How Pokemon GO Could Implement Sword and Shield's Best Feature

Highlights

Pokemon GO could catch up to the mainline games by introducing Dynamax and Gigantamax mechanics.
Niantic’s leak about developing Gigantamax Pokemon hints at exciting updates coming to the game.
Implementing Dynamax and Gigantamax in Pokemon GO poses challenges but could freshen up gameplay experience.

Pokemon GO has historically done a solid job of translating mechanics from the mainline games to fit within the framework of this mobile spin-off title. One issue Pokemon GO runs into is that it tends to lag behind the rest of the series in terms of generational features, rolling out updated mechanics at a slower pace than the mainline games. As such, Pokemon GO is still missing quite a few elements of the Gen 8 games, including quite a large chunk of Gen 8 critters, but the game could be gearing up to introduce the Dynamax and Gigantamax mechanics from the same generation in the near future.

According to a recent Pokemon GO leak, Niantic is working on developing Gigantamax Pokemon for the game, which likely means the broader Dynamax mechanic is in development as well. This leak comes as good news for fans who might be soured by the recent string of controversies the game has faced, including the underwhelming introduction of PokeCoin Field Research tasks. However, it’s not yet clear how the Dynamax and Gigantamax mechanics would work in Pokemon GO given their unique constraints within the mainline games.

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Pokemon GO Should Add Sword and Shield’s Dynamax Mechanic

The Dynamax mechanic is a feature unique to Gen 8’s Pokemon Sword and Shield games that allows a player’s monster to temporarily grow to an enormous size, increasing its stats and giving it access to a new pool of moves. Gigantamaxing is a variant of this mechanic that allows certain critters to take on a special form when Dynamaxed and utilize special G-Max moves. These Gigantamax forms can be some of the coolest looking in the series, so adding the mechanic to Pokemon GO seems like a no-brainer for Niantic in their journey to keep the game active for the next decade.

In the mainline series, Dynamax and Gigantamax replaced Mega Evolution as a generational gimmick with the release of Pokemon Sword and Shield but it has not appeared in generations since. With Pokemon GO already having its own version of the Mega Evolution mechanic, it would make sense that allowing players to Dynamax and Gigantamax mons would be the next logical step for the game. If Niantic is planning to add these mechanics to Pokemon GO, there are some in-universe constraints that could prove to be hurdles they will need to overcome when developing Dynamax and Gigantamax mons for the game.

How Dynamaxing Could Work in Pokemon GO

A Gigantamax Charizard from the Pokemon anime.

Within the context of the Pokemon universe, Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing can only occur at Power Spots created by the Legendary Pokemon Eternatus, which can only be found within the Galar Region. As such, Pokemon GO will likely have to limit when and where players can Dynamax or Gigantamax their mons, with Raids being the natural location for this mechanic to be useable. Pokemon Sword and Shield already featured Dynamax Raids where players can face off against Dynamaxed and Gigantamaxed mons, so it would make sense for Pokemon GO to follow this lead and make using this mechanic only possible during Raid battles.

Pokemon GO will also need to make sure that Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing feel distinct from its Mega Evolution mechanic, so relying on a type of candy for Dynamaxing or Gigantamaxing might be out of the question. Alternatively, this new mechanic could feel more unique if it leans into the new moves mons get when they Dynamax or Gigantamax, alongside the new forms Gigantamax mons receive. This mechanic would also likely need to restrict players to allow only one of their mons to be Dynamaxed or Gigantamaxed per Raid battle, similar to the restriction imposed on players in Pokemon Sword and Shield.