Max Moves unlock when your Pokémon reaches a certain power level

A Max Move is a special attack that your Pokémon can use during Dynamax battles — those are the raid battles where your Pokémon grows giant-sized. Your Pokémon doesn't learn Max Moves the way it learns regular moves. Instead, Max Moves become available once your Pokémon reaches level 20 or higher and you've powered it up enough times.

The confusion usually comes from the fact that Max Moves don't show up in your move list until you actually use them in a Dynamax battle. You don't teach them or unlock them through a special item. They're automatically available to any Pokémon that meets the level requirement, and they change based on what regular moves your Pokémon knows.

If your Pokémon is below level 20, you'll need to power it up using Stardust and Candy before Max Moves become available. Once you hit level 20, the next time you enter a Dynamax raid battle, your Pokémon will have access to Max Moves without any extra steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Pokémon must be level 20 or higher to use Max Moves in Dynamax raid battles.
  • Max Moves are automatically available — you don't need to unlock them separately or teach them to your Pokémon.
  • The specific Max Move your Pokémon uses depends on what regular moves it currently knows.
  • You power up your Pokémon using Stardust and Candy, which you earn from catching Pokémon and walking with your buddy.

Powering up your Pokémon to reach level 20

To get your Pokémon to level 20, open the Pokémon's detail screen by tapping it in your collection. Tap the "Power Up" button at the bottom. Each power-up costs Stardust (which you get from catching any Pokémon) and Candy (which is specific to that Pokémon's type or family). The cost increases each time you power up, so it takes more resources as your Pokémon gets stronger.

The fastest way to gather Candy for a specific Pokémon is to set it as your buddy. Your buddy earns Candy as you walk — usually one Candy per kilometer, though some Pokémon require more walking distance. You can also earn Candy by catching more of the same Pokémon or by transferring duplicates to Professor Willow, which gives you one Candy per transfer.

Stardust is easier to come by. You get it from every Pokémon you catch, from field research tasks, and from defending Gyms. If you're running low on Stardust, focus on catching Pokémon regularly rather than powering up multiple Pokémon at once.

Understanding which Max Move your Pokémon will use

Your Pokémon doesn't have a single Max Move. Instead, each of its regular moves converts into a Max Move during a Dynamax battle. If your Pokémon knows a Fire-type move, it becomes a Fire-type Max Move. If it knows a Water-type move, that becomes a Water-type Max Move. The type of the regular move determines the type of Max Move.

This matters because different Max Moves have different effects in battle. Some raise your stats, some lower your opponent's stats, and some deal damage. You can't choose which Max Move your Pokémon uses — it's determined by the regular move it's currently using when the battle starts. If you want your Pokémon to have access to a different Max Move, you'd need to change its regular moves using a Charged TM or Fast TM.

Entering your first Dynamax raid battle

Once your Pokémon is level 20 or higher, you can use it in Dynamax raids. These are the raid battles you access by spinning a Gym and selecting a raid egg or active raid. You'll see the raid level (one star through five stars) and the Pokémon you'll be fighting. Tap "Battle" and select your Pokémon from your roster.

During the battle, you'll see your Pokémon's regular moves at the bottom of the screen. When the Dynamax meter fills up (shown as a purple bar), you can tap the Dynamax button to make your Pokémon grow giant. Once Dynamaxed, your regular moves automatically become Max Moves for the duration of the Dynamax state, which lasts three turns.

You don't need to do anything special to set up Max Moves — they happen automatically once you Dynamax your Pokémon. The battle will show you the Max Move name and its effect, so you'll know exactly what's happening.

Why your Pokémon might not show Max Moves yet

The most common reason is that your Pokémon is still below level 20. Check your Pokémon's current level by opening its detail screen — the level is displayed prominently near the top. If it's level 19 or lower, power it up until you reach level 20.

Another possibility is that you haven't entered a Dynamax raid battle yet. Max Moves only appear during those specific battles, not in regular gym battles or trainer battles. If you've powered up your Pokémon to level 20 but haven't done a raid, find a Gym with an active raid and join it to see your Max Moves in action.

If you're in a Dynamax raid and your Pokémon still doesn't show Max Moves, restart the app. Occasionally a display glitch prevents Max Moves from showing, but restarting fixes it.

Getting Stardust and Candy faster

Catching Pokémon is the foundation of both resources. Each catch gives you Stardust and one Candy for that Pokémon's family. Use Incense or Lures to spawn more Pokémon in your area, and catch everything you see rather than being selective. This builds both your Stardust reserves and your Candy for multiple Pokémon at once.

For a specific Pokémon you want to power up quickly, set it as your buddy when ready. The Candy accumulates as you walk, and you can switch buddies whenever you want. If you're walking anyway, you might as well earn Candy while you do it.

Field research tasks sometimes reward Stardust or Candy directly. Check the tasks available at Pokéstops and complete the ones that offer the resources you need. Special events also occasionally offer bonus Stardust or reduced power-up costs, so check the in-game news regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to teach my Pokémon a Max Move before using it?

No. Max Moves are automatically available during Dynamax battles once your Pokémon is level 20 or higher. You don't teach them, unlock them, or use any items to enable them. They appear automatically when you Dynamax your Pokémon in a raid.

Can I choose which Max Move my Pokémon uses in battle?

You can't choose the Max Move itself, but you can influence it by changing your Pokémon's regular moves. Each regular move converts to a Max Move of the same type during Dynamax. Use a Charged TM or Fast TM to teach your Pokémon a different move, and it will have access to a different Max Move.

What if I power up my Pokémon past level 20 — do I get more Max Moves?

No. Level 20 is the threshold where Max Moves become available. Powering up beyond level 20 makes your Pokémon stronger in raids, but it doesn't unlock additional Max Moves or change how they work.

Can I use Max Moves in regular gym battles or trainer battles?

Max Moves only work in Dynamax raid battles. In regular gym battles and trainer battles, your Pokémon uses its standard moves. You need to be in a Dynamax raid to access Max Moves.

How long does Dynamax last during a raid?

Dynamax lasts for three turns once you set up it. After three turns, your Pokémon returns to normal size and your Max Moves become regular moves again. You can Dynamax again later in the same raid if the meter fills up a second time.