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Pokémon Legends: Z-A General Discussion

I personally believe it'll be late November / December, usually I wouldn't suggest DLC would be out so close to the base game but I feel there's several things which kinda add up

- DLC was meant for September this year, so it's pretty much done and to keep them "on-track", they'd release it soon
- Capitalising on software and hardware sales for Q4/Holiday period
- There was a leak about Champions that got a few things correct that also said Jan 2026 is the release date, considering Worlds will mostly use Champions, this also lines up
- I imagine they'd want all of the new Megas out and ready to use in their big "Tera vs Megas" opening regulations, so if Jan 2026 is the release then Nov-Dec makes sense again

And this one I'm not so sure on, but Pokémon Day 2026 being a huge one that'll be used for Gen X launching means that they could want PLZA wrapped up entirely before then, but I also feel like they'd drip feed through some events for ZA going well into 2026 so who knows, but the rest I'm like.. 80% sure of.
I don't really believe that leak for a few reasons but I also feel like January 2026 makes the most sense for it anyway. I think they want it out before Pokemon Day, and I suspect the Home update will be out then as well so you can bring Z-A dudes into Champions. Rather than putting home out, putting champions out, putting mega dimensions out and then updating home again & champions all over the course of like what 2 weeks tops.

December feels right to me. Either way we should be hearing more about it in November (& maybe an actual date to go with Champions too?)
 
I'm expecting DLC news to start simmering up once the Kalos starter Mega events are done.
If they did that, the simmering would have to be in mid/late december which would have to put us on a January-February track. Which isn't that much less time, depending, than "talk about in november for a late december release" but does feel a lot more crowded with Champions (& Home, to al esser extent).
 
I want out of this city! It's a good game, but needs more content lol. Ah oh well, I'm hoping maybe if you complete 100% they let you out? Fat chance but.. ..would be lol
 
MAJOR REMINDER!

If you haven't already, you only have until the 31st November 5th (a week from tomorrow) to get to Rank K in Ranked Battles to get the Greninjite!

I myself just remembered today and, let me assure you, it's fairly easy to get to Rank K.

Increasing in Rank is just the matter of earning points, and no matter where you place as long as you put even a small amount of effort to run around and join in the brawl you should be tossed plenty of points each match. All getting first nets you is an extra 30 points (and while 3rd and 4th does deduct points, you should get plenty of extra points it shouldn't matter that much). I'd say it maybe took me less than an hour and under a dozen matches to get to Rank K, and I wasn't doing all that great. I did get 1st a couple of times though, so I guess here's the best advice I can offer:

General Info/Tips:
  1. This is a 4-player free-for-all, everyone has 3 Pokemon, and you can only switch 3 times until KOed. I think every Pokemon is set to Level 50 though you don't need to have your Pokemon at that Level to choose them. Your Pokemon comes in as they are in the game, including their Plus Moves and Items.

  2. When you start a match the first Pokemon in your party is sent out, so choose who you set as first wisely. These I think at the best two options to consider: Either you send in your hyper offensive Pokemon and hope there's an opponent you can immediately go after, or send in a wall/tank to give you some time to assess your opponents and switch to the appropriate counter.

  3. When one of your Pokemon gets KOed you're temporarily brought out of the match before respawning where your started the match from. You're given a few seconds to choose who you want to have sent out (while obviously things can change, try to take a general note of what Pokemon your opponents had out and try picking the best counter). When you respawn all your Pokemon will be fully healed AND your switch counter will be reset. NOTE: You're going to be KOed, a lot. Don't let that discourage you at all.

Other Tips:
  1. Super Effect Attacks are your friend. Not only do you want your Pokemon to be varied in Types but also have a wide Type range of offense Moves. Before you enter organize & memorize what Moves are on what buttons so you don't misclick (which you will time-to-time, panic in the heat of battle, it's no big deal, just try to get to the right move asap).

  2. Having a status buffing Move could give you the edge you need before diving into battle. Whether you choose to up your damage output or fortify your defenses, those few more points could be the difference between KOing your opponent and/or getting KOed yourself.

