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.
Its programming was modified to enable work in alien dimensions. It did not work as planned.
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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 49 partners from the Mineral egg group.
Ditto only
Electric coverage is what separates a good sweep from a wasted boost. After Agility, Porygon Z threatens a wide range with max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs and Choice Scarf backing every hit.
Best Build
Best Porygon-Z Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Tri Attack
- Thunderbolt
- Agility
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
A trade step sits in Porygon-Z's 2-stage line from Porygon. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Porygon shows up at decent rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
How to Obtain Porygon-Z in Black & White
Step 1Catch PorygonEASYWhite ForestGrassLv.5UncommonEarlyForestAny
Step 2Porygon-Z ✓
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 C-Tier as a wallbreaker.
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 wallbreaker role. It's a special attacker with 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