Welcome to our Pokémon Legends: Z-A walkthrough hub, and to Lumiose City! You'll be spending a lot of time in this Paris-inspired town in Kalos, so let's settle in.
As the second game bearing the Legends moniker, Z-A is decidedly different from the mainline 'Generational' games It's a good time, and in our 7/10 review of the Switch 2 version, we lavished praise on the new real-time battle system, but found that setting the action in a single city was constricting.
But enough about that — our suite of guides are here to help you complete your Pokédex, find every Mega Evolution and Mega Stone, how to get through the Z-A Royale, and how to complete specific Side Quests. Poké Balls at the ready, then!
Note: Obviously as the game has just released, this guide is a work in progress. We'll be adding to this hub and updating all of our guides over the coming days, so stay tuned!
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Guides
With such a dense city to explore, it's easy to feel overwhelmed once you boot up the game. But with a range of guides below, we've covered everything you need to know about Lumiose City.
Getting Started
Stepping out onto the streets for the first time, this selection of guides will help you get ready for the journey ahead — as well as help you plan ahead.
- Battle System Beginner Tips - How To Become A Pokémon Battling Pro
Legends: Z-A introduces real-time battles to the Pokémon world. It takes a minute to get used to, so we've got some handy tips lined up to help you master the combat. - Best Canari Plush
In the absence of the Exp. Share (it's automatic again), Canari Plushes provide extra buffs and bonuses to the team. We've got all the details on every Canari Plush here, including the best one to buy first. - Best Starter Pokémon
Ahh, this always happens: you've chosen one partner to journey with, but you've got FOMO. Your friend says Tepig's the best, but you went with Chikorita. But don't worry, you can get all three of them eventually. Here's the best starter choice for you, and where to get all three of the Lumiose City trio. - How To Make Money Fast
Lumiose City is an expensive town — especially if you have a taste for fashion. If you need help building up those Poké Dollars, then let us give you some tips. - How To Raise Friendship
If you want to complete your Pokédex, then you'll need to know how to make your 'mons fall in love with you. This guide covers the best way to raise friendship.
Pokédex
Your Pokédex is now a mobile phone app! Gasp! But it's all okay, nothing else changes otherwise. These two guides cover the entire Pokédex and all of the Mega Evolutions you'll find in Lumiose City.
- Complete Lumiose City Pokédex
Want to catch 'em all? Well, you'll need a little help finding every single Pokémon in the city, so here's a complete list of where to find every single one, including evolution methods. - All Mega Evolutions
If it's just Mega Evolutions and Mega Stones you're after, this is the guide you'll want to check out. We've got a list of every single new and returning Mega Evolution and how to get every single Mega Stone in the game.
All Wild Zones
We'll be covering all Wild Zones in Lumiose City right here — when do you unlock each one? Which Alpha Pokémon can you find there? We have all the answers.
- Wild Zone 1
- Wild Zone 2
- Wild Zone 3
- Wild Zone 4
- Wild Zone 5
- Wild Zone 6
- Wild Zone 7
- Wild Zone 8
- Wild Zone 9
- Wild Zone 10
- Wild Zone 11
- Wild Zone 12
- Wild Zone 13
- Wild Zone 14
- Wild Zone 15
- Wild Zone 16
- Wild Zone 17
- Wild Zone 18
- Wild Zone 19
- Wild Zone 20
Z-A Royale
The Z-A Royale is a crucial part of progressing through Legends: Z-A, and its where some of the toughest battles will be fought. But it goes beyond just story progression, so we've got all sorts of guides covering this new Lumiose City staple.
- All Z-A Royale Promotion Matches
Think of Promotion Matches like Gym Leaders — they're required to rank up, and they all have pretty robust teams, including Mega Evolutions. This guide is a rundown of all of those matches and each trainer's team. - How To Gain Z-A Royale Points Quickly
Want to maximise your Z-A Royale time? Here's a handy rundown of all the best ways to build up your points in the tournament, helping you to progress up the ranks faster.
Capture Guides
While a Pokédex is all well and good, some 'mons are a little harder to track down that others. This section is home to specific Pocket Monster guides, with more to come soon!
