Pokemon Legends: Z-A has introduced some of the most exciting legendary and mythical Pokemon ever seen in a Pokemon game. In this guide, we'll walk through the steps to capture 20 of these elusive creatures, from Mega Heatran to Marshadow, and help you navigate the unique mechanics of each encounter. Plus, we’ll share some tips on the best strategies to catch them, and how you can get your hands on a shiny Pokemon if you’re aiming for that rare perfect catch.

The Prerequisites: Completion of the Main Story

Before you embark on your legendary quest, it's essential to complete the main storyline of the DLC. You’ll unlock most of these Pokemon after battling Darkrai, with your ultimate challenge being Rayquaza. The game introduces a fresh method for catching legendary Pokemon, involving side missions and special items, so you’ll need to be prepared. Note that all mythical Pokemon in this game are shiny-locked, meaning you can’t get them in their shiny form through regular gameplay—unless you opt to buy shiny Pokemon from external services.

1. Mega Heatran, Darkrai, and Rayquaza

The first wave of major encounters starts with Heatran, Darkrai, Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza. These five Pokemon are tied to specific side missions that involve creating special donuts, an item unique to this DLC.

• Heatran can be found through a regular mission involving a wormhole. You won’t even realize you’re hunting it until the battle begins. It's straightforward but memorable.

• Darkrai and the Primal versions of Groudon and Kyogre require a bit more work. Each needs a specific donut made from ingredients you gather throughout the game. A pro tip here: water-based moves won’t work during the Groudon fight due to the Desolate Land ability, so make sure to bring along a ground-type Pokemon.

• The Rayquaza battle is fun, but it can be tough. It’s a lot easier if you have a Xerneas on your team. It might faint once or twice, so keep Max Revives on hand to ensure your victory.

2. Hoopa: A Mysterious Encounter

After defeating Rayquaza, you’ll be able to catch Hoopa. To access this legendary, you'll first need to interact with it during a side mission at Ansa. Hoopa’s storyline is a bit quirky—it starts when you accidentally stumble upon a prison bottle in a suspicious location. This sets the stage for a wild chase and ultimately captures Hoopa in its Confined form. While this Pokemon is a gift, it comes with a catch: Hoopa is caught in a basic Poké Ball, and you can’t choose a different one.

3. Volcanion: The Fire-Water Fusion

Next, we have Volcanion, the dual Fire and Water-type Pokemon. To find it, visit the Pokemon Research Center and talk to Mabel, who will start the side mission Volcany Unleashed. This encounter is rather unique, as you’ll battle Volcanion in a pitch-black void—a stark contrast to other legendary encounters. While battling Volcanion, it’s weak to electric-type moves, so bring your electric-type Pokemon along for the best results.

A crucial point: you only get one chance to catch Volcanion per battle, so make sure you're prepared. Volcanion can be caught in any Poké Ball, which gives you some flexibility in your choice of capture method.

4. Meltan and Melmetal: The Legendary Duo

Meltan and its evolution Melmetal can be found together, but catching them requires a little extra effort. Start by locating Meltan in Rouge Plaza, north of the central tower. It’s not a tough battle, but you only get one shot to catch Meltan, so don’t waste it! Once you’ve caught Meltan, head to a nearby wormhole to find Melmetal—this is a one-star wormhole, so just toss a basic donut to catch it. Melmetal comes as a gift Pokemon, which means no choice in the Poké Ball, but you can reset for IVs if you’re aiming for a perfect one.

5. Marshadow: A Stealthy Shadow

To catch Marshadow, you’ll need to complete the Stealthy Shadow side quest located east of the map. You’ll need to be at the right place at the right time—once the sun reaches a specific point in the sky, you’ll be able to engage Marshadow in battle. This Pokemon can be quite the challenge due to its speed, so be sure to use quick balls or a status move like Dark Void to slow it down.

6. Zeraora: The Lightning Fighter

The next legendary on the list is Zeraora, a Mega Pokemon that requires you to follow a set of specific missions, including completing tasks with Hoopa and other legendaries. The Zeraora battle is a tough one—its Mega form comes with some tricky moves, but Zygarde is a great counter with moves like Earth Power and Thousand Arrows. When it’s time to catch it, you'll have a guaranteed 100% catch rate, so feel free to use whatever Poké Ball you like.

7. Miraa: A Puzzling Encounter

The final legendary Pokemon in this guide is Miraa, which you can find in Quazardico Incorporated. The quest involves helping a man named Vinnie get a Mimikyu for his daughter, and you’ll eventually gain access to Miraa as a reward. This is a bit of a weird encounter, as Miraa doesn’t require a battle—just follow the story, and you’ll soon have it in your party.

Catching all the legendary and mythical Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A can be a real thrill, especially with the added complexity of special donuts and specific side missions. While most of these Pokemon are shiny-locked, there are other ways to buy shiny Pokemon from external sources if you're looking for that perfect catch. Additionally, using U4GM for helpful items or in-game services can speed up your journey.

In conclusion, whether you're aiming to collect them all or looking for specific legendary powerhouses for your team, this DLC offers a wealth of exciting encounters. Good luck, trainers!

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