Max Battle Guide
Everything you need to know about Dynamax and Gigantamax Battles.
What are Max Battles?
Max Battles are cooperative battles held at Power Spots — separate locations from regular Gyms and Raids.
Only Dynamax / Gigantamax Pokémon can participate. Regular Pokémon cannot be used.
Max Particles are required and only consumed on victory. You do not lose particles on defeat.
Tier Details
| Tier | Players | Max Particles | XP | Stardust | Candy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1★ | Up to 4 | 250 | 3,000 | 750 | 3 |
| 2★ | Up to 4 | 400 | 5,000 | 1,000 | 5 |
| 3★ | Up to 4 | 400 | 7,500 | 1,500 | 7 |
| 5★ | Up to 4 | 800 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 10 |
| 6★ | Up to 100 | 800 | 25,000 | 25,000 | 30 |
Battle Mechanics
Phase 1: Real-time Attack
Use Fast Attacks to charge the Max Meter. Collecting Energy Bubbles adds 10% per bubble. Fast Attacks are generally more efficient, but mixing in Charged Attacks can be faster when using a Max Mushroom or with certain high-power moves.
Phase 2: Turn-based Dynamax (3 turns)
When the Max Meter reaches 100%, your Pokémon Dynamaxes. You can select Max Moves for 3 turns.
Phase Loop
Phase 1 → Phase 2 repeats. Reduce the boss HP to 0 to win.
Max Moves
Three moves available during the 3 turns of Phase 2.
An attack move determined by your Fast Attack type.
Use a Pokémon with a Fast Attack matching the boss weakness as your dealer.
Adds temporary HP and focuses the boss aggro.
Usable up to 3 times. Most effective on tank Pokémon.
Heals HP for the user and all teammates.
Use in emergencies. Very effective on tanks to ensure team survival.
Party Composition
Each player brings 3 Pokémon for the Max Battle.
Dealer (1) — High-attack Pokémon with a Fast Attack matching the boss weakness. Deals damage via Max Attack.
Tanks (2) — Pokémon with high bulk (defense/HP). Use Max Guard to tank boss aggro and Max Spirit to heal the team.
Using tanks that resist the boss type greatly improves survival.
Battle Tips
Without a Max Mushroom: spamming Fast Attacks is generally faster for charging the meter.
With a Max Mushroom: mixing in Charged Attacks often fills the meter faster (after the 2026 scaling adjustment). Effectiveness varies by move and boss.
Always collect Energy Bubbles when they appear. Each bubble charges the Max Meter by 10%.
The boss's targeted attacks can be dodged by swiping, but AoE attacks cannot be avoided.
In 3★+ battles, being wiped means elimination. After being knocked out, you can still support teammates by cheering to charge their Max Meter.
After about 6 minutes, the boss enters Enraged mode and damage spikes. Clear before that.
6★ Gigantamax battles allow up to 100 players (teams of 4). At least 30 players are recommended.
Pokémon caught in Gigantamax Battles cannot evolve.
How to Obtain Dynamax Pokémon
Pokémon caught in 1-3★ Max Battles become Dynamax Pokémon. Dynamax state is retained after evolution.
5★ Max Battles let you catch Legendary Dynamax Pokémon (Articuno, Zapdos, etc.).
6★ Max Battles let you catch Gigantamax Pokémon. Gigantamax Pokémon cannot evolve.
Max Particles can be collected by visiting Power Spots or winning Max Battles.