ERMAL ALIBALI

Hey Pokétrainers! Are you ready for one of the most anticipated events this month? Gigantamax Machamp will make its debut in Pokémon GO Max Raids! As a passionate trainer who has faced numerous raids, I want to share everything you need to know to battle and capture this powerful Pokémon. So, prepare your best teams and follow me in this complete guide!

What is Gigantamax Machamp?

Before diving into battle strategies, let’s take a step back to appreciate this magnificent Pokémon. Machamp is already a force of nature, with its four powerful arms and incredible physical strength. But in its Gigantamax form, it becomes truly terrifying!

Introduced in the Galar region in Pokémon Sword and Shield, Gigantamax Machamp doesn’t just grow in size like a normal Dynamax, but it also changes appearance. Its four arms become even more muscular, and the shock waves generated by its punches are so powerful they can shatter mountains. In Pokémon GO, this special form maintains the same impressive visual impact as in the main games.

Can It Be Soloed?

One of the most frequent questions I receive is: “Can I beat Gigantamax Machamp alone?” Based on my experience with other Gigantamax raids and the expected stats, the answer is: probably not.

Unlike Dynamax Falinks that I beat solo (as I mentioned in my previous article), Gigantamax Machamp will have an estimated CP of over 65,000, making it extremely difficult to face without a group. My advice is to gather at least 4-5 trainers with well-prepared teams. To be safe, a group of 6-8 players should guarantee a relatively comfortable victory.

Preparing for Battle

Best Counters for Gigantamax Machamp

Being a Fighting-type Pokémon, Gigantamax Machamp is particularly vulnerable to Psychic, Flying, and Fairy types. Here are the counters I recommend preparing:

1. Mega Mewtwo Y – With moves like Confusion and Psychic, this is probably the best counter overall. Its incredibly high base attack, combined with the Mega bonus, makes it devastating.
2. Mega Rayquaza – With Flying moves like Air Slash and Aerial Ace, it can inflict enormous damage.
3. Shadow Mewtwo – If you don’t have access to Mega Mewtwo, the Shadow version is an excellent alternative, thanks to the 20% attack bonus.
4. Mega Gardevoir – The dual Psychic/Fairy typing offers double resistance to Fighting-type attacks and double effectiveness against Machamp.
5. Togekiss – With Charm and Air Slash, it’s an excellent choice even without Mega Evolution.
6. Hoopa Unbound – If you caught it during the special event, its Psychic moveset is perfect for this raid.

Movesets to Watch Out For

Warning: Gigantamax Machamp might know moves that counter its natural counters. In particular, if it has Rock Slide, it can severely damage Flying-type Pokémon, while Payback can be dangerous for Psychic types. Make sure you have a varied team to handle all possibilities!

Team Preparation

To maximize your chances of success, here’s what I did to prepare my team:

1. Power up the right Pokémon – I brought my main counters to at least level 40, with favorites pushed up to level 50.
2. Optimize movesets – I used Fast and Charged TMs to ensure all my Pokémon had the best moves against Machamp.
3. Prepare multiple teams – I created two preset teams: a main one and a backup in case the first was wiped out.
4. Gather resources – I accumulated enough Max Potions and Max Revives to be able to re-enter battle if necessary.

The Battle Against Gigantamax Machamp

Special Gigantamax Mechanics

Unlike normal raids, Gigantamax raids feature unique mechanics. Based on leaked information and my experience with other Gigantamax raids:

1. G-Max Chi Strike – Machamp’s special Gigantamax attack inflicts enormous damage and can pierce through shields. It’s recognizable by a distinctive animation where Machamp delivers a devastating punch.
2. Energy Shield – At about 50% and 25% health, Machamp might activate a shield that reduces damage. At this moment, it’s crucial to use quick attacks in rapid succession to break it down.
3. Meteor Boost – During the event, meteors might appear on the battlefield that, when hit, provide temporary boosts. Try to hit them when they appear!

My Strategy

During a test raid I participated in on another server, I discovered that this strategy works particularly well:

1. Start with Mega Mewtwo Y – I opened with my most powerful counter to inflict as much damage as possible before Machamp activated its first shield.
2. Coordinate Megas – In our group, we coordinated to have different Mega Evolutions active at different times during the battle, ensuring a constant bonus.
3. Save Charged Moves – I avoided using charged moves immediately before shield activation, instead accumulating them for when the shield was broken.
4. Watch for G-Max Chi Strike – When Machamp was preparing its special attack (recognizable by the pose), I used my protective move to reduce damage.

Catching Gigantamax Machamp

After defeating Gigantamax Machamp, comes the most exciting part: catching it! Here are some tips based on my previous experiences with Gigantamax Pokémon:

1. Use Golden Razz Berries – Catch rates increase significantly with these berries. They’re worth using!
2. Excellent Throws – Practice timing for excellent throws. With an excellent throw + golden razz berry + platinum type medal, catch probability is around 15-18% per throw.
3. Patience – Don’t get rushed. Machamp has a fairly large catch circle and a predictable movement pattern.
4. Premier Balls – Unlike other raids where you can use different balls, in Gigantamax raids you can only use Premier Balls. Make sure you have enough!

Is Gigantamax Machamp Worth Catching?

Absolutely yes! Here’s why you should participate in this event:

For Battles

Machamp is already one of the best Fighting-type attackers in the game. Its Gigantamax form retains all these qualities, with the added possibility of using G-Max Chi Strike in appropriate battles. With an estimated maximum CP of about 3,250, it’s a monster in PvE and potentially useful in Master League too.

For Collectors

Each Gigantamax form has a special badge in the Pokédex. Additionally, considering the rarity of Gigantamax events, having this special form in your account is a badge of honor for any collector!

For Rewards

Gigantamax raids are known for offering special rewards such as guaranteed XL Candy, Elite TMs, and occasionally special items like Elite Tickets. It’s an opportunity not to be missed!

Connected Events and Bonuses

During the Gigantamax Machamp raid window (May 25th, 2:00 PM-5:00 PM), several bonuses will be active:

1. Double XP Points for raid victories
2. Increased Fighting-type Pokémon spawns in the overworld
3. Machamp-themed field research available by spinning PokéStops
4. Special box in the shop with discounted Raid Passes and other useful items

My advice is to make the most of these side bonuses between raids!