Porygon-Z's Normal typing gives it an immunity to Ghost. Only 1 weaknesses on top of that — it has plenty of safe switch-in opportunities. Adaptability adds more value on top. Known as the Virtual Pokemon. Its damage comes from the special side.
Porygon-Z's built around special offense. Sp. Atk leads the charge, Defense pays for it. Tough to catch, worth 3 Sp. Atk EVs. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
A curious item induced this evolution. The Pokémon’s offensive capabilities have greatly increased, but the strangeness of its behavior has magnified in equal measure. This worries me.
Porygon Z Weakness
GoodType-wise, Porygon Z takes extra damage from Fighting. Ghost moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. With 85 HP and balanced defenses, Porygon Z can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
Porygon Z is one of 2 ways Porygon's chain can end. This one takes the trade route, while the siblings go different directions. Breed through Porygon to get eggs. Porygon Z edges out Porygon2 by 20 total stats (535 vs 515). Sp.Atk is where most of the advantage lives.
How to Evolve
Breed with Porygon-Z to get Porygon eggs (with patience) using 84 partners from the Mineral egg group.
Ditto only
the remaining moves gives Porygon Z answers even while choice-locked. Choice Scarf provides speed patching through item lock, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs with Download mean every prediction that lands hits hard.
Best Build
Best Porygon-Z Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Shadow Ball
- Tera Blast
- Tri Attack
Recommended Teammates
TMs define Porygon Z's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Hyper Beam and Giga Impact, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it Electric and Psychic coverage and more. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
TMs define Porygon Z's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Self-Destruct and Hyper Beam, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 7 types. That's where the options open up.
Porygon Z's movepool balances level-up moves with TM options. Consistent STAB comes from Hyper Beam and Giga Impact, and coverage across 7 types keeps opponents from switching in for free. No major gaps here.
Porygon Z develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Zap Cannon and Hyper Beam show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Porygon-Z isn't available in the wild in Scarlet & Violet. Start by transferring Porygon from Red, Yellow, or Legends: Arceus. The evolution path from Porygon to Porygon-Z is covered in the steps below.
Porygon-Z isn't available in the wild in Legends: Z-A. Start by transferring Porygon from Red, Yellow, or Legends: Arceus. The evolution path from Porygon to Porygon-Z is covered in the steps below.
Porygon-Z's 2-stage line starts with Porygon, which appears at decent rates in the locations below. Level through 2 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
Where To Catch Porygon-Z in Legends: Arceus
Step 1Catch PorygonEASYSpace-Time Distortion - Crimson MirelandsGrassUncommonDistortion
Step 2Porygon-Z ✓CHALLENGINGSpace-Time Distortion - Crimson MirelandsGrassRareDistortionor evolve from Porygon (Step 1)
Porygon-Z can't be caught in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Transfer Porygon from Red, Yellow, or Legends: Arceus and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Don't let Porygon-Z's 535 base stat total fool you. Adaptability is what makes it tick — it punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier as a pivot.
Porygon-Z's biggest threats include Blaziken (Fighting), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Run Adaptability on Porygon-Z. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Porygon-Z also gets Download and Analytic, but they don't compare.
Porygon-Z fills the pivot role. It's leaning toward the special side (base 135 Sp. Atk). Base 90 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Porygon-Z appears in 14 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
Porygon Z has been available in 14 games since Diamond & Pearl, though obtaining it requires a trade evolution. This extra step makes it less common than Pokemon found through standard wild encounters.
- 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 IVDPDebut
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