in a Dynamax Battle, you can only use Pokémon with a Dynamax Form. Only a handful of Pokémon can undergo this transformation in Pokémon Go at the start of the Max Out season, but these will expand as the feature remains in the mobile game. Only Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Skwovet, and Wooloo can use these transformations and their evolution forms right now.

During a Dynamax Battle, you and your allies cooperate to defeat the Pokémon defending the Power Spot. The battle is broken up into turns; all players have to choose what attacks to use during this battle. Players can attack the Dynamax Pokémon or collect energy on the field. When everyone on your team has enough power, all Pokémon on your side can go through the Dynamax evolution for three turns.

Your Pokémon have unique attacks while in their Dynamax form. They can use Max Attack, Max Spirit, and Max Guard. Max Attack focuses on damaging the Pokémon your team is attempting to defeat using the Pokémon’s fast attack. Using Max Spirit heals all Pokémon in your team, potentially giving your side a better chance of winning. Finally, Max Guard reduces the damage from the next incoming attack, potentially saving your Pokémon.

Dynamax Battles have no timers in Pokémon Go, which means the fight is over if everyone on your team is knocked out or you defeat the Dynamax Pokémon. When you complete the battle, you can leave the Pokémon you used during the fight at the Power Spot, where they can assist other players and provide Candies for you.

How to power up Dynamax Pokémon in Pokémon Go

Pokemon Go Power Spots. A hand with a wrist watch
Max Particles are a core feature for Dynamax Battles. Image via Niantic

Your Dynamax Pokémon’s Max Moves can become more powerful, making them even stronger in future Dynamax Battles. You can empower these attacks by using Candies and Max Particles. We recommend focusing on the one Pokémon you can plan to always use in Dynamax Battles if you want to earn the best rewards, taking on the tougher Dynamax Pokémon stationed at Power Spots.

All Pokémon that can Dynamax in Pokémon Go should have the move Max Attack unlocked. However, you must spend Candies and Max Particles to unlock Max Spirit and Max Guard, which are exceptionally helpful in these encounters.

Author
Image of Zack Palm
Zack Palm
Zack Palm has been writing about video games for the past five years. He spends his free time trying to learn about a new board, reading high-fantasy series, or working on his latest DnD character.