They'll appear more frequently than normal in Max Raid Battles for a limited time, depending on the game you're playing.
Even if you’ve already completed the main story in Pokemon Sword or Shield, The Pokemon Company and Nintendo are giving you multiple reasons to keep adventuring through the Galar region.
From now until January 9, 2020, two recently revealed Gigantamax Pokemon will appear more frequently in Max Raid Battles, which can be found in the Pokemon Dens scattered throughout the game’s Wild Area. However, only one Pokemon will appear more frequently in each game.
In Pokemon Sword, players will be more likely to encounter Gigantamax Sandaconda, while Pokemon Shield owners will be more likely to find Gigantamax Centiskorch.
Gigantamax Sandaconda (pictured above) is a Ground-type Pokemon that can use the special move G-Max Sandblast, which will trap the opposing Pokemon in a “tomb of sand” and will damage them on “every turn for four to five turns.” G-Max Sandblast also stops the opposing Pokemon from being switched out of the battle or fleeing.
Meanwhile, Gigantamax Centiskorch is a Fire- and Bug-type creature that has access to the move G-Max Centiferno. This move traps the opposing Pokemon in a firestorm that causes damage to them “for four to five turns.” Similar to G-Max Sandblast, G-Max Centiferno will also prevent the opposing trainer from swapping out their Pokemon or running away from the battle.
Keep in mind, Sandaconda and Centiskorch aren’t the only special Gigantamax Pokemon appearing more frequently in Max Raid Battles for a limited time. From now until “early January 2020,” you can find Gigantamax Snorlax and Gigantamax Butterfree more frequently than normal as well.
Brandy Berthelson has been writing about video games and technology since 2006, with her work appearing on sites including AOL Games, Digital Spy, and Adweek. When she’s not gaming, Brandy enjoys crafting, baking, and traveling with her husband.
