Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s DLC has a secret ‘Mega Evolution’ you can easily miss

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The recently released Mega Dimension DLC for Pokemon Legends: Z-A significantly boosts the game’s replay value, adding exciting new Mega Evolutions and bringing back many familiar Pokemon. While some might find it disappointing that the DLC doesn’t introduce entirely new Pokemon species or regional variations, it does feature Pokemon from regions that haven’t been well-represented before, such as Alola, Galar, and Paldea. Plus, the 19 new Mega Evolutions are often considered improvements over those in the original game. However, there’s one particularly well-hidden Mega Evolution that’s easy to miss.

Mega Evolution fits well into the world of Pokemon because it allows creatures to temporarily boost their power without undergoing a permanent transformation like regular evolution. This translates to a 100-point increase to a Pokemon’s overall stats, and it can even happen to Pokemon that have already reached their final form, bypassing the typical three-stage evolution process. In Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Evolutions are particularly strong, making those extra stats very valuable. Be sure to check out the new “Mega Dondozo” in Pokemon Legends: Z-A alongside the new Mega Tatsugiri.

Say Hello to the 20th DLC Mega Evolution in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Although there’s no official “Mega Dondozo” in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, it’s interesting to note that Dondozo still retains the Commander ability, even though abilities were removed in this game. It works the same way as in previous games. To trigger this effect in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, you need to:

  • Choose Tatsugiri in battle, even if it uses no moves.
  • Switch to Dondozo, activating Commander:
    • Tatsugiri ends up in Dondozo’s mouth, preventing Dondozo from switching out.
    • Dondozo gets a stat boost in all stats, which is currently the only guaranteed way to achieve this in the game, becoming incredibly powerful.
    • This can be achieved in Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s ranked battles online, too.

The Commander ability doesn’t work if you switch from Mega Tatsugiri to Dondozo in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Switching out Tatsugiri for Dondozo will prevent Commander from activating.

How the Dondozo and Tatsugiri Combo Compares Between PLZA and Gen 9

In Pokemon Legends: Z-A, how stats increase (or decrease) is different than in most other Pokemon games. Usually, stat changes range from +6 to -6, but in this new game, you can potentially raise a stat multiple times with a single attack, like using Swords Dance to increase your Attack by +2.

The way Dondozo and Tatsugiri work together in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is similar to other team-up moves. You need to have Tatsugiri on the field during a double battle, then switch it out for Dondozo to trigger its special ability, Commander. However, there are some key differences between this combo and others.

  • You can activate Dondozo’s Commander ability in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet even if you have Dondozo out and switch Tatsugiri in by its side. In PLZA, you can only activate Commander by switching Tatsugiri for Dondozo.
  • Dondozo’s Commander ability gives it a stat boost of +2 in every stat, instead of a one-time stat boost for all stats.

In Pokemon Legends: Z-A, stat changes can either increase or decrease a Pokemon’s abilities. During ranked battles, you can further enhance these stats using special items: red items boost attack power, while blue items decrease the damage your Pokemon receives.

Why Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Dondozo is OP, and How to Get It

Successful teams in Pokemon Legends: Z-A usually balance strong, attacking Pokemon with those that can withstand hits. A popular tactic involves using a Pokemon that can create both Reflect and Light Screen, which boosts the team’s defense against physical and special attacks.

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A clever strategy involves using a Pokémon that can set up Reflect and Light Screen alongside Tatsugiri and Dondozo. The idea is to set up these defenses, then switch into Tatsugiri and finally Dondozo. This boosts Dondozo’s stats and lowers the damage it receives. While it takes some preparation, both the setup Pokémon and Tatsugiri can attack before switching, maximizing their usefulness and building up Dondozo’s Mega energy. This makes for a very strong team combination.

Why Mega Energy Matters for Dondozo in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Dondozo can’t Mega Evolve, but in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, it can use Plus Moves. When paired with a strong attack stat and maximized Attack IVs and EVs, it becomes a very powerful Pokemon.

To find Dondozo, you’ll need to search a Hyperspace Wild Zone that specializes in Water-type Pokémon and is at least a 3-star location. Dondozo will show up within groups of Tatsugiri, taking the place of one of them.

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2025-12-21 22:37