Some Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mega Evolutions Will Require…

Certain Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A will require a Nintendo Switch Online membership. They will also be subjected to several other restrictions that will potentially make farming them exceedingly difficult and only truly feasible for people planning on playing Pokemon Legends: Z-A competitively.

Based on prior leaks and The Pokemon Company's own promotional materials, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is expected to introduce at least 26 new Mega Evolutions. Among them is a trio of Mega forms for the Kalos starters, Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, who will be able to Mega-Evolve after reaching the traditional end of their evolutionary lines. These Mega variants of Chesnaught, Delphox, and Greninja were officially confirmed with a new trailer that premiered during the September 12 Nintendo Direct.

Mega Dragonite in front of Pokemon Legends Z-A box

Mega Dragonite Is Making Its Franchise Debut Ahead of Pokemon Legends: Z-A

While Pokemon Legends: Z-A isn't scheduled to release for another two months, Mega Dragonite is already making its franchise debut next week.

Posts

By Dominik Bošnjak

The promise of Pokemon Legends: Z-A introducing Mega Evolutions for Gen 6 starters comes with a few caveats. Notably, these forms won't be available to offline players, as the evolution mechanic hinges on Mega Stones—a common series trope—that can only be obtained with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Merely buying a membership is just one part of the equation, with Game Freak intending to distribute the stones as Ranked Battle rewards.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mega Evolutions Exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online

Pokemon	Evolution Stone	How To Obtain
Mega Chesnaught	Chesnaughtite	Ranked Battles Season 1, starting Oct 16
Mega Delphox	Delphoxite	Ranked Battles Season 2
Mega Greninja	Greninjite	Ranked Battles Season 3

Pokemon games have been rotating competitive play rewards for many a year now. Legends: Z-A will continue this trend, requiring players to compete in multiple Ranked Battle seasons to obtain the Mega-Evolved form of all the Kalos starters. Chesnaughtite will be the first item on offer, with Game Freak confirming it as part of Season 1 rewards. The inaugural season of Ranked Battles will kick off as soon as Pokemon Legends: Z-A releases on October 16.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A won’t allow players to hold more than one of each exclusive NSO Mega Evolution stone—Chesnaughtite, Delphoxite, and Greninjite—at a time.

In the recent mainline Pokemon games, competitive seasons were typically around a month long. Should this pattern hold up, the most dedicated players will be able to complete their Mega Kalos starter trifectas before the end of 2025. The Nintendo Switch Online-exclusive Mega Stones won't be stackable, with player only able to hold one of them at a time. Even if that weren't the case, it is still unclear whether Ranked Battle rewards of this sort will be repeatable.

In the U.S., Nintendo Switch Online is priced at $3.99 per month or $19.99 annually. The Expansion Pack tier—which offers numerous added benefits but won't be required for playing Pokemon Legends: Z-A online—is only purchasable in 12-month increments, with individual membership priced at $49.99 and a family plan retailing for an extra $30. Apart from Ranked Battles, Pokemon Legends: Z-A will also offer casual Link Battles through its new four-player PvP mode reminiscent of the Gen 7's Battle Royals.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image