You’ve seen the massive drum set. You’ve probably seen the terrifying 40-player lobbies. But honestly, G-Max Rillaboom in Pokémon GO is more than just a giant monkey with a percussion problem. It’s arguably one of the most mechanically demanding encounters Niantic has ever thrown at us.
If you're still treating these like a standard Tier 5 raid, you’re gonna have a bad time.
Six-star Max Battles are a different beast. Unlike the "set it and forget it" tap-fest of regular raids, the Gigantamax Rillaboom encounter requires a level of coordination that most local communities haven't needed since the early days of EX Raids.
Why G-Max Rillaboom is a nightmare (and a dream)
Basically, the difficulty curve is steep. Rillaboom debuted during the Serene Retreat event back in May 2025, and it immediately separated the casual players from the tacticians.
The boss has a massive HP pool. We’re talking about a level 52 scaling with a 0.85 CPM. That's nerd-speak for "it hits like a truck and takes hits like a bunker." While the game allows up to 40 trainers, the reality of the 4-person sub-groups means you can’t just hide in the back. If your group of four doesn't have a plan, you’re just wasting 800 Max Particles.
Rillaboom’s movepool is the real kicker. It usually packs Grass Knot or Energy Ball, which will delete your Water or Ground types instantly. But it's that Earth Power coverage that ruins people's days. If you bring a Fire-type like Arcanine or even certain Poison-types, one Earth Power can send your team to the lobby before you’ve even filled the Max Meter.
The strategy that actually works
Forget what you know about DPS for a second. In G-Max battles, longevity is king. You need a balanced team. Most successful squads run a 2-1-1 formation. That’s two dedicated attackers, one "tank" (defender), and one healer.
- The Tank: Use Dynamax Corviknight or Gigantamax Snorlax. They sit there, they soak up the damage, and they use Max Guard.
- The Healer: Dynamax Blissey is still the gold standard here. Her ability to use Max Spirit and keep the glass cannons alive is the only reason 20-person groups actually win.
- The Attacker: Gigantamax Cinderace is the MVP. Period. G-Max Fireball does obscene damage to Rillaboom. If you don't have Cinderace, Gigantamax Charizard with G-Max Wildfire is your next best bet.
One thing people always forget? Cheering. If your team faints, don't just sit there staring at the screen. Tapping to cheer actually fills the Max Meter for the trainers still in the fight. It can literally be the difference between a win and a timeout.
Stats and what you're catching
When you finally take this thing down—and it might take a few tries—the rewards are actually worth the headache. We’re looking at 25,000 Stardust and a guaranteed Rare Candy XL.
For the catch encounter, keep an eye on these numbers:
- 1817 – 1899 CP (Level 20, no weather boost)
- 2272 – 2374 CP (Level 25, Sunny/Clear weather boost)
A 100% IV (the "hundo") is 1899 CP. If you see that number, take a breath. Use your Golden Razz.
Is it actually meta-relevant?
Sorta. G-Max Drum Solo is a monstrously powerful Grass-type move. In the current 2026 meta, Rillaboom is the premiere Grass-type Max Attacker. It outperforms Venusaur in terms of raw output, though it lacks the Poison sub-typing that makes Venusaur slightly tankier against certain Fairy moves.
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However, outside of Max Battles? It's just a regular Rillaboom with a cool sticker. You can't use the Gigantamax form in the GO Battle League or in standard gym battles. It’s a specialist. You use it to beat G-Max Inteleon or other high-tier Max bosses.
How to get it now
If you missed the debut or the Max Finale event in August 2025, you have to wait for the rotation. Niantic has been cycling Gigantamax bosses through Power Spots roughly once every few months.
Check your local Campfire map. Power Spots with the "X" symbol are where these legends live. You can join remotely now—a huge update Niantic pushed to help rural players—but it’ll cost you a Remote Raid Pass on top of the Max Particles.
Practical steps for your next battle
- Stock up early: Save your Max Particles the day before. You need 800 per attempt.
- Level your moves: Don't just power up the Pokémon. Use your particles to level Max Guard and Max Spirit to at least Level 2.
- Find a group: Use Discord or Campfire. You need at least 20 people to feel "safe," even if 4-8 pro players can technically duo it with perfect counters.
- Dodge the focused attacks: When the screen says "Attack Incoming" and those three lines appear over your Pokémon, swipe. Seriously. Just swipe.
G-Max Rillaboom is a trophy, sure, but it's also a tool. Once you have one, your ability to carry other players through Water-type Max Battles triples. Just make sure you bring a Cinderace to the fight, or you’re just contributing to the noise.
Next Steps:
Check your Pokémon storage for any Dynamax Beldum or Metagross you've collected. While they aren't the primary attackers for Rillaboom, their high defense makes them excellent "filler" tanks if you're short on Corviknight or Blissey. Ensure they are leveled to at least 35 before heading to a six-star Power Spot.