Dynamax
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The Dynamax phenomenon (Japanese: ダイマックス Daimax), or simply known as Dynamax, is a temporary transformation affecting Pokémon that was introduced in Generation VIII with Pokémon Sword and Shield. It grants Pokémon tremendous strength and size and allows them to use powerful moves called Max Moves. A variant of this phenomenon called Gigantamax further alters the appearance of Pokémon and gives them access to exclusive G-Max Moves.
Along with Gigantamax, Dynamax has only made one core series appearance; however, it reappears in other media and spin-off titles, including Pokémon GO and Pokémon Masters EX.
Terminology
A Pokémon under the effects of the Dynamax phenomenon may have "Dynamax" in front of their species name e.g. "Dynamax Bulbasaur". The process itself always describes the Pokémon as having "Dynamaxed" in past tense, or will "Dynamax" in future tense. Pokémon actively undergoing Dynamax are described as "Dynamaxing".
Origin
The Dynamax mechanic was inspired by the Nintendo Switch's TV Mode, which can be used to display the game on a much larger screen, and would therefore better accommodate large Pokémon.[1] Battles between Dynamaxed Pokémon and the Pokémon Dens in which Dynamax Pokémon reside were both inspired by the Giant's Causeway, a collection of basalt columns in Northern Ireland believed to be created by a giant in Celtic mythology.[2]
In the core series games
Trainers who obtain a Dynamax Band are able to Dynamax their Pokémon. According to Professor Magnolia, the Pokémon distorts space to change its size while affecting the world around them.[3] This transformation has another special variant known as Gigantamax.
History
After its defeat thousands of years ago by Zacian and Zamazenta, Eternatus's energy leaked out during its slumber in the form of Galar particles. This resulted in the creation of Power Spots, where Trainers can trigger the Dynamax transformation. Some Power Spots had Gym Stadiums built over them, and others in the Wild Area became Pokémon Dens, where Max Raid Battles take place. Parts of Eternatus's body, known as Wishing Stars, rained across Galar, allowing whoever found them to Dynamax their Pokémon when at a Power Spot. Dynamax Bands were later created by Oleana to help anyone fully utilize the transformation there. Dynamax was later implemented into the Galar League's Gym Battles by Rose who had most of the Gyms built atop of the Power Spots.[4] Max Mushrooms and Max Honey are grown and created exclusively on the Isle of Armor due to the Dynamax phenomenon affecting the flora and Vespiquen producing it.
Effects
Dynamaxing increases a Pokémon's size drastically, as well as changing the moves of the Pokémon and increasing their max and current HP in battle according to their Dynamax level (except for Shedinja), but can only be used once during a battle, and ends after three turns or if the Pokémon is switched out. In addition, it can only be performed in areas known to have Power Spots, such as Galar's Gym Stadiums, Battle Court, and Battle Tower. When Dynamaxed, all of the Pokémon's moves will turn into Max Moves that correspond to those moves' types and categories. Like with Mega Evolution, Dynamax is activated at the start of the turn before all other moves are executed. If a Dynamax Pokémon runs out of PP of one move, it still can be selected but fails; if it is unable to use any moves (e.g., running out of PP), it will use Struggle.
In a Max Raid Battle, the wild Pokémon is a Dynamax Pokémon for the entire duration of the battle. Only one of the Trainers' Pokémon can Dynamax during a Max Raid Battle, and only for the standard three turns. The first Trainer with the chance to Dynamax is the host, with the chance passing to the next player who joined until it returns to the first player.
Zacian, Zamazenta, and Eternatus, including Pokémon transformed into one of these, cannot Dynamax.
Gigantamax
- Main article: Gigantamax
If a Pokémon has the Gigantamax Factor, it can undergo Gigantamax, a special kind of Dynamax that results in a different appearance to its regular form in addition to being larger. Only specific individual members of a select group of species can Gigantamax. Each Gigantamax Pokémon has an exclusive Max Move known as a G-Max Move. Other than having a G-Max Move, Gigantamax is functionally identical to a Dynamax.
Dynamax Level and HP
Dynamaxing provides Pokémon with an increase to its maximum and current HP (with the exception of Shedinja) by the same factor. The amount of HP gained depends on the Pokémon's Dynamax Level, which can be increased with Dynamax Candy. At Dynamax Level 0, a Pokémon will gain 50% more HP. For every Dynamax Level above that, the Pokémon will gain 5% more HP, up to a 100% HP increase at Dynamax Level 10. All other stats, as well as its Ability and held item, remain the same.
