Dynamax
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TheDynamax phenomenon (Japanese:ダイマックスDaimax), or simply known asDynamax, is a temporary transformation affectingPokémon that was introduced inGeneration VIII withPokémon Sword and Shield. It grants Pokémon tremendous strength and size and allows them to use powerful moves calledMax Moves. A variant of this phenomenon calledGigantamax further alters the appearance of Pokémon and gives them access to exclusiveG-Max Moves.
Along with Gigantamax, Dynamax has only made one core series appearance; however, it reappears in other media and spin-off titles, includingPokémon GO andPokémon Masters EX.
Terminology
A Pokémon under the effects of the Dynamax phenomenon may have "Dynamax" in front of their species name e.g. "Dynamax Bulbasaur". The process itself always describes the Pokémon as having "Dynamaxed" in past tense, or will "Dynamax" in future tense. Pokémon actively undergoing Dynamax are described as "Dynamaxing".
Origin
The Dynamax mechanic was inspired by theNintendo Switch's TV Mode, which can be used to display the game on a much larger screen, and would therefore better accommodate large Pokémon.[1] Battles between Dynamaxed Pokémon and thePokémon Dens in which Dynamax Pokémon reside were both inspired by theGiant's Causeway, a collection of basalt columns inNorthern Ireland believed to be created by a giant inCeltic mythology.[2]
In the core series games
Trainers who obtain aDynamax Band are able to Dynamax their Pokémon. According toProfessor Magnolia, the Pokémon distorts space to change its size while affecting the world around them.[3] This transformation has another special variant known asGigantamax.
History
After its defeat thousands of years ago byZacian andZamazenta,Eternatus's energy leaked out during its slumber in the form ofGalar particles. This resulted in the creation ofPower Spots, where Trainers can trigger the Dynamax transformation. Some Power Spots had Gym Stadiums built over them, and others in theWild Area becamePokémon Dens, whereMax Raid Battles take place. Parts of Eternatus's body, known asWishing Stars, rained acrossGalar, allowing whoever found them to Dynamax their Pokémon when at a Power Spot.Dynamax Bands were later created byOleana to help anyone fully utilize the transformation there. Dynamax was later implemented into theGalar League's Gym Battles byRose who had most of theGyms built atop of thePower Spots.[4]Max Mushrooms andMax Honey are grown and created exclusively on theIsle of Armor due to the Dynamax phenomenon affecting the flora andVespiquen producing it.
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Effects
Dynamaxing increases a Pokémon's size drastically, as well as changing the moves of the Pokémon and increasing their max and currentHP in battle according to their Dynamax level (except forShedinja), but can only be used once during a battle, and ends after three turns or if the Pokémon is switched out. In addition, it can only be performed in areas known to havePower Spots, such asGalar'sGym Stadiums,Battle Court, andBattle Tower. When Dynamaxed, all of the Pokémon'smoves will turn intoMax Moves that correspond to those moves'types and categories. Like withMega Evolution, Dynamax is activated at the start of the turn before all other moves are executed. If a Dynamax Pokémon runs out ofPP of one move, it still can be selected but fails; if it is unable to use any moves (e.g., running out of PP), it will useStruggle.
In aMax Raid Battle, the wild Pokémon is a Dynamax Pokémon for the entire duration of the battle. Only one of the Trainers' Pokémon can Dynamax during a Max Raid Battle, and only for the standard three turns. The first Trainer with the chance to Dynamax is the host, with the chance passing to the next player who joined until it returns to the first player.
Zacian,Zamazenta, andEternatus, including Pokémontransformed into one of these, cannot Dynamax.
Gigantamax
- Main article:Gigantamax
If a Pokémon has the Gigantamax Factor, it can undergo Gigantamax, a special kind of Dynamax that results in a different appearance to its regular form in addition to being larger. Only specific individual members of a select group of species can Gigantamax. Each Gigantamax Pokémon has an exclusive Max Move known as aG-Max Move. Other than having a G-Max Move, Gigantamax is functionally identical to a Dynamax.
