Z-A's DLC has a secret 'Mega Evolution' you can easily miss

Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s Mega Dimension DLC came out less than two weeks ago, and it opened a lot more doors for replayability in the game than what the base game offered, all while introducing some incredible new Mega Evolutions and plenty of returning critters. One could argue that the game and its expansion are disappointing because there are no entirely new Pokemon or regional forms, but Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s DLC returning Pokemon include several critters from underrepresented regions, like Alola, Galar, and Paldea. On top of that, there are 19 new Mega Evolutions that are arguably better than the ones in the base game. However, a secret one can easily go unnoticed.

The concept of Mega Evolution makes a lot of sense within the Pokemon universe, as it makes given critters find temporary power in a new form that is not a permanent evolution, like normal. This is translated into getting 100 more stat points to improve a Pokemon’s BST, and the phenomenon can also happen to fully-evolved critters, breaking the usual 3-stage rule. Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A can be quite powerful and put those extra stat points to great use. As such, you shouldn’t miss out on Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s “Mega Dondozo” to accompany the new Mega Tatsugiri.

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Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Mega Dimension DLC brings back multiple Legendary and Mythical Pokemon, and here’s how to catch ’em all.

Say Hello to the 20th DLC Mega Evolution in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

While there is no actual Mega Dondozo in the game, it may surprise you to know that, despite Pokemon Legends: Z-A removing abilities, Dondozo actually has Commander as a hidden trait, and it functions just like in Gen 9 games. To activate “Mega Dondozo” in PLZA, you have to:

Choose Tatsugiri in battle, even if it uses no moves.
Switch to Dondozo, activating Commander:
- Tatsugiri ends up in Dondozo’s mouth, preventing Dondozo from switching out.
- Dondozo gets a stat boost in all stats, which is currently the only guaranteed way to achieve this in the game, becoming incredibly powerful.
- This can be achieved in Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s ranked battles online, too.

How the Dondozo and Tatsugiri Combo Compares Between PLZA and Gen 9

Stat boosts in Pokemon Legends: Z-A work differently from other mainline games, where they can range all the way from +1 to +6 and even go all the way down to -6. Furthermore, one can technically get multiple stat boost stages in a single swing, such as Swords Dance granting +2 to Attack, for example.

Mega Tatsugiri in Pokemon Legends Z-A Mega Dimension DLC (3)

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet‘s Dondozo and Tatsugiri combo works in a similar way, as players have to have Tatsugiri out in a double battle, then switch a Pokemon in favor of Dondozo to activate Commander. However, the main differences are as follows:

You can activate Dondozo’s Commander ability in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet even if you have Dondozo out and switch Tatsugiri in by its side. In PLZA, you can only activate Commander by switching Tatsugiri for Dondozo.
Dondozo’s Commander ability gives it a stat boost of +2 in every stat, instead of a one-time stat boost for all stats.

Stat boosts can only be positive or negative in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, but one can boost a Pokemon’s stats further with the red item or blue item in ranked battles, with the former boosting attack power and the latter reducing damage taken.

Why Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Dondozo is OP, and How to Get It

Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s best teams typically use some form of hyper-aggressive attackers and defensive Pokemon to switch into or lead with. A common strategy is to use a “screen setter” that can use both Reflect and Light Screen, making itself and all Pokemon on the team more resistant to physical and special attacks, respectively.

The thing is, a screen setter can be used in a team with Tatsugiri and Dondozo, then switch to Tatsugiri after using Reflect and Light Screen, and finally into Dondozo to have an omni-boost to stats while also taking reduced damage overall. This is a very powerful combo, and while it requires quite a bit of setup, both the screen setter and Tatsugiri can be used to attack before swapping out, getting more value out of them and accumulating Mega energy for Dondozo.

Why Mega Energy Matters for Dondozo in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Dondozo does not have a Mega Evolution, but it can use Plus Moves in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. This, combined with a boost to attack and max Attack IVs and EVs can be extremely deadly.

If you’re wondering how to get Dondozo, you have to find a Hyperspace Wild Zone with Water-type as a focus that is at least a 3-star zone. Dondozo appears in Tatsugiri hordes, replacing a Tatsugiri.