Whenever a Pokémon enters into or reverts from Dynamax, its current HP is adjusted to retain the same percentage of HP remaining, the Pokémon's HP will be rounded up to the nearest whole number if the Pokémon's HP is not already a whole number. For instance, if a Pokémon at Dynamax Level 10 has 100/200 HP remaining, then upon Dynamaxing, its HP will be adjusted to 200/400. Conversely, if the same Pokémon has 101/400 HP in Dynamax form, then when its Dynamax expires, its HP will be adjusted down to 50.5/200 then be rounded up to 51/200.
HP-based effects
When calculating changes in HP (damage or restoration) based on the percentage of a Pokémon's maximum HP, the Dynamax Pokémon's non-Dynamax HP is used. For example:
- Super Fang inflicts damage to a Dynamax Pokémon equal to 50% of its non-Dynamax HP.
- A held Figy Berry will restore HP equal to 1/3 of the Dynamax Pokémon's non-Dynamax maximum HP.
- Endeavor inflicts damage equal to the amount that the target's non-Dynamax HP exceeds the user's non-Dynamax HP.
- Pain Split averages the two Pokémon's non-Dynamax HP, calculates the signed difference between that average and each Pokémon's non-Dynamax HP, then changes each Pokémon's HP by that signed difference.
Effects that vary based on the percentage of HP a Pokémon has remaining use the Dynamax Pokémon's Dynamax HP. For example:
- Emergency Exit activates when the Dynamax Pokémon's current Dynamax HP falls to 50% or less of its maximum Dynamax HP.
- A Pokémon will consume its held Figy Berry when its HP falls to 25% or less of its maximum Dynamax HP.
- Brine's power is increased if a target Dynamax Pokémon's current Dynamax HP is 50% or less of its maximum Dynamax HP.
The moves Dynamax Cannon, Behemoth Blade, and Behemoth Bash do double damage against a Dynamax Pokémon.
Immunities
Dynamax Pokémon are immune to flinching. Fake Out can still damage a Dynamax Pokémon, but will have no secondary effect.
Dynamax Pokémon are unaffected by moves affected by weight (such as Low Kick and Heavy Slam), one-hit knockout moves, and Destiny Bond.
Moves and Abilities that replace the target's Ability with the user's (such as Skill Swap, Entrainment, and Wandering Spirit) have no effect on Dynamax Pokémon. However, moves that change or suppress the Dynamax Pokémon's Ability altogether (such as Gastro Acid and Worry Seed) still work.
Dynamax Pokémon cannot be switched out by the effects of moves that switch the target out (like Roar and Whirlwind). Circle Throw and Dragon Tail will still damage Dynamax Pokémon without switching it out. Red Card also fails to switch out a Dynamax Pokémon, but is still activated and consumed. Dynamax Pokémon can still be forced out by their own Abilities or items, such as Emergency Exit or an Eject Button. If a Dynamax Pokémon has Magic Bounce and is targeted by Parting Shot, the move will be reflected and force the Dynamax Pokémon to switch out (the owner of the Dynamax Pokémon is still able to choose the Pokémon that it is replaced with).
Dynamax Pokémon cannot be affected by Disable or Cursed Body. A Max Move or G-Max Move can still be used if its base move was disabled prior to Dynamax. Dynamax Pokémon are also immune to Encore, Torment, and Instruct. Choice Band, Choice Scarf, Choice Specs, Gorilla Tactics, and Sheer Force temporarily stop working (including the stat boosts) if the holder is Dynamaxed. However, Assault Vest still works accordingly and prevents the holder from using Max Guard.
In addition to the above, there are certain moves that will fail if used during a Max Raid Battle, but will work against a Dynamax Pokémon otherwise.
- See also: Max Raid Battle → Battle
Effects on Transformed Pokémon
If Transform or Imposter is used against a Dynamax Pokémon, only its base form and base moves will be copied, and the user can Dynamax separately. The Gigantamax Factor, however, is not copied at all; instead, the user can only achieve the standard Dynamax form. Additionally, if a Pokémon incapable of Dynamax (e.g., Zacian) is copied, then the user will not be able to Dynamax afterwards. If a Pokémon attempts to copy a Max Move (e.g., using Copycat), it will copy the base move of that Max Move.
Move animations
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All moves used on Dynamaxed Pokémon have generic animations. These depend on type if the move is a damaging move, but all status moves use one of two different animations: either when the move targets the user (which is only possible for bosses in Max Raid Battles), or when the move targets another Pokémon.
