What a Max Move Is and Why You Need One

A Max Move is a powered-up attack that your Pokémon can use during Dynamax battles — special raid encounters where your Pokémon grows giant and fights alongside other trainers' Pokémon. Max Moves are stronger than regular moves and come with bonus effects like raising your Pokémon's defense or lowering an opponent's attack. You cannot use a Max Move in regular gym battles or trainer battles; they only work in Dynamax raids.

Every Pokémon that can Dynamax automatically learns one Max Move when you catch it or when it reaches a certain level. You do not need to unlock anything or perform special steps — the move is already there. The confusion usually comes from not knowing where to find it or how to use it during a raid.

Key Takeaways

  • Max Moves appear automatically on any Pokémon that can Dynamax; you do not need to unlock them through special actions.
  • Check your Pokémon's move list in the Pokédex or team screen to see which Max Move it has — it will show a purple icon next to the move name.
  • Max Moves only work during Dynamax raids, which you enter from the raid screen in your nearby locations.
  • If your Pokémon does not show a Max Move, it either cannot Dynamax or you are looking at a Pokémon that was caught before Max Moves were added to the game.

Finding Your Pokémon's Max Move in the Game

Open Pokémon GO and tap the Pokéball at the bottom of the screen. Select Pokédex, then search for or scroll to the Pokémon you want to use in a raid. Tap on that Pokémon to open its details page.

Scroll down to the Moves section. You will see two or three moves listed. Any move with a purple icon next to it is a Max Move. The move name itself will not say "Max" — instead you will see the regular move name (like "Thunderbolt" or "Hydro Pump") with the purple symbol that marks it as a Dynamax move. This is the move your Pokémon will use when it Dynamaxes in a raid.

If you do not see a purple icon next to any move, your Pokémon either cannot Dynamax or was caught before the Max Move system was added. Older Pokémon sometimes need to be powered up or evolved to gain access to Max Moves.

Using Your Max Move During a Dynamax Raid

To enter a Dynamax raid, open the Nearby tab at the bottom right of the main screen and look for raid eggs or active raids. Tap on a raid that shows a purple or pink egg — these are Dynamax raids. Tap Enter Raid and select the Pokémon you want to use from your team.

Once the raid battle starts, you will see your Pokémon's moves on the right side of the screen. During the first few turns, you can only use regular moves. After a few seconds, one of your moves will glow and become usable — this is your Max Move. Tap it to use it. The Max Move will deal heavy damage and trigger its bonus effect (like raising your defense or lowering the opponent's attack).

You can use your Max Move once per raid battle. After you use it, it goes on cooldown and you return to regular moves for the rest of the fight. Other trainers in the raid can also use their Max Moves, and all of them stack together to make the raid easier.

What to Do If Your Pokémon Does Not Have a Max Move

Not every Pokémon can Dynamax. Only Pokémon that appear in Dynamax raids or that are listed as Dynamax-capable in the Pokédex can learn Max Moves. If you have a Pokémon that cannot Dynamax, it will never show a Max Move, no matter what you do.

If you have a Pokémon that should be able to Dynamax but does not show a Max Move, try powering it up once or evolving it if it is not fully evolved. Sometimes older Pokémon in your collection need a small update to gain access to the Max Move system. After you power it up or evolve it, check the moves list again.

You can also catch a new copy of a Dynamax-capable Pokémon from a raid or in the wild. New Pokémon always come with their Max Move ready to use.

Understanding Max Move Types and Effects

Each Max Move is based on the regular move your Pokémon knows. If your Pokémon knows Thunderbolt, its Max Move is Max Lightning. If it knows Hydro Pump, its Max Move is Max Geyser. The type of move stays the same, but the damage is much higher and it adds a bonus effect.

The bonus effect depends on the move type. Max Lightning raises your Pokémon's Special Attack. Max Geyser raises your Special Attack. Max Flare raises your Attack. These bonuses stack if multiple trainers use Max Moves of the same type in the same raid, making coordinated teams very powerful.

You cannot choose which Max Move your Pokémon learns — it is determined by the regular move it has. If you want a different Max Move, you need a Pokémon that knows a different regular move.

Preparing Your Team for Dynamax Raids

Before you enter a Dynamax raid, check which Pokémon in your collection can Dynamax and what Max Moves they have. Build a team of four to six Pokémon that cover different types, so you can handle whatever raid boss appears. A Pokémon with a Max Move that matches the raid boss's weakness will deal the most damage.

Power up your Dynamax Pokémon before the raid if you can. Higher-level Pokémon deal more damage and survive longer. You do not need perfect stats or rare Pokémon — even common Pokémon with Max Moves can help in a raid if they are the right type.

When you join a raid with other trainers, you do not need to coordinate which Max Moves to use. Just use yours when it becomes available, and the game will handle the rest. The raid will succeed as long as your group deals enough total damage before the timer runs out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change which Max Move my Pokémon uses?

No. Your Pokémon's Max Move is determined by its regular move, and you cannot change it without changing the regular move first. If you want a different Max Move, you need to teach your Pokémon a different regular move using a Fast TM or Charged TM from raids or research tasks.

Do I need a Max Move to win a Dynamax raid?

No. Max Moves make raids easier and faster, but they are not required. You can defeat a Dynamax raid using only regular moves if you have enough trainers and high-level Pokémon. Max Moves just speed up the process.

What happens if I use my Max Move too early in the raid?

You can use it whenever it becomes available. There is no penalty for using it early or late. The raid will succeed or fail based on total damage dealt by your group, not on when individual Max Moves are used.

Can I use a Max Move in trainer battles or gym battles?

No. Max Moves only work in Dynamax raids. In regular battles, your Pokémon will use its normal moves instead.

Why does my Pokémon show a Max Move but it will not work in the raid?

The Max Move might still be on cooldown from a previous raid, or the raid might have ended before you could use it. If the raid is still active, wait a few seconds for the move to become available again. If the raid ended, you will need to enter a new raid to use the Max Move again.