The arrival of Eternatus in Pokémon GO has electrified trainers around the world. This massive, otherworldly Legendary Pokémon from the Galar region is not just another raid boss—it’s a creature of epic proportions with mechanics unlike anything players have faced before. As a Poison/Dragon-type Legendary, Eternatus instantly stands out in terms of lore, power, and long-term investment.
But how exactly do you get Eternatus in Pokémon GO? Unlike many previous Legendary Pokémon, Eternatus cannot simply be caught in a standard five-star raid encounter. Instead, Niantic has tied its release to the special Max Finale event, requiring trainers to grind, raid, and plan carefully.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know—from how to unlock Eternatus, the grind for candies, Eternamax battles, powering it up, and its exclusive move Dynamax Cannon. If you’re serious about adding Eternatus to your collection, this 2025 walkthrough is your ultimate resource.
What Makes Eternatus Special?
Before diving into the mechanics, it’s important to understand why the hype is so big around Eternatus.
- Origin: Eternatus first appeared in Pokémon Sword & Shield as the ultimate boss fight. Its terrifying Eternamax form was unlike anything seen before in mainline Pokémon games.
- Typing: A rare Poison + Dragon combination, giving it resistances to Fairy, Grass, Electric, and Fighting while being vulnerable to Psychic, Ground, Dragon, and Ice.
- Lore: In the Galar region, Eternatus is tied to the Darkest Day event, where its power caused chaos. Its connection to Dynamax and Gigantamax mechanics also makes it one of the most lore-rich Pokémon ever introduced.
- Gameplay in Pokémon GO: Eternatus is designed to be a long-term powerhouse for raids and PvP. However, powering it up requires a staggering grind, which makes ownership a badge of dedication.
The Only Way to Catch Eternatus
Unlike previous Legendaries, Eternatus cannot be found in standard raids or wild encounters. Instead, the exclusive method is tied to the Max Finale event.
- Step 1: Unlock the GO Pass – Max Finale
Starting Monday, August 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. local time, Niantic automatically distributed a free GO Pass called Max Finale to all players. - Step 2: Reach Rank 60 on the Free Track
Eternatus is locked behind rank 60 of the pass. To climb ranks, you must collect GO Points, primarily earned through winning raids and Max Battles. - Step 3: Claim the Eternatus Encounter
Once you hit rank 60, Eternatus is awarded as a guaranteed encounter. However, you must claim it before Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. local time. - Important Note: Only one Eternatus can be obtained per trainer. This makes it one of the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO to date.
A small exception: Players who attended the 2025 Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim, California, received Eternatus earlier through a special research questline. For them, the Max Finale reward was replaced with 890 Eternatus Candy instead.
Understanding the Max Finale Grind
The real challenge wasn’t catching Eternatus—it was grinding to reach rank 60 in a short window.
Daily Limits and Caps
- During the Dark Skies pre-event phase, there was a daily cap on how many GO Points you could earn. This limited casual players’ progress.
- But during the main event weekend (Aug 23–24, 2025), Niantic lifted all point caps, allowing players to grind endlessly.
Unlimited Raid Grinding
- From Saturday, August 23 at midnight to Sunday, August 24 at 9:00 p.m. local time, trainers could farm unlimited GO Points by:
- Participating in Max Battles
- Completing 5-star raids
- Winning Gigantamax raids
Free vs. Premium Tracks
- Free Track: Guaranteed Eternatus + small amount of candy.
- Premium Track (paid upgrade): Bonus rewards, extra candy, and items. However, Eternatus itself was still obtainable for free—the premium pass was optional.
Eternamax Battles: The Key to Candy Farming
During the event, Niantic unleashed Eternamax Eternatus as a special boss battle.
- You cannot catch Eternamax Eternatus. After victory, it reverts to its normal form.
- Purpose: Farming Eternatus Candy and Eternatus Candy XL.
- Raid Cost: 800 Max Particles per battle.
- Rewards per Win:
- Up to 140 Eternatus Candy
- Up to 60 Eternatus Candy XL
- Optional Boost: Rewards could be doubled for 200 PokéCoins.
Because Eternatus requires enormous amounts of candy to power up, these battles became mandatory for competitive players aiming to use Eternatus in raids or Master League.
The Staggering Investment to Power Up Eternatus
Eternatus is not just rare—it’s expensive to train.
- Level 50 Requirement:
- 8,900 Eternatus Candy
- 8,900 Eternatus Candy XL
To put this in perspective:
- The free GO Pass candy only powers Eternatus to about level 21.
- Even with the deluxe premium pass, Eternatus reaches only about level 38.5.
- To fully max out to level 50, trainers must grind Eternamax raids extensively.
This design forces Eternatus into a long-term grind cycle, making it both a prized trophy and a long-term project.
Exclusive Move: Dynamax Cannon
Eternatus comes with its signature move, Dynamax Cannon, which functions differently from typical attacks.
In-Battle Role
- Dynamax Cannon is a powerful Dragon-type charge move, giving Eternatus strong raid and PvP utility.
Adventure Effect
But the unique twist is its Adventure Effect:
- Activation Cost: 5,000 Stardust + 30 Eternatus Candy
- Duration: 10 minutes (extendable up to 24 hours)
- Effect: Temporarily boosts Max Moves by 1 level during Max Battles.
- Example:
- A locked move → temporarily unlocked at level 1.
- A level 3 move → boosted to a temporary level 4.
This makes Eternatus the first Pokémon in GO whose exclusive move affects other mechanics outside of battle.
Important Restrictions for Eternatus
Niantic has placed several unique restrictions on Eternatus:
- No Trading: Eternatus cannot be traded to other trainers.
- No Pokémon HOME Transfers: Eternatus is locked inside Pokémon GO.
- Permanent Move: Dynamax Cannon cannot be replaced or removed with TMs.
- No Transformation: Your Eternatus will never transform into Eternamax form, even in special raids.
These restrictions ensure Eternatus remains a one-of-a-kind Pokémon with limited flexibility.
Is Eternatus Worth the Grind?
The answer depends on your goals:
- For Collectors: Eternatus is a must-have, as it’s one of the most iconic Pokémon in the franchise.
- For PvP Players: Its stats and typing make it a potential Master League powerhouse, especially with Dynamax Cannon.
- For Raiders: Eternatus requires an absurd candy grind, but its DPS potential makes it useful in Dragon-heavy raid metas.
- For Casual Players: Simply owning one Eternatus is enough for the Pokédex. Maxing it out is a years-long project.
Tips to Secure and Power Up Eternatus
- Prioritize Raid Grinding: Focus on raids during uncapped periods.
- Use Premium Items Wisely: Consider doubling rewards in Eternamax raids if you plan to max Eternatus.
- Stockpile Stardust: The Adventure Effect costs Stardust each time—don’t run out.
- Play During Event Hours: Niantic often adjusts event times—don’t miss the small capture windows.
- Join Raid Groups: Eternamax raids are nearly impossible solo—coordinate with local or global raid groups.
Final Thoughts: The Legacy of Eternatus in Pokémon GO
Eternatus in Pokémon GO is unlike any Legendary before it. Niantic has designed it not just as a collectible but as a long-term grind project tied deeply to raid participation and monetization mechanics.
For trainers, it’s both a blessing and a challenge:
- A once-in-a-lifetime Pokémon to add to your Pokédex.
- A massive investment if you want to unlock its full potential.
Whether you’re a hardcore grinder aiming for level 50 or a casual trainer satisfied with a single entry, Eternatus is a defining Pokémon of the 2025 GO season. If history is any guide, owning one will be a mark of dedication for years to come.
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