Rogue Mega Tyranitar stands as one of the toughest boss encounters in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, appearing in the Juane District — southwest of Café Kizuna and northeast of Restaurant Le Wow. As a Rock/Dark-type Pokémon, this enraged titan demands careful planning, smart type matchups, and precise timing to defeat.
Rogue Mega Tyranitar combines Rock and Dark typing, giving it an imposing set of resistances but also several exploitable weaknesses.
- Weak Against: Fighting (×4), Water, Grass, Ground, Bug, Steel, Fairy
- Resistant To: Normal, Flying, Poison, Ghost, Fire, Dark
- Immune To: Psychic
The 4× weakness to Fighting-type moves is the biggest advantage here, making strong Fighting Pokémon a natural choice for this encounter. However, the variety of secondary weaknesses means you can form multiple effective team compositions if you’re missing powerhouse Fighters.
Recommended Counters
To counter Rogue Mega Tyranitar effectively, focus on Pokémon that can withstand its heavy-hitting Rock and Dark attacks while dealing super-effective damage. Below are the top picks categorized by type:
Fighting-Type Counters
- Heracross (Bug/Fighting) – Exploits both Fighting and Bug weaknesses.
- Lucario (Fighting/Steel) – Combines resistance to Rock moves with powerful Fighting-type attacks like Aura Sphere.
- Gallade – Offers strong coverage with Close Combat while maintaining good speed.
Water-Type Counters
- Blastoise, Vaporeon, or Gyarados – Their Water-type attacks like Hydro Pump or Surf chip away Tyranitar’s health safely from range.
Grass-Type Counters
- Meganium and Gogoat – Useful for sustained fights, though be careful of Rock Slide AOE attacks.
Steel and Fairy-Type Counters
- Mawile and Sylveon – Excellent for resisting Rock-type hits and striking back with Fairy-type moves.
Ground-Type Counters
- Steelix, Hippowdon – Durable options that can endure most of Tyranitar’s attacks while using Earthquake or Bulldoze effectively.
Recommended Level and Preparation
Rogue Mega Tyranitar appears at Level 59, so it’s wise to challenge it between Level 57–64. Players under-leveled can still win with type advantage and good item management. Always carry:
- Plenty of HP Potions
- Revives for recovery
- Status Healers (in case of Sand Tomb residual effects)
Before the fight, charge your Mega Ring. It’s best to save your Mega Evolution for mid- to late-battle when Tyranitar becomes more aggressive.
Battle Strategy and Attack Patterns
Tyranitar’s rage phase makes it unpredictable. Learning its attack patterns is crucial to survival.
1. Rock Slide
- Rocks fall from above after a roar.
- Counter: Keep moving and watch for ground shadows to predict impact zones.
2. Crunch
- A forward lunge that can one-shot Pokémon.
- Counter: Dodge sideways or attack from behind.
3. Sand Tomb
- Creates mini whirlwinds that trap Pokémon; later upgrades into a massive AOE.
- Counter: Withdraw your Pokémon during whirlwinds and focus on dodging manually.
4. Stone Spires
- Large spires erupt from bubbling ground spots.
- Counter: Stay clear of bubbling areas; anticipate follow-ups after Sand Tomb.
5. Giga Impact
- A devastating slam that deals massive damage.
- Counter: This move leaves Tyranitar momentarily vulnerable—capitalize with your strongest move or Mega Evolution burst attack.
Best Battle Flow
- Start with a Tank or Support Pokémon to bait early attacks like Rock Slide.
- Switch into a Fighting- or Water-type once you’ve identified a safe window.
- Activate Mega Evolution once Tyranitar becomes enraged (HP below 50%) for maximum burst damage.
- Use Plus Moves strategically — reserve them for critical openings rather than early skirmishes.
If you’re struggling with timing, focus on evasion and counterattacks instead of going for direct trades. Remember that Tyranitar’s Giga Impact cooldown is your best opportunity to punish.
Rewards After Beating Rogue Mega Tyranitar
Defeating Rogue Mega Tyranitar rewards you with Tyranitarite, the Mega Stone required to Mega Evolve your own Tyranitar in battle. It’s a significant milestone item that opens up new combat options in the late-game.
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Expert Battle Tips
- Avoid Psychic-types completely, as their moves have zero effect.
- Use multi-type coverage Pokémon (e.g., Heracross, Lucario) for efficiency.
- Stay mobile — many of Tyranitar’s attacks signal with clear ground markers before impact.
- Save your Mega Evolution until Tyranitar’s second phase when it starts chaining Sand Tomb and Stone Spires.
Rogue Mega Tyranitar is a formidable test of both endurance and strategy in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. By exploiting its many weaknesses and mastering the timing of its attack patterns, trainers can claim victory — and the prized Tyranitarite — to power up their own Mega Tyranitar. Preparation and patience are key to conquering this devastating Armor Pokémon and proving your mastery in Lumiose City’s toughest battles.
