When it comes to battling in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the PvP aspect offers some of the most exciting and strategic gameplay moments in the entire series. As competitive trainers continue to explore the rich world of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, it's essential to understand the best combinations of Pokemon and moves to maximize your chances of victory. But knowing what to counter is just as important as knowing what to use. In this guide, we’ll go over the best PvP combos, ideal team compositions, and key counterplays to give you the edge in your next battle.
Alakazam + Togekiss
Alakazam, with its stellar Special Attack and Speed stats, is an excellent choice for hitting hard and fast in PvP. Combined with Togekiss, a Fairy/Flying type that can support Alakazam with status conditions or heal with moves like Aura Sphere and Thunder Wave, this combo offers great synergy. Togekiss can act as a supportive switch-in to absorb hits that Alakazam might struggle against, while Alakazam does what it does best—dishing out devastating damage.
Garchomp + Ferrothorn
The physical powerhouse Garchomp paired with the defensive wall Ferrothorn creates an amazing offensive-defensive synergy. Garchomp's strong Earthquake and Outrage can deal heavy damage to a variety of opponents, while Ferrothorn's Leech Seed and Stealth Rock can stall out opponents and deal steady damage. Ferrothorn’s steel-typing is also great at resisting Fairy-type moves, which are a common threat in many PvP teams.
Charizard + Excadrill
Charizard remains a fan-favorite for its versatility and power, while Excadrill, with its Steel typing, provides excellent resistances and can clear out threats like Fairy- and Ice-types with moves like Iron Head. Charizard’s Fire-type moves like Flamethrower can wreck opponents, and its Flying-type helps it dodge Ground-type moves. Together, they create a combo that can deal with many of the most popular threats in PvP.
Aegislash + Hydreigon
Aegislash is a master of switching between offense and defense with its signature ability, Stance Change. Its ability to go from a powerful attacker to a bulky defender gives it a massive advantage in PvP. Paired with Hydreigon’s Dark/Dragon typing and powerful Special Attack stats, this combo covers a lot of bases. Hydreigon can deal with Psychic- and Ghost-types, while Aegislash takes on Steel- and Rock-types with ease.
Ghost and Dark-Type Abusers
One of the biggest threats in Pokemon Legends: Z-A PvP is the over-reliance on Ghost and Dark-types, both of which can be hard to counter with traditional moves. A good counter to these types is the Fairy-type, which can hit back hard with moves like Moonblast. Try pairing up a strong Fairy-type like Togekiss or Gardevoir with a Steel-type for better defense against Ghost- and Dark-type moves.
Priority Moves
In many cases, the key to turning the tide of battle is the use of priority moves like Sucker Punch or Aqua Jet. These moves allow faster attackers to strike first, even against opponents with higher Speed. Make sure to prepare your team with some priority moves of your own to avoid being caught off-guard.
Weather-Based Teams
Weather-based teams, like those utilizing Rain Dance or Sunny Day, are becoming more common in Pokemon Legends: Z-A PvP. While they provide certain benefits (like boosting Water-type moves in the rain or Fire-type moves in the sun), they can also leave your team vulnerable to certain counters. For example, if you're up against a rain team, it’s a good idea to use Thunder or Electric-type Pokemon to capitalize on the boosted accuracy of Electric moves. Conversely, if you're up against a Sun team, a well-timed Water-type attack can negate the effects of the sun.
Speed Control and Trick Room
If your opponent has a team focused on high-Speed Pokemon, you might want to consider using moves like Thunder Wave or Sticky Web to lower their Speed. Alternatively, Trick Room teams, which reverse the Speed stat hierarchy, can give slower but stronger Pokemon the chance to attack first. A well-timed Trick Room can catch opponents off-guard, especially if they rely on fast attackers.
Team Synergy: Always think about how your team works together. Having Pokemon that can cover each other's weaknesses is key to a balanced squad. A team with good synergy will be able to handle a wide range of threats and overcome obstacles that might otherwise be problematic.
Move Coverage: Don’t rely solely on your Pokemon’s STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) moves. Make sure each member of your team has moves that can deal with a variety of threats. Having at least one coverage move can make a big difference when you find yourself facing an opponent you didn’t expect.
Status Moves and Setups: Moves that can induce status conditions, such as Toxic, Will-O-Wisp, and Thunder Wave, are often underestimated in PvP. Setting up hazards like Stealth Rock or Spikes can also create a significant advantage, wearing down opponents as they switch in and out.
If you're looking to get some edge in your Pokemon Legends: Z-A PvP battles, you might want to buy Pokemon Legends ZA items to enhance your team's abilities or find specific TMs. You can even buy Pokemon Legends ZA items online, which can be a quick and convenient way to obtain what you need to keep up with the competitive scene. Whether it’s for improving your Pokemon’s stats or obtaining the right items to counter specific threats, U4GM has plenty of options to help you build your perfect team.