ZA's new DLC Mega Evolutions is a sleeper pick in Pokemon Champions

I have played Pokemon Legends: ZA for almost 700 hours now, and while I didn't love some parts of it, like the long tutorial and lots of fist bumps throughout the story, I think it was an exceptional Pokémon games in terms of games. Maybe this is a hot take, but I really liked it Pokemon Legends: ZAs live battle system with no twists, and while it had its flaws, it was a lot of fun building teams that could do well in the meta as well as use Pokémon that would never be viable in VGC. I also liked the story-based acquisition of Mega Stones, although it was limiting for team building purposes.

When the Mega Dimension DLC came out, I was very excited to discover all the new Mega Evolutions in it, and I'm really happy with some of them. Mega Scovillain is possibly my favorite, or at least in the top three, but I love so many of them that I'd have a hard time choosing my favorites overall. Mega Golurk is another one that piqued my interest right away, as soon as it was leaked as one of the new Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: ZAs DLC, and the design was truly amazing. Now this Pokemon is available in Pokemon championand it can be a very powerful pick in the current meta despite its very low usage rate.

Pokemon Legends: ZA's official artwork for Eternal Flower Floette blurred with a Pokemon Champions recruitment background image

Pokemon Champion's best Pokemon are locked behind a $70 paywall

Pokemon Champions just came out, and the best Pokemon in the game is locked behind another title that will cost you $70 and many hours of your time.

Why you should use Mega Golurk in Pokemon Champions

One of the reasons why Mega Golurk is so strong is because it has the ability Unseen Fist, which made Urshifu one of the best Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet when it comes to competitive gaming. Previously, Unseen Fist could deal damage even through Protect at 100% speed, making it completely broken and making Protect much less reliable whenever Urshifu was on the field. Now, Pokemon champion nerfed the ability to have 25% of damage go through Protect, which I think is a good way to balance it out.

Even still, Pokemon Legends: ZAs Mega Golurk uses Unseen Fist very well thanks to its incredibly high attack stat and powerful moves. Mega Golurk's stats in general are very good, with 89 HP, 159 Attack, 105 Defense, 70 Special Attack, 105 Special Defense and 55 Speed. It has respectable bulk and one of the highest offensive stats in the game, while gaining Ursaluna's signature move, Headlong Rush.

Why Mega Golurk isn't used often in Pokemon Champions

So if Mega Golurk is so strong, it begs the question of why it's so rare to see inside Pokemon champion. There are a few reasons for this:

  • Mega Golurk is extremely slow, meaning it must be used in Trick Room teams i Pokemon champion. However, these are usually harder to control than balance teams or weather teams, and the best Trick Room setter right now is Farigiraf. However, since this Pokémon is so common, most teams are prepared to counter it, and most players expect it to actually use Trick Room.

  • Mega Golurk is a Ghost-type Pokemon, which is good on one hand because it's immune to Fake Out, but it's bad on the other hand because of the meta. Some of the best Pokemon in Pokemon championBasculegion and Kingambit are everywhere, and the former's Last Respects or the latter's Sucker Punch and Kowtow Cleave can deal significant damage to Mega Golurk.

  • There aren't many good Ghost-type moves to use on Mega Golurk, so it has to rely on Poltergeist. However, in a Berry format, Poltergeist's ability to only hit Pokemon holding an item can be a disadvantage.

Benefits of using Mega Golurk in Pokemon Champions explained

Still, Mega Golurk has a lot to offer. Commonly used with Poltergeist, Headlong Rush, Ice Punch, and Protect, this Pokemon has incredible coverage and can dish out tons of damage. In Trick Room, it can be a threat against most teams in the format, and it can even be used on sun teams in Pokemon champion by bringing a Torkoal and maybe even a Chlorophyll Venusaur (or Mega Venusaur).

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GameRant Quiz

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Although it is weak to water, it can do very well against rainy conditions Pokemon champion since it can OHKO Basculegion with Poltergeist and do significant damage to Archaludon with Headlong Rush, pairing it with something to take care of Pelipper completely clears the field for Mega Golurk. Likewise, swapping in a Torkoal to change the weather means that Pelipper's Weather Ball no longer deals water damage, and Archaludon can no longer use Electro Shot for one turn.

On top of that, since Mega Golurk can dish out damage through Protect with Unseen Fist, it's almost always in a position where attacking is a good option, and it reduces the chances of wasting Trick Room if the opponent uses Protect on both of their Pokémon. For all these reasons, Mega Golurk is actually a very strong contender for the best dual battle teams in Pokemon championand I think you should try it.


pokemon-za-cover-art-1

Pokemon Legends: ZA

System

super grayscale 8-bit logo

Released

16 October 2025

ESRB

All 10+ / Fantasy violence, in-game purchase


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