With Pokemon Legends: Z-A slated for an October 16 release, players will soon get to see just how Mega Evolution will be reshaped in the upcoming title. While recent Pokemon Legends: Z-A trailers have given brief glimpses of gameplay for returning Mega Evolutions, the game has been oddly quiet about any new additions to its roster of Megas. The Pokemon Presents showcase announced for July 22 may be the stage where these new forms are revealed, but it still might lack one important piece of the Mega Evolution puzzle in Legends: Z-A.
When Mega Evolution was first introduced as a mechanic in Pokemon X and Y, it quickly became the focal point for the Gen 6 meta. With players only being allowed to Mega Evolve one critter per battle, it became an unwritten rule that certain Megas were far more valuable team members than others. As such, some Megas were largely sidelined in favor of a select few meta picks that came to dominate battles. However, with Pokemon Legends: Z-A breaking from traditional series gameplay, this Mega Evolution meta is likely to be upended.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A May Have Already Sidelined A Key Pokemon
Even though one Pokemon seemed certain to play a major role in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the game's trailers and artwork may suggest otherwise.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A's Mega Evolution Meta May Look Very Different
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Won't Feature Abilities
Aside from the change to an active combat battle system, one of the biggest gameplay changes that Pokemon Legends: Z-A is making is the removal of Pokemon Abilities. Since their introduction in Gen 3, Abilities have added another strategic layer to gameplay by adding passive effects that can augment how battles play out. Abilities have been so pivotal to Pokemon gameplay that some players even hunt for mons with advantageous Hidden Abilities not normally found on wild critters just to get a leg up on the competition.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus also lacked Abilities, so it makes sense that its follow-up, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, would also cast them aside.
Part of what catapulted many Megas to the top of the meta in Gen 6 was the new Abilities they gained when Mega Evolving. Mons like Kangaskhan and Mawile went from mediocre to meta-defining when Mega Evolved due to the addition of their Parental Bond and Huge Power Abilities, respectively. However, without these Abilities in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, it's possible that many of the best Mega Evolutions from the past will be sidelined in favor of new standouts.
Predicting Which Megas Will Be Top Tier in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Prior to Legends: Z-A, Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee were the only games to feature Mega Evolution but lack Abilities, so they may be able to provide a shortlist of which Megas will stand out in the upcoming title. Without Abilities to give them an advantage over the competition, the best Mega Evolutions are ones that have great typing, stats, and movesets. Based on their Mega Evolutions in the Pokemon Let's Go games, some of the likely candidates for top-tier Megas in Legends: Z-A are:
- Mega Aerodactyl
- Mega Gyarados
- Mega Alakazam
- Mega Gengar
Mega Aerodactyl retains its high Speed and Attack stats even without its helpful Tough Claws Ability, and Mega Gyarados loses its 4x weakness to Electric and gains an immunity to Psychic. Both Mega Alakazam and Mega Gengar have incredible Speed and Special Attack stats, despite Mega Gengar in particular taking a hit by losing the Shadow Tag Ability. However, Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee are missing a large portion of the non-Gen 1 Megas, so there is still room for others to take top spots in the Legends: Z-A meta as well, such as:
- Mega Aggron
- Mega Metagross
- Mega Gallade
- Mega Garchomp
Mega Aggron has the highest potential to skyrocket in viability due to it becoming a pure Steel type and losing its 4x weaknesses to Fighting and Ground, as well as its insane 230 Defense stat that could make it a great physical wall. Mega Metagross and Mega Garchomp are both pseudo-Legendaries with fantastic stats to begin with, so the loss of their Abilities shouldn't impact their viability too much. Mega Gallade is a fast, Physical Attacker with fairly well-rounded stats and is likely to remain a solid pick even without its Inner Focus Ability.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
- Released
- October 16, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak, Creatures Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
