How to get Zygarde in Pokémon Legends Z-A

How to get Zygarde in Pokémon Legends Z-A

To get Zygarde in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, you need to complete the following steps:

1. Complete the game's main campaign.
2. Complete Main Mission 38 - 'The Future of Lumiose City'.
3. Win your first Reward Match in the Infinite Z-A Royale.
4. Complete Main Mission 40 - 'The One That Gives'.
5. Complete Main Mission 41 - 'The One That Takes'.
6. Return to Hotel Z and defeat the trainer (Lysandre) waiting for you.
7. Visit Wild Zone 20 as part of Main Mission 42 - 'To Keep The World in Balance'.

It's during Main Mission 42 where you'll find Zygarde waiting in the middle of Wild Zone 20. If you want to get it though, you need to defeat Zygarde in battle…

Zygarde weaknesses

Here's Zygarde's weaknesses in Pokémon Legends: Z-A:

• Zygarde type - Dragon and Ground-type.
• Zygarde is weak against - Dragon, Fairy and Ice-type.
• Zygarde is resistant to - Fire, Poison and Rock-types.
• Zygarde is immune to - Electric-types.

Zygarde counters

The best Zygarde counters are Fairy and Ice-type Pokémon. You'll want to especially focus on using Ice-type attacks as they'll deal four times the amount of damage compared to Zygarde's other weaknesses!

While Zygarde is weak to Dragon-type attacks, I recommend avoiding using pure Dragon-type Pokémon against it. This is because they'll take double damage from Zygarde's own Dragon-type moves. You can circumvent this, however, by teaching Dragon-type moves to non-Dragon-type Pokémon or using a Pokémon like Dragonite; while it is a Dragon, its dual Flying-typing means that it's immune to Ground attacks giving it a small edge against Zygarde. On the other hand, you'll want to avoid using Pokémon like Dragalge. Sure it's a Dragon dual type, but the second typing is Poison which Zygarde is immune to.

Here are the Pokémon counters we recommend for each type, organised by Legends: Z-A Pokédex entry:

Zygarde recommended level

Pokémon Legends: Z-A sees you fighting Zygarde three times before you're able to catch it. The first two fights are your regular Legends: Z-A real time Pokémon battles, but the third battle is Zygarde's version of a Rogue Mega Evolution fight. (And it's definitely the hardest!)

Here's a quick rundown of both when you fight Zygarde, what level it will be at and what level we recommend:

As always with Pokémon, it's best to be at a higher level than Zygarde when fighting it. I would recommend being at least three to five Levels above it. It's still possible to defeat it when being underlevelled, but you will find the battles quite tricky and will have to ensure you're targeting Zygarde's weaknesses.

Zygarde boss strategy

Before we get into the details, it's important to note that this section focuses only on your final battle with Zygarde during Main Mission 42 - 'To Keep the World In Balance'. If you're looking for help on the two battles you have with Zygarde beforehand, then the counters recommendations near the beginning of this guide will set you up well. Remember - those battles are basically the same as fighting a wild Pokémon or trainer (you just happen to be fighting a Legendary Pokémon), while this one is similar to the Rogue Mega Evolution fights.

When it comes to your final fight with Zygarde, it's best to have a team of Level 84, ideally Level 86, or higher Pokémon. This will make the fight a lot easier, because you will have to battle each of Zygarde's three forms and all of them will be at full health at the beginning of their phase. So, the higher level your Pokémon are, the quicker each phase will end and your chances of avoiding Zygarde's most deadly attacks will increase. I did manage to win this fight with a team of Level 75 to 78 Pokémon, but it was a tough battle and I burned through a lot of healing items.

It's also best to target Zygarde's weakness to Ice-type Pokémon as these attacks will cause four times the amount of damage. Remember - some non-Ice-type Pokémon can use Ice-type attacks, so it's worth taking the time to go over your Pokémon's moveset. Ice Beam, Ice Fang and Ice Punch all have TMs, so visit our TMs locations guide if you haven't collected these ones yet. Fairy-types are also super effective against Zygarde, so are definitely worth including in your team.

Zygarde's third weakness is Dragon-types, but I would be cautious about using this typing for Zygarde can use Dragon attacks itself. Since all Dragons are also weak to Dragons, this could lead to your Pokémon being knocked out pretty quickly. Some Dragon dual types will have a small advantage though, especially during the third and final phase. I found that my Mega Evolved Dragonite was able to deal a significant amount of damage by using Outrage!

