Eternatus isn’t just another Legendary drop—it’s a complete reimagining of how Pokémon GO handles Legendary encounters, raids, and progression. From 100-player Max Battles to the steep resource grind and the innovative Dynamax Cannon Adventure Effect, Eternatus demands coordination, planning, and persistence.

The Debut of Eternatus

Eternatus made its grand entrance during the Dark Skies event, which led into GO Fest 2025: Max Finale. Unlike most Legendaries, you don’t get Eternatus from raids. Instead, every trainer level 13 and above received a free GO Pass: Max Finale, which guarantees one encounter with Eternatus once you hit Tier 60 in the research.

This ensures every trainer has the chance to add Eternatus to their roster—but powering it up is a whole different story.

Eternamax Eternatus: The Ultimate Challenge

The real game-changer is the debut of Eternamax Eternatus, a colossal threat introduced through Max Battles.

  • What are Max Battles?

These are massive, raid-like encounters at special Power Spots, allowing up to 100 trainers to team up.

  • No Catch Encounter:

Eternamax cannot be caught after battle. Instead, defeating it rewards you with huge amounts of Eternatus Candy, Candy XL, Stardust, and XP—essential for leveling up your one and only Eternatus.

  • Entry Cost & Strategy:

To enter, you’ll need 800 Max Particles, a new event currency. Eternatus’s Poison/Dragon typing makes it vulnerable to Ground, Ice, Psychic, and Dragon moves. Strong counters include Crowned Sword Zacian, Crowned Shield Zamazenta, and Dynamax Metagross.

The Grind: Why Eternatus Is Different

If you thought other Legendaries were resource-heavy, Eternatus takes it to a cosmic level.

  • To max out at Level 50, you’ll need a staggering 8,900 Eternatus Candy and 8,900 Candy XL.
  • Max Battles are the only reliable way to stockpile these resources, making them the cornerstone of the Eternatus grind.
  • While the GO Pass gives you a head start, expect to spend serious time farming Max Battles if you want a battle-ready Eternatus.

This design has created a fresh meta in Pokémon GO—community coordination and endurance grinding are now key strategies.

A Game-Changing Move: Dynamax Cannon

One of Eternatus’s standout features is its signature charged move, Dynamax Cannon. But it isn’t just a battle move—it also introduces a brand-new Adventure Effect.

  • How it Works:

Spend 5,000 Stardust + 30 Eternatus Candy to boost the power of your Pokémon’s Max Moves by one level for 10 minutes.

  • Why It Matters:

This gives trainers a massive advantage against tough Dynamax and Gigantamax raid bosses.

  • Strategic Play:

Timing is everything—activating Dynamax Cannon right before a difficult raid can turn the tide, but resource management becomes crucial.

What’s Next for Eternatus?

Right now, Eternatus is strictly a PvE powerhouse, but the community already has eyes on the future:

  • Shiny Eternatus?

Currently, Shiny Eternatus and Eternamax Shiny aren’t available. Based on Niantic’s past patterns, it’s highly likely they’ll appear in future events or research quests.

This makes Eternatus not just a grind but also a long-term investment for trainers who want to stay ahead of the curve.