[UPDATE] Pokemon Sword & Shield Introduces Max Raid Battles

During the Pokemon Direct, The Pokemon Company introduced a new type of battle for Pokemon Sword & Shield, which heavily utilizes the previously announced Dynamax Pokemon.

This new type of battle is called a Max Raid Battle, and is being introduced for the very first time in Pokemon Sword & Shield. When out in the recently revealed Wild Area, you can trigger Max Raid Battles by approaching glowing pillars of light. In these battles, you connect with up to three other players to fight a Dynamax Pokemon.

Unlike with regular battles, the Dynamax Raid Pokemon will stay in Dynamax form for the entire battle and players must work together in order to overcome its boosted up stats and moves. As another handicap, only one of the players participating in the raid will be able to use their own Dynamax Pokemon, so strategy is needed.

Once the Raid Dynamax Pokemon has been defeated, players will get a chance to capture it. Some Pokemon can only be caught in Max Raid Battles.

As this feature was only just revealed, it is likely that more details will be shared at a later time. We will be sure to bring the latest updates as they become available.

What do you think of this new battle type? Let us know in the comments below.

UPDATE: The Pokemon Company has shared the following details about Max Raid Battles via an official press release.

Max Raid Battles are a new battle format that takes place in the Wild Area, in which the player will team up with three[1] other Trainers to take on a wild Dynamax Pokémon.

Trainers will then get a chance to catch the wild Dynamax Pokémon if they manage to defeat it—but it won’t go down easily. The wild Dynamax Pokémon remain in their giant form the entire battle and have other unique powers.

Close teamwork is the key to success, because only one Trainer involved in the battle can Dynamax their Pokémon. Some Pokémon can only be caught in Max Raid Battles.

Max Raid Battles can become even more fun when the player connects with friends to battle together via Nintendo Switch Online[2]. If three other Trainers aren’t available to participate in Max Raid Battles, support Trainers will automatically be added to the player’s team to help battle the wild Dynamax Pokémon.