Mega Evolutions make their grand return in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, bringing with them 65 powerful transformations that can turn the tide of any battle. Once unlocked, trainers are encouraged to seek out the required Mega Stones to fully harness their Pokémon’s potential — an essential step for anyone determined to protect Lumiose City.

What Are Mega Evolutions?

Mega Evolution is a temporary transformation available to certain Pokémon during battle, drastically increasing their strength. By equipping a Pokémon with its corresponding Mega Stone, you can trigger this evolution by pressing the right analog stick on your Joy-Con once the Mega Energy Meter is full. This not only boosts the Pokémon’s overall stats but can also alter its type or ability, adding a strategic edge to combat.

Stat Boosts and Special Exceptions

Every Mega Evolution provides a significant stat increase — usually totaling around +100 points distributed among the Pokémon’s base stats. These boosts enhance offense, defense, and speed depending on the species. Some standouts go even further: Mega Starmie and Mega Medicham gain a total of +140 stat points, while Mega Mawile surpasses them all with an incredible +142 points, making it one of the most formidable Megas available.

How to Unlock Mega Evolution

You’ll unlock the Mega Evolution feature after completing Main Mission 9: Chase the Mysterious Pokémon. During this quest, AZ lends you a Lucario capable of Mega Evolving, serving as a hands-on tutorial. Once you defeat the Rogue Mega Absol, you’ll permanently gain access to Mega Evolution for your own team.

Managing Pokémon Mega Energy

At the bottom-right corner of the battle screen is the Mega Energy Meter, which dictates how long a Pokémon can remain in its Mega form. Once filled, the meter allows activation of Mega Evolution, but it will gradually deplete as time passes. Using Plus Moves — the special enhanced attacks available only to Mega Pokémon — will drain this energy even faster. To conserve Mega Energy, you can switch your Pokémon out mid-battle, which temporarily ends the transformation but preserves remaining energy.

How to Get Mega Stones

Mega Stones are essential for Mega Evolution and can be obtained through several methods. Some are earned naturally by progressing through the main story, while others can be purchased. The Stone Emporium sells a selection of Mega Stones for in-game currency, while Quasartico Inc. offers premium Mega Stones in exchange for Mega Shards, a rarer resource that becomes accessible later in the adventure.

Pokémon Plus Moves Explained

When Mega Evolved, a Pokémon’s standard moves are enhanced into Plus Moves, which are stronger versions of existing attacks. These boosted techniques deliver greater power and often come with added effects, though they also consume Mega Energy from your meter. Interestingly, non-Mega Pokémon can also use Plus Moves — but at the same cost of Mega Energy, requiring careful management during longer fights.

All Pokémon with Mega Evolutions

Below is a complete list of all 65 Pokémon capable of Mega Evolving, along with their types, required Mega Stones, and how to obtain them: