Fans Critique Niantic’s Approach to Dynamax in Pokémon GO

Recently, Niantic has introduced noteworthy updates to Pokemon GO, with the Dynamax feature being the standout addition. This mechanic debuted at the start of the ongoing Max Out season, bringing a selection of Pokemon capable of undergoing Dynamax evolution. Although players expected Niantic to maintain this feature for some time before rolling out further updates, the arrival of Gigantamax is already on the horizon, set to launch on October 26, 2024.

This prompt announcement raises various concerns regarding Niantic’s management of the Dynamax feature within Pokemon GO. While new features generally enhance gameplay, this rapid progression seems somewhat excessive and potentially detrimental to the player experience.

In this discussion, we will delve into the reasons why Pokemon GO enthusiasts have valid concerns about Niantic’s handling of the Dynamax mechanic.

The premature introduction of Gigantamax in Pokemon GO

The introduction of Gigantamax feels rushed, and treating Gmax starters as 6* is jumping the shark. by u/DaystarEld in TheSilphRoad

The Dynamax system comprises multiple levels, including the advanced stages of Gigantamax and Eternamax. However, it’s worth noting that Eternamax is associated exclusively with Eternatus and is anticipated to be released separately, likely as part of an Elite Raid in the future.

The announcement regarding Gigantamax came as a surprise to many trainers, leaving them perplexed. Typically, after launching a new mechanic, players expect some time to adapt and fully embrace the new feature. The brief interval between the two evolution enhancements could present issues, particularly concerning resource allocation.

Community reaction on Gigantamax in Pokemon GO (Image via Reddit)

Another point of concern is the increased difficulty associated with Gigantamax battles. Up until now, Dynamax fights in Pokemon GO consisted of 1-star and 3-star challenges. Even the 3-star Max battles proved to be exceptionally tough and far more demanding than standard 3-star raids. The advent of Gigantamax shifts these encounters to 6-star Max battles, a significant increase in challenge that many consider excessive, as highlighted by DaystarEld’s comment on TheSilphRoad subreddit:

“Jumping us straight from 3 to 6 feels needlessly punishing; forcing us to find 10+ others so soon undermines part of the unique nature of Dmax raids, and releasing Gmax versions of Pokémon we just caught a few weeks ago feels utterly invalidating to our time and effort.”

This surge in difficulty mirrors the challenges faced in Elite Raids, where finding local players for collaboration is essential. Completing a solo 6-star raid seems near impossible, especially after struggling with 3-star Max raids alone.

Moreover, the issue of resource management cannot be overlooked. Gigantamax utilizes the same Max Particles that players require for Dynamax battles. This concern was echoed by numerous players, including MarketIntelligence110:

“Many thought that the max particle limit and the entire quirks of the system were due to max raids being introduced gradually over time. Guess the half-baked cake was the full meal all along.”

Despite an increased Max Particle limit accompanying the Gigantamax rollout, trainers still struggle to gather enough resources to level up both their existing Dynamax creatures and the new Gigantamax ones.

Gigantamax risks becoming another pointless feature in Pokemon GO

Gigantamax might be yet another useless feature (Image via Reddit)

A major concern with Max Pokémon is that players cannot use particles to evolve their existing creatures. Instead, they must capture them by completing Max raids. Many of the new Gigantamax Pokémon belong to the Kanto region (including starters), which most trainers have already completed in their Pokédex.

This redundancy makes the requirement to catch these Pokémon again seem pointless if all that’s needed is to activate the Gigantamax feature. Furthermore, this situation compels players to expand their Pokémon storage by utilizing PokeCoins, a premium currency that many prefer to save rather than spending real money to acquire.

The lack of incentives (Image via Reddit)

In addition, incentives appear to be lacking. The rewards from 1-star and 3-star Max battles are minimal, which ultimately leads to these encounters taking up unnecessary space in a player’s storage. Currently, Gigantamax Pokémon are not usable in any Battle Leagues, limiting their functionality to Max battles only.

The amount of redundant resources needed for mere collection purposes, without adequate rewards, can be discouraging. Ultimately, it appears that Gigantamax may receive the same neglect currently seen in Max battles as noted by HardyMenace:

“Yeah, if I happen to come across people doing Gmax battles I’ll join in to fill that deck, but I’m not going to go out of my way, and I’m completely ignoring regular Max battles.”

It appears that Niantic’s strategy surrounding these updates feels remarkably abrupt, with the rationale remaining unclear. The community has voiced multiple concerns, and only time will reveal if the developers will address these issues and revise the system to enhance player experience.

Source