Pokemon Legends: Z-A has effectively made the longtime staple move Substitute all but completely useless, as the real-time battle system allows trainers to bypass it via strong attacks and movement. Although Substitute is still available as a Technical Machine move in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, it is not worth slotting into a move set due to the game's fast-paced battles.
In the traditional turn-based battle system used by most Pokemon mainline games since Gen 1, Substitute creates a decoy of its user at the cost of 25% of its maximum HP. This decoy then takes damage in place of the main user, though the Substitute will break after taking enough damage. Having a Substitute on the field allows a Pokemon to survive an attack that would otherwise knock it out in one hit, giving it time to counterattack or make a retreat. Using Substitute efficiently is a viable defensive strategy in competitive Pokemon battles, and it can be learned by almost every Pokemon as of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Rumor: Pokemon Gen 10 Will Solve One Of Legends Z-A's Biggest Gripes
A rumor suggests that one key aspect of Pokemon Legends: Z-A that players have criticized may be addressed in the next mainline game generation.
Substitute Is All But Useless in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Although Substitute can still be used to avoid taking debuffs in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, its practical use in a battle is rendered moot due to the game's battle system. Unlike past Pokemon games, Pokemon Legends: Z-A uses a real-time action combat system similar to the Xenoblade Chronicles series, where moves have short cooldown timers and can be used freely otherwise. However, Pokemon Legends: Z-A's movement also allows trainers to set up or avoid attacks that have a specific range. While using Substitute still places a decoy on the field that can be targeted by an opposing trainer, it does not prevent its user from being targeted by attacks anyway, making it more of a distraction than a useful move in Pokemon Legends: Z-A's ranked battles.
Additionally, a Substitute's purpose for taking damage in place of its user is rendered moot by certain area-of-effect (AOE) attacks. Moves that deal damage in a straight line, like Ice Beam, Flamethrower, and Hydro Pump, can go right through a Substitute and hit its user at the same time. Some of the best Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, such as Gyarados and Dragonite, can easily power through a Substitute and hit its intended target.
While Substitute remains a viable choice in turn-based Pokemon battles for defensive purposes, the fast pace of Pokemon Legends: Z-A's combat system has unfortunately made utilizing Substitute a pointless endeavor. It remains to be seen if Pokemon's next mainline generation will return to the traditional turn-based battle format, or if Pokemon Legends: Z-A's real-time combat is here to stay.
-
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
WHERE TO PLAY
LIVE THE LIFE OF A POKÉMON TRAINER IN THE STREETS OF LUMIOSE CITY
Whether you’re a die-hard Pokémon fan or about to toss your first Poké Ball, the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game has plenty to offer for Trainers of all types. Experience classic gameplay with modern twists that are sure to revolutionize your Pokémon RPG experience.
CATCH, BATTLE, AND MEGA-EVOLVE—ALL IN REAL TIME!
Step onto the battlefield and command your Pokémon directly—there are no turns! For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, Trainers and their Pokémon can both move around in real-time battles, and your Pokémon will unleash their moves when you tell them to. Strategically swapping out your Pokémon and accounting for each move’s timing and area of effect will greatly help you in this new style of battle.
HARNESS THE POWER OF MEGA EVOLUTION
When Trainers have a strong bond with their Pokémon, a Key Stone worn by the Trainer resonates with a Mega Stone held by their Pokémon, allowing Mega Evolution to take place.
ROGUE MEGA EVOLUTION
Rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon are threatening Lumiose City. These Pokémon are extra tough to beat, but if you do manage to defeat them, you'll receive valuable Mega Stones as a reward.
RISE THROUGH THE RANKS OF THE Z-A ROYALE
You’re invited to join the Z-A Royale, a competition for Pokémon Trainers to test their skills and determine who’s strongest.
Each night, a battle zone for the competition will appear. Prepare yourself by spending the day in wild zones, catching and training Pokémon, then venture into the battle zone and take on other Trainers.
Be strategic and complete bonus card challenges as you battle to speed up your climb from Rank Z to Rank A. Can you climb the ranks and reach the top?
WELCOME TO LUMIOSE CITY
Visit shops, restaurants, and more, all centered around Prism Tower. An urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon.
BATTLE WITH TRAINERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
With a Nintendo Switch Online membership*, you can battle up to three other Trainers at once, locally or online, in frenetic real-time battles!
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players (online)
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- October 16, 2025
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
- October 16, 2025
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Source: ComicBook