Dynamax Level and HP
Dynamaxing provides Pokémon with an increase to its maximum and current HP (with the exception of Shedinja) by the same factor. The amount of HP gained depends on the Pokémon's Dynamax Level, which can be increased withDynamax Candy. At Dynamax Level 0, a Pokémon will gain 50% more HP. For every Dynamax Level above that, the Pokémon will gain 5% more HP, up to a 100% HP increase at Dynamax Level 10. All otherstats, as well as itsAbility andheld item, remain the same.
Whenever a Pokémon enters into or reverts from Dynamax, its current HP is adjusted to retain the same percentage of HP remaining, the Pokémon's HP will be rounded up to the nearest whole number if the Pokémon's HP is not already a whole number. For instance, if a Pokémon at Dynamax Level 10 has 100/200 HP remaining, then upon Dynamaxing, its HP will be adjusted to 200/400. Conversely, if the same Pokémon has 101/400 HP in Dynamax form, then when its Dynamax expires, its HP will be adjusted down to 50.5/200 then be rounded up to 51/200.
HP-based effects
When calculating changes in HP (damage or restoration) based on the percentage of a Pokémon's maximum HP, the Dynamax Pokémon's non-Dynamax HP is used. For example:
- Super Fang inflicts damage to a Dynamax Pokémon equal to 50% of its non-Dynamax HP.
- A heldFigy Berry will restore HP equal to 1/3 of the Dynamax Pokémon's non-Dynamax maximum HP.
- Endeavor inflicts damage equal to the amount that the target's non-Dynamax HP exceeds the user's non-Dynamax HP.
- Pain Split averages the two Pokémon's non-Dynamax HP, calculates thesigned difference between that average and each Pokémon's non-Dynamax HP, then changes each Pokémon's HP by that signed difference.
Effects that vary based on the percentage of HP a Pokémon has remaining use the Dynamax Pokémon's Dynamax HP. For example:
- Emergency Exit activates when the Dynamax Pokémon's current Dynamax HP falls to 50% or less of its maximum Dynamax HP.
- A Pokémon will consume its heldFigy Berry when its HP falls to 25% or less of its maximum Dynamax HP.
- Brine'spower is increased if a target Dynamax Pokémon's current Dynamax HP is 50% or less of its maximum Dynamax HP.
The movesDynamax Cannon,Behemoth Blade, andBehemoth Bash do double damage against a Dynamax Pokémon.
Immunities
Dynamax Pokémon are immune toflinching.Fake Out can still damage a Dynamax Pokémon, but will have no secondary effect.
Dynamax Pokémon are unaffected bymoves affected by weight (such asLow Kick andHeavy Slam),one-hit knockout moves, andDestiny Bond.
Moves and Abilities that replace the target'sAbility with the user's (such asSkill Swap,Entrainment, andWandering Spirit) have no effect on Dynamax Pokémon. However, moves thatchange or suppress the Dynamax Pokémon's Ability altogether (such asGastro Acid andWorry Seed) still work.
Dynamax Pokémon cannot be switched out by the effects ofmoves that switch the target out (likeRoar andWhirlwind).Circle Throw andDragon Tail will still damage Dynamax Pokémon without switching it out.Red Card also fails to switch out a Dynamax Pokémon, but is still activated and consumed. Dynamax Pokémon can still be forced out by their own Abilities or items, such asEmergency Exit or anEject Button. If a Dynamax Pokémon hasMagic Bounce and is targeted byParting Shot, the move will be reflected and force the Dynamax Pokémon to switch out (the owner of the Dynamax Pokémon is still able to choose the Pokémon that it is replaced with).
