Can you Mega Evolve Dynamax Pokemon in Pokemon GO?

Pokemon GO's first wave of Dynamax Pokemon are finally here, thanks to the release of the GO Big event. With this set featuring Charmander, Blubasaur, and Squirtle, some trainers have been wondering if these new Pocket Monsters will retain the capacity to Mega Evolve.

This is a fair question to ask, considering how this game is the first instance where Dynamax and Mega Evolution are both available at the same time. While Dynamax Pokemon are eligible for Mega Evolution, both forms cannot be active at the same time.

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How to Mega Evolve a Dynamax Pokemon

Players can choose whether to activate Dynamax or Mega Evolution on a given monster. Both cannot be done at the same time (Image via Niantic)

The only Dynamax Pokemon that can currently Mega Evolve in Pokemon GO are Charizard, Blastoise, and Vensaur. If players have one of these creatures originally captured in their base forms via Max Battles, they will notice that there is an option to activate the Dynamax ability in exchange for Max Particles, as well as an option to activate the Pocket Monster's Mega Evolved form.

Only one of these forms can be activated at a given time. This means a Charizard that can Dynamax can also Mega Evolve. However, if it is Mega Evolved, it cannot activate its Dynamax ability.

This unfortunately means that players cannot use a Dynamax Mega Charizard Y to steamroll their future Max Battles.

Mega Evolutions can be used for standard Raid Battles, gym battles, and fights against certain NPCs. Meanwhile, Dynamax Pokemon can only be used in Max Battles. With this in mind, players will often have a better reason to Mega Evolve their new Dynamax partner rather than use the new Dynamax battle gimmick.

Mega Evolutions can also be used in Raid Battles that reward victorious parties with Legendary Pokemon. However, no Max Battle has yet to be announced or introduced that would grant players creatures of that scale. Only base form critters have been introduced through these Max Battles thus far.

Also Check: Pokemon Go Evolution Calculator

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Should players Dynamax or Mega Evolve their Pokemon in Pokemon GO?

There is a time where players will need to Dynamax their Pokemon to access content. Max Battles can only be challenged by Dynamax Pokemon, so trainers will want to choose this battle gimmick over Mega Evolution if they wish to participate in one of these fights.

However, Mega Evolutions can be used in many more situations than Dynamax. Many trainers who have been playing the game for a while already likely have a Kanto Starter with perfect IVs and their event-exclusive move. As such, those who acquire these Dynamax starters will likely avoid Mega Evolving them.

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For more information on Pokemon GO, check out our other articles:

• Ditto disguises
• Sierra counters
• Cliff counters
• Arlo counters
• Giovanni counters
• Team GO Rocket Grunts
• Pokemon Type Calculator