The first official Ranked Battles season in Pokémon Legends: Z-A has officially begun, inviting Trainers from all over Lumiose City to prove their skill in real-time battle arenas. This inaugural season not only brings competitive excitement but also introduces an exclusive reward that can’t be obtained anywhere else: the Greninjite Mega Stone.
Season Overview and Schedule
Season 1 of Pokémon Legends: Z-A Ranked Battles runs from October 16 to November 5, 2025 (UTC). During this time, Trainers can climb through 26 ranks (Z → A) in intense four-player battle royale matches.
Your goal is simple: earn points, move up ranks, and secure valuable in-game rewards. Once the season concludes, prizes will be distributed based on your final standing. You’ll need to complete at least one match (win or lose) to be eligible for seasonal rewards.
How Ranked Battles Work
Ranked Battles in Z-A are designed around four Trainers battling simultaneously in a real-time arena. Each battle lasts three minutes, and your placement depends on how many opposing Pokémon you knock out and the points you accumulate from special actions.
- Battle Format: 4-Player Free-For-All
- Team Size: 3 – 6 Pokémon (selected from Battle Team boxes)
- Battle Duration: 3 minutes
- Level Scaling: All Pokémon auto-set to Lv. 50
- Rank Range: Z → A (can only move upward within the season)
You’ll earn points for defeating opponents and completing unique tasks — such as landing the first attack, Mega Evolving first, or defeating a Mega-Evolved Pokémon. These bonus actions encourage strategy beyond simple knockouts, rewarding awareness and timing.
Eligible and Banned Pokémon
Only specific Pokémon are allowed in this first season:
Eligible Pokémon:
- Lumiose Pokédex No. 001 – 227
- Alolan Raichu
- Galarian Slowpoke line
- Galarian Stunfisk
- All available Mega Evolutions (except Mega Zygarde)
- Mega Greninja
Banned Pokémon:
- Xerneas
- Yveltal
- Zygarde (All Formes)
- Mega Delphox
- Mega Chesnaught
You can register Pokémon from level 1 to 100, but every one of them will be scaled to Lv. 50 in battle. Regional forms are allowed, but you may only use one Pokémon per species and no duplicate held items.
How to Join Pokémon Legends Z-A Ranked Battles Season 1
Joining Ranked Battles is simple:
- Launch Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
- Press the X Button to open the main menu.
- Choose Link Play > Ranked Battles.
- Select or edit your Battle Team, then press A to begin matchmaking.
You’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online membership and an active internet connection to participate.
How to Build Your Battle Team
Ranked Battles require you to create a special Battle Team separate from your current party.
- Go to Boxes from the main menu.
- Press X twice to switch from Current Party to Battle Teams.
- Choose three Pokémon from your Boxes (not your party).
- Equip them with held items and Mega Stones as needed.
Make sure your team is balanced — with good type coverage and at least one Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution — to adapt to different opponents on the battlefield.
How Points and Ranking Work
Every Ranked Battle ends with each Trainer being scored based on:
- The number of Pokémon defeated.
- Bonus actions like “first attack,” “Mega Evolution destroyer,” or “flawless survivor.”
Once you reach the maximum points for your current rank, you’ll move up to the next tier. You cannot drop ranks during the season, so every match is a chance to progress — even losses grant points.
All Ranked Battle Rewards
Season 1 introduces three reward types:
- Battle Rewards: Earned after every match.
- Rank-Up Rewards: Granted when advancing to a new rank.
- Season Rewards: Given at season’s end based on final rank.
Here’s the complete reward table for Season 1:
| Rank Tier | Rewards |
|---|---|
| A Rank | Sport Ball ×3, Gold Bottle Cap ×1, Bottle Cap ×3, Seed of Mastery ×3, Big Nugget ×1 |
| B – E Ranks | Sport Ball ×2, Gold Bottle Cap ×1, Bottle Cap ×2, Seed of Mastery ×2, Nugget ×2 |
| F – K Ranks | Bottle Cap ×1, Seed of Mastery ×1, Nugget ×2 |
| L – R Ranks | Seed of Mastery ×1, Nugget ×1 |
| S – Z Ranks | Nugget ×1 |
How to Earn Greninjite in Pokémon Legends Z-A
The biggest incentive this season is the Greninjite, awarded to Trainers who reach Rank K.
This Mega Stone allows your Greninja to Mega Evolve into Mega Greninja, a transformation unavailable through normal gameplay.
If you miss out this time, don’t worry — Game Freak has confirmed Greninjite will return in future seasons. However, you can only possess one of each Mega Stone, so duplicates won’t be obtainable.
Using Items in Battle
During fights, glowing items may appear across the battlefield. Each color grants a unique team-wide effect:
- Green Glow: Restores HP for all Pokémon.
- Red Glow: Boosts Attack and Sp. Atk.
- Blue Glow: Raises Defense and Sp. Def.
- Mega Power Orbs: Increase your Mega Power.
Spotting and grabbing these quickly can swing the outcome of a close match.
Pro Tips to Level Up Your Ranked Battles
- Prioritize Mega Evolutions: They’re worth extra points and can secure “First to Mega Evolve” or “Mega Evolution Destroyer” bonuses.
- Keep Your Team Versatile: Cover as many types as possible to capitalize on “Supereffective Attacker” points.
- Monitor Glowing Items: Their buffs can turn a losing fight into a comeback.
- Stay Aggressive: Offensive playstyles often yield higher point totals per match.
Ranked Battles Season 1 marks a strong competitive start for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, blending the franchise’s signature strategy with fast-paced, real-time action. Whether you’re aiming for the elusive Greninjite or simply climbing ranks for glory, this season offers a compelling reason to sharpen your battle instincts. Play Now!
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With just a few weeks to climb, it’s time to assemble your team, train hard, and dive into the arena.
