Pokémon Legends: Z-A offers a fresh twist on the traditional Pokémon formula, allowing players to explore new regions, catch rare Pokémon, and of course, evolve them into their full potential. Whether you're a new player or a seasoned trainer, understanding the evolution chains of Pokémon in this game is crucial to maximizing your team’s strength. In this guide, we’ll walk through some of the essential evolution chains you’ll encounter, give you tips on how to catch and evolve Pokémon, and share some tricks to make your journey smoother.
At the heart of Pokémon Legends: Z-A lies the mechanic of evolution. Unlike other entries in the series, where evolution is often triggered by leveling up or using Evolution Stones, Legends: Z-A introduces a more flexible system where different evolution methods are spread throughout the game. You’ll encounter a variety of conditions such as time of day, friendship level, and specific items that are required to evolve your Pokémon.
There are several common ways Pokémon evolve in Legends: Z-A:
Leveling Up: Some Pokémon simply need to reach a certain level to evolve. For example, starting with a Pokémon like Eevee, which evolves into Vaporeon when exposed to a Water Stone, still holds true here but with extra complexities like new evolutions and forms depending on the region.
Friendship Evolution: Many Pokémon in this game evolve based on their bond with you, the trainer. One popular example is Togepi, which will evolve into Togetic once your friendship level is high enough. It’s worth noting that you can speed up the process by using items like the Soothe Bell to increase friendship more quickly.
Time of Day: Pokémon like Eevee also evolve depending on whether it's day or night. This can make a big difference when you’re trying to evolve certain Pokémon like Umbreon or Espeon.
Evolution Stones: Items like Fire Stones, Thunder Stones, and Water Stones still hold weight in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and they are essential for certain evolutions, like the evolution of Growlithe into Arcanine.
In addition to the regular evolution chains, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has some rare and Legendary Pokémon that require unique conditions. Some Pokémon only evolve during special events or by meeting certain requirements, like catching specific Pokémon or completing unique tasks.
For example, you might need to evolve a specific Legendary Pokémon like Gible into Garchomp, which requires not just high-level training but also finding rare items and special evolvers located in hard-to-find spots. These challenges may seem daunting, but they make the reward of finally evolving these rare creatures even sweeter.
For those who don’t mind spending a little bit of money to speed up their Pokémon evolution journey, you can actually buy shiny Pokémon from various sources. While it’s always satisfying to catch them on your own, purchasing shiny Pokémon is a great option for those who want to skip the grind.
If you’re looking to buy shiny Pokémon, keep in mind that there are marketplaces where Legends ZA Pokémon are for sale, such as U4GM. These platforms offer a wide variety of rare and shiny Pokémon that you can add to your collection without the hassle of grinding through the game’s wild areas. Just remember, these transactions don’t affect your in-game experience directly, but they can give you a bit of an edge in building your team faster.
Some Pokémon have particularly interesting or rare evolution chains that are worth hunting down. Here are a few examples that stand out in Legends: Z-A:
Mimikyu to Mimikyu’s True Form: Mimikyu's evolution line is not just about growing stronger—it’s about discovering the true form beneath its disguise. This process requires players to uncover special conditions that are more difficult to find than most.
Galarian Evolution Lines: For players who are familiar with the Galar region from Pokémon Sword and Shield, you’ll find that certain Galarian forms of Pokémon (like Galarian Zigzagoon) have unique evolution chains in Legends: Z-A. These evolutions can be influenced by their new environment, adding a layer of complexity to their growth.
Eevee’s Special Evolutions: You might already know Eevee’s potential evolutions like Flareon, Jolteon, and Vaporeon, but in Legends: Z-A, you’ll encounter even more evolutions depending on the region. Keep an eye out for these hidden evolutions—they can be hard to find but are incredibly rewarding.
Use Items Like Evolution Stones and Berries: Evolutionary items are scattered throughout the game, but make sure you always keep a stock of important ones like Evolution Stones and Berries that boost your Pokémon’s friendship levels. Don’t be afraid to invest time into searching for rare items—they’ll make your evolution process faster.
Focus on High Friendship Pokémon: Some of the best evolutions come from raising your Pokémon’s friendship. If you want to evolve Pokémon like Togepi into Togekiss, remember that friendship is key. Spend time training and battling with your Pokémon to raise their affection.
Trade for Special Evolutions: Some Pokémon evolve when traded, like Machoke into Machamp. If you don’t have the right item, trading is a good alternative method to get the evolutions you want. Try connecting with friends or checking online trading platforms to get access to Pokémon that evolve this way.
Evolving your Pokémon is one of the most rewarding parts of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Not only does it allow you to see your Pokémon grow stronger, but it also helps you complete your Pokédex and prepare for tougher battles ahead. Whether you're grinding through regular evolutions or hunting down rare, Legendary Pokémon, the evolution system in this game offers plenty of variety and fun.
Remember, evolving Pokémon isn’t just about getting stronger—it's about enjoying the process. While you can always choose to buy shiny Pokémon or special Legendary Pokémon from places like U4GM or other trading platforms, don’t forget to take the time to enjoy the thrill of evolving your Pokémon the old-fashioned way, too.