Gigantamax Inteleon is finally here. If you’ve been wandering around your local park lately and noticed a tower of water taller than most office buildings, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s intimidating. Seeing that sniper-like chameleon perched on its massive water tower at a Power Spot is enough to make any trainer hesitate. Honestly, Niantic didn't hold back on the difficulty for this one.
Winning isn't just about tapping your screen until your finger hurts.
You need a plan. Most players go in thinking their standard Max Out Pokémon will carry the day, but Gigantamax Inteleon in Pokémon GO is a different beast entirely. It hits hard, it has massive HP, and if you aren't coordinated with your local group, you're going to burn through Max Particles for nothing.
The Reality of Gigantamax Inteleon Battles
Gigantamax Inteleon isn't a solo job. Don't even try. Unlike the standard Dynamax battles we saw during the early days of the Max Out season, Gigantamax encounters are tuned for large groups. We are talking about 10 to 40 trainers. If you show up with a squad of three, you're basically just donating your time to the Pokémon.
The boss has a massive HP pool. It feels endless.
During the fight, Inteleon uses its signature G-Max move, G-Max Hydrosnipe. In the main series games, this move ignores the opponent's abilities. In Pokémon GO, it translates to raw, unadulterated damage that can wipe your team if you aren't cycling your Max Guard effectively. You have to watch the prompts. When the screen flashes and the warning appears, that is your cue to stop mindless attacking and prepare for the hit.
Why Your Current Team Might Fail
Most people rely on Grass-type or Electric-type Dynamax Pokémon. That’s the logical choice, right? Water is weak to those. But the problem is the sheer scale of the incoming damage. A level 35 Dynamax Venusaur might seem great on paper, but if you haven't invested in Max Guard or Max Spirit, you're going to spend more time fainted than fighting.
The "glass cannon" strategy doesn't work here. You need bulk.
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Top Counters for Gigantamax Inteleon
If you want to actually catch this thing, you need to bring the right tools. Currently, the Max Battle pool is somewhat limited compared to the full Pokédex, so your options are specific.
Gigantamax Venusaur is arguably your best friend. It’s a tank. Because it also possesses the Gigantamax factor, its G-Max Vine Lash does incredible damage over time, which is crucial for chipping away at Inteleon’s massive health bar. If you have one from previous Max Raid events, now is the time to power it up to level 40 at least. Level 50 is better, but let’s be real, XL Candy isn’t exactly easy to farm.
Dynamax Rillaboom is another heavy hitter. It’s faster with its energy generation. You’ll find that getting to your Max Moves quickly is the difference between breaking Inteleon’s shield and getting wiped.
Dynamax Toxtricity is the wild card. It’s Electric/Poison. While it deals great damage, it’s a bit squishier than the Grass types. Use it if you’re in a large group where others can tank the hits while you focus on the DPS. Just be careful; one G-Max Hydrosnipe can put a Toxtricity in the dirt if you miss the dodge timing.
The Power of Max Spirit and Max Guard
Stop ignoring the support moves. Seriously.
In a standard Raid, you just want damage. In a Gigantamax Max Battle, someone in your group must be the healer. If you see your teammates' health bars dipping into the red, use Max Spirit. It keeps the heavy hitters in the game. If everyone just spams Max Strike, the team eventually collapses. A coordinated group usually has a couple of players dedicated to keeping the Max Meter filled and the buffs active.
Managing Your Max Particles
Max Particles (MP) are the currency of these battles, and Gigantamax Inteleon is expensive. It usually costs 800 MP to enter a Gigantamax battle. Since you can only collect around 800 to 1,000 MP per day naturally, you basically get one shot every 24 hours unless you’ve been hoarding Max Particle Packs or walking a lot.
Don't waste them on a lobby of five people.
Check your local Discord, Campfire, or Telegram groups. You need to find a "hot" Power Spot where people are actually congregating. Because of the 40-player limit, these battles are actually some of the most social experiences we've had in Pokémon GO since the 2016 summer hype. It’s kinda cool, honestly, seeing a crowd of people actually talking to each other again.
Catching the Sniper
Once you actually beat it—which is a feat in itself—you get to the encounter. Gigantamax Inteleon has a relatively low catch rate. Use your Golden Razz Berries. Don’t get cocky and try to Pinap it unless you have a surplus of Premier Balls.
The Inteleon you catch will have the Gigantamax factor icon next to its name. This is permanent. You can't currently "teach" a regular Inteleon how to Gigantamax. This makes the one you catch from the Max Battle incredibly rare and valuable for future Power Spot rotations.
Strategic Nuance: The Shield Phase
Inteleon will occasionally put up a barrier. During this phase, your standard fast and charged attacks do almost nothing. You have to build up the Max Meter by using your regular moves so that you can unleash Max Moves.
Notice the circles on the ground? They’re energy bubbles.
Swiping your Pokémon onto these bubbles charges your Max Meter faster. I see so many players just standing still, tapping the center of the screen. Move! Collecting those energy bits can shave a minute off the battle time, which is often the difference between a win and a timeout.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Battle
To maximize your chances of success, follow this specific workflow before you engage the boss:
- Check your MP: Ensure you have the full 800-1,000 Max Particles ready. If you're short, walk the 2km required to trigger your daily allowance or visit new Power Spots.
- Level up your moves: Go to your best Grass-type Dynamax Pokémon. Spend the candy and stardust to get Max Overgrowth to at least Level 2. If you have spare Medium Max Soup or enough candy, get Max Guard to Level 2 as well.
- Find a Crowd: Use the Niantic Campfire map. Look for Power Spots with flares or high activity. If you arrive and no one is there, wait. Most groups coordinate to start on the hour or half-hour.
- Role Assignment: If you are playing with friends, decide who is the "Healer." That person focuses on Max Spirit. The others focus on Max Overgrowth.
- Watch the HUD: Pay attention to the top of the screen for the boss’s attack prompts. When Inteleon prepares its G-Max move, prioritize your Max Guard move over damage.
Winning a Gigantamax Inteleon battle is a genuine achievement in the current state of Pokémon GO. It requires more than just high-CP monsters; it requires actual tactical awareness and community cooperation. Gear up, find your local group, and make sure your Venusaur is ready for some heavy lifting. Good luck out there.