  3. If you want to try and dodge go right ahead, it sometimes work (Moves do have a range so if you run back far enough you may get out of an attacker's range). However I wouldn't suggest totally running away from your opponent, after all you only get points if you KO another Pokemon. Though do remember the handy trick that, if you can predict just before your opponent attacks, you can either do a switch out to completely avoid damage or Mega Evolve which seems to reduce the damage even if it would have normally been Super Effective.

  4. If you're using all Mega Pokemon you can ignore this tip: REMEMBER YOUR PLUS MOVES! In order to use a Plus Move you have to press the "+" button on your controller. It'll use up a little of your Mega guage, but that really shouldn't be an issue if you're not using it to Mega Evolve. If you are using a Pokemon that can Mega Evolve, I think it's best to wait until the gauge is full to then Mega Evolve.

  5. Pick our fights. When the match starts or you respawn from a KO, take a quick look for an opponent you want to go up against. Also remember that the person who gets the last hit gets the point, so "kill stealing" is perfectly encouraged (better yet, hang back just before two opponents are about to end their dual and do a Move that either dashes forward or has a wide area of effect to KO all of their Pokemon!). Also encouraged is attacking from behind; don't feel bad doing any of these cheap tactics, because your opponents WILL do it to you! All is fair in love & war, and there's no love loss here.

  6. The 3 Pokemon you picked just ain't doing it for ya? Don't feel bad about backing out to rethink your team.

  7. While you're waiting for the next match don't forget to choose the battle music you want playing, it only has the ones you've heard of so no spoilers.

Now as soon as you reach Rank K you'll be awarded the Greninjite, so you can stop there if you want. THAT SAID, and I wish I knew this earlier, there's quite a bit of nice awards if you can get to higher ranks. I think I'll try to get to at least Rank E myself, not sure if I have enough time for A though for the next "Season" I'll be prepared.
 
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O ok. Also, isn't mega clefable, bar ability ending up op, worse than togekiss?
I mean they're just kind of similar Mega Clefable has 10 more HP and 15 more Special Attack (and 30 more Attack but that's irrelevant) in exchange for 2 less Defense, 5 less Special Defense, and 10 less Speed though neither is particularly fast. So Clefable might be better if you don't have another Mega you'd rather have for your team, but Togekiss is better otherwise.
 
I mean they're just kind of similar Mega Clefable has 10 more HP and 15 more Special Attack (and 30 more Attack but that's irrelevant) in exchange for 2 less Defense, 5 less Special Defense, and 10 less Speed though neither is particularly fast. So Clefable might be better if you don't have another Mega you'd rather have for your team, but Togekiss is better otherwise.

I see yeah. I didn't memorize the stats on kiss, partly cuz so many mons, partly cause it was absent 9. I just knew they followed close together. It will depend on ability, but I have low expectations on mega clef sadly.

Since it STARTS with two great abilities, and competes with serene grace. It'd need something absurd to shine. I can't figure it-obviously shouldn't get wonder guard lol, anything short is not really enough benefit from existing abilities, even magic bounce.imo.

It'll be exciting to find the best regular mega...of it ends up being a new one.
 
Hm, gotta say, I kind of figured Xerneas & Yveltal would be like...boss fights?

I just did Xerneas and it was very funny constantly stun locking the Geomancy by throwing an Ultra Ball.

MAJOR REMINDER!

If you haven't already, you only have until the 31st to get to Rank K in Ranked Battles to get the Greninjite!
The first season says it lasts until November 5th, which is still soon but not as soon.
 
The first season says it lasts until November 5th, which is still soon but not as soon.

Oh, my bad. I checked Serebii's old news post about it and it for some reason says the 31st, though their coverage page has the correct date.

Hm, so maybe I'll still have time to get to A afterall...
 
I mean they're just kind of similar Mega Clefable has 10 more HP and 15 more Special Attack (and 30 more Attack but that's irrelevant) in exchange for 2 less Defense, 5 less Special Defense, and 10 less Speed though neither is particularly fast. So Clefable might be better if you don't have another Mega you'd rather have for your team, but Togekiss is better otherwise.
Togekiss gets the advantage from roughly equal stats since it can make better use of its item slot. At the very least, Clefable has a decent comparison against Boots Togekiss specifically since it can have Magic Guard while switching in.
 
