By Phillip Martinez

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Just about every generation of the Pokémon franchise introduces a new battle mechanic, and Sword and Shieldare no exception.

For the Gen 8 games, Dynamax and Gigantamax are a new mechanic that can turn the tide of battle. This phenomenon allows Pokémon to grow larger in size and gain access to more powerful attacks.

Mastering Dynamax and Gigantamax is not easy, as you'll need to have perfect timing and strategy to overcome other trainers who look to use this new mechanic for themselves.

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Here's everything you need to know about Dynamax and Gigantamax in Pokémon Sword and Shield, including a list of Pokémon that can undergo this new transformation.

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WHAT IS DYNAMAX

Dynamax is similar to Mega Evolution in that it's a temporary change. Pokémon that Dynamax will stay transformed for only three turns. In that time, you can overpower your opponent's Pokémon and utilize special moves called Max Moves.

Every Pokémon has the ability to Dynamax no matter which stage of evolution it's in. Dynamax also doesn't affect stats aside from HP. In other words, this transformation will increase the Pokémon's HP stat but nothing else.

Each Pokémon has a Dynamax level that can be increased with Dynamax Candy. Each time the level is increased, the Pokémon's HP will increase by five percent. This item can be earned in Max Raid Battles.

Max Moves are beefed up versions of attacks, similar to the Z-Moves found in Gen 7. Here is the full list of Max Moves and their associated effects:

• Max Flare (Fire) - Sunny Day for five turns
• Max Flutterby (Bug) - Lowers target's Special Attack
• Max Strike (Normal) - Lowers target's Speed
• Max Lightning (Electric) - Electric Terrain for five turns
• Max Knuckle (Fighting) - Increases Attack
• Max Phantasm (Ghost) - Lowers target's Defense
• Max Ooze (Poison) - Increases Special Attack
• Max Hailstorm (Ice) - Hail for five turns
• Max Geyser (Water) - Rainy Day for five turns
• Max Airstream (Flying) - Increases Speed
• Max Wymwind (Dragon) - Lowers target's Attack
• Max Starfall (Fairy) - Misty Terrain for five turns
• Max Mindstorm (Psychic) - Psychic Terrain for five turns
• Max Rockfall (Rock) - Sandstorm for five turns
• Max Quake (Ground) - Increases Special Defense
• Max Darkness (Dark) - Lowers target's Special Defense
• Max Overgrowth (Grass) - Grassy Terrain for five turns
• Max Steelspike (Steel) - Increases Defense

WHAT IS GIGANTAMAX

Gigantamax is the next step of Dynamax. Only certain Pokémon can Gigantamax, and only certain 'mon of that species have that ability.

To obtain a Gigantamax Pokémon, you'll need to battle in Max Raid Battles and encounter one (unless it's a gift Pokémon). Not only do Gigantamax Pokémon have their appearance changed, but they gain access to a G-Max attack, which is a more powerful Max Move.

Here's a list of Pokémon that can Gigantamax, as well as their unique G-Max attack:

• Gengar/G-Max Terror - prevents Pokémon from fleeing or switching out (Ghost)
• Charizard/G-Max Wildfire - inflicts damage to non-Fire Pokémon for five turns (Fire)
• Meowth/G-Max Gold Rush - Confuses opponent and earns extra money after battle (Normal)
• Eevee/G-Max Cuddle - Infatuates all opponents (Normal)
• Pikachu/G-Max Volt Crash - Paralyzes all opponents (Electric)
• Butterfree/G-Max Befuddle - Inflicts, poison, paralysis, or sleep conditions on all opponents (Bug)
• Corviknight/G-Max Wind Rage - removes effects like Reflect and Light Screen (Flying)
• Alcremie/G-Max Finale - Heals all allies (Fairy)
• Drednaw/G-Max Stonesurge - Places Stealth Rocks on the field (Water)
• Garbordor/G-Max Malodor - Poisons all opponents (Poison)
• Daruludon/G-Max Depletion - Reduces PP of last move opponent used (Dragon)
• Hatterene/G-Max Smite - Confuses all opponents (Fairy)
• Copperajah/G-Max Steelsurge - Places Spikes on the field (Steel)
• Kingler/G-Max Foam Burst - Reduces opponent's Speed (Water)
• Centiskorch/G-Max Centiferno - Traps opponents in flames for five turns (Fire)
• Melmetal/G-Max Meltdown - Opponent can't use the same move twice in a row (Steel)
• Appletun/G-Max Sweetness - Heals status conditions of allies (Grass)
• Grimmsnarl/G-Max Snooze - Puts opponents to sleep on the next turn (Dark)
• Flapple/G-Max Tartness - Reduces opponents evasiveness (Grass)
• Sandaconda/G-Max Sandblast - Puts Sandstorm for five turns (Ground)
• Coalossal/G-Max Vocalith - Deals damage to opponents for four turns (Rock)
• Orbeetle/G-Max Gravitas - Increases Gravity for five turns (Psychic)
• Toxitricity/G-Max Stun Shock - Poisons or paralyzes opponent (Electric)
• Snorlax/G-Max Replenish - Restores berries that have been eaten (Normal)
• Lapras/G-Max Resonance - Reduces damage received for five turns (Ice)
• Machamp/G-Max Chi Strike - Raises Critical Hit chances (Fighting)

Pokémon Sword and Shield is available now for Nintendo Switch.

What do you think of the Dynamax and Gignatmax battle mechanic? Which Gigantamax Pokémon is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section.

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