Mega Evolution makes its long-awaited return in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, giving trainers the power to temporarily transform certain Pokémon into stronger, enhanced forms. To access this feature, you’ll first need to unlock the Mega Ring and collect Mega Stones. Here’s a quick guide on how to get the Mega Ring, understand Mega Evolution mechanics, and make the most of Mega Shards.
How to Obtain the Mega Ring
The Mega Ring becomes accessible as a part of the main story. Continue playing until you are at Main Mission 9: “Chase the Mysterious Pokémon.” You will have to be at Rank V in order to activate it. At this point, a Zygarde will spawn outside Hotel Z, starting the mission.
You follow Zygarde to a rooftop cutscene where you observe an Absol experience a messy Mega Evolution. Recently, unexplained occurrences in Lumiose City have resulted in wild Pokémon Mega Evolving out of any trainer’s control — a process that tees up what ensues.
During this encounter, AZ arrives and offers you his Lucario and Mega Ring to help stop Absol’s transformation. Once you win the battle and finish Mission 9, the Mega Ring becomes yours permanently, and the Absol you encountered will also join your party.
Learning How Mega Evolution Works
Completing Mission 9 automatically unlocks Mission 10: “The Secrets of Mega Evolution.” This is where the game formally explains how to use the mechanic.
Only a select group of Pokémon can Mega Evolve, and each needs its specific Mega Stone to do so. When Absol joins your team, you’ll receive an Absolite, but it won’t be equipped by default.
Early in this mission, Taunie or Urbain challenges you to a battle, during which you’ll be shown how to assign held items. Give Absol its Absolite before starting the fight.
During battle, your Mega Evolution gauge fills gradually. Once it reaches full capacity, press the right stick (R↓) to activate Mega Evolution. The Pokémon will assume its Mega form, boosting both power and endurance. This form is temporary — when the gauge empties, it will revert to its usual state. You can refill the gauge again to repeat the transformation.
To sum it up: progress through Mission 9 to earn your Mega Ring and Absol, complete Mission 10 to learn how Mega Evolution works, and use Mega Shards at Quasartico Inc. to expand your Mega Stone collection. Once you’ve got the setup ready, you can temporarily supercharge select Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A and experience the thrill of battle in a whole new way.