Dynamax Pokémon cannot be affected byDisable orCursed Body. A Max Move or G-Max Move can still be used if its base move was disabled prior to Dynamax. Dynamax Pokémon are also immune toEncore,Torment, andInstruct.Choice Band,Choice Scarf,Choice Specs,Gorilla Tactics, andSheer Force temporarily stop working (including the stat boosts) if the holder is Dynamaxed. However,Assault Vest still works accordingly and prevents the holder from usingMax Guard.
In addition to the above, there are certain moves that will fail if used during a Max Raid Battle, but will work against a Dynamax Pokémon otherwise.
- See also:Max Raid Battle → Battle
Effects on Transformed Pokémon
IfTransform orImposter is used against a Dynamax Pokémon, only its base form and base moves will be copied, and the user can Dynamax separately. The Gigantamax Factor, however, is not copied at all; instead, the user can only achieve the standard Dynamax form. Additionally, if a Pokémon incapable of Dynamax (e.g.,Zacian) is copied, then the user will not be able to Dynamax afterwards. If a Pokémon attempts to copy a Max Move (e.g., usingCopycat), it will copy the base move of that Max Move.
Move animations
 | This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: whetherDoom Desire's animation is replaced |
 | This article is missing one or more images. Please feel free to add any missing images to this article. Needed images can beuploaded to the Bulbagarden Archives. Reason: move images |
All moves used on Dynamaxed Pokémon, except for Max Moves and G-Max Moves, have generic animations. These depend on type if the move is a damaging move, but all status moves use one of two different animations: either when the move targets the user (which is only possible for bosses inMax Raid Battles), or when the move targets another Pokémon.
This does not affect the animations forBehemoth Blade,Behemoth Bash,Future Sight. Formoves with a charging turn, the animation for the charging turn only is not replaced.
Gallery
Artwork
 |
| Concept art fromSword and Shield |
In the side series games
Pokémon Champions
Artwork of theOmni Ring and thePokémon Champions website suggest Dynamax will be supported in the future sometime after release.[5]
In the spin-off games
Pokémon GO
- Main article:Dynamax (GO)
Dynamaxing was introduced toPokémon GO as a battle mechanic on September 4, 2024.
Pokémon Masters EX
Certainsync pairs are capable of Dynamaxing, including some Trainers that do not haveDynamax Bands in thecore series. All attackingMax Moves have 400-540 power range. The max move can be used once per battle.
A list of all sync pairs that canGigantamax their Pokémon can be foundhere.
A list of all sync pairs that canEternamax their Pokémon can be foundhere.
Pokémon Mezastar
In animation
Pokémon the Series
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Dynamaxing was first featured inFlash of the Titans!, whereLance's Gyarados was shown Dynamaxing during his battle againstLeon and hisCharizard at the finals of theWorld Coronation Series, which was held atWyndon Stadium. LeonGigantamaxed his Charizard in response toLance's Dynamax.
InSword and Shield, Slumbering Weald!,Ash and Leon headed to battle aPangoro that had started rampaging after spontaneously Dynamaxing, and successfully defeated it inthe next episode. Later in the same episode,Goh Dynamaxed hisRaboot to battleOleana's subordinate, who had sent out a GigantamaxGarbodor in an attempt to stop Sonia and Goh's investigation into the kings ofGalar.
InSword and Shield... The Legends Awaken!, many Pokémon across Galar had Dynamaxed due to theDarkest Day. Once the event was stopped by Ash and Goh, the Dynamaxed Pokémon returned to normal.
InThe Winding Path to Greatness!, Ash Dynamaxed his Gengar, finding out that it was unable to Gigantamax. AfterAllister had made someMax Soup for it, Gengar was able to Gigantamax during the second attempt.
InChasing to the Finish!, a DynamaxRegigigas was awakened in theCrown Tundra afterProject Mew succeeded in gathering all thelegendary giants together.
InPride of a Champion!, Lance Dynamaxed hisDragonite during hisMasters Eight Tournament battle againstDiantha and herMegaGardevoir.
