ZA is about to have a whole new game on June 4th

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Pokemon Legends: ZA It's been kind of dormant lately, as it's been receiving frequent updates every three weeks to coincide with each new season coming into the game. However, most of them made only a few changes. Typically, there were updates to the rewards, such as cycling through special poke balls as end-of-season rewards, or some slight variation in the meta. Each season has had its own rules so far, and not all Pokemon are eligible due to their DLC status, legendary status, legendary status, or restricted tag. In the game, players only got to use Pokemon with Mega Evolution Pokemon Legends: ZA in season 8, and it was the most distinctive overall despite the mediocre awards.

Now, however, things are changing dramatically, and a new era will begin for season 12 Pokemon Legends: ZA. Although the reward shenanigans will likely be going on forever, like games missing Mega Stones when reaching a certain rank and changing end-of-season rewards, June 4th has a lot going for it. In fact, Season 11 ends on June 4, and Season 12 begins immediately, bringing a big change to Pokemon.

Pokemon Legends ZA Mega Greninja

Today is officially the end of an era for Pokemon Legends: ZA

Pokemon Legends: ZA is getting a new update today, May 13, which marks the end of a long-running structure for the competitive scene.

Season 12 makes Pokemon Legends: ZA a whole new game

Pokemon Legends Season-12 Image via Pokemon.com

  • Season 11 ends on June 3In 2026 6:59 pm PDT/9:59 pm ET
  • Season 12 begins on June 3In 2026 11:00 PDT/June 4In 2026 2:00 a.m. ET

Pokemon Legends: ZAMega Evolutions have long been the biggest appeal of the game, especially in ranked battles, but Season 12 shook things up massively. While previously players could only use certain Pokemon, this is no longer the case in Season 12.

Scratch and pick

Identify the cover art while scratching off as small a foil as possible.




Scratch and pick

Identify the cover art while scratching off as small a foil as possible.

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Eligible Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: ZA Season 12

  • The Lumiose Pokedex: All Pokemon (numbers 001 to 232)
  • Hyperspace Pokédex: All Pokemon (numbers 001 to 132)
  • Banned Pokemon: All are allowed without restriction

Contains banned Pokemon Pokemon Legends: ZAMewtwo, Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza. Typically, a given ruleset allows players to use one or two of these Pokémon, and some previous rules allow none at all. However, the official rules for this Pokemon Legends: ZA Season 12, found on Pokemon.com, throws all of that out the window and allows players to use any Pokemon they want.

GameRant Quiz

GameRant Quiz

Easy (15 seconds) Medium (10 seconds) Hard (5 seconds) Permadeath (5 seconds)

This is also a first for the series, as VGC has historically only allowed one or two restricted Pokémon, while Pokemon Legends: ZA Now allows full teams of three restricted Pokemon starting June 4th. This is a big deal, as ranked battles will likely be filled with Kyogre, Groudon, Xernias, and Mewtwo, the strongest meta Pokemon. Legends: ZA.

Pokemon Legends: ZAMega Rayquaza isn't necessarily equivalent, but it does have an AC up its sleeve as it doesn't require an item to Mega Evolve. Actually, if you want to know how to Mega Evolve into Rayquaza Pokemon Legends: ZAThis move can only be developed by knowing Dragon Ascension. As such, you can use almost any item on Mega Rayquaza in ranked battles, and Focus Sash is a great option.

Kyogre and Groudon are so strong that they don't really need their primal forms to shine. This is also worth noting Pokemon Legends: ZAPrimal Kyogre and Primal Groudon do not have their abilities active in ranked battles. This means that Kyogre is not immune to fire attacks, and Groudon cannot become immune to water moves.

June 4 marks the start of a new era for Pokemon Legends: ZA

Because it's the first time that all Pokemon inside Pokemon Legends: ZAThe Pokedex and DLC Pokedex are usable without any restrictions, it starts a new era for the game. It's a logical next step that future seasons will either have to stick to the same rules or create weird ones like Mega Evolutions.

  • Season 1: All base game Pokemon are allowed, minus Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde. Introducing Mega Greninja.
  • Season 2: All base game Pokemon are allowed, minus Zygarde and Mewtwo. Introducing Mega Delfox.
  • Season 3: All base game Pokemon are allowed. One restricted Pokemon per team. Diancy was considered a banned Pokemon. Introducing the Mega Chesnaught.
  • Season 4: Banned Pokemon including many Legendary and Mythical Pokemon. Introducing Mega Baxcalibur. First DLC Pokemon made usable.
  • Season 5: Banned Pokemon are not allowed. Introducing the Mega Septile. Many myths and legends were made usable for the first time.
  • Season 6: All Pokemon are eligible, but only one restricted Pokemon is allowed. Introducing Mega Swampert.
  • Season 7: All Pokemon are eligible, but only two restricted Pokemon are allowed. Introducing Mega Blaziken.
  • Season 8: Only Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution are allowed.
  • Season 9: The most legendary and legendary pokemon banned.
  • Season 10: Banned Pokemon are not allowed.
  • Season 11: All Pokemon are eligible, but only one restricted Pokemon is allowed.

Basically, each ruleset either made certain Pokemon unusable, eg Pokemon Legends: ZAThere were restrictions for Mega Zeraora and its base form, or the strongest mons in the game. All of these restrictions are gone in Season 12, so starting June 4, players will have a whole new playing field in ranked battles. Not only that, but it creates an exciting precedent for the game, and future seasons could introduce even more unique rules.

All rewards for Pokemon Legends: ZA Season 12

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.




Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5 seconds) Medium (5.0 seconds) Hard (2.5 seconds) Permadeath (2.5 seconds)

First and foremost, it's worth noting that Season 12 runs from Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 11:00 pm PDT/June 4 at 2 am ET through Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 6:59 pm PDT/9:59 pm ET. That means Season 13 will likely start on June 24 at 11 a.m. PDT/June 25 at 2 a.m. ET. As usual, players can expect a refresh Pokemon Legends: ZA Awards in Season 12:

  • Category A

    • Gold Bottle Cap x3

    • Bottle cap x5

    • Seed of Mastery x3

    • Big Nugget x1

  • Category B to E

    • Gold Bottle Cap x2

    • Bottle cap x3

    • Seed of Mastery x2

    • Nugget x2

  • Category F to I

    • Gold Bottle Cap x1

    • Bottle cap x2

    • Seed of Mastery x1

    • Nugget x2

  • Grades J to M

    • Bottle cap x1

    • Seed of Mastery x1

    • Nugget x2

  • Category N to R

    • Seed of Mastery x1

    • Nugget x1

  • Category S or below

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On top of that, players will be able to get all rank-exclusive Mega Stones. Pokemon Legends: ZA. They and other rank-up awards are as follows:

  • Rank Y — Grenzite
  • Category X — Delfoxyte
  • Category W — Chesnatite
  • Category V – Baxcalibrite
  • Category U – Sceptilite
  • category t — Swampertite
  • Category S — Blazikenite
  • Category M – Safari Ball x1
  • Category I – Safari Ball x1
  • Category E – Safari Ball x2
  • Category D – Safari Ball x2
  • Category C – Safari Ball x3
  • Category B – Safari Ball x3
  • Category A – Safari Ball x5

These awards will be given upon reaching the respective category rather than at the end of the season. Also, as usual, players will reset their rank to Rank Z and have to climb back up to Rank A. If you played Season 11, don't forget to go to the Ranked Battles screen to claim your previous season-end rewards as well.

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