This does not affect the animations for Behemoth Blade, Behemoth Bash, Future Sight, Max Moves, or G-Max Moves. For moves with a charging turn, the animation for the charging turn only is not replaced.
Gallery
Artwork
| Concept art from Sword and Shield |
In the side series games
Pokémon Champions
Artwork of the Omni Ring and the Pokémon Champions website suggest Dynamax will be supported in the future sometime after release.[5]
In the spin-off games
Pokémon GO
- Main article: Dynamax (GO)
Dynamaxing was introduced to Pokémon GO as a battle mechanic on September 4, 2024.
Pokémon Masters EX
Certain sync pairs are capable of Dynamaxing, including some Trainers that do not have Dynamax Bands in the core series. All attacking Max Moves have 400-540 power range. The max move can be used once per battle.
A list of all sync pairs that can Gigantamax their Pokémon can be found here.
A list of all sync pairs that can Eternamax their Pokémon can be found here.
Pokémon Mezastar
In animation
Pokémon the Series
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Dynamaxing was first featured in Flash of the Titans!, where Lance's Gyarados was shown Dynamaxing during his battle against Leon and his Charizard at the finals of the World Coronation Series, which was held at Wyndon Stadium. Leon Gigantamaxed his Charizard in response to Lance's Dynamax.
In Sword and Shield, Slumbering Weald!, Ash and Leon headed to battle a Pangoro that had started rampaging after spontaneously Dynamaxing, and successfully defeated it in the next episode. Later in the same episode, Goh Dynamaxed his Raboot to battle Oleana's subordinate, who had sent out a Gigantamax Garbodor in an attempt to stop Sonia and Goh's investigation into the kings of Galar.
In Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken!, many Pokémon across Galar had Dynamaxed due to the Darkest Day. Once the event was stopped by Ash and Goh, the Dynamaxed Pokémon returned to normal.
In The Winding Path to Greatness!, Ash Dynamaxed his Gengar, finding out that it was unable to Gigantamax. After Allister had made some Max Soup for it, Gengar was able to Gigantamax during the second attempt.
In Chasing to the Finish!, a Dynamax Regigigas was awakened in the Crown Tundra after Project Mew succeeded in gathering all the legendary giants together.
In Pride of a Champion!, Lance Dynamaxed his Dragonite during his Masters Eight Tournament battle against Diantha and her Mega Gardevoir.
In Valor: A Strategic Part of Battling!, Cynthia Dynamaxed her Togekiss during her Masters Eight Tournament battle against Ash and his Lucario.
Gallery
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
Sword & Shield arc
A Dynamax Pokémon first appeared in Zap!! A Rising Beam of Light, where Henry, Casey, and a pair of Team Yell Grunts battled a Dynamax Gurdurr in a Max Raid Battle. After defeating him, Henry was able to catch him, add him to his party, and nickname him Steeler.
Dynamax appeared again Watch Out!! Strong Rivals during Henry's Gym battle against Milo, where the Grass-type Gym Leader Dynamaxed his Eldegoss. Henry responded by doing the same with his Sirfetch'd.
In Splish Splash!! Gigantamax Battle, Henry Dynamaxed his Thwackey during his Gym battle against Nessa.
In Gulp!! Gulp Pokémon, Casey Dynamaxed her Arrokuda during her Gym battle against Kabu.
In Glittering!! The Tapestry in the Vault, Henry Dynamaxed his Oranguru during his Gym battle against Allister.
In Stealth!! Infiltrate the Energy Plant, a Dynamaxed Dracovish was shown in a news article.
In Swaying!! Murky Memories, Marnie Dynamaxed her Scrafty during her battle against Gordie. In the same chapter, Henry and Hop Dynamaxed their Mr. Rime and Pincurchin against Melony in their respective battles.
In Rumble!! The Horrific Darkest Day, multiple Pokémon across Galar started to Dynamax after Chairman Rose started the Darkest Day.
In Rumble!! The Darkest Day Returns and PASS41, multiple Pokémon across Galar started to Dynamax after the Darkest Day started again.
Gallery
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Henry's Dynamax Thwackey -
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Henry's Dynamax Sirfetch'd -
Hop's Dynamax Pincurchin -
A Dynamax Dracovish -
Multiple Dynamaxed Pokémon during the Darkest Day
Pokémon Journeys
In Flash of the Titans!, Lance's Gyarados Dynamaxed during a battle against Leon's Charizard.
