ZA's DLC has a secret "Mega Evolution" that you can easily miss

Pokemon Legends: ZA's Mega Dimension DLC came out less than two weeks ago, and it opened up a lot more doors for in-game replayability than the base game offered, while also introducing some incredible new Mega Evolutions and tons of returning animals. One could argue that the game and its expansion are a letdown because there are no brand new Pokémon or regional forms, but Pokemon Legends: ZAThe DLC's returning Pokémon include several animals from underrepresented regions, such as Alola, Galar, and Paldea. On top of that, there are 19 new Mega Evolutions that are arguably better than the ones in the base game. But a secret can easily go unnoticed.

The concept of Mega Evolution makes a lot of sense within Pokémon universe, as it causes given animals to find temporary power in a new form that is not a permanent evolution, as normal. This translates into gaining 100 more stat points to improve a Pokemon's BST, and the phenomenon can also happen to fully evolved animals, breaking the usual 3-step rule. Mega evolutions in Pokemon Legends: ZA can be quite powerful and use the extra stat points. As such, you should not miss Pokemon Legends: ZAs “Mega Dondozo” to accompany the new Mega Tatsugiri.

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Want to catch them all? Here's how to find all Legendary and Mythical Pokémon in Legends: ZA

Pokemon Legends: ZA's Mega Dimension DLC brings back several legendary and mythical Pokemon, and here's how to catch them all.

Say hello to the 20th DLC Mega Evolution in Pokemon Legends: ZA

Although there is no actual Mega Dondozo in the game, it might surprise you to know, though Pokemon Legends: ZA remove abilities Dondozo actually has Commander as a hidden trait, and it works just like in Gen 9 games. To activate “Mega Dondozo” i PLEASEyou must:

Select Tatsugiri in battle, even if it doesn't use any moves.
Switch to Dondozo, activate Commander:
- Tatsugiri ends up in Dondozo's mouth, preventing Dondozo from switching.
- Dondozo gets a static boost in all stats, which is currently the only guaranteed way to achieve this in the game, and becomes incredibly powerful.
- This can be achieved in Pokemon Legends: ZAs ranked battles online as well.

How Dondozo and Tatsugiri Combo compare between PLZA and Gen 9

Stat boosts in Pokemon Legends: ZA works differently than other mainline games, where they can range all the way from +1 to +6 and even go down to -6. Also, you can technically get multiple stat boost steps in a single swing, such as Swords Dance which gives +2 to Attack.

Mega Tatsugiri in Pokemon Legends ZA Mega Dimension DLC (3)

Pokemon Scarlet and Violets Dondozo and Tatsugiri combo works similarly, as players must have Tatsugiri out in a double battle, then trade a Pokémon in favor of Dondozo to activate Commander. However, the main differences are as follows:

You can activate Dondozo's Commander ability i Pokemon Scarlet and Violet even if you have Dondozo out and trade in Tatsugiri by its side. IN PLEASEyou can only activate Commander by trading Tatsugiri for Dondozo.
Dondozo's Commander ability gives it a +2 static boost in each stat, instead of a one-time stat for all stats.

Stat boosts can only be positive or negative in Pokemon Legends: ZA, but one can further boost a Pokemon's stats with the red item or the blue item in ranked battles, with the former increasing attack power and the latter reducing damage.

Why Pokemon Legends: ZA's Dondozo is OP, and how to get it

Pokemon Legends: ZAs best teams usually use some kind of hyper-aggressive attacker and defensive Pokemon to switch to or lead with. A common strategy is to use a “screen setter” that can use both Reflect and Light Screen, making itself and all Pokémon on the team more resistant to physical and special attacks respectively.

The thing is, a screen setter can be used on a team with Tatsugiri and Dondozo, then switch to Tatsugiri after using Reflect and Light Screen, and finally to Dondozo to get an omni-boost to stats while taking reduced damage overall. This is a very powerful combo, and while it requires a lot of setup, both the screen setter and Tatsugiri can be used to attack before switching out, getting more value out of them and collecting Mega Energy for Dondozo.

Why Mega Energy Matters for Dondozo in Pokemon Legends: ZA

Dondozo has no Mega Evolution, but it can use Plus Moves in Pokemon Legends: ZA. This, combined with an attack boost and max Attack IV and EV can be extremely deadly.

If you're wondering how to get Dondozo, you need to find a Hyperspace Wild Zone with a Water-type focus that is at least a 3-star zone. Dondozo appears in Tatsugiri hordes and replaces a Tatsugiri.