Pokemon Legends Z-A Beginner Tips & Tricks

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Whether you’re a longtime Pokémon fan or completely new to the series, *Pokémon Legends Z-A* is an exciting experience. If you’re feeling a bit lost when you first explore the bustling city of Lumiose—with its streets and rooftops—this guide can help!

This guide provides everything trainers need to master the game, including details on core mechanics, combat strategies, and how to quickly improve their rank. You’ll find helpful advice on the best places to start, which Pokémon to prioritize, and information about rival trainers and Mega Evolutions, ensuring you can overcome any challenge.

Pokemon Legends ZA Combat Tips & Tricks

Pokemon Legends Z-A completely changes how battles work. Instead of attacks having a limited number of uses (PP), they now have cooldowns, and where you stand and move during a fight is crucial. This means players will need to unlearn most of their old battle strategies, though type matchups and certain status effects still matter. Here’s a look at some of the biggest 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 need to consistently lock onto the target Pokémon by pressing the ZL button. While it can be a little cumbersome, this allows them to easily switch between moving freely to dodge attacks and focusing their attacks on the opposing Pokémon.

Which Starter Is Best in Pokemon Legends ZA?

Okay, so every time a new Pokémon game drops, everyone argues about which starter is the best, right? Here’s my take: think about your whole team *before* you pick! Honestly, dealing with type matchups against the rival and other trainers is super easy. Just catch one of the elemental monkeys – Pansear, Panpour, and Pansage. Like, if I choose Chikorita, I’ll grab Panpour and Pansear. Or, if I go with Totodile, I’ll catch Pansear and Pansage. It just covers your bases and makes things way smoother.

To build a well-rounded team, players should try to catch a few early Pokémon like Houndour (Fire/Dark), Mareep (Electric), and Fletchling (Normal/Flying, which evolves into the Fire/Flying type Fletchinder). Magikarp is also a good choice, as evolving it into Gyarados is easier than ever.

Moving Around in Lumiose City

I’m really enjoying exploring Lumiose City! Getting around is pretty cool – there are these things called Holovators which are basically instant teleporting elevators to the rooftops, and of course, you can use stairs and climb ledges to reach higher areas. At first, it’s a little slow going because you don’t have running (using the B button) or dodging (Y button) unlocked yet, but those become available as you progress through the beginning of the game. It’s a fun way to get around once you get those abilities!

Trainers will need to use specific battle moves, such as Rock Smash and Cut, to unlock new areas and access points – bringing back a mechanic similar to HMs. However, instead of needing a dedicated ‘toolbox’ Pokémon to learn these moves, they are now regular battle moves. The game does a good job of explaining this, but it’s helpful to know upfront that some moves have limited compatibility with Pokémon and TMs.

Go up on rooftops to discover rare Pokémon that you won’t find in regular areas, such as Cleffa, Swirlix, and Riolu. Being up high also gives you a better look at the city of Lumiose.

Some areas, like sewer entrances, need a little extra work to open – you might have to solve a puzzle or finish a side quest first. It’s worth the effort, though, because the underground areas of Lumiose City are a large and complex labyrinth filled with secrets and rare Pokémon.

How To Get A Fast Start in Pokemon Legends ZA

To level up quickly in the game, focus on catching many Pokémon and breaking Mega Crystals. These crystals give you a lot of experience points when broken one after another, allowing you to raise your Pokémon’s level without constantly battling wild Pokémon.

Be careful as you explore the city! Pokémon don’t just appear in the Wild Zones – you can find stronger ones on rooftops, on streetlights and trees, and even disguised among the people in town.

Completing side missions will help you collect rare Pokémon faster. For instance, you can catch Sableye early in the game by completing one of the first side missions. Another mission lets you trade a Pikachu (found in Wild Zone 3) for a Heracross. Both Sableye and Heracross are strong Pokémon that will give you a significant edge in Lumiose City’s Z-A Royale tournament.

Trainers, Battles, And Zone Survey

Nights in *Pokemon Legends: Z-A* are unpredictable. Trainer battles don’t start quite like they do in other *Pokemon* games. If a trainer sees you first, they get a head start, attacking a few times and temporarily leaving your character and Pokemon unable to react.

Using Stealth and Sneak Attacks can give players a significant edge, allowing them to win quickly even against opponents with stronger Pokémon or higher levels. However, players need to be cautious during Z-A Royale Nights and avoid encountering higher-ranking Trainers. These Trainers have incredibly powerful teams, including Pokémon that can Mega Evolve, making them a serious threat.

To quickly improve your ranking, focus on completing the main missions, listen to advice from the MZ team, and, most importantly, rely on strategy and discretion whenever you can.

During the daytime, prioritize exploring the wilderness and finishing Mable’s research tasks – these offer valuable rewards. Also, complete Emmile’s Investigation Missions to unlock new locations, Pokémon, and special items. Switching between daytime and nighttime activities is crucial for progressing in Lumiose City and becoming a top-ranked, A-Class Trainer.

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2025-10-16 21:50