Starting from Generation 6, every Pokémon game has introduced a new gimmick/mechanic that changes the tide of battles. Pokémon GO has now applied two of these – Mega Evolution and Dynamax/Gigantamax, but the latter seems to have bigger problems (no pun intended) than the former.

With the Max Out Season that kicked off in September 2024, players could take on 1-Star Max Raids and then 3-Star bouts. Now, Gigantamax is all set to grace the game but the community isn’t really excited about it, and for a couple of different reasons, some of which we do agree with! 

So, let’s address the issues plaguing G-Max Raids and also the overall mechanic, along with the plausible solutions.

The problems with Gigantamax and Tier 6 Raids

Gigantamax Raids require 10 to 40 Trainers

Pokémon GO has outright stated that G-Max Raids have a lobby limit of up to 40 trainers, double the number of 5-Star Raids that feature 20. While you wouldn’t technically need 40 people to get the job done, it’s quite obvious that these battles are a tougher nut to crack, and you would need at least 10 people to Raid with. 

Let’s be honest here… these days, a majority of players would struggle to find even five people to Raid with. Life gets in the way of Raiding, and it isn’t 2016 anymore, so skipping work to do a Raid is not an option. Even those with active communities can find up to three to four, or even six, to take down Legendary Raids, but getting 10+ is not always an easy route. 

Gigantamax Raids cannot be battled Remotely

Even with the nerfs to Remote Raid Passes, a good section of players still use them to – at the very least – add new Legendaries to their Pokédex. And this has been a valid strategy for anyone who isn’t living in a large city, but Gigantamax being local only is challenging this.

D-Max and G-Max Raids don’t have a remote setting and people need to visit Power Spots in person to take on the Boss. A Remote Power Spot Pass (if you will) would certainly help trainers garner higher numbers to have a chance at beating a Gigantamax Pokémon.

You can only use Dynamax and Gigantamax Max Pokémon as counters

As if the previously mentioned challenges, weren’t enough, there are more hurdles to participate in this content. Only Dynamax capable Pokémon can be used as counters in Gigantamax raids, which prevents anyone from returning to the game from helping out with Gigantamax raids. Quite something, right?

And there is the difficulty aspect as well! For instance, to beat Gigantamax Charizard, you’d ideally need to have an army of Dynamax Blastoise and Dynamax Inteleon in your collection. Since not everyone has high IV Dynamax Pokémon, players are left with no other option than to use Stardust and Candy to power them up.

Additionally, you’d also need to invest resources in maxing out your Max Moves. This involves another major problem. For most people, Gigantamax means an obviously stronger and cooler Pokémon, and it would be cool to Gigantamax the high IV starter you have, right? 

But – of course – you cannot Gigantamax the Pokémon caught from Dynamax Raids! In other words, a lucky Shundo Dynamax Blastoise cannot be Gigantamaxed… you’ll have to catch a new one from Gigantamax Raids. Oh my.

Mega are better than Gigantamax Pokémon

Let’s suppose you manage to capture a perfect shiny G-Max Pokémon and you max it out to level 50. It sure is a flex, but to what extent? Is it actually worth the investment. Well, outside of Dynamax and Gigantamax raids, the answer is no:

• You can’t use Gigantamax Pokémon in PvE or PvP

• Max Moves are the only meaningful damage output in battles, and they depend on the typing of the Fast Move

• You cannot Gigantamax your old Pokémon, many of which are already maxed out

Mega Pokémon received a lot of flak when they were first released, but at least they don’t have the usage problems listed above. You can walk and earn Mega Energy to Mega Evolve any Pokémon as long as you’ve Mega Evolved at least one of the same species

In hindsight, Mega Evolutions are very resourceful today and are often the top counters in Raid battles, so why bother with Gigantamax? 

What about rural players?

Players in rural locations already have it difficult with Raids. However, Remote Raid Passes, Legendaries available from the GO Battle League, and Mega Energy being rewarded from Research tasks at least open possibilities for them, making it a tad easier to grab Legendaries and Megas.

Gigantamax, on the other hand, is virtually impossible. It’s not at all convenient as the only option is to find many people and then travel to the city to get G-Max Pokémon.

Our proposed solution is to introduce Max Soup to Pokémon GO

Max Soup is a special item, literally a soup, in Pokémon Sword and Shield that teaches Gigantamax to Pokémon who can undergo this transformation. In other words, it allows you to make your old Pokémon Gigantamaxable.
Pokémon anime
Source: Pokémon Sword and Shield

A rigorous Special Research that would ultimately reward players with Max Soup to Gigantamax any G-Maxable Pokémon, including those caught before D-Max/G-Max was introduced would seem like a good solution to most of the accessibility problems. 

Going by how intense the nature of the tasks would be and the fact that the Research quest would be available intermittently (every few months), it does not take away the difficulty of Gigantamax Raids, but it does make the feature more accessible.

We don’t see how else this will work out in the long run. We understand that Dynamax Pokémon are Niantic’s solution from making the game stale, and that Niantic can host Max Battles for every single Pokémon and Dynamax them in the process.

But honestly, the game still should ensure that Trainers are happy and able to enjoy D-Max and G-Max, regardless of their community, which may, or may not, exist. Something like the afore mentioned Max Soup, and ultimately more accessibility is necessary.

All the best and have fun, Trainers!

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