Mega Evolutions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A provides a thrilling twist to combat, allowing some Pokémon to temporarily achieve their maximum potential. This guide takes you through all the Mega forms, locating Mega Stones and shards, and battling the Rogue Mega bosses located throughout Lumiose City. Whether you’re gearing up for tough boss battles or strategizing with your team, tips here will help you optimize Mega Evolution’s strength in every battle.
When Do Mega Evolutions Unlock
You will first be introduced to Mega Pokémon roughly in the middle of the game in Main Mission 9: “Chase That Mysterious Pokémon.” When this mission is complete, Mega Evolution is officially a part of your play. Afterward, new systems, challenges, and battles will be introduced.
As soon as you have access to Mega Evolution, there are several important adjustments made to the game’s rhythm. You will notice Mega Stones start to show up as rare drops, or items available for purchase, and each will allow players to Mega Evolve a specific Pokémon. Trainers of rank E or better in the Z-A Royale will now bring Mega Pokémon to the match as their aces, and the matches will be much more exciting.
Defeating these opponents can also reward you with valuable Technical Machines (TMs) to strengthen your team. And as if that wasn’t enough, powerful Rogue Mega Pokémon begin appearing across Lumiose City in multi-phase boss encounters — conquer them to earn their corresponding Mega Stones.
How Mega Evolution Works
Only certain Pokémon have the ability to Mega Evolve, and doing so requires two key conditions: the Pokémon must be in its final evolutionary stage (with a few story-related exceptions), and it needs to hold the correct Mega Stone unique to its species.
During battles, you’ll need to charge your Mega Energy meter — this fills up through attacking enemies or collecting glowing orbs dropped by Rogue Megas. Once the meter is full, switch to your Pokémon holding its Mega Stone and press the right stick to trigger the transformation.
Note: Keep in mind that Mega Evolution is temporary. The form fades once the energy depletes unless you keep gathering more orbs to extend its duration.
Where to Find Mega Stones
In the Stone Emporium (South Lumiose City), your first batch of Mega Stones can be bought here using gold or prize money.
| Mega Stone | Price |
| Abomasite | 50,000 |
| Garchompite | 70,000 |
| Charizardite X | 100,000 |
| Charizardite Y | 100,000 |
| Gengarite | 50,000 |
| Blastoisinite | 100,000 |
| Scizorite | 50,000 |
| Medichamite | 50,000 |
| Steelixite | 70,000 |
The second major vendor, Quasartico Inc., deals in Mega Stones sold for Mega Shards instead of cash. You can collect these shards by breaking pink crystal clusters found across the map. Prices vary between 180 to 360 shards, depending on the Pokémon.
Rogue Mega Pokémon Boss Battles
After unlocking Mega Evolution, you’ll face a string of intense Rogue Mega battles, each with unique hazards and ally assists that raise the stakes every time.
Mega Absol appears first in Mission 9, joined briefly by a Mega Lucario ally. Watch for its ultimate charge attack — retreat quickly to dodge the massive explosion. Defeating it grants Absol’s Mega Stone, marking your first real step into the Mega tier.
Next come three solo fights aided by your teammates Urbain, Lida, and Naveen. Mega Slowbro whips up spinning cyclones, Mega Camerupt rains molten rocks, and Mega Victreebel leaves poisonous puddles that punish slow movement.
The third round focuses on speed and trickery. Beedrill fires homing stingers, Hawlucha dives from above in crushing slams, and Banette duplicates itself — hit the wrong one, and you’ll trigger explosions.
Things heat up with Mawile, Barbaracle, and Ampharos. Mawile scatters timed orbs, Barbaracle charges with brute force, and Ampharos floods the arena with lightning fields. Staying mobile is your only chance.
Later, Froslass, Altaria, and Venusaur mix ice, wind, and nature-based attacks. Froslass traps you with ice pillars, Altaria spawns slow tornadoes, and Venusaur lashes out with vines and a tracking beam.
The final wave brings Dragonite, Tyranitar, and Starmie. Dragonite’s arena-wide Hyper Beam, Tyranitar’s ground eruptions, and Starmie’s relentless Bubble Beams make this one of the toughest fights in the game — agility and timing are everything.
Important: The final stretch of Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a multi-round Mega Pokémon gauntlet. Start with Mega Gengar and Mega Heracross, then face Mega Kangaskhan, Garchomp, Pidgeot, Blastoise, Steelix, Aggron, Salamence, Gardevoir, and Gallade. The ultimate showdown pits Mega Alakazam, Aerodactyl, and Metagross against your team. Stay mobile, control areas, and use defensive moves to survive.
Mega Evolutions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A redefine the rhythm of battle. They’re not just about spectacle — they introduce deeper layers of strategy, energy management, and reward progression. Whether you’re collecting shards, mastering timed transformations, or hunting down Rogue Megas, each encounter pushes your tactical creativity to new heights. Prepare your team, plan your evolutions carefully, and see just how powerful these legendary forms can become.
