Pokemon Legends: Z-A is Already Breaking a Massive Tradition With Mega Evolutions

Mega Evolution is a mechanic in the Pokemon series that was first introduced in Pokemon X and Y. Rather than being a traditional type of Pokemon evolution, Mega Evolution is basically a kind of form change that can only be performed by certain Pokemon. The Pokemon that Mega-Evolve turn into stronger and larger variants of themselves, with different appearances and sometimes even types. The Mega Evolution mechanic was largely well-received by fans, and it made a return in several other core series Pokemon games, such as Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Pokemon Sun and Moon, and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu and Eevee.

Although Mega Evolution has been present in the spin-off Pokemon games for quite some time, it hasn’t appeared in a mainline Pokemon installment for approximately seven years. Recent titles in the series have instead had their own unique mechanics. Pokemon Sword and Shield, for example, has Dynamax and Gigantamax transformations, while Pokemon Scarlet and Violet has the Terastal phenomenon. Despite this, however, the Mega Evolution mechanic is finally going to be usable again in the series’ next big entry, Pokemon Legends: Z-A.

Mega Evolution is Going to Work Pretty Differently in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s form of Mega Evolution is going to work pretty differently compared to the usual version of the mechanic. This is, in part, due to the completely new combat system. While other core series Pokemon titles have a turn-based battle system, Pokemon Legends: Z-A has real-time combat, somewhat similar to that of Nintendo’s own Xenoblade Chronicles games. In this game, timing and positioning matter more than anything else during a battle. Mega Evolution, as a result, has been adjusted to fit this new combat style accordingly.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Allows Players to Mega-Evolve Their Pokemon Multiple Times in a Single Battle

On the surface, Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s Mega Evolution mechanic has the same fundamental traits that it does in other games. Like usual, players have to have a Mega Stone to evolve their Pokemon, and the Mega-Evolved Pokemon they unlock all have unique forms. In Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the combat rules around the Mega Evolution mechanic have been changed.

Normally, players can only use the Mega-Evolve ability once during a single battle, and they are only able to do so for one Pokemon. Pokemon Legends: Z-A, however, not only gives players the ability to use Mega Evolution multiple times during a combat encounter, but it also allows them to have multiple Mega-Evolved Pokemon in their party simultaneously.

Differences Between Mega Evolution in the Mainline Pokemon Games

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

• Players can Mega-Evolve only one of their Pokemon once during a battle.
• A Pokemon remains in its Mega-Evolved form until a battle ends or until it faints.
• Players need to have a Pokemon hold its corresponding Mega Stone in order to Mega-Evolve it.
• Only Pokemon captured by trainers can Mega Evolve, not wild Pokemon
• Whenever a Pokemon Mega-Evolves, almost all of their stat and type changes take effect immediately.
• Even if a Pokemon’s Mega Evolution has a higher Speed stat than their usual form, their Speed before Mega-Evolving is used to determine turn order, not their Speed after.

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

• Most of the rules around Mega Evolution are the same as in Gen 6.
• The turn order of a battle is determined by the Speed stat that a Pokemon has after Mega-Evolving, not their Speed before.
• In Let’s Go, Pikachu and Eevee!, players can’t make their Pokemon hold any items, so they only need to have a corresponding Mega Stone in their bag in order to Mega-Evolve.

Generation 9 (Pokemon Legends: Z-A):

• A Pokemon can no longer remain in its Mega-Evolved form indefinitely during a battle. Mega Evolution now has a time limit, which is measured by a bar known as the Mega Gauge.
• Players not only need to have a Mega Stone in order to Mega-Evolve a Pokemon, but they also need to fill up its Mega Gauge during combat.
• A Mega Gauge can be filled either by using moves on enemy Pokemon or by defeating Mega-Evolved Pokemon.
• Mega-Evolved Pokemon now drop orbs of Mega Power, which can be used to slightly extend the time that a Pokemon can maintain its Mega-Evolved form.
• All Mega-Evolved Pokemon have a rainbow-colored aura around them.
• Some wild Pokemon can evolve on their own without the help of any Trainer. This phenomenon is known as Rogue Mega Evolution.

Mega Evolution in Pokemon Legends: Z-A Has a Time Limit

In previous Pokemon games, once a player Mega-Evolved their Pokemon during a battle, it would not devolve until the battle ended or until it fainted. In Pokemon Legends: Z-A, though, there is a time limit on Mega Evolution. Essentially, each Pokemon capable of Mega Evolution in the game has something called a Mega Gauge—a meter that measures the length that they can use the mechanic for.

Players can max out their Pokemon’s Mega Gauges either by using moves on enemy Pokemon or by collecting orbs of Mega Power, which are dropped whenever a Mega-Evolved Pokemon is defeated. These orbs can slightly extend the period of time for which a Pokemon can remain in its Mega-Evolved form.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Trying Something New With Combat and Mega Evolution is a Nice Change of Pace

Recently, some Pokemon fans have voiced complaints about the lack of innovation in the franchise’s recent installments. The new core series, mainline Pokemon games, many have argued, are too similar to each other, and don’t have enough unique mechanics to stand out from the rest of the turn-based RPG crowd.

It seems like Game Freak is taking these criticisms to heart, which is probably why it’s changing the Mega Evolution mechanic and the combat system in the game so much. Even if the new and overhauled features in Pokemon Legends: Z-A won’t be to everyone’s liking, it’s at least nice that the company is trying to do something new for a change, and it’ll be interesting to see how efficient this quality-of-life feature is.