Pokemon Sword and Shield introduced a new layer of battle with Gigantamax. Here’s a guide to help players use Gigantamax effectively. The Pokemon series has always developed new ways to spice up its now over 20-year-old battle system. Beginning in Pokemon Red and Blue, most players had to understand was the different typing advantages. As the series grew, new features like Pokemon X and Y’s Mega Evolutions, where for the first time ever, Pokemon were able to enter the fourth stage of evolution for a limited time, and Pokemon Sun and Moon’s X-Moves permitted Pokemon to pull off one power attack, usually shown with beautiful animations. Pokemon Sword and Shield introduced a new feature called “Dynamax and Gigantamax”. This element allowed trainers to supersize their Pokemon to stadium-size degrees. This guide will help players understand how to use Gigantamax to its utmost potential.

In the story of Pokemon Sword and Shield, Professor Magnolia, the Galar region’s Pokemon professor, will provide the player with the Dynamax Band, an item that will react when Pokemon are able to be Dynamax’d. All Pokemon in the Galar region can Dynamax, but only specific Pokemon can enter a new form when they Dynamax called “Gigantamax”. Over 30 Pokemon have Gigantamax forms, with more being released later this year with the upcoming Pokemon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass. Pokemon players would expect to have Gigantamax forms do, including the series mascot, Pikachu, where they revert back to their chubby days, and Charizard, where the fire breathing not-dragon will be engulfed in flames. Here’s how to use Gigantamax effectively in battle.

The Best Ways To Use Dynamax and Gigantamax in Battle In Pokemon Sword and Shield

Players can only use Dynamax and Gigantamax if the area they are battling in is a known power spot. These locations are limited to the Battle Tower, Battle Dens, and the Galar Stadiums. When using Dynamax or Gigantamax in battle, the selected Pokemon will grow in size for approximately 3 turns (unless the player decides to switch out Pokemon or is forced to switch out). Within these 3 turns, each of their normal moves will now be normalized to one of the “Max” moves. For example, if the players Charizard has Flamethrower, this move will now be called “Max Flare”. The Dynamax Pokemon will also develop several immunities that normal Pokemon would be affected by. For example. Dynamax Pokemon cannot flinch, get hit with one-hit KO moves, damaged by Destiny Bond, or be affected by Disable or Cursed Body. It’s important to use Dynamax when players are in a situation where they feel they can completely sweep the house, or need time to play more defensively.

The Best Ways To Use Dynamax and Gigantamax in Max Raid Battles in Pokemon Sword and Shield

Aside from trainer battles, Max Raid Battle Pokemon are in their Dynamax for the entire battle. Teaming up with three other players is important to take down Raid Battle Pokemon considering the AI of Pokemon Sword and Shield can be unreliable in battle. When playing with other people, the host of the room is the one who will be able to Dynamax first. Although, if players decide it’s better for one of their teammates to Dynamax due to typing advantage or the Pokemon’s stats, every turn it will cycle to a different trainer. When a wild Max Raid Battle Pokemon is heavily damaged, it will set up a shield. Fortunately, super-effective Dynamax moves will remove 2 health bars from its shield when compared to the normal 1. Set up a room where the host has a Pokemon that is super effective against the wild Pokemon so they can access their Dynamax on the first turn, dishing out a lot of damage early on.

Locating and Capturing Gigantamax Pokemon in Pokemon Sword and Shield

As mentioned, certain Pokemon when Dynamaxing can enter a Gigantamax form. Unlike previous Pokemon games, Gigantamax isn’t an evolution that players can achieve by using a specific item or leveling up. In order to get the Gigantamax form, players must defeat them in a Max Raid Battle and capture them. These are amongst the most difficult Raid Battles, most appearing with 5 stars. The capture rate of these Pokemon is also meager, most will break out on players’ first attempts. Also, finding them is difficult as they appear randomly in certain battle spot dens. Using the Wishing Piece item will summon a random Pokemon into these dens. Here’s where players can find each Gigantamax form in the dens of the Wild Area.

  • Gigantamax Charizard: Lake of Outrage Gigantamax Butterfree: Rolling Fields Gigantamax Machamp: Stony Wilderness (Sword Exclusive) Gigantamax Gengar: Stony Wilderness (Shield Exclusive) Gigantamax Kingler: West Lake Axewell, South Lake Miloch Gigantamax Lapras: Giant’s Seat (Shield Exclusive) Gigantamax Garbodor: East Lake Axewell Gigantamax Corviknight: Giant’s Cap Gigantamax Orbeetle: Bridge Field, Dappled Grove Gigantamax Drednaw: Giant’s Cap Gigantamax Coalossal: Giant’s Seat (Sword Exclusive) Gigantamax Flapple: Dappled Grove (Sword Exclusive) Gigantamax Appletun: Dappled Grove (Shield Exclusive) Gigantamax Sandaconda: Dusty Bowl Gigantamax Centiskorch: Stony Wilderness Gigantamax Hatterene: Bridge Field Gigantamax Grimmsnarl: Dusty Bowl Gigantamax Alcremie: Bridge Field Gigantamax Copperajah: Stony Wilderness Gigantamax Duraludon: Giant’s Seat

Not every Gigantamax Pokemon is available through battle dens. Other methods are needed to catch them all.

Special Event Gigantamax Forms in Pokemon Sword and Shield

Certain Pokemon are only available for a limited time through special events. Game Freak would share in-game what Pokemon are currently spawning in the battle dens. For example, Gigantamax Snorlax and Toxtricity were made only available for a limited time. In order to get these Pokemon now, players must either trade for it or hope Game Freak does another round with these Pokemon. Aside from the battle dens, in order to get Gigantamax Pikachu and Eevee, players must have a save data of either Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu or Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee. If players have the save data, head into the wild area train station and speak with an NPC that will provide players with Gigantamax Pikachu and/or Eevee. Gigantamax Meowth was available via Mystery Gift when the game launched but is no longer available. To get Meowth, it must be traded from another person. Lastly, more Gigantamax forms are coming with the Pokemon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass, including the Galar starters.

Pokemon Sword and Shield took a page from its successful older sister, Pokemon Go, with the addition of raids. Raids (especially limited-time ones) give players reasons to return back to the Galar region. Players who were able to capture the now impossible to get Gigantamax Snorlax, now have leverage for when they want to trade for something even more special. As the Pokemon series continues to evolve, battling grows with it and Gigantamax maybe its biggest inclusion yet. Especially with more forms and over 200 Pokemon returning in the Pokemon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass, the Galar region will be a playpen for trainers for a very long time.

More: Why Coalossal & Sandaconda Are Sword & Shield’s Lamest Pokemon

Pokemon Sword and Shield are available now on the Nintendo Switch.