How Max Battles work in Pokémon GO
By Matt, MattSimplified
7 min read
Max Battles are raid-style fights against Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon at Power Spots. You spend Max Particles to enter, bring up to three Dynamax Pokémon, and team up with up to three other players. Attacking fills the Max Meter, and when it's full everyone Dynamaxes and gets three big Max Moves. Win and you can catch the boss, which can then Dynamax for you too.
What you need
Only Pokémon caught in Max Battles can Dynamax. Your first one comes from research, then every win adds another.
Collected from Power Spots and by walking. You only spend them if you win.
1 and 2 star battles are fine solo. Legendary and Gigantamax battles need a group.
How to do a Max Battle
Six steps from finding a Power Spot to catching your Gigantamax Pokémon, using my own Gigantamax Cinderace battle.
Find a Power Spot
Power Spots are the glowing pink pillars on the map. They move around over time, and the Pokémon you can battle shows on top, with a timer for how long it stays.
Grab your Max Particles and start
Tap the Power Spot to collect Max Particles, then tap Battle. Harder battles cost more. If you see “Come back another day”, you’ve hit the daily collection limit.
Pick your team
Choose three Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon. Bring your hardest hitters, plus something with high Defence and HP if the battle is tough. Gigantamax lobbies split everyone into teams of four.
- Real battle clip
Attack and fill the Max Meter
Every attack fills the team’s Max Meter, and the pink Max Orbs give a big boost. Dodge the boss’s single-target attacks to take less damage.
- Real battle clip
Dynamax and use your Max Moves
When the meter is full, everyone Dynamaxes and picks three Max Moves in a row. The boss can’t attack you while you do, so go all in on Max Attack.
Win, catch, and leave a helper
Win and you get to catch the boss. You can also station one of your Pokémon at the Power Spot to help other players and earn Candy.
The Max Meter and Max Moves, explained
This is the bit that's different from normal raids. Attack to fill the meter, then pick your three Max Moves. Try it below.
Fill the Max Meter
Gigantamax Charizard
Example Gigantamax bossAttack to fill the Max Meter. Each attack adds a little, more if it hits hard.
- Attacking fills the meter. Stronger hits fill it faster, especially against legendary and Gigantamax bosses.
- Max Orbs give +10. One pops up for someone in your group every 15 seconds. Tap it fast.
- Cheering gives +20. If all your Pokémon have fainted in a 3 star or harder battle, you can still cheer to help.
- When it's full, everyone Dynamaxes and picks three Max Moves in a row, and the boss can't attack.
- Single-target attacks can be dodged and hit twice as hard if you don't. The big attacks that hit the whole team can't be dodged.
Max Attack, Max Guard and Max Spirit
Each Max Move can be levelled up twice with Max Particles and Candy. Here's what each one does.
The big hit, and how you actually win. Its type comes from your Pokémon's Fast Attack. Gigantamax Pokémon use their own stronger G-Max Move.
Power 250, 300, 350 at each levelGives your Pokémon a shield that soaks up damage, and stacks up to three. Shields make the boss more likely to target that Pokémon, which is what you want on a tank.
Shield 20, 40, 60 at each levelHeals your whole team by a share of your Pokémon's max HP. Handy when everyone's taking a beating.
Heals 8%, 12%, 16% at each levelHow to get Max Particles
You can collect up to 800 Max Particles a day and hold up to 1,500. They're only spent if you win, so a loss costs you nothing but time.
| Where they come from | Max Particles |
|---|---|
| Tapping a Power Spot (first day it appears) | 120 |
| Tapping a Power Spot (after that) | 100 |
| Walking 2 km, then claiming from the Power Spot tab | 300 |
| Max Particle Pack (shop and events) | 800 |
Max Battle tiers compared
| Cost | Players | Who you'll fight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 star | 250 | Easy solo | Common Dynamax Pokémon |
| 2 and 3 star | 400 | Solo with a good team, or bring a friend | Stronger Dynamax Pokémon |
| 4 star | 800 | A small group | Tough Dynamax Pokémon |
| 5 star | 800 | A full team of four | Dynamax legendaries |
| Gigantamax | 800 | A big group, split into teams of four | Gigantamax Pokémon |
Gigantamax battles, Max Battle Days and Max Mondays
Gigantamax bosses are the toughest Max Battles. Up to 100 players can join one lobby, split into teams of four that all chip away at the same boss.
Players who stationed a Pokémon at the Power Spot also help: the more helpers, the more damage everyone does, up to +20%.
Max Battle Days are three-hour events where one Gigantamax or Dynamax legendary takes over Power Spots, usually with extra bonuses.
Every Monday is Max Monday. This season it runs from 6am to 9pm local time, with extra Power Spots that refresh faster, a featured Dynamax Pokémon, and a Rare Candy XL for in-person Max Battle wins.
Simple strategies that work
Your Max Attack is where the real damage happens, so build your team around who hits hardest with theirs.
A Pokémon that doesn't attack well might still be your best tank. Check for high Defence and HP before you write it off.
Bosses hit much harder if a battle goes on too long, so focus on filling the meter and landing Max Attacks.
Max Mushrooms for the big fightsA Max Mushroom doubles your damage for 30 minutes. Save them for Gigantamax and legendary battles.
Max Battle FAQ
Do you lose Max Particles if you lose a Max Battle?
No. Max Particles are only spent if you win.
How many Max Particles can you hold?
Up to 1,500, and you can collect up to 800 a day.
Can you do Max Battles remotely?
Yes. Since May 2025 you can join with a Remote Raid Pass plus the Max Particles. Playing in person gets you more Premier Balls and XP.
Can any Pokémon Dynamax?
No. Only Pokémon caught in Max Battles (or given by special research) can Dynamax. Zacian, Zamazenta and Eternatus can join Max Battles without Dynamaxing.
Can a Mega Evolved Pokémon Dynamax?
Not while it's Mega Evolved. A Pokémon that can do both has to be in its normal form to Dynamax.
What is a Max Monday?
Every Monday, extra Power Spots appear with a featured Dynamax Pokémon. This season it runs from 6am to 9pm local time, and in-person wins give a Rare Candy XL.
More new and returning player guides
Every guide lives in the new and returning player guide.
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