Pokémon GO Max Moves are special moves used by Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon during Max Battles. A Max Pokémon can have an attacking Max Move plus Max Guard and Max Spirit, giving it damage, shielding and healing options when the team enters its Dynamax or Gigantamax phase.
What are Pokémon GO Max Moves?
There are three basic types of Pokémon GO Max Moves. The attack is an extra-powerful move tied to the Pokémon’s Fast Attack type for Dynamax Pokémon. Max Guard creates a barrier that reduces damage from the Power Spot boss, while Max Spirit restores HP for the user and allied Pokémon.
Gigantamax Pokémon work similarly but can have a species-specific G-Max attack instead of the standard Dynamax attack. Max Guard and Max Spirit remain the utility options.
| Max Move | Role | Starting status |
|---|---|---|
| Max Attack or G-Max Attack | Deals damage | Available at Level 1 |
| Max Guard | Reduces incoming damage | Usually locked |
| Max Spirit | Heals the team | Usually locked |
How to unlock Pokémon GO Max Moves
To manage Pokémon GO Max Moves, open a Max Pokémon in your storage and scroll to its Max Moves section. The offensive move is available from Level 1, while Max Guard and Max Spirit normally need to be unlocked separately.
Unlocking either Max Guard or Max Spirit costs 400 Max Particles and 50 of that Pokémon family’s Candy. You choose the locked move, tap to train it and confirm the resource cost. Once unlocked, it begins at Level 1.
How much do Max Move upgrades cost?
Each of the standard Pokémon GO Max Moves can be trained beyond Level 1. Moving from Level 1 to Level 2 costs 600 Max Particles and 100 Candy. Moving from Level 2 to Level 3 costs 800 Max Particles and 40 Candy XL.
| Upgrade | Max Particles | Other cost |
|---|---|---|
| Unlock Guard or Spirit at Level 1 | 400 | 50 Candy |
| Level 1 to Level 2 | 600 | 100 Candy |
| Level 2 to Level 3 | 800 | 40 Candy XL |
That means fully unlocking and training one previously locked move to Level 3 uses 1,800 Max Particles, 150 Candy and 40 Candy XL. Training Pokémon GO Max Moves also awards XP.
How does the attacking Max Move work?
For a Dynamax Pokémon, its attacking Max Move is based on the type of its Fast Attack. Changing the Fast Attack with a Fast TM or Elite Fast TM can therefore change the type of the Max attack. This makes the normal moveset relevant even though Pokémon GO Max Moves are only used during the Max phase.
Gigantamax Pokémon can instead use their special G-Max attack. These are species-specific and generally hit harder than comparable Dynamax attacks, making Gigantamax Pokémon particularly valuable for damage roles.
When can Max Guard and Max Spirit be used?
Pokémon GO Max Moves are used during Max Battles at Power Spots. Once the Max Meter fills, your Pokémon enters its giant form for a limited sequence of actions. You can choose between attacking, shielding with Max Guard or healing with Max Spirit instead of simply pressing the damage option every turn.
Max Guard is useful when a boss is about to land heavy damage or when you need a Pokémon to survive long enough to keep contributing. Max Spirit can rescue an entire group when several Pokémon are low on HP, making it especially valuable in difficult coordinated battles.
Do Max Moves work outside Max Battles?
No. You can use Max Pokémon in other parts of Pokémon GO, but they cannot Dynamax or Gigantamax and use Pokémon GO Max Moves in ordinary Trainer Battles. Their giant transformation and Max Move system are built around Max Battles.
What happens to Max Moves after trading?
Trading a Max Pokémon can reset trained Max Move level progress, so be careful before investing large amounts of Candy XL and Max Particles into something you plan to trade later. Gigantamax Pokémon are also treated as Special Trades.
Which Max Moves should you upgrade first?
For damage-focused counters, upgrading the attacking move gives the clearest immediate benefit. For hard group content, Max Guard and Max Spirit can be just as important because survival and team healing may decide whether the group reaches another Max phase. The best use of Pokémon GO Max Moves is therefore role-based: build attackers for damage, then give key support Pokémon Guard or Spirit where the battle actually needs them.
For official Pokémon GO announcements and game updates, visit Pokémon GO.
