Pokemon: How is Dynamax different from Gigantamax

The Pokemon franchise is known for its many battle gimmicks introduced throughout the series. While some of these mechanics are only around for a game or two, others become staples of the battling system going forward. One such time-limited gimmicks are Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing.

With word of these two gimmicks coming to Pokemon GO after the release of some artwork for the eighth anniversary, many fans are looking into this mechanic from the last entry of the main series. Here is everything to know about Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing.

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Everything to know about Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing in the Pokemon franchise

Gigantamaxing is an upgraded version of Dynamaxing, only allowed for certain creatures (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Dynamaxing is a feature only available in the Galar region thanks to its many Power Spots. These areas are filled with energy that allows creatures to Dynamax and Gigantamax. When a Pokemon Dynamaxes, its size will increase and its HP will double for three turns. During these turns all of the creature's moves will be changed to Max moves.

There is one Max move per element, each with a secondary effect like raising the user's stats or causing a certain weather condition or terrain. There is also Max Guard, which is made from any status move the Dynamaxed creature may have known beforehand. This move will allow the user to block all damage from any move, including Max moves, for the duration of the turn.

Gigantamaxing is very similar to Dynamaxing. Rather than being available for every Pokemon, Gigantamaxing is only available for a select few creatures. These alternate Dynamax variants always sport their own signature move with a more complex secondary effect like paralyzing every opponent on the field or setting up Aurora Veil for free.

Gigantamax Pokemon can only be found by completing raids that randomly appear across the Wild Area. Sometimes, these raids will contain a Gigantamax Raid Boss, who can be captured at the raid's end. However, Max Soup was introduced in the Isle of Armor expansion to allow players to grant their creature the ability to Gigantamax in exchange for three Max Mushrooms.

There are only 33 creatures in the franchise that are capable of Gigantamaxing (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Here is a list of every creature in the franchise that is capable of Gigantamaxing:

• Butterfree
• Venusaur
• Charizard
• Blastoise
• Pikachu
• Eevee
• Meowth
• Machamp
• Gengar
• Kingler
• Lapras
• Snorlax
• Garbodor
• Melmetal
• Inteleon
• Cinderace
• Rillaboom
• Corviknight
• Orbeetle
• Drednaw
• Coalossal
• Flapple
• Appletun
• Sandaconda
• Toxtricity
• Centiskorch
• Hatterene
• Grimmsnarl
• Alcremie
• Copperajah
• Duraludon
• Urshifu Single Strike
• Urshifu Rapid Strike

If players have any of these creatures without the Gigantamax Mark, which can be seen from their stat screen in Pokemon Sword and Shield, they can give them the Max Soup to upgrade them, allowing them to do so.

Overall, the only difference between Dynamax and Gigantamax is the design of the creature, as well as the addition of this signature attack. Most of these signature attacks are so potent that most Gigantamax creatures were banned from official competitive play until the last year Pokemon Sword and Shield were supported.

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For more information regarding the Pokemon franchise, check out our other articles:

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• How to get Ho-oh in Pokemon Unite
• Is Pokemon GO worth playing in 2024?