This is the biggest revolution in the history of the mainline Pokémon games: in Legends Z-A, battles take place in real time. No more turn-based play, PP or accuracy; instead you get cooldowns, positioning and dodging. Here is everything you need to know to master this new system.
The basics
- You and your Pokémon move freely. Your character moves around the arena; your Pokémon follows and positions itself to attack.
- Each move has its own cooldown. Once used, a move is unavailable for a few seconds (more or less depending on its power). There are no more PP: you can reuse a move as many times as you like, as soon as it has recharged.
- Range matters. Some moves strike up close, others from a distance or over an area. Your Pokémon has to move in for the former, and it can dodge enemy attacks if well positioned.
- You can switch Pokémon at any time, without losing a turn: it’s a major tactical weapon for answering opposing types.
- Your character can get hurt. Wild Pokémon attacks (and even those of your own Pokémon if you stay in their area of effect) hit you. The edge of the screen darkens, then turns red: move away to recover.
Surprise attacks
Using a move on a Pokémon or Trainer that hasn’t spotted you yet triggers a surprise attack. The battle starts with a clear advantage, and a fragile Pokémon can be knocked out in a single hit. Approach crouching, from behind, or from tall grass and bushes. The reverse is also true: if a Trainer catches you by surprise, your Pokémon is stunned for a moment.
Plus moves
A mastered move can be used in its Plus version. It costs one segment of the Mega Power gauge, but:
More power
Offensive moves gain around 25% power, and super effective hits hurt even more.
More effect
Status moves get a longer duration or stronger effect (bigger healing, higher chances of a secondary effect…).
Protect-piercing
Protect and Detect don’t fully block a Plus move.
How do you master a move? Your Pokémon naturally masters the moves it learns by leveling up, usually 5 to 10 levels after learning them. Alpha Pokémon arrive with moves already mastered. For moves learned through TMs, there is only one solution: bring a Mastery Seed to Josée at the Justice Dojo (Jaune Sector). Mastery Seeds are mostly obtained by defeating or catching Alpha Pokémon.
Mega Evolution
- Your Pokémon must hold its Mega Stone, and you must wear a Mega Ring (given at mission 10).
- The Mega Power gauge fills as your Pokémon attack. When full, it lets you trigger Mega Evolution with a press of the right stick.
- Once Mega Evolved, the Pokémon gains stats and all of its moves become Plus moves. The gauge then drains gradually; at zero, it returns to its normal form.
- Recalling a Mega Evolved Pokémon freezes its gauge: recharge it with another Pokémon, then send it back into battle to enjoy a second Mega Evolution.
- With the expansion, Mega Evolution Z (Absol, Lucario, Garchomp) speeds up moves even more, at the cost of a gauge that drains faster.
Status conditions
They work a little differently from previous games, and sleep is gone in favor of drowsiness.
| Condition | Effect in Legends Z-A |
|---|---|
| Burn | Gradual HP loss, weakened physical moves. |
| Confusion | The Pokémon behaves erratically, for example not returning to you in a straight line. |
| Drowsiness | Move cooldowns get longer. |
| Freeze | The Pokémon can’t move or attack for a while. Some moves thaw it out. |
| Paralysis | The Pokémon’s movement is slowed. |
| Poison | Gradual HP loss, including outside battle as long as the Pokémon is out. |
No Abilities, but passive effects
Abilities don’t exist in Legends Z-A: an Eelektross doesn’t have Levitate, and a Gengar gets no defensive Ability. A few Pokémon do have special mechanics, though: Aegislash changes form when attacking or with King’s Shield, Mimikyu takes its first hit without damage, Morpeko changes form and the type of Aura Wheel, and Tatsugiri can lodge itself inside Dondozo if both are on your team.
Weather
The weather changes at the start of the day, at the start of the night and sometimes hour by hour. Harsh sunlight boosts Fire-type moves by 50% and weakens Water; rain does the opposite. Weather also affects appearances: Riolu and Helioptile come out in the sun, Goomy and Sliggoo in the rain.
