Max Moves unlock when you Dynamax a Pokémon during a raid or battle

A Max Move is a powered-up attack that your Pokémon uses automatically when it Dynamaxes — grows to giant size — in a raid battle or against another player. You do not unlock Max Moves through a separate process. Instead, any Pokémon that can Dynamax will use a Max Move the moment it enters that form, and the move it uses depends on what regular move it knows at that time.

The catch is that not every Pokémon can Dynamax, and not every move becomes a Max Move. Your Pokémon must be capable of Dynamaxing in the first place, and it must know a move that has a Max Move equivalent. If both conditions are met, the transformation happens automatically during may be able to access battles.

Key Takeaways

  • Max Moves trigger automatically when your Pokémon Dynamaxes in a raid or PvP battle — you do not unlock them separately.
  • Only Pokémon that can Dynamax will use Max Moves, and only if they know a regular move that has a Max Move version.
  • You trigger Dynamax by tapping the Dynamax button during a raid or battle, which appears when your Pokémon is may be able to access.
  • The specific Max Move your Pokémon uses depends on which regular move it knows — a Pokémon with Thunderbolt will use Max Lightning, for example.
  • Max Moves last for three turns, and using one counts as your Dynamax activation for that battle.

Which Pokémon can actually Dynamax

Not every Pokémon in Pokémon GO can Dynamax. The ones that can are usually Pokémon originally from the Galar region (Generation 8), though some older Pokémon have received the ability. You can tell whether your Pokémon can Dynamax by opening its details screen — if a Dynamax button appears during a raid or battle, that Pokémon is capable.

Legendary Pokémon and Mythical Pokémon cannot Dynamax. Shadow Pokémon also cannot Dynamax, even if their regular versions can. If you want to use Max Moves, you need a standard version of a Pokémon that the game recognizes as Dynamax-capable.

How to trigger Dynamax and use Max Moves

During a raid battle or PvP match, watch for a Dynamax button to appear on your screen. This button only shows up when your active Pokémon is capable of Dynamaxing and you have not already used your one Dynamax per battle. Tap the button to trigger the transformation.

Once your Pokémon Dynamaxes, it automatically uses Max Moves for the next three turns. You do not choose which Max Move appears — the game converts whatever regular move your Pokémon knows into its Max Move equivalent. If your Pokémon knows Thunderbolt, it becomes Max Lightning. If it knows Earthquake, it becomes Max Quake. The conversion happens instantly.

After three turns, your Pokémon returns to normal size and can no longer use Max Moves until the next battle. You get only one Dynamax per battle, so timing matters — use it when you need the extra power most.

What regular moves convert to Max Moves

Most common moves have Max Move equivalents, but not all. The conversion usually follows a pattern based on move type. A Normal-type move becomes Max Strike. A Fire-type move becomes Max Flare. Water becomes Max Geyser, Grass becomes Max Overgrowth, Electric becomes Max Lightning, and so on.

Status moves — moves that do not deal damage, like Protect or Reflect — do not have Max Move versions. If your Pokémon only knows status moves, it cannot use Max Moves effectively. For this reason, you want to teach your Dynamax-capable Pokémon damaging moves before you use them in raids or battles.

Teaching your Pokémon the right moves

If your Pokémon knows a move that does not have a Max Move equivalent, you can teach it a different move using a Fast TM or Charged TM. Open your Pokémon's details, scroll to the move section, and tap the move you want to change. Select the TM option and choose a new move from the list.

Not every move is available for every Pokémon — the game only shows moves that species can actually learn. Pick a damaging move with a Max Move equivalent. Checking what Max Move it converts to before you commit the TM is worth the extra moment, since TMs cost Stardust and you do not want to waste them.

Max Moves in raids versus PvP battles

Max Moves work in both raid battles and PvP matches, but the stakes differ. In raids, your Dynamax Pokémon deals increased damage and can help you defeat the raid boss faster. In PvP, Dynamaxing is a strategic choice — you might save it for a Pokémon that resists your opponent's attacks, or use it early to pressure them into using their own Dynamax.

The three-turn duration is the same in both modes. Once those three turns end, your Pokémon reverts and cannot Dynamax again in that battle. Plan accordingly based on what you are facing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Max Moves outside of raids and PvP?

No. Max Moves only appear during raids and PvP battles. You cannot use Dynamax or Max Moves in regular wild Pokémon encounters, gym battles, or Team Rocket encounters. The feature is limited to the specific battle modes that support it.

What happens if my Pokémon only knows one move?

If that move has a Max Move equivalent, your Pokémon will use it during Dynamax. If the move does not have an equivalent — for example, if it is a status move like Reflect — your Pokémon will still Dynamax but will not deal damage with Max Moves. You should teach it a damaging move first using a TM.

Do I lose my Dynamax if my Pokémon faints?

Yes. If your Pokémon faints while Dynamaxed, the form ends immediately and you cannot use Dynamax again in that battle. You get only one Dynamax per battle total, so if you use it and your Pokémon faints before the three turns are up, that Dynamax is spent.

Can I Dynamax the same Pokémon twice in one battle?

No. Each battle allows you to Dynamax one Pokémon one time. Once you use Dynamax on any Pokémon in that battle, neither that Pokémon nor any other Pokémon on your team can Dynamax again until the next battle.