Gigantamax forms, a long-running Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield rumor, is now an officially confirmed feature. Nintendo and Game Freak revealed Gigantamax forms, also called Gigantamaxing, during a new Pokemon Sword and Shield trailer. The new forms are a variant of the previously announced Dynamax Pokemon forms, which increase the size of and empower Pokemon.

What Are Gigantamax Pokemon?

According to the official Pokemon Sword and Shield trailer, a Pokemon's Gigantamax form changes both their size and appearance. The examples seen in the trailer show new Pokemon going Dynamax - dramatically increasing in size but retaining their original appearance. A Gigantamax Pokemon appears to grow even larger than a Dynamax form but also features a unique Gigantamax appearance.

Further details provided outside of the trailer make clear that there's more to a Gigantamax form than just size and appearance. A Gigantamax form also provides a Pokemon with a special "G-Move," which transforms a specific set of Pokemon moves into a new, more powerful move. For example, when Alcremie is in their Gigamax form, all of their Fairy-type moves will change into G-Max Finale.

Gigantamax forms will effectively replace the Dynamax form of individual Pokemon. Pokemon that have the ability to go Gigantamax will be rare compared to those that Dynamax, as Gigantamax Pokemon can only be earned in a specific way.

pokemon sword shield corviknight gigantimax

Where Gigantamax Pokemon Come From

As of right now, Nintendo and Game Freak have revealed just a single way for players to find and collect Pokemon with the ability to go Gigantamax. These Pokemon can only be found within Pokemon Sword and Shield's new Max Raid Battle feature. That doesn't necessarily mean that all Max Raid Battles will feature Gigantamax Pokemon, however.

A Max Raid Battle is a specific kind of wild Pokemon battle in which the Pokemon is permanently locked in their Dynamax or Gigantamax form. Players can group with up to three other Pokemon Sword or Shield players to battle the wild Pokemon using the Y-Comm feature through Nintendo Switch Online. Players will be able to catch these Pokemon, though some specific details about Max Raid Battles remain unclear. Max Raid Battles will also be marked with beacons of light to point out their location within Pokemon Sword and Shield.

pokemon sword shield gigantimax drednaw

Which Pokemon Have a Gigantamax Form

Three Pokemon from Pokemon Sword and Shield have so far been confirmed to have the ability to Gigantamax. More Pokemon are certain to be revealed in the months ahead. For now, the three Pokemon include:

  • Alcremie - Fairy-type moves used by Gigantamax Alcremie will change to G-Max Finale. G-Max Finale will heal all Pokemon on Alcremie's side while dealing damage to an opponent.
  • Corviknight - Flying-type moves used by Gigantamax Corviknight will change to G-Max Wind Rage. G-Max Wind Rage deals damage to an opponent, but that’s not all—it will also remove any effects of moves like Reflect, Light Screen, Spikes, and Electric Terrain that the opponents may have.
  • Drednaw - Water-type moves used by Gigantamax Drednaw will change to G-Max Stonesurge. G-Max Stonesurge doesn't just deal damage to an opponent—it will scatter sharp rocks around the opponent and cause Pokémon entering the battlefield to take damage!

The visual changes when a Pokemon goes Gigantamax are noticeably varied. While Alcremie completely transforms its shape into a large wedding cake Pokemon, Corviknight is relatively similar to its Dynamax form but with a complex red glow surrounding them.

pokemon sword shield gigantimax melmetal rumor

More information about Gigantamax, as well as additional Pokemon that will have the ability to Gigantamax, should be made available in the weeks and months to come. Rumors leading up to the announcement of the Gigantamax feature don't provide much more information. Charizard is another Pokemon name that's been mentioned as potentially being Gigantamaxed. There's also a hill shown in an earlier Pokemon Sword and Shield trailer with an ancient drawing on it that looks like it could be a Melmetal Gigantamaxed.

Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield release November 15 exclusively on the Nintendo Switch.