Pokemon Legends: ZA has effectively rendered the long-time staple Substitute almost completely useless, as the real-time battle system allows trainers to bypass it via strong attacks and moves. Although replacement is still available as a technical machine move in Pokemon Legends: ZAit's not worth putting in a moveset because of the game's fast-paced battles.
In the traditional turn-based combat system used by most Pokémon mainline game since Gen 1, Substitute creates a decoy for its user at a cost of 25% of its maximum HP. This decoy then takes damage in place of the main user, although the Substitute will break after taking enough damage. Having a replacement on the field allows a Pokémon to survive an attack that would otherwise knock it out in one hit, giving it time to counterattack or retreat. Using Substitute effectively is a viable defensive strategy in competition Pokémon battles, and almost every Pokemon can learn it from now on Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Substitute Is All But Useless in Pokemon Legends: ZA
Although Substitute can still be used to avoid taking in debuffs Pokemon Legends: ZAits practical use in a battle is disputed due to the game's combat system. Unlike before Pokémon game, Pokemon Legends: ZA uses a real-time action battle system similar to Xenoblade Chronicles series, where moves have short cooldowns and can be used freely otherwise. However, Pokemon Legends: ZAs movement also allows trainers to set up or dodge attacks that have a specific range. Even if you use Substitute, it still places a decoy on the field that can be targeted by an opponent's trainer, but it doesn't prevent its user from being attacked anyway, making it more of a distraction than a useful move in Pokemon Legends: ZAs ranked battles.
Additionally, the purpose of a Substitute to take damage in place of its user is rendered impossible by certain AOE attacks. Moves that deal damage in a straight line, such as Ice Beam, Flamethrower, and Hydro Pump, can go right through a substitute and hit its user at the same time. Some of the best Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: ZAlike Gyarados and Dragonite, can easily punch through a substitute and hit their intended target.
While Substitute remains a viable turn-based choice Pokémon battles for defensive purposes, the rapid pace of Pokemon Legends: ZAs combat system has unfortunately made using Substitute a pointless endeavor. It remains to be seen Pokémons next main generation will return to the traditional turn-based battle format, or if Pokemon Legends: ZAs real-time combat is here to stay.
- Released
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16 October 2025
- ESRB
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All 10+ / Fantasy violence, in-game purchase
Source: ComicBook
