Pokemon Legends Z-A is one hell of a ride for both veterans and newcomers of the series, so if readers feel a little overwhelmed as they take their first steps through the crowded streets (and rooftops) of Lumiose City, they should take a look at this guide.
Here, players will find all the information trainers should know about core mechanics, tips to make the most out of the new combat system, tricks to climb the rankings faster, and overcoming all obstacles. This guide also includes helpful information on the starting areas, highlighted Pokemon species they should look after, and data on rival trainers and Mega Evolutions.
Pokemon Legends ZA Combat Tips & Tricks
Since in Pokemon Legends Z-A, combat has 'Mega Evolved' into a new form, where attacks no longer have PP, but Cooldown, and movement/positioning are key to survival, players need to forget about everything they knew about the rules of combat, except maybe type-advantage and certain effects. Here are some of the most notorious changes:
- Movements now have cooldown, and can be spammed.
- Some movements require for the Pokemon to take some distance (aka, walk away from target) to be used.
- Some attacks are physical and require the Pokemon to get within melee range (example: Bite, Ice/Thunder/Fire Fang).
- Some attacks will instantaneously close range, allowing for a quick combo with a melee-range attack (example: Quick Attack, Pursuit).
- Poison is back, and it's more fearsome than ever: Pokemon will lose health every 3 seconds constantly until dropping to 1 HP (out of combat) or fainting (in combat).
- Pokemon can be switched at will, and the penalty for this remains, but changes slightly: Now, the Pokemon released after switching might fall into the enemy's range of attack. Timed correctly, trainers can use this strategy to dodge certain attacks. Use the directional pad (↑ ↓ → ←) to switch between Pokemon.
Players will also need to constantly focus on the target Pokemon using (ZL), which is a bit annoying, but allows players to switch between freedom of movement in combat (dodging) and engagement against rival Pokemon.
Which Starter Is Best in Pokemon Legends ZA?
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TepigThis is one of the hottest debate topics every time a new Pokemon game comes out: Which starter is the best? To answer this, here's a simple tip: Plan your team composition ahead of time. To make things even simpler, type advantage against the 'rival' and other trainers can be easily circumvented by catching one of the three elemental monkeys: Pansear, Panpour, and Pansage. For example, if players pick Chikorita as their starter, they should go ahead and catch Panpour and Pansear, or if they pick Totodile, Pansear, and Pansage.
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Also, there are a few early Pokemon they should catch if they want to completely nail a type-balanced team, such as: Hondour (Fire/Dark), Mareep (Electric), Fletchling (Normal/Flying, but evolves into the Fire/Flying Fletchinder), and Magikarp, since it has never been so easy to evolve it into Gyarados.
Moving Around in Lumiose City
There are various ways to move around Lumiose, including Holovators (elevators that instantly teleport players to the rooftops), Stairs that need to be climbed, and ledges that can also be climbed to access higher platforms. Running (B) and dodging (Y) are unlocked further down the introductory mission, so players will have to put up with some slow movement at first.
Trainers need to secure every new zone and access point using certain moves, like Rock Smash and Cut, which means HMs are back (sort of). Only this time, every special move that can be used to access new areas is a combat move, so the need for a toolbox Pokemon has now become less pressing. The game explains this quite thoroughly, but players need to know this beforehand: The TM compatibility for certain moves is quite strict.
Climb on the rooftops to find rare Pokemon that do not appear in Wild Zones (like Cleffa, Swirlix, or Riolu). Trainers can also get a clearer view of Lumiose from the high ground.
Finally, there are certain special spots like 'Sewer Entrances' that require a bit of tinkering (puzzling) or completing Secondary Missions to be unlocked. Pay attention to these since the undergrounds of Lumiose are a huge maze that holds many secrets, and many rare Pokemon.
How To Get A Fast Start in Pokemon Legends ZA
The best way to advance faster in the game is to catch lots of Pokemon, and break lots of Mega Crystals. These special crystals grant lots of XP when broken in sequence, and this can easily level up Pokemon without the need to spam combats against wild Pokemon.
Also, pay attention while going around the City, since Pokemon not only spawn in the Wild Zones, but some higher-level Pokemon can be found on rooftops, climbing on streetlamps or trees, or even hiding among the townsfolk (NPCS).
Completing Secondary Missions will also accelerate the collection of rare Pokemon. For example, one of the first Secondary Missions will allow players to catch Sableye early on, while another one allows them to trade a Pikachu (Caught in Wild Zone 3) for a Heracross. These two powerful Pokemon will reinforce the players' teams and grant them a considerable advantage during Lumiose's Z-A Royale.
Trainers, Battles, And Zone Survey
Nights in Pokemon Legends: Z-A are wild. Battles against trainers start a little bit differently than in regular Pokemon Games. If trainers spot players first, they will have the advantage, and will be able to attack first a couple of times, leaving the character (avatar) and their Pokemon 'stunned.'
On the other hand, if players use the Stealth and Sneak Attacks, they will gain advantage and will be able to come up on top faster, defeating their opponents even if they have type advantage or superior levels. But, this doesn't necessarily happen all the time: Players need to be extremely careful not to cross paths with higher-ranking Trainers during the Z-A Royale Nights, since these carry powerful teams composed of high-level Pokemon, and even Mega-Evolved Pokemon.
The secret to climbing rankings fast and with ease is to pay attention to the Main Mission, all the tips team MZ offers the new arrivals, and more importantly: use cunning and stealth whenever is possible.
During the Day, players should focus on Surveying Wild Areas and completing `Mable's Research' tasks that have MTs as rewards, and Investigation Missions for Emmile, which will unlock new areas, new Pokemon, and special rewards. Alternating between the Day and Night Cycles will be key to reaching the top of Lumiose City, and becoming an A-Rank Trainer.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
- Released
- October 16, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak, Creatures Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