- Where To Catch Beldum
One of the many Pseudo-legendaries in Z-A, Beldum is in one very particular spot — and has a frustratingly-low catch rate. This is the best way to deal with this otherwise excellent Pokémon. - Where To Catch Dratini
A Dragon-type is never a bad choice for your team, and with Mega Dragonite, Dratini is perhaps more sought-after than ever. Here's how to catch this rare Pokémon. - Where To Catch Eevee
Everyone's favourite multi-evolution 'mon, Eevee can be found very early on — if you know where to look. Here's the earliest place you can catch this adorable Pokémon. - Where To Catch Gible
Another rare Dragon-type, Gible has one of the most-powerful evolutions in the series. If you're struggling to find (or catch) it, here's how we can help. - Where To Catch Goomy
The adorable gooey Dragon-type loves the rain. But the rain doesn't love Lumiose. Here's how to bring about a shower and get this little guy for yourself. - Where To Catch Pichu
Pichu can be caught pretty early, but it's a surprisingly tricky little one to find. You'll need to be as quiet as a mouse for this one, so make sure you check this guide if you're struggling to find the little fella! - Where To Catch Ralts
This shy Psychic-type has two excellent Mega Evolutions, so it's worth grabbing one as soon as you can. And in this guide, we've got two different spots where you're guaranteed to find Ralts. - How To Get The Kalos Starters
C'mon, you're in Kalos, you must be wondering where Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie are. Well, they are in the game, and you can get them early, too. Here's how to get all three. - How To Get The Kanto Starters
Is it really a Pokémon game without Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle? This trio can't seem to go a game without popping up, so here's how you can get all three of the original starter trio.
Post Game Pokémon
Once you reach the post game, you'll have access to a few rare 'mons, including legendaries. We've marked some of these for spoilers, of course.
- How To Get Diancie
The sparkly Rock/Fairy-type has been added to Z-A post-launch, and it's an easy one to get — as long as you've beaten the game. Here's how to add another Gen 6 favourite to your team. - How To Get Eternal Flower Floette
AZ's best buddy can eventually join your own team, but you'll have to work hard to get her. Want a lethal weapon in your PC? This will help you get this unique Floette. - How To Get Mewtwo
A second free update in December 2025 gave players access to the Genetic Pokémon Mewtwo! This one's fairly easy to get, but if you're not sure where to go, we've got you covered in this guide. - How To Catch Xerneas & Yveltal
You can get two returning Legendary Pokémon in the post-game by doing a few specific steps. Here's how to get these iconic 'mons. - How To Catch Zygarde
One of the last Pokémon you'll get in Z-A, Zygarde awaits beyond the credits. This guide will help you defeat this legendary Pokémon and get it to join your team.
Side Missions
There are over 100 Side Missions in Legends: Z-A, some more annoying than others. We'll be covering the more challenging ones here, with more to come soon!
- Finding a Place for Heliolisk
How do you find the perfect home for an Electric-type lizard? Ask a trainer of course. Or just ask us, and we'll tell you exactly where you need to go. - Guidance from a Yoga Master
A deceptively simple quest that's easy to miss the reward for, you'll find zen in this guide if you're struggling to find the Yoga Master. - Jumbo Variety Pumpkaboo
This is more than just a short trip to the pumpkin patch; you need to find the biggest Pumpkaboo there is. How, you ask? We'll help you out. - The Many Flowers Of Flabébé
Five different Flabébé sounds like a lot, but not for this hairdresser. This guide covers where to find all different colours of the Fairy-type.
Mystery Gift Codes & Rewards
You didn't expect a Pokémon game without a few freebies, did you? Well, this section is pretty simple — if it's a Mystery Gift Code you want, we can give it to you.
- Mystery Gift Code List
We'll be tracking all the Mystery Gift Codes released by The Pokémon Company, which will net you anything from a few items to some Pokémon! - Ranked Battles - All Seasons & Rewards
Fight against friends and strangers alike to win rewards and climb up the Z-A rankings. We'll be keeping track of all the Ranked Battle Season rewards right here.
FAQs
If it's something a little broader you're after, or you just want to know whether you can dive straight into Z-A, then this little selection of guides is a great place to check out.
- Do I Need To Play Legends: Arceus First?
Z-A is the second Legends game, but is it related to Arceus in any way? Kinda, but also, it Pokémon. Still, if you're wondering whether to check out the Switch 1 game, then have a read. - How Long Does It Take To Beat?
Pokémon games aren't ever too long, but for the completionists out there, you're probably eager to know just how much time you need to put in to catch 'em all, do it all... you get it. This guide covers all scenarios. - How To Get The Shiny Charm
Shiny hunters, listen up — you'll need to do some work to get the Shiny Charm to help make your sparkly Pokémon appear more often. Here's what you need to do. - Switch 1 vs. Switch 2
Have a Switch 1 and wonder whether Legends: Z-A is okay on the older console? Worried about performance issues? We've got your burning Switch 1 and Switch 2 questions answered here.