So, trainers, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is finally out in the wild! If you’re a long-time fan of the series, you won’t take long to adapt to things and learn the new mechanics. However, for newcomers, learning things like Mega Evolutions, move timing, and other gameplay bits can prove to be tricky. To make things easier, we’ve come up with these 10 beginner tips for Pokemon Legends: Z-A that will help you get the right start!
1. Use Your Mega Evolutions
Well, if it isn’t clear already, the main gimmick of Pokemon Legends: Z-A revolves around Mega Evolutions. So, what exactly are they? During battles, certain mons can Mega Evolve, which can transform their appearance and give them a power boost.
This temporary upgrade can even change a Pokemon’s typing. Triggering this would require Key Stones, which will be earned by progressing through the main story. So, make sure not to skip out on any of this.
2. Time Your Moves
One major addition in Pokemon Legends: Z-A is the revamped battle system. Unlike the traditional turn-based format, this game brings us a pseudo-realtime battle system that allows you to move around during combat and then command your Pokemon.
Timing is going to be very crucial in this game, and mindlessly spamming your abilities won’t be an easy way out. Make sure your moves land at the right time while keeping an eye on your enemy’s attack. There’s also a cooldown mechanic for your abilities to manage.
3. Pick Up Everything You See
When you’re exploring Lumios City in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, battling trainers and catching mons, don’t overlook the shiny items you can find on the ground. Every glittering object that you can pick up can be used, traded, or sold, and you’ll definitely need cash early in the game, especially if you’re planning to grab some fresh drip!
4. Stay Away From Enemies
When you’re facing off against trainers or wild Pokemon, keeping your distance can make dodging attacks much easier, which can prove to be necessary in tough battles.
Once you have multiple Pokemon on your team, you can easily switch between them mid-fight, and with good timing, you can even evade incoming attacks completely. Keep in mind, each time a new Pokemon is summoned onto the field, there’s a window where it’s vulnerable to damage. So, make sure to time your swaps carefully.
5. Use Catching Indicator
If you’re someone who likes to sneak and catch Pokemon without fighting them, there’s a new mechanic to help you. Take a look at the capture indicator next, which will show the chances of success. A single white arrow means that the Pokemon is likely to escape. Two yellow arrows mean a low chance of capture. Three arrows mean a 50/50 chance, but four green arrows mean the Pokemon will likely stay in the Poke Ball.
6. Fight and Catch Pokemon
If you’re looking to level up quickly in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the best strategy we’ve found is to battle every single Pokemon you encounter, defeat them, and then catch them afterward.
Why do this? Well, because you’ll experience twice, once for knocking them out, and then again for catching them in a ball. It’s currently the best and most efficient way to gain XP, especially during early to mid-stages of the game. You’ll be able to make your Pokémon stronger and take on more difficult enemies, which is essential to progress.
7. Complete Pokedex Objectives
Catching Pokemon isn’t just about earning XP; it also helps you complete Pokedex objectives. You’ll have a bunch of these tasks, and you must do them as they can reward you with valuable items that make your adventure smoother. The one reward you’ll get at Level 4 is the TM Protect, which is one of the most useful moves in the game.
When you’ve timed that properly, it will protect your mons from both damage and status effects, especially when other things are on cooldown. We’ve equipped half of our Pokémon with Protect during the early game, and it has saved us multiple times.
8. Always Check For New Moves
Other than TMs, your Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A will occasionally come up with new move ideas on their own. However, the game won’t ask you when this happens. So, be sure to check their movesets regularly; you might find new moves that can help you give the edge you need against certain opponents or help you turn the tide in tough battles where effective moves matter.
9. You Can Still Use Manual Save
When it comes to catching Pokemon, and shiny hunting, there’s one big chance in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, you can no longer disable autosave. Although the game only autosaves during major story cutscenes or when you fast travel.
You can still manually save the same by pressing the R button in the main menu. If you save right before finding a rare Pokemon like a shiny, and avoid fast traveling, resetting the game will place you back in the same spot with the same Pokemon still there. Just keep in mind that this doesn’t work during battles.
10. You Can Collect Missed Poke Balls
If you’re struggling with catching Pokemon and missing your throws, Game Freak has something for you. Pokemon Legends: Z-A has a helpful NPC who collects all the balls you’ve missed and gives them back to you for absolutely free. You can find this collector right outside every Pokemon center in the game, and simply talking to him will return your missed balls.
With that said, are you enjoying Pokemon Legends: Z-A? Let us know in the comments below.