My final piece of preparation advice is to stock up on healing items! If you lose to Zygarde then you have to start over from its first form. Yup, there's no returning to where you fainted unlike past Rogue Mega Evolution fights. Thankfully, you're in the post-game now so every Pokémon Center will be selling Max Potions and Full Restores - all perfect for staying alive during Zygarde's battle.

With that in mind, let's take a look at Zygarde's moveset for each of its three forms:

Zygarde 10% Forme (Phase One) moveset

• Extreme Speed (Normal-type) - Zygarde will shoot across the field to either your or your Pokémon's location. If it makes contact, then this move will deal damage. Luckily, Zygarde will be looking in the direction it's going to travel in so this move can be easily avoided. Just run out of the way and maybe return your Pokémon to its ball.
• Crunch (Dark-type) - Zygarde will attack the Pokémon (or you) directly in front of it with its jaws. If this move hits, then it can cause your Pokémon to flinch.
• Thousand Arrows (Ground-type) - This attack is telegraphed by a swirling dirt followed by a series of green cells appearing around Zygarde. Once these cells disappear, a collection of green arrows will land where Zygarde is looking. This attack is easy for your trainer to dodge, but it's best to return your Pokémon to their ball to keep them safe.

Zygarde 10% Forme is the easiest to defeat. Just make sure you're targeting its weaknesses, ideally with Ice-type attacks, and you might even stun it for a few moments! In this form, Zygarde will keep to the edges of the field and will, at times, run across it to a new location. When this happens, it's best to return your Pokémon to its ball. Doing so not only ensures you can easily keep up with Zygarde, but prevents it from getting some free hits in as you're moving back into attack range.

Zygarde 50% Forme (Phase Two) moveset

• Land's Wrath (Ground-type) - By far Zygarde 50% Forme's most deadly attack as it has the power to take both you and your Pokémon out if you're not careful. Thankfully, it is well telegraphed giving you the time to return your Pokémon. I highly recommend you do this as Land's Wrath can hit your Pokémon multiple times and, in doing so, can knock them out. What you need to look out for is a green glow emerging from Zygarde. When you see this - return your Pokémon and start running. As you run, cracks in the ground will appear and, if you're standing on one when the green light erupts, you will take damage. These attacks can happen very quickly, so make sure you're running throughout this attack's entire duration.
• Dragon Pulse (Dragon-type) - This attack also has the power to hit your Pokémon multiple times, so depending on the Pokémon's HP and typing, it can easily knock them out. What you need to look out for is Zygarde rearing back slightly before sending out a series of blue rings. Each ring can cause damage, so try your best to stay out of their way. It's best to return your Pokémon to their Poké Ball when Zygarde lets this attack loose as they could potentially run into the line of fire. (You may also spot a right-hand notification for this attack.)
• Rock Slide (Rock-type) - Zygarde will make a collection of rocks fall down upon the field. This move is telegraphed by dirt and rumble appearing in the sky, often in the location Zygarde is currently looking, before the rocks fall. Due to this, the attack can be quite easily dodged. You can either quickly move yourself and your Pokémon to a new location or send them back to their Poké Ball.
• Crunch (Dark-type) - Just like with Zygarde's 10% Forme, this move sees Zygarde attacking the Pokémon directly in front of it with its jaws. It can still cause your Pokémon to flinch and can be avoided by moving out of the way.

In its 50% Forme, Zygarde will keep to the centre of the field and will not move from this position for the entire fight. This does not mean, however, that it can't easily knock you out. Instead, it will focus on performing a number of attacks that will prevent you from stopping to attack yourself. Basically it wants to keep you on the move, so you can barely get any attacks in. Due to this, it can easily whittle down your team resulting in your being unprepared for its final form.

To combat this, you can either focus on using one high levelled counter - again, ideally an Ice-type - or use a hit-and-run strategy. This basically involves getting your Pokémon to use one attack and then running as you wait for Zygarde to make its move before attacking again. Thankfully, Zygarde can be stunned in this Forme too but it is less likely to happen.

