Dynamax

Learn how to Dynamax your Pokemon in Sword and Shield, including prerequisites, benefits, and powerful Max Moves. Boost your HP and turn the tide of battle!

Dynamaxing is a powerful battle mechanic in Pokémon Sword and Shield that temporarily increases a Pokémon's size and power. This guide covers how to use it, its benefits, and the special Max Moves associated with it.

Prerequisites for Dynamaxing:

1. You must possess a Dynamax Band, which is obtained early in the game.
2. A Power Spot must be nearby. These are typically found in the center of Gym Stadiums and Pokémon Dens.

Dynamaxing can be used in most Gym Leader battles, Pokémon League battles, Max Raid Battles, certain story battles, and multiplayer battles.

How to Dynamax:

If the conditions are met, select “Fight” during battle and press the “Dynamax” button. This transforms all of your Pokémon’s moves into Max Moves. Choose a Max Move to execute.

A Pokémon Dynamaxes at the start of a turn, before any moves are made. If both trainers Dynamax simultaneously, the Pokémon with the higher Speed stat goes first. A Pokémon remains Dynamaxed for 3 turns, until KO'd, or until it switches out. Each trainer can only Dynamax once per battle.

Benefits of Dynamaxing:

• Increased HP: Dynamaxing significantly boosts a Pokémon's HP for the duration. This can be further enhanced by feeding the Pokémon Dynamax Candy, obtained from Max Raid Battles.
• Resilience: Dynamaxed Pokémon will not flinch.
• Powerful Max Moves: These moves deal high damage and often have useful secondary effects.

Max Moves:

The type of Max Move a Pokémon can use depends on the original type of its moves. The damage scales with the original move's power. Max Moves cannot miss and can bypass moves like Protect. If the original move is a status move, it becomes Max Guard, which functions like Protect but also guards against Max Moves.

Max Move Effects by Type: