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One of Pokémon Sword and Shield’s biggest additions (literally) are the Dynamax battles, using the Galar regions massive stadiums to good effect to up the scale of battles. As we’ve seen, some Pokémon get an even bigger boost out of the mechanic in the form of Gigantamax forms, and we’re here to share the lucky few who can harness this power! 

In total, there are currently 25 Pokémon capable of Gigantamaxing. The majority of these are available, at present. Other than their altered appearance, they will gain the ability to pull off a special “G-Max Move” unique to each species. Read on for our full Gigantamax guide, including details like which Gigantamax forms are exclusive to a given version, what they can do, and how to add these to your team.

 

How to catch Gigantamax Pokémon

 

 

Getting these big ‘mons for yourself will involve exploring the Wild Area and taking on Max Raid Battles. If you encounter one of the species listed below, battle it, and manage to catch it, there will be a chance that it will be capable of Gigantamaxing. These are reportedly rarer than others, and if they don’t have the capability of Gigantamaxing they will merely Dynamax instead. As an aside, Pokémon caught in Max Raid Battles may also have their Hidden Abilities — this can overlap with the ability to Gigantamax too!

 

How to use G-Max Moves

 

Once your Pokémon has Gigantamaxed, you’ll gain access to their unique G-Max Move. Using these will only require that your Pokémon has a damage dealing move among their four that’s of their primary Typing. That distinction is important for dual-Type Pokémon, as a move of their secondary will instead be a Max Move of that Type.  

 

SPOILER WARNING: For anyone looking to go in blind for these or brand new Pokemon, there will be spoilers beyond this point!

 

List of G-Max Moves

 

Move NameTypeCategoryBase PowerAccuracyPPDescription
G-Max Wildfire--10110A Fire-type attack that Gigantamax Charizard use. This move continues to deal damage to opponents for four turns.
G-Max Befuddle--10110A Bug-type attack that Gigantamax Butterfree use. This move inflicts the poisoned, paralyzed, or asleep status condition on opponents.
G-Max Volt Crash--10110An Electric-type attack that Gigantamax Pikachu use. This move paralyzes opponents.
G-Max Gold Rush--10110A Normal-type attack that Gigantamax Meowth use. This move confuses opponents and also earns extra money.
G-Max Chi Strike--10110A Fighting-type attack that Gigantamax Machamp use. This move raises the chance of critical hits.
G-Max Terror--10110A Ghost-type attack that Gigantamax Gengar use. This Pokémon steps on the opposing Pokémon's shadow to prevent them from escaping.
G-Max Resonance--10110An Ice-type attack that Gigantamax Lapras use. This move reduces the damage received for five turns.
G-Max Cuddle--10110A Normal-type attack that Gigantamax Eevee use. This move infatuates opponents.
G-Max Replenish--10110A Normal-type attack that Gigantamax Snorlax use. This move restores Berries that have been eaten.
G-Max Malodor--10110A Poison-type attack that Gigantamax Garbodor use. This move poisons opponents.
G-Max Stonesurge--10110A Water-type attack that Gigantamax Drednaw use. This move scatters sharp rocks around the field.
G-Max Wind Rage--10110A Flying-type attack that Gigantamax Corviknight use. This move removes the effects of moves like Reflect and Light Screen.
G-Max Stun Shock--10110An Electric-type attack that Gigantamax Toxtricity use. This move poisons or paralyzes opponents.
G-Max Finale--10110A Fairy-type attack that Gigantamax Alcremie use. This move heals the HP of allies.
G-Max Depletion--10110A Dragon-type attack that Gigantamax Duraludon use. Reduces the PP of the last move used.
G-Max Gravitas--10110A Psychic-type attack that Gigantamax Orbeetle use. This move changes gravity for five turns.
G-Max Volcalith--10110A Rock-type attack that Gigantamax Coalossal use. This move continues to deal damage to opponents for four turns.
G-Max Sandblast--10110A Ground-type attack that Gigantamax Sandaconda use. Opponents are trapped in a raging sandstorm for four to five turns.
G-Max Snooze--10110A Dark-type attack that Gigantamax Grimmsnarl use. The user lets loose a huge yawn that lulls the targets into falling asleep on the next turn.
G-Max Tartness--10110A Grass-type attack that Gigantamax Flapple use. This move reduces the opponents' evasiveness.
G-Max Sweetness--10110A Grass-type attack that Gigantamax Appletun use. This move heals the status conditions of allies.
G-Max Smite--10110A Fairy-type attack that Gigantamax Hatterene use. This move confuses opponents.
G-Max Steelsurge--10110A Steel-type attack that Gigantamax Copperajah use. This move scatters sharp spikes around the field.
G-Max Meltdown--10110A Steel-type attack that Gigantamax Melmetal use. This move makes opponents incapable of using the same move twice in a row.
G-Max Foam Burst--10110A Water-type attack that Gigantamax Kingler use. This move harshly lowers the Speed of opponents.
G-Max Centiferno--10110A Fire-type attack that Gigantamax Centiskorch use. This move traps opponents in flames for four to five turns.

