SubSilver

[Mason]

Taking on Zygarde in Pokémon Legends: Z-A is one of those fights that genuinely feels like a final exam for everything you’ve learned so far. The video shows a long, chaotic, and sometimes surprising challenge that mixes boss mechanics, move-reading, and team management in a way that keeps you on your toes. After going through the full encounter myself, I’ve gathered the most practical takeaways to help you prepare before stepping into the depths under Prism Tower.

Getting Ready Before the Fight

Before approaching Zygarde, make sure you’ve already finished the main tasks involving Xerneas, Yveltal, and Lysandre at Hotel Z. Once these are done, the entrance to the battle becomes available underneath Prism Tower. Even though the area looks the same, what waits underground is an entirely different level of difficulty.

Team setup matters more here than in most other encounters. You’re fighting a Dragon and Ground-type Pokémon with multiple forms, huge HP pools, and unpredictable mechanics. Ice-type attacks are your best friend. In the run shown in the video, Pokémon like Greninja, Dragonite, Froslass, and Meganium were constantly rotated in and out—not because they were perfect, but because different tools were needed at different times. Even Clefable became unexpectedly important thanks to Moonblast and its Mega Evolution.

A lot of players like to experiment with different team builds when preparing for late-game challenges. Some even browse outside resources while testing options. This is where certain community discussions about places to buy shiny pokemon za come into play, although personally I recommend focusing on learning the encounter rather than relying on power boosts. Still, it’s something many players talk about, and it shows how tough this fight can feel on a first attempt.

Understanding the First Phase: Zygarde (10%)

The battle opens with Zygarde in its dog-like 10% form. This phase is fast-paced and very mobile. You want to stay patient, dodge frequently, and punish openings rather than rushing in. The Thousand Arrows attack in this stage has a simple enough pattern—you can avoid it by watching the targeting animations and moving sideways.

Greninja’s Ice Beam and various Ice-type physical attacks work extremely well here. The fight allows you to stun Zygarde occasionally, which is the perfect timing to set up moves like Nasty Plot or to reposition one of your frailer sweepers. Just be careful not to stay out too long, because this phase hits surprisingly hard for being only its “starter” form.

If you ever feel underprepared during this stage, some players look around markets in the community where they notice others listing shiny pokemon for sale. While you absolutely don’t need rare variants to win this battle, it does show how many players treat Zygarde as a serious milestone that pushes them to rethink their usual strategies.

Transitioning Into the Second Phase: Zygarde (50%)

Once you knock out the first form, the real fight starts. Zygarde’s 50% form hits harder, moves more aggressively, and relies on Rock Slide and Dragon Pulse to control space. Rock Slide in particular becomes a problem because it punishes grounded Pokémon—especially if you’re caught mid-attack.

In this phase, Mega Evolutions become critical. Mega Clefable works extremely well thanks to Fairy-type attacks and more survivability. Blizzard, Ice Beam, Dazzling Gleam, and Moonblast can all land meaningful damage if you use them while Zygarde is stunned or during slower animations.

Also, be ready to use potions. A lot of potions. This fight doesn’t hold back, and there’s no penalty for healing as long as you manage your cooldowns wisely. The video demonstrates how swapping between Pokémon allows you to dodge incoming moves while waiting for item timers to reset. This can keep your whole team alive much longer than expected.

Some players rely on service sites like U4GM when exploring advanced builds or searching for faster ways to prepare rare Pokémon. Whether you use outside help or not, what matters most here is learning how to read Zygarde’s patterns. That understanding pays off much more than any single item or stat boost.

The Final Phase: Zygarde Complete Form

The last form takes everything from the first two phases and dials it up. It gains new attacks like Core Enforcer and Thousand Waves, which do more than deal damage—they also prevent switching or force you to reposition quickly. Core Enforcer, in particular, is one of the most stressful moves in the encounter because of its unpredictable ground pattern. Dodging it means playing near the edge of the battlefield and reacting quickly as the shape appears.

Here, surviving is more important than dealing consistent damage. Expect to rely on revives, protect moves, and short windows of burst damage. Clefable, Meganium, and Greninja each get moments where they shine, but none of them can stay in for long. As shown in the video, sometimes it comes down to a single Ice Punch from Metagross after a lucky dodge. The fight is chaotic, but that’s also what makes it memorable.

Final Tips for Winning the Fight

The biggest lesson is that this battle rewards players who stay calm. Zygarde’s moves look overwhelming at first, but each one has a pattern you can learn. The whole encounter is built around keeping pressure on the player while still giving you ways to breathe—like stun windows, movement freedom, and generous item options.

Bring Pokémon that can deal Ice-type damage, remember to Mega Evolve as soon as possible, and don’t hesitate to rotate your whole team. It’s a battle of attrition as much as power. If you go in expecting a marathon instead of a sprint, the fight becomes far more manageable.


Zygarde is one of the strongest and most intense encounters in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. With the right preparation, smart use of Mega Evolutions, and steady dodging, the fight becomes challenging but fair. Build a balanced team, stay patient, and don’t be afraid to adapt as you go. Winning this battle feels incredibly rewarding, and it’s a great test of everything you’ve learned up to this point.