Pokemon Max Raid Battles are one of the new features detailed in today's Pokemon Direct. The Pokemon Direct opened up with a brand-new trailer showing off some of the gameplay in Pokemon Sword and Shield. At first, we got a highlight of several small battles before the Pokemon Direct eventually showed off the game's open world. We then moved on to the discussion of two new features: Dynamax and Max Raid Battles.
Certain locations in the region can trigger something called "Dynamax", a new phenomenon that makes Pokemon into giants. We were then turned over to Kazumasa Iwao, the Planning Director for Pokemon Sword and Shield. He went on to tell us more about the Dynamax feature.
Pokemon from the Gallar region can become massive in size, boosting their size and their power. Their moves turn into powerful "Maximums" when they've been Dynamaxed. These special Maximum moves may gain additional effects that aren't normally available when a Pokemon is its regular size. However, this new power can only be used once per battle and only lasts for three turns.
We also got our first hints at multiplayer gameplay. "Max Raid Battles" will let up to four Pokemon Trainers fight against a wild Dynamix Pokemon with special powers, including that the fact that it will be able to stay in Dynamax form for the entire time. A later press release confirmed that players will be able to connect to play together via Nintendo Switch Online.
Making things more difficult, only one of the four trainers will be able to Dynamax their own Pokemon, requiring good teamwork and strategy. The Pokemon in these battles will, much like the rest of the game, only be available depending on the weather and location.
Some Pokemon will only be able to be caught in these special Max Raid Battles. The Pokemon Max Raid Battles seem to be supremely-challenging experiences.
You can see all of these new features in motion in the Pokemon Max Raid Battles trailer on the game's official YouTube channel below.
What do you think of Pokemon Max Raid Battles? Are you looking forward to taking on gigantic Pokemon with your friends in Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield? Let us know in the comments below!