Summary
- Fans are discovering that Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be shedding the franchise’s Abilities for its Pokemon.
- Pokemon Legends: Arceus similarly cut Abilities from its 2022 release in favor of a revamped system with “Agile” and “Strong” attacks.
- Legends: Z-A will introduce several major changes to Pokemon’s normal battle formula, introducing real-time combat and the return of Mega Evolutions.
Pokemon fans are discovering that, much like its predecessor, the upcoming Pokemon Legends: Z-A will not feature Pokemon abilities as part of its battle system. The beloved monster-catching franchise has introduced a wide variety of unique methods to differentiate each Pokemon from one another, ensuring Pokemon maintain their own individuality and specialties. Natures are a popular aspect of the franchise’s gameplay, determining how a Pokemon’s stats will grow, while “EVs” and “IVs” help players to optimize and maximize their Pokemon’s growth. However, one series staple will be absent from the franchise’s next entry.
Abilities have been a staple of the Pokemon franchise since Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire and have appeared in most major games. Abilities offer unique bonuses to Pokemon alongside their individual stats, offering everything from niche stat boosts and damage mitigation to out-of-combat uses like “Pick Up” and “Flame Body.” Each Pokemon can also have a “hidden ability,” a rare drop that is often a sought-after ability for many combat-oriented builds. A new report confirms that Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be following Arceus‘ footsteps in shedding abilities for the spinoff.
Related
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Bringing Back Move That Was Cut from Scarlet and Violet
After further analyzing the extended Pokemon Legends: Z-A trailer, some fans point out that the upcoming title will see a cut move come back.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A fans are discovering that the upcoming new entry in the franchise will lack Abilities, much like its predecessor. Fans have found that the listings for Legends Z-A‘s starter Pokemon, Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile, lack any details of their Abilities, leading many to believe Abilities have been cut. The change would fall in line with Pokemon Legends: Arceus, with the 2022 game cutting Abilities in favor of its revamped system and the “Strong” and “Agile” style attacks. Pokemon Legends: Z-A is currently expected to release in late 2025, with an official release date not yet confirmed.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A is Removing Abilities
The removal of Abilities would come as Legends: Z-A will boast a drastically different battle system than past games. Pokemon: Legends Z-A will be the first mainline game in the franchise to feature real-time combat, allowing players and their Pokemon to move around the battlefield and dodge attacks. The game will also welcome the return of Mega Evolution with multiple past Mega Pokemon confirmed to be returning, including fan-favorites like Mega Gardevoir and Mega Absol. Mega Evolutions have not appeared in main-series Pokemon games since Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s revised battle system follows The Pokemon Company giving fans their first major look at the game. The Pokemon Presents livestream earlier this week showed off several characters who will appear within the game, teasing the return of major X and Y character AZ. The trailer also showed off the sprawling cityscape of Legends: Z-A‘s Lumiose City, centered on a high-tech restoration project for the city with numerous “Wild Zone” Pokemon habitats throughout Lumiose City. Pokemon Legends: Z-A looks to break bold new ground for the franchise with its launch later this year.