 

List of Gigantamax Pokémon

 

Pokémon NameExclusivityG-Max MoveNotes
CharizardG-Max Wildfire
ButterfreeG-Max Befuddle
PikachuG-Max Volt CrashObtained via Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! save data.
MeowthG-Max Gold RushObtained via download event.
MachampPokémon SwordG-Max Chi Strike
GengarPokémon ShieldG-Max Terror
KinglerG-Max Foam Burst
LaprasPokémon ShieldG-Max Resonance
EeveeG-Max CuddleObtained via Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! save data.
SnorlaxG-Max ReplenishCurrently unavailable.
GarbordorG-Max Malodor
MelmetalG-Max MeltdownCurrently unavailable.
CorviknightG-Max Wind Rage
OrbeetleG-Max Gravitas
DrednawG-Max Stonesurge
CoalossalPokémon SwordG-Max Volcalith
FlapplePokémon SwordG-Max Tartness
AppletunPokémon ShieldG-Max Sweetness
SandacondaG-Max Sandblast
ToxtricityG-Max Stun ShockCurrently unavailable.
CentiskorchG-Max Centiferno
HattereneG-Max Smite
GrimmsnarlG-Max Snooze
AlcremieG-Max Finale
CopperajahG-Max Steelsurge
DuraludonG-Max Depletion

 

A note on Gigantamax Flapple and Appletun: These Pokémon are unique in that they are version exclusive evolutions of the Pokemon Applin. The item required for Applin’s evolution (Tart Apple for Flapple, Sweet Apple for Appletun) are only available in Sword and Shield, respectively. Though their names, stats, and moves are unique, they share their Gigantamax appearance! Getting them in the opposite version will require trading or taking on a Max Raid Battle with someone who has the required version.

 

How to get Gigantamax Meowth

 

To access a Meowth able to Gigantamax, you will have to download one as a Mystery Gift. Galarian Meowth cannot Gigantamax, so this download may be the only way to gain this long cat. A Meowth that can Gigantamax cannot evolve. 

 

How to get Gigantamax Pikachu and Eevee

 

Pikachu and Eevee’s Gigantamax forms will be available to you if your Switch has save date for Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Let’s Go, Eevee! respectively. Pikachu and Eevee able to Gigantamax cannot evolve.

 

Currently unavailable Gigantamax Pokémon

 

As of launch, the following Gigantamax Pokémon are not available. When announced, they may or may not be version exclusive or otherwise gated behind unique means of acquisition:

 

  • Snorlax
  • Melmetal
  • Toxtricity

 


 

More Pokémon Sword and Shield guides

 

Want more help with Sword and Shield? Check out one of our other great guides to assist you through the games!

 

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Written by Ricky Berg

When he isn’t writing for Nintendo Wire, Ricky’s anticipating the next Kirby, Fire Emblem, or if the stars ever align, Mother 3 to be released. Till then he’ll have the warm comfort of Super Smash Bros. to keep him going.