Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Biggest Threat is a Long-Lost Gen 1 Pokemon

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A new trailer for the Mega Dimension DLC of Pokemon Legends: Z-A is coming soon, and it’s already shown off five new Mega Evolutions and explained how the DLC will work. Even before the DLC is released, players who haven’t finished all the Side Missions or completed 15 (or even 20 for a bonus mission) Challenger Ticket battles in the Infinite Z-A Royale have more to do. Legendary Pokemon like Zygarde, Xerneas, and Yveltal become available after completing the main story, and as of Season 3, you can now use them in ranked battles. However, even these powerful Pokemon are facing a new, formidable challenge.

Combat in Pokemon Legends: Z-A is a big departure from previous Pokemon games. Traditionally, battles focused heavily on Pokemon Speed, with players building teams and using moves to ensure their Pokemon acted first. In Pokemon Legends: Z-A, however, Speed isn’t nearly as crucial – it only matters if you want a Pokemon’s moves to recharge faster, which isn’t a huge advantage right now. This means tougher, more resilient Pokemon are proving to be very effective, and that’s why Vaporeon is currently such a strong choice.

Vaporeon is Virtually Unbeatable in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

With Pikachu being exceptionally strong in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, it’s great to see Pokemon like Vaporeon having a chance to stand out. You might be surprised by just how effective Vaporeon can be in ranked battles. Here’s why Vaporeon is proving to be so powerful in Pokemon Legends: Z-A:

  • Vaporeon has access to Calm Mind, which buffs its Special Attack and Special Defense stats. Personally, I run a 252 HP, 100 Defense, 156 Sp. Attack, Modest nature Vaporeon with Expert Belt to be bulkier against physical attackers, and it works wonders with Surf, Hydro Pump, and Ice Beam as offensive moves.
  • Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s best Dragon-types are all over ranked battles, and Garchomp or Zygarde are basically guaranteed to show up at least on one team per game. Unless they run bulkier sets or items like Focus Sash, a boosted Vaporeon will one-shot them with Ice Beam even without STAB.
  • The format is filled to the brim with Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s Charizard, Excadrill, Yveltal, Delphox, Chandelure, Dragonite, Stunfisk, and Hippowdon. These are all very powerful, but they will be most of the time one-shot by Vaporeon with Surf, Hydro Pump, or Ice Beam if Calm Mind is up.
    • Most players use a standard 252 HP, 252 Attack or Special Attack set for their Pokemon, meaning they will often lack bulk. This allows Calm Mind-buffed Plus Moves in Pokemon Legends: Z-A to one-shot almost anything.
  • Vaporeon is only weak to Grass and Electric, whereas it resists Steel, Fire, Water, and Ice.
  • The biggest threats to Vaporeon are:
    • Ampharos – It’s a bulkier Pokemon with access to Light Screen, and many players use Magnet with Thunderbolt on it, which can one-shot Vaporeon or take it down to low HP.
    • Glaceon – It has access to Freeze-Dry, which can deal massive damage to Vaporeon if buffed by Calm Mind and items like Life Orb or Never-Melt Ice, if not one-shot it.
    • Metagross – It resists Ice, it’s quite fast and bulky, it has very high Attack, and it has access to Thunder Punch, meaning Vaporeon may be in a pinch against Metagross. Heavy Slam timed right will also dodge all of Vaporeon’s attacks.
    • Pikachu – Although it will be one-shot by a powered-up Vaporeon due to its low stats, it can also one-shot it in return with a Charge up while holding Light Ball and using Volt Tackle.
    • Xerneas – If it’s boosted by Geomancy, and it uses Thunderbolt/Thunder, Xerneas could one-shot Vaporeon, depending on its held item, or take it down to low HP.

Grass-type Pokémon aren’t often seen in competitive battles in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and when they are used, they’re typically vulnerable to Ice Beam attacks. Even a strong, defensive Pokémon like the new Mega Chesnaught can be quickly defeated by a Vaporeon that has boosted its Special Attack and used Ice Beam.

Why Vaporeon Can Win You Any Match in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Vaporeon is proving to be a top-tier Pokémon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A because it effectively counters many popular strategies. Even strong physical attackers like Skarmory, Gyarados, and Mega Feraligatr can struggle against a Vaporeon that’s been boosted with Calm Mind and gets the first move. I personally use a small, shiny Vaporeon frequently, and I find it easy to defeat opponents from a distance, likely because of its size and the fact that many players underestimate its power.

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2025-12-02 04:04