I see that showdown has the new megas, but at least two have their sprites, but not the models and the entry for Feraligator is a mess, do y'all have a format for ZA or will you?
 
Speaking of ranked battling, does coming in First count for Mable's missions? I just kind of assumed that so long as you didn't come in last, it was enough, but coming in second sure didn't move that counter when I tried. And the competition now is a lot meaner so I don't think I want to try rolling those dice.

If not then I'm even more flummoxed to why the 1000 battle mission exists.
 
Speaking of ranked battling, does coming in First count for Mable's missions? I just kind of assumed that so long as you didn't come in last, it was enough, but coming in second sure didn't move that counter when I tried. And the competition now is a lot meaner so I don't think I want to try rolling those dice.

If not then I'm even more flummoxed to why the 1000 battle mission exists.

Battling other players doesn't count towards that mission, winning or not. The thing assumes you were going to turbo grind the Royale postgame for that which is why it's so absurdly high
 
Battling other players doesn't count towards that mission, winning or not. The thing assumes you were going to turbo grind the Royale postgame for that which is why it's so absurdly high
That's just so many...I guess they see it as an equivalent to the battle tower or something but even then. Eesh.

Well ideally the DLC counts towards it too which will knock off some of it.

Meanwhile I think I would gladly break 2000 mega crystals. It's very satisfying and also you need way more than 1000 to buy all the stones anyway.
 
Oh, my bad. I checked Serebii's old news post about it and it for some reason says the 31st, though their coverage page has the correct date.

Hm, so maybe I'll still have time to get to A afterall...

iirc its not that difficult. The ranks get progressively harder with more points but I managed to go from K-A in a single night over a few hours. I’d check out the PVP thread for some more tips if struggling. Its far more luck based than a traditional Pokemon game, but the points system is so forgiving that it doesn’t really take away much, you’re still able to progress after every battle.
 
Is just me, or is the postgame kinda lacking? It may be the curse of DLC making it so you need the DLC to have what would you expect from the postgame.

You get most side missions before the credits, the infinite royale gets repetitive before the 20 runs you need to get all the content from it, and the search for the final screw is killing me. XY had more postgame content despite having the least of any game between gen 3 and gen 7.
And forcing you to fight 1000 times for a charm isnt exactly fun, specially with nothing else to do around the middle point.
 
Is just me, or is the postgame kinda lacking? It may be the curse of DLC making it so you need the DLC to have what would you expect from the postgame.

You get most side missions before the credits, the infinite royale gets repetitive before the 20 runs you need to get all the content from it, and the search for the final screw is killing me. XY had more postgame content despite having the least of any game between gen 3 and gen 7.
And forcing you to fight 1000 times for a charm isnt exactly fun, specially with nothing else to do around the middle point.
I don't think the post game is that lacking, certainly not in comparison to XY

This is what I expect from a post game, even if there wasn't DLC. A repeatable thing, a few quests for legends, closure on story content, some extra side quests.
 
I don't think the post game is that lacking, certainly not in comparison to XY

This is what I expect from a post game, even if there wasn't DLC. A repeatable thing, a few quests for legends, closure on story content, some extra side quests.
Agreed
 
Is just me, or is the postgame kinda lacking? It may be the curse of DLC making it so you need the DLC to have what would you expect from the postgame.

You get most side missions before the credits, the infinite royale gets repetitive before the 20 runs you need to get all the content from it, and the search for the final screw is killing me. XY had more postgame content despite having the least of any game between gen 3 and gen 7.
And forcing you to fight 1000 times for a charm isnt exactly fun, specially with nothing else to do around the middle point.

I fully agree. Now, this game was awesome, but I only got barely over 20 hrs of interesting play out of it. And I didn't rush exactly lol, nor do I ever.

This is compared to an older, non pokemon game(not old by any means, reg switch that is,) where I'd always go well over 100 hours AND that was without beating the post game at all, cause they make that way hard there. In both I'm having fun, so I'd have to say the other game is better, just for amount of content. Hopefully dlc patches things up, but I doubt it will be enough, even if it doubles story isn't nearly worth it tbh. I have high hopes for future games, this wasn't a dud, but was too concise.
 
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