Gallery
In the TCG
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This section contains old or outdated information, or has not been updated in a while. Please check the content of this section and update it as required. Reason: Missing who knows how many English printings. |
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The contents of this article have been suggested to be merged into the page Pokémon VMAX (TCG). Please discuss it on the talk page for this article. |
Dynamax is featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game as 
. It was added as a new gameplay mechanic to the game in the Sword & Shield expansion (the Sword and Shield sets in Japan).
Released along with the first Pokémon V cards, Pokémon VMAX introduce the Dynamax mechanics into the Trading Card Game. Pokémon VMAX evolve from their respective Pokémon V, giving them boosted Hit Points and more powerful attacks. (So far, some of these cards tie with the later released Pokémon ex cards for the largest HP value on a Pokémon card) When a Pokémon VMAX is Knocked Out, the opponent takes three Prize cards instead of one. A label on the card indicates which of the three forms the card depicts.
All Pokémon VMAX have one or two attacks, and sometimes an Ability. If the card depicts a Dynamax Pokémon, one of those attacks will always start with the phrase "Max", possibly alluding to the Max Moves that Dynamax Pokémon use. While keeping the same layout of Pokémon V, Pokémon VMAX cards have a rainbow background and details on the card's bottom, as well its illustration also fading into the top-most area and having the visual aura of Dynamaxing on the Pokémon.
A list of all Gigantamax cards can be found here.
A list of all Eternamax cards can be found here.
Trivia
- Dynamax shares several similarities with the Terastal phenomenon:
- Both result within their respective regions (Paldea/Kitakami and Galar) from the actions of ancient legendary Pokémon (Terapagos and Eternatus).
- Both of them make use of powerful energy sources (Terastal energy and Galar particles) and enable Pokémon to used powered-up moves (same-type attack bonus-enhanced attacks and Max Moves).
- Both of them have unique variations exclusive to certain Pokémon (unique Terastalized states and Gigantamax). However, Gigantamax is much more common among Pokémon in comparison to the two unique Terastallized forms used only by Terapagos and Ogerpon.
- Both of their progenitors are capable of taking on a special form related to them (Stellar Form Terapagos and Eternamax Eternatus).
- Jigglypuff's Final Smash, Puff Up, appears similar to Dynamax, as both feature a Pokémon temporarily growing to a much larger size. Dynamax would not appear until 2019, over eleven years past the release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, in which Final Smashes debuted.
- When Calyrex Dynamaxes it is surrounded by a blue aura, while all other Dynamaxed or Gigantamaxed Pokémon have red auras. It is never explained in game why this is the case.
- Despite being unobtainable in Pokémon Sword and Shield and their updates, Deoxys is depicted in the Pokémon Trading Card Game in Dynamax form. In Pokémon Masters EX, Eelektross and Breloom are able to perform Dynamax despite being unobtainable as well.
- Prior to version 1.3.0 of the game, Dragonite in the animation was shown to perform Dynamax despite being unobtainable at the time.
- In Pokémon Sword and Shield, all opposing Trainers in the story that use Pokémon that can Dynamax are scripted to do so on the first turn that specific Pokémon is sent out. As these Pokémon are usually their aces on their respective teams, they are also scripted to send those out last in most circumstances. However, if the player forces their ace out earlier than the intended order, such as with a move that switch the target out, the opponent will Dynamax their Pokémon as if it were the last one out and continue the rest of the battle as normal.
- Against Gym Leaders, this also has the unintended effect of switching the Gym Leader battle theme from the normal portion of the theme to the Dynamax portion, and that portion continuing to play for the rest of the battle even as the Gym Leader sends out Pokémon that cannot Dynamax or Gigantamax.
In other languages
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References
- ↑ プロジェクトストーリー1｜採用情報｜GAME FREAK 株式会社ゲームフリーク
- ↑ Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Galar Expedition Guide, page 8
- ↑ Trainer Tips: The Dynamax phenomenon is caused by a special power that originates from within Pokémon, warping the space around them and making them appear far larger than they truly are. (Pokémon Sword and Shield)
- ↑ https://swordshield.pokemon.com/en-us/story/pokemon-league/
- ↑ Pokémon Champions | The Omni Ring—A Battle Essential! "Other special features may be added to the Omni Ring in the future! Research is being conducted to make the Omni Ring capable of drawing out a variety of Pokémon capabilities."
Related articles
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This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games. |