The Pokémon Company has given us some brand new information on Pokémon Sword & Pokemon Shield today! Today we get introduced to brand new Pokémon, new gym leaders, the Galar Pokemon League, and Gigantamaxing!
GIGANTAMAXING CHANGES A POKÉMON’S SIZE AND APPEARANCE!
The strange phenomenon known as Dynamaxing can only occur in specific areas of the Galar region.
While Dynamaxing seems to be a phenomenon common to the Pokémon from Galar, it’s been discovered that there’s a special phenomenon known as Gigantamaxing, too! Only certain species of Pokémon can Gigantamax—and even among such species, only rare specimens will be able to Gigantamax. The majority will keep their usual appearance when they Dynamax.
Gigantamax Pokémon become bigger, and just like normal Dynamaxing, Gigantamaxing boosts the power of the Pokémon. It also allows each Gigantamax Pokémon to use a unique move known as a G-Max Move! Each G-Max Move is particular to a specific species of Gigantamax Pokémon, and regular Dynamax Pokémon can’t use G-Max Moves at all!
Regular Drednaw and Corviknight can Dynamax, but there are some special members of these species that can Gigantamax.
You can catch Gigantamax Pokémon for your team by participating in Max Raid Battles, but it seems they’re very rare—finding one won’t be easy!
GIGANTAMAX POKÉMON
Gigantamax Drednaw
Gigantamax Corviknight
Gigantamax Alcremie
STRIVE TO BECOME THE NEXT CHAMPION OF THE GALAR REGION!
Here in the Galar region, where Pokémon battles are big entertainment, the region’s Pokémon League holds tournaments to decide the next Champion.
You’ll have to compete with your rivals and challenge the Gym Leaders of the region for your chance to take part in this tournament, too!
During the Gym Challenge, each challenger wears a special uniform for the occasion. You can choose the combination of three numbers on your own uniform!
THE GYM CHALLENGE
The Gym Challenge is a true celebration of Pokémon battling! Participating Trainers strive to collect all eight Gym Badges, and only Pokémon Trainers who have been endorsed by specific people, such as Gym Leaders, can join in.
You and your rival Hop will receive your letters of endorsement from Champion Leon himself, kicking off your journey to challenge the Gyms of the region!
THE CHAMPION CUP
Once a year in the Galar region, a series of Pokémon battles are held with the League Championship on the line.
This is the Champion Cup! The Champion Cup is the tournament to decide who will be able to challenge the reigning Champion for their seat. Exemplary Trainers throughout the region, such as those who successfully complete the Gym Challenge, are allowed to participate in the Champion Cup tournament.
The Champion Cup battles are broadcast on TV, and all the people of the Galar region will be watching!
THE SPONSORS THAT SUPPORT THE GYMS AND THE CHAMPION
Some of the corporations in the Galar region support the Gyms and the Champion by offering sponsorships. You’ll find the logos of these corporations on the uniforms of the Gym Leaders, as well as around the various facilities in Galar.
You’ll see plenty of corporate logos on signboards in the stadiums as well.
The Champion in particular has no shortage of sponsors!
GYM LEADERS
There are stadiums that hold Pokémon Gyms throughout the Galar region. Each Gym attracts Pokémon Trainers that are experts in specific types.
In order to challenge the Champion, you and your rivals will need to defeat the top Trainer for each Pokémon Gym, who is known as the Gym Leader. The battles with these Gym Leaders often involve intense clashes between Dynamax Pokémon.
Spectators will flock to the Gyms’ stadiums to view these battles, and the matches are broadcast on television as well.
