Max Finale 2025 Recap: Eternamax Eternatus, Gigantamax Returns and the Dark Skies GO Pass
By Matt · Published · Updated Max Finale ran from 10am on 23 August to 6pm on 24 August 2025. Eternamax Eternatus appeared at most Power Spots and gave Eternatus Candy when beaten, but couldn't be caught. Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta were in five-star raids, a different set of Gigantamax Pokémon returned each day, and the Dark Skies GO Pass gave one Eternatus on its free track.
Max Finale was the big send-off for the Sword and Shield era in August 2025. Here’s what it included and what I recommended at the time.
When it ran
From 10am on 23 August to 6pm on 24 August 2025, local time.
Eternamax Eternatus
Eternamax Eternatus was the big draw card, appearing at most Power Spots across the event. Beating it gave you Eternatus Candy to power up your own Eternatus, which had higher power-up costs than normal. You couldn’t catch Eternamax itself.
For the teams I used, see my Eternamax guide.
Raids
Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta were in five-star raids, alongside the other GO Fest raids like costume Falinks and Pikachu. For how the two compare, see my Crowned Zacian and Zamazenta guide.
Gigantamax Pokémon at Power Spots
Some Power Spots had Gigantamax Pokémon we’d already seen, a second chance at any shinies you missed.
Saturday: Gigantamax Lapras, Snorlax, Gengar, Inteleon, Venusaur, Machamp and Toxtricity.
Sunday: Gigantamax Rillaboom, Charizard, Butterfree, Kingler, Blastoise, Cinderace and Toxtricity.
The Dark Skies GO Pass
The Dark Skies GO Pass was the way to get Eternatus: one Eternatus, and one only, on the free track. It cost $15 USD (or $22.99 in Australia) to upgrade to Deluxe, and you could only level it up through Max Battles and raids.
The Deluxe track included:
- 7,130 Eternatus Candy
- 890 Eternatus Candy XL
- 8,800 Max Particles
- 8 Raid Passes
- 8 Max Mushrooms
- 6 Lucky Eggs
- 6 Star Pieces
Most levels gave 25 Eternatus Candy on the free track and 445 on the Deluxe track, which is a big difference. Deluxe also boosted the shiny chance for non-legendary Dynamax Pokémon.
Matt's takeIf you were going to do a lot of Max Battles that week, the Deluxe pass gave you more Max Particles than spending the same amount on Max Particles by themselves, plus all that Eternatus Candy. I love the Sword and Shield era, and this was a great way to send it off.
FAQ
When was Max Finale 2025?
From 10am on 23 August to 6pm on 24 August 2025, local time.
Could you catch Eternamax Eternatus?
No. Beating Eternamax gave you Eternatus Candy to power up your own Eternatus, but Eternamax itself couldn't be caught.
How did you get Eternatus during Max Finale?
One Eternatus came from the free track of the Dark Skies GO Pass, and you could only get one.
Was the Dark Skies Deluxe GO Pass worth it?
If you were doing a lot of Max Battles, yes. It gave more Max Particles than spending the same money on Max Particles alone, plus a huge amount of Eternatus Candy and other items.
Get Matt's full take
The extended write-up on Patreon has Matt’s commentary, what to prioritise and Matt’s own plan.