Zygarde Complete Forme (Phase Three) moveset

Before getting into Zygarde's moveset during its Complete Forme, it's important to note that it does have the power to lock your Pokémon to the field. This means, for short periods of time, you'll be unable to switch Pokémon or simply return them to their balls. Thankfully, this effect doesn't last long but it can cause problems if you don't notice it's in effect. When this does happen, a red lock will appear over your currently in-use Pokémon.

• Land's Wrath (Ground-type) - This is the final version of Land's Wrath and it's by far the trickiest to avoid. It's also a move that targets you far more than your Pokémon. It targets you so much in fact that you might want to forget about your Pokémon completely, even if it can be returned to its ball, simply so you can focus on avoiding this attack. This is because, in Zygarde's Complete Forme, Land's Wrath has the power to knock you out even if at full health trainer wise.
• Land's Wrath begins with Zygarde hovering in the centre of the field as a green glow begins to emit from its body. Shortly afterwards, cracks will appear in the field. These cracks will start at the edge of the field, then the middle ring and then the centre beneath Zygarde. This will happen very quickly and you will not be able to out run them. Instead, you must roll and roll constantly if you want to avoid Land's Wrath. The way I avoided this attack was by rolling in a straight line across the field and then quickly turning before rolling again. The cracks will appear at least twice, so don't stop moving until you know it's safe.
• Core Enforcer (Dragon-type) - You'll know when this attack is coming because Zygarde will go outside of the field. There it will begin to build up a green charge, which is your sign to return your Pokémon to its ball if possible. After a couple of seconds, Zygarde will use a laser to create a green Z on the field. The moment this happens, quickly move to the area inside the shape of the Z but make sure you're keeping to the edge of the field. If you do this correctly, you should spot one of the two small safe areas - they will be the only place without any green cracks. Try your best to get into this safe area or else you will take damage. Core Enforcer can deal good damage to most Pokémon, but, worse, it can put you into red damage. This means, if Zygarde's next attack hits you, the fight will be over or, if you're already taken damage, it's just ended.
• Thousand Arrows (Ground-type) - This attack works exactly the same as it did for Zygarde's 10% Forme - swirling dirt, green cells, arrows falling on the location Zygarde is looking in. As before you can avoid this attack by either returning your Pokémon to their ball if possible or attempting to move them quickly out of the way by running.
• Thousand Waves (Ground-type) - Zygarde will send out a green shockwave, which will go out a little way from its current location. Standing in this shockwaves path will cause yourself or your Pokémon damage. This move is telegraphed by a green glow coming from Zygarde's feet. It can be avoided by running away from Zygarde and possibly returning your Pokémon to their balls.

During this final phase, Zygarde will alternate between walking or flying around the field unless it's using Core Enforcer when it is outside of your range. While Zygarde is a slow walker, it can move quite quickly about the field when flying. Zygarde flying is also a sign that it might be about to use one of its stronger attacks - namely Land's Wrath - so make sure you're prepared.

While this is Zygarde's strongest form, it can still be stunned for short periods of time if you're lucky and Ice-type attacks are still the way to go. You'll also want to ensure you're healing regularly if needed as, if you fall here, you'll have to fight Zygarde's other two forms again. I managed to deal significant amounts of damage using Dragon-type moves with my Dragonite as its Flying-type helped decrease the amount of damage from Zygarde's Ground-type moves.

After defeating Zygarde, you'll get the chance to catch it. I do believe this is a scripted catch too - I was able to catch it in one Luxury Ball - so choose whichever Poké Ball you like best. Just do not waste your Master Ball!

You will also receive the Zygarde Cube from L after this fight. This cube will allow you to switch between Zygarde's three forms - though there are some rules you need to pay attention to.

Finally, if you're wondering about Zygarde's Mega Stone, then remember that you already have it! Way back when you first fought Zygarde during Main Mission 10 - 'The Secrets of Mega Evolution', it gave you a Pebble. This is actually Zygardite, Zygarde's Mega Stone, and it will properly reach this state during Main Mission 37 - Operation Protect Lumiose. As with all Mega Stones, you will need to ensure Zygarde is holding it to Mega Evolve.

Best of luck catching Zygarde in Pokémon Legends: Z-A! We also have a guide covering the Zygarde Formes for after you've caught it. Though you might also want to fill in some other Pokédex entries or find more TM locations.