Legends: Z-A brings Mega Evolution back to the center of Pokemon. Set in Lumiose City, it combines the Legends: Arceus action RPG format with Kalos's region and a roster built around Mega forms. New Mega Evolutions debut alongside returning favorites, and the battle system uses Agile and Strong styles from Legends: Arceus. Your Mega pick shapes your whole team since only one can Mega Evolve per battle. The Mega Dimension DLC expands the game with additional Megas and postgame content.
- Elite Pokemon
- Base Stat Total of 600+i
- Legendary
- Story-central, catchable in-gamei
- Mythical
- Rare, event-exclusivei
- BST
- Base Stat Total (sum of all 6 stats)i
- Fast with strong offensei
- Bulky with good offensei
- Very high offense, slowi
- Extremely bulky, low offensei
- High offense but fragilei
- Bulky support, low offensei
- Fast utility, momentum controli
Mega Evolution defines the tier list. Pokemon with strong Mega forms (Mega Charizard, Mega Lucario, Mega Gardevoir) sit at the top since only one Pokemon can Mega Evolve per battle, making your Mega slot the most important team decision. New Mega forms introduced in Z-A shake up the meta compared to the Gen 6 originals. Check the tier list above for current rankings including Mega Dimension DLC additions.
Completely different gameplay. Z-A uses the Legends: Arceus engine with action RPG mechanics — you can catch Pokemon in the overworld without battling, and battles use Agile Style (faster, weaker) and Strong Style (stronger, slower). It's set specifically in Lumiose City rather than all of Kalos. Mega Evolution is the core mechanic instead of just one feature. And ranked battles are built in from the start.
Mega Evolution returns as the central battle mechanic. One Pokemon on your team can Mega Evolve per battle, gaining boosted stats and sometimes a new type or ability. Z-A introduces new Mega forms not seen in X & Y or ORAS, alongside all the returning Megas. Choosing which Pokemon gets your Mega slot is the biggest team building decision since it defines your ace.
Similar foundation. You still have Agile Style (act first, reduced power) and Strong Style (increased power, act later) moves, and catching Pokemon in the overworld carries over. Z-A adds ranked competitive battles though, which Legends: Arceus didn't have. Mega Evolution is layered on top of the Agile/Strong system, giving you more tactical options per turn.
The Mega Dimension DLC (released December 2025) expands Z-A with new Mega Evolutions, additional Pokemon, and postgame challenges. It adds depth to the endgame and shifts the competitive tier list with new Mega forms that weren't in the base game. If you're playing ranked, the DLC additions are relevant to the current meta.
Pokemon HOME compatibility is planned for spring 2026. Once available, you can transfer Pokemon from Z-A to HOME, but Pokemon sent to Z-A can't be returned to older Switch titles. This means Z-A Pokemon will move forward to future games, not backward. For now, your Z-A roster stays in Z-A.
Yes. Unlike Legends: Arceus, Z-A has built-in ranked battles with seasonal formats. The ranked meta revolves around Mega Evolution picks since your Mega choice defines team composition. It's a fully competitive Pokemon game with both casual story content and serious ranked play.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB

Red & Blue - Gen IIGS

Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS

Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG

FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS

HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP

Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW

Black & White - Gen VB2W2

Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY

X & Y - Gen VIORAS

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM

Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM

Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE

Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh

Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV

Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen XWW

Winds & Waves