Max Moves are some of the most powerful attacks in Pokémon GO, exclusive to Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon. If you want to dominate Max Battles, you’ll need to level up these moves to unlock their full potential. But how exactly do you upgrade them? This guide breaks it all down in simple steps, helping you strengthen your Pokémon for tougher battles.
Before diving into leveling up, it’s important to know what Max Moves are. These aren’t your average attacks—they’re special abilities that only Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon can use. There are three main types:
- Max Strike: A powerful attack that changes type based on your Pokémon’s Fast Move.
- Max Guard: A defensive move that reduces incoming damage.
- Max Spirit: A healing move that restores HP for your Pokémon and allies.
When you first catch a Dynamax Pokémon, only Max Strike is unlocked at level 1. The other two moves—Max Guard and Max Spirit—are locked until you train them. Leveling them up makes them stronger, which is crucial for taking on high-level Max Battles.
How to Unlock Max Moves
Before you can level up a Max Move, you’ll need to unlock it. Here’s how:
- Find a Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon – Check your collection for Pokémon with the Dynamax or Gigantamax symbol near their stats.
- Open the Max Moves menu – Tap the Dynamax/Gigantamax symbol on the Pokémon’s stats screen.
- Select a locked move – You’ll see Max Guard and Max Spirit grayed out. Tap one to see the unlock requirements.
- Gather resources – You’ll need Max Particles and Pokémon Candy (the amount varies by species).
- Tap “Train” – Once you have enough, confirm to unlock the move.
Now that the move is unlocked, you can start leveling it up.
Leveling Up Max Moves
Each Max Move has three levels, and upgrading them increases their effectiveness. Here’s how to power them up:
Step 1: Check the Move’s Current Level
Open the Max Moves menu for your Pokémon. You’ll see the current level of each move (1, 2, or Max).
Step 2: Gather the Required Resources
Leveling up requires:
- Max Particles (earned from Power Spots or walking)
- Candy (from catching or transferring Pokémon)
- Candy XL (for the final upgrade)
The exact amounts depend on the Pokémon. For example, Wooloo needs:
- Level 1 → Level 2: 600 Max Particles + 100 Candy
- Level 2 → Level 3 (Max): 800 Max Particles + 40 Candy XL
Stronger Pokémon may need more, so always check before spending resources.
Step 3: Tap “Train” to Upgrade
If you have enough materials, just tap the Train button to level up the move. Each upgrade makes the move stronger:
- Max Strike deals more damage.
- Max Guard increases damage reduction.
- Max Spirit heals more HP.
Best Strategies for Leveling Up Max Moves
Since resources like Max Particles and Candy XL are limited, you’ll want to use them wisely. Here are some tips:
Focus on Your Best Pokémon
Not every Dynamax Pokémon needs all three moves maxed out. Prioritize your strongest fighters—especially Gigantamax Pokémon, which have unique G-Max Moves that deal even more damage.
Balance Your Team
If you’re battling with friends, assign roles:
- Attackers should max out Max Strike for damage.
- Defenders benefit from Max Guard to tank hits.
- Support Pokémon should upgrade Max Spirit to heal teammates.
Farm Max Particles Efficiently
You can collect Max Particles by:
- Visiting Power Spots (purple platforms on the map).
- Walking 2 km with Adventure Sync.
- Buying them from the shop (if needed).
Just remember—you can only hold 1,000 Max Particles at a time, so use them before hitting the cap.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wasting Candy XL – Save it for your most-used Pokémon.
- Ignoring Max Guard/Spirit – Even attackers can benefit from survival moves.
- Not Checking Requirements – Some Pokémon need more Candy than others.
