Max Moves require Max Energy and Candy, both earned by battling in Dynamax raids
A Max Move is a powered-up version of a regular move that your Pokémon can use during Dynamax battles — the raid encounters where your Pokémon grows giant. To level up a Max Move (increase how much damage it deals), you need two things: Max Energy specific to that move's type, and regular Candy for that Pokémon. You earn both by winning Dynamax raids, not from regular battles or walking.
The first time you teach a Pokémon a Max Move, it starts at level 1. Each time you power it up, the damage increases slightly. The maximum level depends on the move itself — some Max Moves cap at level 3, others at level 5. You can see the current level and the cost to upgrade in the move details screen.
Key Takeaways
- Max Energy comes only from Dynamax raids and is specific to each move's type — Max Flare energy cannot upgrade Max Freeze.
- You need both Max Energy and regular Candy to power up a Max Move, and the amounts required increase with each level.
- Different Max Moves have different level caps, so check the move details to see how high you can take it.
- Dynamax raids are the only source of Max Energy, so you must participate in raids to level up Max Moves at all.
Where to find Max Energy for specific move types
Max Energy is divided by type. If your Pokémon knows Max Flare (a Fire-type Max Move), you earn Fire-type Max Energy from Dynamax raids. That same Fire Max Energy works on any Fire-type Max Move — Max Flare, Max Overgrowth, or any other — but it does not work on Water-type or Electric-type Max Moves.
You get Max Energy as a raid reward after beating a Dynamax raid. The type of energy you receive depends on the raid boss's type, not the move your Pokémon used. A raid against a Fire-type Dynamax Pokémon gives Fire Max Energy, regardless of what moves your team brought. This means you may earn Max Energy for types you do not currently need, but you can store it for future use.
The amount of Max Energy per raid varies. A one-star Dynamax raid might give 10 to 15 Max Energy, while a five-star raid gives 30 to 50. You can check the raid details before you enter to see the expected reward range.
The cost to level up a Max Move from 1 to 5
| Current Level | Max Energy Needed | Candy Needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | 10 | 1 |
| 2 to 3 | 25 | 3 |
| 3 to 4 | 50 | 5 |
| 4 to 5 | 100 | 10 |
Not all Max Moves go to level 5. Some cap at level 3, meaning you stop at the 2-to-3 upgrade. The move details screen shows the maximum level for each move before you spend resources. Check there before committing Candy and Max Energy to a move you do not plan to use often.
The total cost to max out a level-5 Max Move is 185 Max Energy and 19 Candy. For a level-3 Max Move, you spend 35 Max Energy and 4 Candy. These numbers add up quickly if you are upgrading multiple moves, so plan which Pokémon and moves matter most to your raid team first.
How to access the power-up screen for a Max Move
Open your Pokémon's details page and scroll to the Moves section. Tap the Max Move you want to upgrade — you will see a button labeled "Power Up" or an arrow icon. Tap it, and the game shows you the cost and asks you to confirm. If you have enough Max Energy and Candy, the upgrade happens immediately.
If you do not have enough resources, the button will be greyed out or show a red X. You cannot partially upgrade — you must have the full amount of both Max Energy and Candy before the game allows the upgrade. There is no way to spend just Max Energy or just Candy; both are required together.
Why some Max Moves are worth upgrading before others
Max Moves that deal damage (like Max Flare or Max Freeze) benefit from leveling because each upgrade increases their damage output. Max Moves that apply effects — like Max Stealth Rock, which sets up terrain — do not gain damage from leveling, so upgrading them is optional unless you use them frequently in raids.
If you are short on Max Energy, prioritize the Max Moves you use in your main raid team. A level 5 Max Move on a Pokémon you bring to every raid is more valuable than a level 1 Max Move on a Pokémon you use once a month. You can always upgrade the less-used moves later when you have spare resources.
Storing Max Energy without using it immediately
Max Energy sits in your inventory until you spend it. You do not have to use it the moment you earn it. This means you can raid Fire-type Dynamax battles, collect Fire Max Energy, and wait until you have a Fire-type Pokémon with a Max Move you want to upgrade. There is no expiration date on stored Max Energy.
Your inventory has a limit — typically 350 items total — but Max Energy counts as individual items. If you earn a lot of Max Energy from multiple raids, you may eventually hit the cap. When that happens, you either need to power up a Max Move to free space, or you stop earning Max Energy from raids until you make room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I level up a Max Move without doing Dynamax raids?
No. Max Energy only comes from Dynamax raid rewards. There is no other way to earn it — you cannot buy it, find it in the wild, or earn it from regular battles or field research.
What happens if I power up a Max Move and then remove it from my Pokémon?
The Max Energy and Candy are spent and gone. If you later teach that Pokémon the same Max Move again, it starts back at level 1. You do not get a refund, so think carefully before removing a Max Move you have invested in.
Do I need different Max Energy for the same move on different Pokémon?
Yes. Each Pokémon's Max Move is upgraded separately. If you have Max Flare on both a Charizard and a Flareon, you need to spend Max Energy and Candy on each one individually to level them both up.
Can I see how much damage a Max Move does at each level before I upgrade?
The game does not show exact damage numbers, but the power-up screen displays the current level and the next level. You can compare them visually, though the exact damage depends on your Pokémon's stats and the opponent's defenses.