If you’ve spent any time in the Galar region, you’ve seen it. That moment a regular-sized Charizard suddenly turns into a kaiju-sized dragon with wings made of literal fire. It’s flashy, it’s loud, and honestly, it’s a bit confusing if you’re trying to figure out why some Pokemon do it and others don't. We're talking about Pokemon Sword and Shield Gigantamax, the mechanic that basically took Dynamaxing and gave it a high-fashion makeover.
Most people think Gigantamax is just "Dynamax but bigger." That's wrong.
Actually, it’s much more specific than that. Every single Pokemon in Sword and Shield can Dynamax. You just need to be in a Power Spot, press the big red button, and boom—your Pikachu is now the size of an apartment complex. But only a handful of species can Gigantamax. Even then, only specific individuals within those species have what the game calls the "Gigantamax Factor."
If you catch a random Sizzlipede on Route 3 and evolve it, it will never Gigantamax. It’ll just become a very big, regular-looking Centiskorch. To get the one that looks like a coiled radiator of doom, you have to put in some actual work.
What Actually Is the Gigantamax Factor?
Think of it like an exclusive club. While Dynamaxing increases a Pokemon’s size and HP, Gigantamaxing changes their entire physical model. A G-Max Meowth isn't just a big cat; it’s a "Longcat" meme come to life, stretching into the clouds. A G-Max Alcremie becomes a towering, multi-tiered wedding cake.
But the real reason people hunt these things down isn't just the looks. It’s the G-Max Moves.
In a standard Dynamax state, your moves turn into generic "Max Moves" based on their type. A Water-type move becomes Max Geyser, which sets up Rain. Simple. But if you have a Gigantamax Drednaw, its Water moves turn into G-Max Stonesurge. Instead of just making it rain, this move does massive damage and sets up Stealth Rocks on the opponent's side of the field.
It’s a two-for-one deal that can completely flip a competitive match.
The Full Gigantamax Roster: Who Can Do It?
Not everyone gets to be a giant. Currently, there are 33 species capable of reaching this form. You’ve got the classics like Charizard, Pikachu, and Eevee, but also Galar-specific ones like Corviknight and Grimmsnarl.
Here is how the moves actually change things up for some of the heavy hitters:
- Charizard (G-Max Wildfire): Instead of setting the sun, it deals passive damage to non-Fire types for four turns. It’s a death sentence for teams without a way to switch out or heal.
- Lapras (G-Max Resonance): This is arguably one of the most "broken" moves in the game. It deals damage and sets up Aurora Veil—reducing all incoming damage for five turns—without needing Hail to be active.
- Snorlax (G-Max Replenish): My personal favorite for long battles. Snorlax hits the opponent and has a 50% chance to restore a Berry it has already eaten. It makes "Curse-Lax" sets absolutely terrifying.
- Gengar (G-Max Terror): It prevents the opponent from switching out. If you trap a Pokemon that can't hurt Gengar, the game is basically over.
The list goes on to include weird ones like Garbodor (G-Max Malodor), which poisons both opponents, and Copperajah (G-Max Steelsurge), which litters the field with sharp copper spikes.
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How to Get These Giant Lads
Back when the games first launched in 2019, getting a Gigantamax Pokemon was a nightmare. You had to go to specific Raid Dens in the Wild Area, hunt for a rare purple beam of light, and pray to the RNG gods that the 5% spawn rate worked in your favor.
Honestly, it was exhausting.
Then the Isle of Armor DLC dropped and changed everything with Max Soup.
Basically, if you have the DLC, you can gather Max Mushrooms from caves around the island. Mix three of them into a soup at the Master Dojo, feed it to a Pokemon that has a Gigantamax form, and they will gain the Gigantamax Factor. No more grinding raids for hours. You can take the Cinderace you’ve had since the start of the game and finally give it the giant fire-rabbit form it deserves.
There is one exception: Urshifu. To get the legendary bear to Gigantamax, you need to find Max Honey, which is a whole separate side quest involving a very angry Vespiquen.
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Why Some Pros Actually Hate Gigantamax
This might sound weird, but sometimes Gigantamaxing is actually worse than regular Dynamaxing.
Take Corviknight. If it Dynamaxes, its Flying-type moves become Max Airstream, which boosts the Speed of your entire team. Speed is king in Pokemon. However, if it Gigantamaxes, it uses G-Max Wind Rage, which removes screens and hazards. While that’s useful, most pro players would rather have the Speed boost.
The same goes for Duraludon. Its G-Max move reduces the PP of the opponent’s last move. That’s... fine? But Max Wyrmwind lowers the opponent's Attack, which is usually way more helpful for staying alive.
You have to decide if the "special" effect is actually better than the standard stat boost or weather effect. Sometimes, the flashy new form is just a distraction from a more optimal strategy.
Making the Most of the Mechanic
If you’re still playing through the main story or diving into the Battle Tower, don't overthink it. Use the ones you think look cool. But if you're trying to win against actual humans online, you need a plan.
Step 1: Check your team synergy. If you’re running a Sandstorm team, don’t use G-Max Sandaconda. Why? Because its G-Max move traps the opponent in a sand tomb, but it doesn't set up the Sandstorm weather. You’re better off with a regular Dynamax to get that Sp. Def boost for Rock types.
Step 2: Get the DLC. Seriously. The Max Soup mechanic makes this part of the game ten times more enjoyable. You can even use the soup to remove the Gigantamax Factor if you decide you’d rather have the standard Max moves.
Step 3: Watch the turn counter. You only get three turns. It sounds like a lot, but if your opponent uses Max Guard or switches to a resistant type, those three turns vanish fast.
Gigantamaxing isn't just about power; it's about timing. Wait until your opponent has used their own Dynamax, or use yours early to set up a defensive wall like Lapras’s Aurora Veil.
In the end, Pokemon Sword and Shield Gigantamax remains the defining visual of the eighth generation. It’s peak Galar. Whether you’re feeding soup to a starter or hunting shiny G-Max Raids in the Stony Wilderness, it’s the ultimate way to show off your team's power.
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To get started right now, head to the Isle of Armor and start hunting those red mushrooms in the Brawlers' Cave or Courageous Cavern. Once you have three, go to the kitchen in the Master Dojo and transform your favorite teammate. If you don't have the DLC, focus your Wishing Pieces on the Den in the Giant's Seat—that's where the most powerful Raid bosses tend to hang out.