ZA is already breaking a massive tradition of mega developments

Mega Evolution is a mechanic in Pokemon series first introduced in Pokemon x and y. Instead of being a traditional type of Pokemon development, Mega Evolution is basically a kind of form change that can only be performed by some Pokemon. Pokemon like Mega-Evolve turns into stronger and larger variants by themselves, with different appearance and sometimes even types. Mega Evolution Mechanic was largely well received by fans, and it made a return in several other core series Pokemon Games, for example Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha SapphireThe Pokemon Sun and Moonand Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu And eevee.

Although Mega Evolution has been present in spin-off Pokemon Games for quite some time, it has not appeared in a main line Pokemon installment for about seven years. New titles in the series have instead had their own unique mechanics. Pokemon Sword and ShieldHas, for example, Dynamax and Gigantamax transformations, while Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Has the terastal phenomenon. Despite this, however, Mega Evolution Mechanics will finally be useful again in the next big entry of the series, Pokemon Legends: ZA.

Mega Evolution will work quite differently in Pokemon Legends: ZA

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Pokemon Legends: ZAThe form of Mega Evolution will work quite differently compared to the usual version of the mechanic. This is partly due to the brand new combat system. While other nuclear series Pokemon Titles have a turn -based combat system, Pokemon Legends: ZA have real -time battle, something similar to Nintendo's own Xenoblade Chronicles game. In this game, the time and positioning are more than anything else during a battle. Mega Evolution has been adjusted as a result to fit this new combat style accordingly.

Pokemon Legends Hands on gameplay

Pokemon Legends: ZA allows players to develop their pokemon several times in a single battle

On the surface, Pokemon Legends: ZAMega Evolution mechanics have the same basic qualities as it does in other games. As usual, players must have a mega to develop their Pokémon, and the mega-developed Pokémon that they unlock all have unique shapes. IN Pokemon Legends: ZAThe combat rules around the mega development mechanic have changed.

Normally, players can only use the mega-evolve ability once during a single battle, and they can only do it for a pokemon. Pokemon Legends: ZAHowever, not only does the players give the ability to use Mega Evolution several times during a battle meeting, but it can also have several mega-developed Pokémon in their party at the same time.

Differences between Mega Evolution in Mainline Pokemon games

Pokemon presents Mega Dragonite

Generation 6 (Pokemon X and Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire):

  • Players can mega-develop only one of their Pokémon once during a battle.

  • A pokemon remains in its mega-developed form until a battle ends or until it faints.

  • Players must have a Pokémon to hold their corresponding mega to mega-develop it.

  • Only Pokemon caught by coaches can mega develop, not wild pokemon

  • Each time a Pokémon-Mega-Evolves, almost all of their state and type changes come immediately.

  • Although a Pokemon's mega development has a higher speed state than their usual form, their speed is used before mega development to determine the swing order, not their speed after.

Generation 7 (Pokemon Sun and Moon, Let's Go, Pikachu and Eevee!):

  • Most of the rules on Mega Evolution are the same as in Gen 6.

  • The turn order on a battle is determined by the speed state that a pokemon has after mega development, not their speed before.

  • IN Let's go, pikachu and eevee!Players cannot get their Pokémon to hold any items, so they just need a corresponding mega in their bag to mega-volve.

Generation 9 (Pokemon Legends: ZA):

  • A Pokémon can no longer remain in its mega-developed form indefinitely during a battle. Mega Evolution now has a time limit, which is measured by a stack called the mega meter.

  • Players not only need a mega to mega-develop a Pokémon, but they also have to fill their megam meters during the battle.

  • A mega meter can be filled either by using movements on enemy Pokemon or by defeating mega-developed Pokemon.

  • Mega-developed Pokémon is now releasing Orbs of Megakraft, which can be used to slightly extend the time that a Pokémon can maintain its mega-developed form.

  • All mega-developed Pokemon has a rainbow-colored aura around it.

  • Some wild Pokémon can develop on their own without the help of any coach. This phenomenon is known as Rogue Mega Evolution.

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Mega Evolution in Pokemon Legends: ZA has a time limit

Previous Pokemon Games, when a player Mega developed his Pokémon during a battle, it would not develop until the battle ended or until it fainted. IN Pokemon Legends: ZABut there is a time limit for the mega development. In essence, every pokemon that knows mega evolution in the game has something called a mega meter – a meter that measures the length they can use the mechanic for.

Players can maximize their Pokemon's mega meter either by using movements on enemy Pokémon or by collecting Orbs by Megakraft, which is dropped when a mega-developed Pokemon is defeated. These Orbs can slightly extend the time period that a Pokémon can remain in their mega-developed form.

Apart from the new mega development confirmed for the base game, Pokemon Legends: ZA Seems to add more mega developments through DLC after launch.

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Pokemon Legends: ZA tries something new with battle and Mega Evolution is a pleasant change

Recently some Pokemon Fans have expressed complaints about the lack of innovation in Franchiset's latest payments. The new nuclear series, mainline Pokemon Games, many have claimed, are too similar and do not have enough unique mechanics to stand out from the rest of the toured RPG audience.

It seems that Game Freak takes this criticism to the heart, which is probably why it changes the Mega Evolution mechanic and the combat system in the game so much. Although the new and reviewing features in Pokemon Legends: ZA Will not be for everyone's taste, it is at least nice that the company is trying to do something new for a change, and it will be interesting to see how effective this quality of life function is.


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System

Super Greyscale 8-bit logo


Published

October 16, 2025

ESRB

All 10+ / Fantasy violence, purchases in the game


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