Pokémon Go Dynamax mechanics are out now – here's how they work

Dynamax Pokémon have launched in all regions, and we've got all the details

Niantic

Dynamax Pokémon are out now in Pokémon Go, with the feature now live in all regions. Max Battles are also available, so players can now start collecting Max Particles, raiding against Dynamax bosses, and catch a few Dynamax Pokémon along the way. 

In this guide we’ll go over everything you need to know about how the Dynamax mechanic works in Pokémon Go, including how to collect Max Particles and how to catch your first Dynamax Pokémon. 

Pokémon Go: How to get Max Particles 

Max Particles (MP) are a new resource in Pokémon Go that allows you to power up your Dynamax Pokémon and compete in Max Battles. They can be collected in one of three ways: by visiting Power Spots, by walking, or by buying them using coins on the shop. 

Power Spots are new PokéStop-like structures in the world, and thankfully they don’t take over or replace Stops or Gyms. Instead, it seems like most Power Spots are tied to locations like shops, businesses, and churches — essentially, places that wouldn’t necessarily be eligible to be turned into Stops, but are generally accessible in some way to the public. 

Power Spots appear on the main map screen, but don't replace gyms or stops. / Niantic / GLHF

When you visit a Power Spot, you can click on the structure to be brought to a screen that allows you to obtain Max Particles, for which you’ll gain 120 MP per Spot. It seems like each Spot can only give out MP once per day, and Power Spots are listed on the newly-upgraded nearby page. 

Walking also lets you earn Max Particles, with 300 MP being given for every 2km walked. You can only earn 800 MP per day, but if you’re below that when you claim your walking MP or MP from a Power Spot you’ll be able to go above that limit. You can also only store 1000 MP at a time, but the same caveat applies.

Pokémon Go: How to catch Dynamax Pokémon 

Dynamax Battles are the main way to get Dynamax Pokémon, and they  behave similarly to raids, where players can battle against Power Spot Bosses in Max Battles, and then catch those Pokémon after successfully defeating them. The game also says that visiting a Power Spot can spawn a Pokémon, and that “Dynamax Pokémon might even appear if there are Gigantamax Pokémon placed at the Power Spot,” alluding to the ability to leave Pokémon at Spots to help other trainers and earn Candy. 

That said, there are ways to get some Dynamax Pokémon without having to battle. Currently we’ve found three methods. The first is a Dynamax Wooloo, which is a reward for completing the first stage of the To the Max! special research quest. The second stage is much the same, offering a Dynamax Skwovet. The third method is by maxing out the MP counter to 1000, which will also at this stage spawn a Dynamax Wooloo. 

You can catch Dynamax Pokémon using your own balls. / Niantic / GLHF

Catching these Dynamax Pokémon is similar to catching any other Pokémon, and you’re able to use your own Poké Balls rather than just Premier Balls like raids. After catching a Dynamax Pokémon, you can see its Dynamax form on its page in the Pokémon list, where you can also upgrade its Max Moves using MP, Candy, and XL Candy. 

There is no way as of yet to turn owned Pokémon into Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon. 

Dynamax Battles 

In addition to the free Dynamax Pokémon listed above, players can now also battle wild Dynamax Pokémon at Power Spots in Dynamax Battles. These are special raids with up to four players, and players can battle against and subsequently catch Dynamax Pokémon. At the time of writing, the following five Pokémon are available in Dynamax Battles: 

• Skwovet
• Wooloo 
• Squirtle
• Bulbasaur
• Charmander

Dynamax Battles take place at Power Spots, and right now it seems like every Power Spot has a Dynamax Battle available. The flow of a Dynamax Battle raid is pretty simple: you’ll fight using normal moves for a while, building up energy while you do so. Then, after the Dynamax Gauge is filled, you’ll have a few seconds to switch Pokémon if you want to, and the Pokémon you have out on the field will Dynamax. You can use three Max Moves – any combination of an attacking move, a healing move, or a shielding move – after which you’ll revert to your non-Dynamaxed form. 

Upon completing a Dynamax Battle, you will be charged 250 MP – you won’t get charged if you aren’t successful – and get given a host of rewards. You can opt to double these rewards by spending 200 coins, but it’s rarely worth it so keep your hard-earned cash instead. You’ll also get to catch the Dynamax Pokémon you defeated, this time using Premier Balls. 

After you defeat a Dynamax Battle, you can choose to leave behind a Dynamax Pokémon at the Power Spot to help future trainers defeat the battle. Doing so earns you candy and XL candy when other players successfully complete the Battle. 

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