📕 Pokédex Entry: Dynamax
Name: Dynamax
Introduced In:Pokémon Sword & Shield (Gen VIII)
Region: Galar
Category: Battle Mechanic – Size & Power Boost
🔷 What is it?
Dynamax is a phenomenon in the Galar region where Pokémon grow to a gigantic size for a limited time, gaining boosted HP and replacing all of their moves with powerful Max Moves.
🌟 Visual & UI
Pokémon becomes enormous, glowing with red energy and surrounded by energy clouds.
The battlefield also scales to show their size.
Activated with a "Dynamax" button in battle.
⚙️ Activation & Rules Feature
Dynamax
Where - Galar region battles (Sword/Shield)
Trigger - Use Dynamax Band once per battle
Lasts Until3 turns only
Recharge - Not needed; one-time use per battle
🔥 Battle Effects - Effect Type Details
Size Change - Pokémon becomes gigantic
HP Boost - Up to 2× HP depending on species
Move Changes - All moves turn into Max Moves (based on original type)
Max Moves - Have secondary effects (e.g., Max Airstream boosts Speed)
Stat Boosts - No direct stat boosts unless via Max Moves
Type - Pokémon retains its original type(s)
🎯 Strategy & Notes
Best used as a tempo advantage: gain bulk + deal heavy damage.
Especially good on bulky sweepers or Pokémon with good Max Move effects.
Competitive use revolves around timing, setup denial, or stat boosts.
Can be used by any Pokémon, though Gigantamax forms are alternate versions with unique Max Moves.
📙 Pokédex Entry: Gigantamax
Name: Gigantamax
Introduced In:Pokémon Sword & Shield (Gen VIII)
Region: Galar
Category: Battle Mechanic – Form Change with Signature Move
🔷 What is it?
Gigantamax is a special form of Dynamax available only to certain species and forms. It alters the appearance of the Pokémon in a unique way and gives them access to an exclusive G-Max Move replacing one of their Max Moves.
🌟 Visual & UI
Pokémon becomes huge and changes shape/form (e.g., Gigantamax Pikachu becomes fat retro-style).
G-Max Move appears in move list instead of normal Max Move for a specific type.
⚙️ Activation & Rules
Feature Gigantamax
Where - Galar (Sword/Shield), certain event battles
Trigger - Must be a special Gigantamax-capable Pokémon
Lasts Until 3 turns Recharge - One-time use per battle
How to Get Rare catch (Max Raid), event gifts, or transfer
🔥 Battle Effects - Effect Type Details
Form Change - Pokémon takes on a unique visual form
Move Changes - One Max Move becomes a G-Max Move with exclusive effect
G-Max Example - G-Max Wildfire (Charizard) → damages non-Fire types over 4 turns
HP Boost - Same as Dynamax
Type - Stays same as base Pokémon
Move Power - G-Max Moves usually have same or higher power than Max Moves
🎯 Strategy & Notes
Only available to select species with G-Max potential.
G-Max moves give tactical advantages (e.g., status denial, field control).
Some forms are much stronger competitively due to move effects (e.g., G-Max Urshifu bypasses Protect).
Often used as the centerpiece of a team.