This is a comprehensive guide to the differences between Dynamax and Gigantamax, both essential components of Pokémon GO’s Max Battles. While both involve massive growth, Gigantamax features unique visual changes and grants exclusive, powerful Gigantamax Moves. Furthermore, Gigantamax Bosses are high-difficulty battles, often recommending up to 40 players. We’ve summarized key battle information, including common features and the ability to power them up with Candy.
Differences Between Dynamax and Gigantamax
Both Dynamax and Gigantamax involve a Pokémon growing to a giant size, but they differ in the following aspects:
| Feature | Dynamax | Gigantamax |
| Appearance | The regular Pokémon’s appearance, simply scaled up to be gigantic. | The appearance changes uniquely and drastically, making it more distinctive. |
| Eligibility | Most Dynamax Pokémon (look for the special icon in the Box). | Only a select group of special Pokémon (e.g., Gigantamax Venusaur, Charizard). Must be caught as a separate variant. |
| Exclusive Moves | Uses “Max Moves.” | Uses “Gigantamax Moves.” |
| Move Power | “Max Moves.” | “Gigantamax Moves”: Exclusive moves that are even more powerful than standard Max Moves. |
| Battle Difficulty | 1–4 players. Low to medium difficulty. Soloable. | Up to 40 players (split into groups of 4). High difficulty.Recommended for 10–40 players. |
Common Features
- Usage: Exclusively in Max Battles. Activates for 3 turns when the Max Meter is full (allows Max Move use).
- Power-Up: Use Candy + Max Particles (MP) to unlock/power up Max Moves (including Max Recovery and Max Guard/Dynamax Wall).
- Party: Only Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon can participate. Mega-Evolved Pokémon are ineligible.
Key Takeaways
- Visual Difference:
- Dynamax: The Pokémon’s appearance remains largely the same, just super-sized.
- Gigantamax: The Pokémon undergoes a unique and significant visual transformation in addition to the massive size increase.
- Move Difference: Pokémon capable of Gigantamax can use exclusive, more powerful “Gigantamax Moves” in addition to the standard “Max Moves.”
- Rarity and Difficulty: Gigantamax-capable Pokémon are extremely rare, and challenging them requires winning the highest difficulty Max Battles (e.g., 6-Star).
