Pokémon Sword and Shield: Gigantamax Machamp, Gengar event begins

A new Wild Area event is taking place in Pokémon Sword and Shield from Sunday, March 8 at 5:00 p.m. PT until Wednesday, March 25 at 4:59 p.m. PT. The event features Gigantamax Machamp, Gengar, and Snorlax.

Gigantamax Pokémon spawning more frequently

Players can only catch Gigantamax Pokémon through Max Raid Battles in the Wild Area. Previously, Gigantamax Machamp and Gengar could only be caught at certain Raid dens with a very low chance of spawning. This event makes them appear more frequently in any raid den, along with Gigantamax Snorlax, who has appeared in a past event.

Gigantamax Machamp only appears in raids in Pokémon Sword, while Gigantamax Gengar only appears in Pokémon Shield. Players from either game can broadcast these games over the Y-COMM to players from the other game.

G-Max moves

Of these three Gigantamax forms, only Snorlax is currently legal in competitive play. It is likely that Gigantamax Machamp and Gengar will become legal during the next Ranked Battle Series, which will start in May. Either way, it’s worth taking a look at their G-Max moves to see how strong they are.

G-Max Chi Strike

G-Max Chi Strike is a unique Max Move that only Machamp can use. If Machamp knows a Fighting-type move, it can use this while Gigantamaxed. The move has 100 power (assuming it’s a Physical Fighting move) and raises the chance of Critical Hits for Machamp.

G-Max Terror

This is Gigantamax Gengar’s G-Max move. It’s a Ghost-type move that prevents enemy Pokémon from swapping out. It has 130 power with both Physical and Special attacks.

G-Max Replenish

Snorlax’s G-Max move has already proven to be a solid attack. It’s a Normal-type move that has a whopping 150 power and restores any berry that Snorlax has eaten in battle. This move is popular with Belly Drum Snorlax, who will damage himself, eat his berry, and then regain it with this G-Max move.

💪 Gigantamax Machamp

👻 Gigantamax Gengar

😴 Gigantamax Snorlax

⏰ Now more likely to appear in Max Raid Battles until March 25!

➡️ https://t.co/AmXBmXlPsW pic.twitter.com/OZtFfMxAQQ

— Play Pokémon (@playpokemon) March 9, 2020

To get the update the raid dens, open the menu and navigate to “Mystery Gift”. Once on the Mystery Gift menu, select the “Get the Wild Area News” option. This will allow these Gigantamax Pokémon to spawn much more frequently in your game. Which Gigantamax forms are your favorites so far?