InValor: A Strategic Part of Battling!,Cynthia Dynamaxed herTogekiss during her Masters Eight Tournament battle againstAsh and hisLucario.
Gallery
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
Sword & Shield arc
A Dynamax Pokémon first appeared inZap!! A Rising Beam of Light, whereHenry,Casey, and a pair ofTeam Yell Grunts battled a DynamaxGurdurr in aMax Raid Battle. After defeating him, Henry was able to catch him, add him to hisparty, andnickname him Steeler.
Dynamax appeared againWatch Out!! Strong Rivals during Henry'sGym battle againstMilo, where theGrass-typeGym Leader Dynamaxed hisEldegoss. Henry responded by doing the same with hisSirfetch'd.
InSplish Splash!! Gigantamax Battle, Henry Dynamaxed hisThwackey during his Gym battle againstNessa.
InGulp!! Gulp Pokémon, Casey Dynamaxed herArrokuda during her Gym battle againstKabu.
InGlittering!! The Tapestry in the Vault, Henry Dynamaxed hisOranguru during his Gym battle againstAllister.
InStealth!! Infiltrate the Energy Plant, a DynamaxedDracovish was shown in a news article.
InSwaying!! Murky Memories,Marnie Dynamaxed herScrafty during her battle againstGordie. In the same chapter, Henry andHop Dynamaxed theirMr. Rime andPincurchin againstMelony in their respective battles.
InRumble!! The Horrific Darkest Day, multiple Pokémon acrossGalar started to Dynamax afterChairman Rose started theDarkest Day.
InRumble!! The Darkest Day Returns andShing!! Final Form, multiple Pokémon acrossGalar started to Dynamax after the Darkest Day started again.
Gallery
Henry's DynamaxThwackey
Henry's DynamaxSirfetch'd
Hop's DynamaxPincurchin
A DynamaxDracovish
Multiple DynamaxedPokémon during theDarkest Day
Pokémon Journeys
InFlash of the Titans!,Lance's Gyarados Dynamaxed during a battle againstLeon's Charizard.
Gallery
In the TCG
 | This section contains old or outdated information, or has not been updated in a while. Please check the content of this section and update it as required. Reason: Missing who knows how many English printings. |
 | The contents of this article have been suggested to be merged into the pagePokémon VMAX (TCG). Please discuss it onthe talk page for this article. |
Dynamax is featured in thePokémon Trading Card Game as
. It was added as a new gameplay mechanic to the game in theSword & Shield expansion (theSword andShield sets in Japan).
Released along with the firstPokémon V cards,Pokémon VMAX introduce the Dynamax mechanics into the Trading Card Game. Pokémon VMAXevolve from their respective Pokémon V, giving them boostedHit Points and more powerfulattacks. (So far, some of these cards tie with the later releasedPokémon ex cards for the largest HP value on a Pokémon card) When a Pokémon VMAX isKnocked Out, the opponent takes threePrize cards instead of one. A label on the card indicates which of the three forms the card depicts.
All Pokémon VMAX have one or two attacks, and sometimes anAbility. If the card depicts a Dynamax Pokémon, one of those attacks will always start with the phrase "Max", possibly alluding to theMax Moves that Dynamax Pokémon use. While keeping the same layout of Pokémon V, Pokémon VMAX cards have a rainbow background and details on the card's bottom, as well its illustration also fading into the top-most area and having the visual aura of Dynamaxing on the Pokémon.
A list of allGigantamax cards can be foundhere.
A list of allEternamax cards can be foundhere.
Trivia
- Dynamax shares several similarities with theTerastal phenomenon:
- Both result within their respectiveregions (Paldea/Kitakami andGalar) from the actions of ancientlegendary Pokémon (Terapagos andEternatus).
- Both of them make use of powerful energy sources (Terastal energy andGalar particles) and enable Pokémon to used powered-upmoves (same-type attack bonus-enhanced attacks andMax Moves).
