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Pokémon GOhas just introduced its newest season, Max Out, which adds more Pokémon to the game and a whole new dynamic of Dynamax Battles and Power Spot stops for trainers to be on the lookout for. Asone of the biggest updatesPokémon GOhas ever released,the changes are spread out over a few weeks to give players a chance to adjust to everything. Between Dynamax Pokémon, Max Battles, Power Spots, Max Particles, Galar Region Pokémon, and a fresh season for GO Battle League, these elements could prove to revitalize the augmented reality mobile game.
While some of the changes have already begun, such as the addition ofGalar Region Pokémon to the game, many more are still to come throughout September 2024. It’s hard to say which is the biggest change between theadditions of Power Spots to the map as a new location, Dynamax Battles to fight, D-MAX Pokémon, and more. Recently, Screen Rant attended a virtual press briefing event with many of the developers ofPokémon GOthat answered some questions and gave a deeper look at the exciting changes coming toPokémon GOwith the Max Out season.
13 Rarest Pokémon In Pokémon GO & How To Get Them
There are hundreds of Pokémon to catch in Pokémon GO, but some of them are rarer than others, like regional exclusives or Armored Mewtwo.
Pokémon GO Big: Dynamax Brings Big Changes To The Game, Including New Stops
New Power Stops Being Introduced As New Locations
LongtimePokémonfans who previously playedSword and Shieldmay be familiar with the term Dynamax. Put simply,Dynamax Pokémon are able to grow to massive proportions for battles, creating a bit of a Kaiju battle feel with these not-so-pocket-sized monsters.
John Funtanilla: D-MAX is officially in the PGOverse! We’ve collaborated closely with The Pokémon Company on the terms.
Beginning on September 4th, 2024, Pokémon GO trainers will start seeing Power Spots appearing on the mapin their games. Each Power Spot will give a chance to collect Max Particles once a day per Power Spot, which will be necessary later on for Dynamax Battles. These Dynamax Battles will begin being available on September 10th, and require D-MAX Pokémon to fight with and require Max Particles to enter.
Screen Rant: Are Power Spots going to be replacing gyms/spots? Or are they new locations?
Mark Van Lommel: “These are NEW locations.”
These Power Spots will be added as specific points of interest on the map, and players will be able to see when one is going to be coming in, butthey are temporary spots which will come and go rather than being fixed points like the gyms and spots are. Each Power Spot will shift around the map every several days. For example, a Power Spot may be in a park one day, but the next day could be further down the street at a different location. A timer will be shown, so players know how long each Power Spot will be at the place it is before moving on.
One Of Pokémon’s Most Controversial Mechanics May Soon Debut In Pokémon GO
Based on recently-released key art for Pokémon GO’s 8th Anniversary, it appears that a divisive Sword & Shield mechanic may soon debut in the game.
After a player battles at a Power Spot, they can leave a Dynamax Pokémon there to give any other players a boost in their attacks when fighting at the Power Spot.As more D-Max Pokémon are left at the Power Spot, the easier it will be for future players to battle, and the Pokémon will return to their players after the Power Spot expires. If a player needs their D-Max Pokémon before the Power Spot leaves, they can manually tell them to return, unlike Gyms.
Dynamaxing Is Limited To Power Spots And Max Battles, And Max Particles Are Needed
No D-Max Fights In GO Battle League
The Max Particles which can be collected starting today from Power Spots will be necessary for the upcoming D-MAX battles. The Max Particles can be obtained in similar fashion to how PokéStops currently work, as well as by simply walking.While walking, players will need to claim them from the Power Spots Tab in the “Nearby” menu, and there is a daily limit for how many Max Particles can be collected.
Screen Rant: Will the GO Battle League see any Dynamax fights between players, or a chance to use these giant Pokémon?
Pradnesh Patil: Not for launch. Dynamaxing at launch is planned to be limited to power spots and Max Battles. But we are looking into this as a future update, I do think that a new league with a max Pokémon available will create some cool moments.
As exciting as it would be to use these gigantic forms of Pokémon in battles against other trainers, this isn’t going to happen yet. Hopefully, in the future, this will be a possibility, although that could restrict players who have not experimented with the new D-MAX forms.
How Dynamax Battles Work In Pokémon GO
Dynamax Form Has Three Moves
When fighting in a Dynamax Battle, only D-MAX Pokémon can be used by players, and up to four trainers can join forces together to take on the special Dynamax Pokémon in the Power Spots. While the battle rages, Pokémon will fill a meter of energy, and once the team’s meter is full, all the lobby’s Pokémon will Dynamax.
In Dynamax form, players have three turns with a choice between up to three moves:
Unlike Gym battles, there is no timer, so the player teams can take as long as they need to slowly defeat their opponent. The battle only ends when either the Power Spot boss is defeated or all of the trainer’s team’s Pokémon are knocked out. After a successful Dynamax battle, trainers can leave a D-MAX Pokemon at the Power Spot to provide a boost for other trainers who want to take on the fight.
Other Additions To Pokémon GO Include Galar Region Pokémon, And A New Subscription
Grookey, Scorbunny, And Sobble Added, And An Optional Monthly Subscription Ticket
Some trainers may have noticed a few other changes which have recently been added toPokémon GO. Galar Region Pokémon,including theSword and Shieldstarters, Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble, have finally been added to the game. Many players had been anxious for these adorable fan-favorites, and were surprised that theScarlet and Violetstarters appeared first.
Another feature which could be a bit more controversial is the inclusion of a new Daily PokéCoin Bounty ticket which is yet another microtransaction to tempt trainers into purchasing with real money. The ticket is entirely optional, and will last for a month. It provides numerous bonuses, including extra XP, larger Item Bags, more Gifts, and Field Research tasks for coins.
Screen Rant: Will there still be paid tickets for events, in addition to the [monthly PokéCoin Bounty] tickets?
Pradnesh Patil: “Some events will feature independent tickets. The monthly ticket is aimed to provide bonuses and Poké Coins in addition to the bonuses from the events.”
Later, Pradnesh Patil added, “The monthly tickets are not subscription based and are individual, independent tickets. You can also purchase them together at the start of the season on the webstore.”
Similar to other tickets for events, the Bounty Tickets can be purchased and gifted to friends inPokémon GOas long as trainers have a Friendship level of Great Friends or higher. The ticket costs $4.99 in US currency and is going to be an ongoing monthly feature for trainers who want to get a boost to their gameplay.
What These Changes Mean For Pokémon GO
An Evolution Of The Game Itself
Pokémon GOis certainly still going strong, especially with aregular influx of players each summerwho are looking to get outdoors again. Yet, overall, the game is beginning to lose the interest of many who are moving on to other games. This massive update to the game could inspire many to return to see what is new, particularly those who are fans ofPokémon: Sword and Shieldand therefore have some familiarity with the D-MAX powers already. Time will tell if these changes will breathe new life intoPokémon GO, but at least none of the familiar, current gameplay is going away.
Pokémon GO
Created by Niantic, Pokémon GO is an augmented reality RPG where players can wander around catching Pokémon as they pass by various landmarks in real life. Players can engage in a traditional Pokémon experience via battles with other trainers, catching Pokémon to breed new ones, and even trade them with other trainers they come across.
