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.
In order to create a more advanced Pokémon, an additional program was installed, but apparently it contained a defect that makes it move oddly.
Its program was modified to facilitate extra-dimensional activities, but that led to noticeably strange behavior.
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) from the Mineral egg group.
Nothing fancy here. Porygon Z builds around Normaliumz for extra utility, Timid nature for the right stat lean, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs. Adaptability does its job quietly.
Best Build
Best Porygon-Z Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Conversion
- Shadow Ball
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
The chain to Porygon-Z requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Porygon at moderate rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
How to Obtain Porygon-Z in Sun & Moon
Step 1Catch PorygonRoute 15 - Aether HouseSunGift from NPCLv.30MidRoutePost-Elite FourRoute 15 - Aether HouseMoonGift from NPCLv.30MidRoutePost-Elite Four
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 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 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