- Both of them have unique variations exclusive to certain Pokémon (unique Terastalized states andGigantamax). However, Gigantamax is much more common among Pokémon in comparison to the two unique Terastallized forms used only by Terapagos andOgerpon.
- Both of their progenitors are capable of taking on a specialform related to them (Stellar Form Terapagos andEternamax Eternatus).
- Jigglypuff'sFinal Smash, Puff Up, appears similar to Dynamax, as both feature a Pokémon temporarily growing to a much larger size. Dynamax would not appear until 2019, over eleven years past the release ofSuper Smash Bros. Brawl, in which Final Smashes debuted.
- WhenCalyrex Dynamaxes it is surrounded by a blue aura, while all other Dynamaxed or Gigantamaxed Pokémon have red auras. It is never explained why this is the case.
- Despite being unobtainable inPokémon Sword and Shield and their updates,Deoxys is depicted in thePokémon Trading Card Game in Dynamax form. InPokémon Masters EX,Eelektross,Breloom,Camerupt, andHisuianElectrode are able to perform Dynamax despite being unobtainable as well.
- Prior to version 1.3.0 of the game, Dragonite in theanimation was shown to perform Dynamax despite being unobtainable at the time.
- Hisuian Electrode is the first instance of a Pokémon introduced afterPokémon Sword and Shield seen Dynamaxing in any Pokémon media.
- InPokémon Sword and Shield, all opposingTrainers in the story that use Pokémon that can Dynamax are scripted to do so on the first turn that specific Pokémon is sent out. As these Pokémon are usually their aces on their respective teams, they are also scripted to send those out last in most circumstances. However, if the player forces their ace out earlier than the intended order, such as witha move that switch the target out, the opponent will Dynamax their Pokémon as if it were the last one out and continue the rest of the battle as normal.
- AgainstGym Leaders, this also has the unintended effect of switching the Gym Leader battle theme from the normal portion of the theme to the Dynamax portion, and that portion continuing to play for the rest of the battle even as the Gym Leader sends out Pokémon that cannot Dynamax or Gigantamax.
In other languages
| Language | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| Bengali | ডায়নাম্যাক্সDynamax | |
| Catalan | Dynamax* | |
| Chinese | Cantonese | 極巨化Gihkgeuihfa |
| Mandarin | 極巨化 / 极巨化Jíjùhuà | |
| Dutch | Dynamax | |
| Finnish | Dynamax | |
| French | Dynamax | |
| German | Dynamax | |
| Hindi | डायनामैक्सDynamax | |
| Italian | Dynamax | |
| Korean | 다이맥스Daimax | |
| Polish | Dynamax | |
| Portuguese | Brazil | Dinamax |
| Portugal | Dynamax | |
| Russian | ДинамаксDinamaks | |
| Spanish | Latin America | Dinamax* Dynamax* |
| Spain | Dinamax | |
| Tamil | டைனமேக்ஸ்Dynamax | |
| Telugu | డైనమ్యాక్స్Dynamax | |
| Thai | ไดแมกซ์Daimax | |
| Turkish | Devleşme (Anime) / Dinamaks (Pokémon Go) | |
| Vietnamese | Dymax | |
References
- ↑プロジェクトストーリー1｜採用情報｜GAME FREAK 株式会社ゲームフリーク
- ↑Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Galar Expedition Guide, page 8
- ↑Trainer Tips:The Dynamax phenomenon is caused by a special power that originates from within Pokémon, warping the space around them and making them appear far larger than they truly are. (Pokémon Sword and Shield)
- ↑https://swordshield.pokemon.com/en-us/story/pokemon-league/
- ↑Pokémon Champions | The Omni Ring—A Battle Essential! "Other special features may be added to the Omni Ring in the future! Research is being conducted to make the Omni Ring capable of drawing out a variety of Pokémon capabilities."
Related articles
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 | This game mechanic article is part ofProject Games, aBulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on thePokémon games. |
