Pokemon Legends: ZAThe Mega Dimension DLC doesn't seem to be getting major updates for the foreseeable future, aside from new rewards, codes for free items, and ranked seasons. However, it can still fundamentally change how the game plays and feels when played, especially how the meta is changing competitively. Pokemon Legends: ZASeason 6 will begin soon, on January 29, and it has already been confirmed to be bloody. With so many new meta-warping legendaries, the game will never be the same, and all the fun you had in ranked battles is likely to end.
Before we dive into how banned legends affect the meta, let's set the stage by reviewing the Season 5 meta. As of now, the game revolves around powerhouse attackers that can hit hard and fast, such as Sword of Justice, Flamboyant, and Magerna. with Pokemon Legends: ZAWith Mega Evolution still playing a major role, it's clear that the focus is on heavy offensive threats, but the approach is balanced by defensive checks and counterplay.
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Volcanic brings both bulk and offensive power, often using fire and water moves to hit a variety of enemies hard. This is a tough Pokemon to break, especially with its Fire/Water typing.
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Magearna is a favorite choice due to its high Special Attack and wide movepool, which allows it to serve as both an offensive and support asset on teams. It also received a new Mega Evolution in the game.
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Armarouge has found its niche due to its Fire/Psychic typing and ability to hit hard when using items like the Expert Belt, Life Orb, and Assault Vest with powerful moves such as Armor Cannon, Psychic, and Meteor Beam.
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Thanks to its access to Earthquake, Waterfall, and Stealth Rock, Swampert has become an all-around solid choice in terms of both offense and utility. It is a reliable choice for many teams.
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Swords of Justice are staples for their high stats, offensive versatility, and ability to hit hard in close combat and moves like Sacred Sword.
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Baxcalibur is a great answer to many threats in the meta, and once powered with Sword Dance, it can deal massive damage even against targets that don't take super-effective damage from it.
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There is Garchomp Pokemon Legends: ZAIt's the most OP Pokemon right now, and that's because it packs incredible stats, a very strong Mega Evolution, and can be used with many different items to improve its damage or survivability.
The meta is shaped by these strong attackers, but with banned legendary Pokemon coming soon, the focus will shift from maintaining balance to managing overwhelming power. These will be limited to one per team, but they will still be a problematic addition to the game in terms of balance. Banned Pokemon are:
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Xerneas
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Yveltal
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Zygarde
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Mewtwo
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Groudon
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Kyogre
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Requaza
Pokemon Legends: ZA looks set to rewrite the unwritten rules of Mega Evolution
With the gameplay changes Pokemon Legends: ZA is making to the series formula, the best Mega Evolutions can look completely different.
Banned legendaries in Pokemon Legends: ZA are officially ruining the game
Why Xerneas is the OP in PLZA ranked battles
Xerneas enters the realm as a Fairy-type powerhouse with access to Moonblast and Geomancy. While it may not have the same abilities as a fairy aura Pokemon Legends: ZAXerneas still brings an incredibly offensive presence. Its ability to set up Geomancy, a move that increases both special attacks and its movement speed, allows it to sweep teams when it's properly set up. Xerneas can defeat current offensive staples like Swords of Justice with its Fairy-type moves, as well as critters like Garchomp and Boxcaliber, as Moonblast is very effective against Fighting- and Dragon-types.
With the current meta relying heavily on powerful attackers, Pokemon Legends: ZAXerneas will likely force teams to prepare against its massive potential. Expect more steel- and poison-types used as a defensive answer, or even more priority users looking to shut it down before it becomes too much of a threat. Still, it has a wider movepool, including Thunderbolt and newer TMs Pokemon Legends: ZADLC of.
How Mewtwo Can Reshape PLZA's Ranked Battles
One of the most iconic Pokémon in the franchise, Mewtwo brings great offensive power with its 120 base special attacks and a versatile movepool including Cystrike, Shadow Ball, and Calm Mind. since PLZAWith Mega Mewtwo Y dominating the meta in Season 3, it's likely that the Pokemon will be prominent again in Season 6.
Why You Shouldn't Sleep on Zygarde in Pokemon Legends: ZA
In Season 6, Zygarde's combination of bulk and power will make it a strong defensive option against the likes of Xerneas and Mewtwo. While it may not boast any of the legendary abilities of other games, its sheer stats and impressive movepool will give it the flexibility to act as both a wall and a hitter, making it a solid choice for defensive and offensive setups alike. Mega Zyguard can also quickly wipe out opponents once its Mega Form is triggered, as it has an incredible base special attack of 216 and OP moves.
How Groudon and Kyogre Can Eliminate Competition in Pokemon Legends: ZA
With capacity cut from Pokemon Legends: ZAGroudon still brings one of the most powerful offensive presences in the game. Precipice Blade, Fire Punch, and Stone Edge provide excellent coverage, and Groudon will definitely remain an impressive physical attacker. Its Ground and Fire movepools will allow it to hit Fire-, Steel-, and Rock-types incredibly hard. On top of that, Primal Groudon will also be accessible.
Kyogre, without its Primordial C ability, still represents one of the most consistent special attackers in the game. With Origin Pulse, Ice Beam, and Thunder, it has excellent coverage and is able to hit hard against both offensive and defensive teams. Kyogre will play the role of a heavy water-type attacker, taking advantage of his special attack to break down walls and counter fire-types like Groudon. Primal Kyogre will still be a top-tier pick for most teams with very few counters.
Pokemon Legends: ZA's Mega Rayquaza is about to break the game
Without the ability, Rayquaza still boasts incredible speed and offensive coverage. The dragon's climb and extreme speed make it a huge threat to anything that doesn't boost it or pack a priority move. Rayquaza's combination of Flying and Dragon moves will put a lot of pressure on the current meta, where Dragon-types and Flying-types are still very relevant. more importantly, Pokemon Legends: ZARayquaza doesn't have a Mega Stone, but it can still Mega Evolve just by having Dragon Ascent as one of its moves.
Perhaps more importantly still, this means that anyone can use items while using and fighting Mega Rayquaza. Focus Sash makes it so that Ice-type moves aren't able to one-shot it, and the same goes for increased moves from Xerneas, Garchomp, Baxcalibur, and other common meta threats. This could be a make-or-break moment for the addition PLZAof the competitive scene, and there's no going back, unfortunately.
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October 16, 2025
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Everyone 10+ / Fantasy violence, in-game purchases
