Pokémon Legends: Z-A Ditches Abilities

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Summary

  • Fans are discovering that Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be shedding the franchise’s Abilities for its Pokemon.
  • Pokemon Legends: Arceus similarly cut Abilities from its 2022 release in favor of a revamped system with “Agile” and “Strong” attacks.
  • Legends: Z-A will introduce several major changes to Pokemon’s normal battle formula, introducing real-time combat and the return of Mega Evolutions.

Fans of Pokemon are learning that, similar to its predecessor, the upcoming game Pokemon Legends: Z-A won’t incorporate Pokemon abilities within its combat system. The cherished monster-collecting series has developed numerous distinctive mechanisms to set each Pokemon apart, allowing them to preserve their unique identities and expertises. Characteristics such as natures play a significant role in the gameplay, influencing how a Pokemon’s stats develop, while “EVs” (Effort Values) and “IVs” (Individual Values) help players fine-tune and enhance their Pokemon’s growth. However, an essential component of the series will be missing from its next installment.

The use of unique characteristics, known as Abilities, has been a significant element in the Pokémon series since the release of Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire, and they’ve been featured in most major games. Abilities grant Pokémon additional benefits besides their individual stats, providing everything from specific stat boosts, damage reduction, to out-of-battle uses like “Pick Up” and “Flame Body.” Each Pokémon can also possess a “hidden ability,” a rare trait that is often highly valued for many battle-focused strategies. However, it’s been confirmed that Pokémon Legends: Z-A will depart from this trend by omitting Abilities, similar to how Arceus did in the spinoff series.

Enthusiasts of the upcoming game Pokemon Legends: Z-A are finding that it appears to be following suit with its predecessor by omitting Abilities from its roster, as there is no mention of them in the starter Pokemon listings for Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile. This has led many fans to speculate that the game will indeed exclude this feature. The potential removal aligns with the approach taken by Pokemon Legends: Arceus, which opted to eliminate Abilities in favor of its reworked system and the “Strong” and “Agile” style attacks. At present, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is slated for a late 2025 release, though an official launch date has yet to be announced.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A is Removing Abilities

In the new game Legends: Z-A, expect a completely overhauled battle system compared to previous installments. Unlike earlier games, Pokemon: Legends Z-A will introduce real-time combat, letting players and their Pokémon move across the battlefield and dodge attacks. Additionally, this game brings back Mega Evolution, with several classic Mega Pokémon confirmed to return, such as Mega Gardevoir and Mega Absol. Since Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Mega Evolutions have not been seen in main-series Pokémon games.

In the newly revised battle system of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, fans were given their initial glimpse through a livestream by The Pokemon Company. During the Pokemon Presents stream earlier this week, various characters set to appear in the game were unveiled, hinting at the potential return of AZ, a significant character from X and Y. The trailer also showcased the expansive cityscape of Lumiose City featured in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, which is undergoing high-tech restoration with multiple “Wild Zone” habitats for Pokemon scattered across the city. Pokemon Legends: Z-A aims to push the boundaries of the franchise when it releases later this year.

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2025-03-02 00:54