Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to converse with Ed Wu, the senior vice president of Pokémon Go, to gain insights into the future of Niantic’s groundbreaking mobile game as it embarks on its second decade. Fans of the game have long anticipated the addition of Dynamax, the feature that enhances Pokémon by increasing their size and power, a mechanic first introduced in the Nintendo Switch titles Pokémon Sword and Shield. Although Niantic had previously been somewhat vague about when this feature would be integrated, it has become evident that Dynamax has been on Niantic’s agenda for some time. Its far-reaching implications suggest that its arrival could profoundly alter the game.
However, just a few weeks after the first Dynamax features were launched in Pokémon Go, the functionality remains somewhat unclear and under development. Engaging with it presently seems to offer little tangible benefit. Players do not yet have a new Dynamax Pokédex to complete, nor can they utilize Dynamax Pokémon outside of their specific context. It might be fair to refer to this as a soft launch, introducing a significant feature to a casual gaming audience with well-established habits. Despite the excitement surrounding Dynamax, there has been a lack of communication regarding the advantages of deviating from established gameplay patterns to start collecting Dynamax Pokémon or exploring its complex features. Personally, my engagement has been primarily fueled by curiosity, with only a limited understanding of where this new mechanic is heading.
Understanding Dynamax Pokémon
So, what exactly do we know about Dynamax so far? Dynamax Pokémon represent a new evolution of the creatures that players have been capturing for years. To effectively leverage this feature, players will need to find new, Dynamax-eligible versions with ideal stats or seek out their elusive Shiny forms. Essentially, this allows Pokémon Go to reintroduce all species in the game—much like the addition of Shadow Pokémon—with new mechanics and systems that appear to function independently of the existing game framework.
Dynamax Pokémon can be found at Power Spots, recently introduced locations on the game’s map that feature distinctive pink markers indicating the addition of something significant. It has been several years since Niantic added something fundamentally new to the game, arguably not since the initial introduction of raids. Players can head to a Power Spot to battle the Dynamax Pokémon there and capture it, in a manner reminiscent of raids but utilizing a different set of battle mechanics. Players also have the option to leave a Dynamax Pokémon behind to assist others in their battles, which allows them to earn a modest amount of rewards.
The Mechanics of Dynamax Battles
On one hand, the Dynamax creatures you collect function as normal Pokémon that can be evolved, powered up, and utilized in raids or the Go Battle League like any other. However, their Dynamax abilities are specifically reserved for Dynamax battles, limiting their versatility outside that environment. The stats page for Dynamax Pokémon includes a separate section, featuring options to enhance their Dynamax moves, defense, and “spirit” (a stat that heals both the user and allied Pokémon). Improving these stats necessitates the collection of Max Particles (MP), a new resource that governs all interactions related to Dynamax and acts as a daily engagement cap.
Players can earn MP by visiting Power Spots or walking, with resources consumed after winning a Max Battle or upgrading a Dynamax Pokémon’s attributes. Currently, only Tier 1 Max Battles are available, featuring classic Kanto Pokémon like Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle, alongside Gen 8 creatures such as Wooloo and Skwovet. These initial battles are structured to provide a glimpse into the Max Battle system while remaining accessible for all players.
During Max Battles, players introduce their first Dynamax Pokémon in its regular form, which then transforms in the middle of the fight into its larger form. The transformation effect is visually striking, and as battles increase in difficulty, players may need to level up their Pokémon to ensure survival throughout the fight. Tier 1 battles are relatively inexpensive, in terms of MP, enabling players to capture several Dynamax Pokémon each day, whereas tougher battles (Tier 3 and Tier 5) will demand more resources to complete.
The Future of Dynamax
Additionally, players have the option to purchase extra MP from the in-game shop, which allows them to bypass the free-to-play limitations. However, at this stage, there isn’t a compelling reason to do so. There is also an option to spend a hefty 200 PokéCoins to double the rewards from Max Battles, although the current Tier 1 battles likely won’t justify this cost. The first Tier-3 Max Battle featuring Dynamax Beldum is scheduled to arrive next week, while the Tier-5 Max Battle, which is expected to allow players to capture Legendary Dynamax Pokémon, still lacks a confirmed launch date.
Dynamax is being integrated into Pokémon Go in a manner that parallels the rollout of raid battles, which took time to fully implement Legendary raids. Nevertheless, there are numerous commendable elements in the design of Max Battles that should be acknowledged. The tiered MP cost system for Max Battles is a more logical approach compared to the fixed cost associated with raids, which require the same pass for battles of varying difficulties. The ability for players to participate in Max Battles throughout the day encourages players to engage at their own pace, facilitating easier planning for group meetups to tackle higher-tier battles. Another welcomed feature is that players can recall Dynamax Pokémon left guarding Power Spots at any time—something that has been sought after by the community for gyms.
The periodic relocation of Power Spots adds an exciting opportunity to explore different routes during gameplay. Moreover, their design does not interfere with existing PokéStops or Gyms—a notable improvement, though the quality of their location database leaves room for enhancement.
While Dynamax indisputably marks a significant development in Pokémon Go, a critical question lingers: what incentivizes players to interact with this new feature? Outside of its gameplay loop, will investing time and in-game resources in Dynamax yield worthwhile returns? As of now, it is apparent that the feature does not introduce any new Pokémon into the game—a potential draw for players. Furthermore, the anticipated Gigantamax creatures, a fan-favored upgrade akin to Mega Evolutions, add another layer of curiosity, though Niantic has stated that there are no current plans to integrate them despite existing in-game references.
Ultimately, anticipation grows for more substantial offerings from Dynamax in the near future, as players hope the system will reveal its true value before we reach the next decade of Pokémon Go.