Pokemon Legends Z-A Ranked Battles Guide
Pokémon Legends: Z-A's Ranked Battles shake up the formula with intense, real-time 4-player brawls. This guide breaks down everything you need to know—from basic rules to advanced strategies—so you can dominate the battlefield and climb from Rank Z to Rank A as fast as possible.
In This Guide, You'll Learn:
Battle Rules: How the new 4-player real-time system works.
Pro Tips: Secret ways to earn bonus points beyond just KO's.
Team Setup: How to build a winning 3-Pokémon Battle Team.
Ranking Up: The exact path from Z to A Rank and the rewards you'll earn.
What Are Ranked Battles? A New Kind of Pokémon Fight
Forget traditional turn-based combat. In Z-A's Ranked Battles, four Trainers battle simultaneously in real-time on a shared field. You control your Trainer directly, moving freely, aiming attacks, and dodging incoming hits. The goal is simple: defeat more opposing Pokémon than anyone else within the 3-minute time limit.
Your performance determines your rank, starting from the bottom at Rank Z and climbing all the way to the top at Rank A. There are 26 ranks in total. Each season, ranks reset to Z, giving everyone a fresh start.
How to Join Ranked Battles: Step-by-Step
Ready to jump in? Here's how:
From the main menu, select "Link Play."
Choose "Ranked Battles."
Ensure you have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership and a stable internet connection.
You'll enter the Z-A Battle Club, where you can make final team adjustments before matchmaking begins.
Important: All Pokémon are automatically set to Level 50 in Ranked Battles, so it's all about strategy, not level grinding.
Building Your Winning Battle Team
You can't use your main story party. You must create a dedicated Battle Team:
Open your Boxes from the main menu.
Press the X Button twice to switch from "Current Party" to "Battle Teams."
Select three Pokémon from your boxes. (Tip: Pokémon in your current party must be deposited into a Box first.)
Equip held items like Mega Stones to gain an edge.
Focus on type synergy and move coverage to handle a variety of opponents.
Battle Rules and Match Flow
Understanding the flow of battle is key to winning:
Time Limit: Each battle lasts 3 minutes.
Respawn Mechanic: When your Pokémon faints, you respawn at your starting point with a fully healed team.
Switching: You can switch your active Pokémon up to 3 times each time you enter the fray. This limit resets when you respawn.
Ranking: At the end, players are ranked 1st to 4th based on KOs and bonus points. Reach the point threshold to promote to the next rank. Your rank never drops during a season.
How to Earn MORE Points and Rank Up Faster
Getting KOs is important, but the real key to climbing fast is mastering bonus point actions.
Bonus Points Breakdown
| Action | Bonus Points | Pro Tip |
| Land the first attack of the battle | +50 Pts | Be aggressive from the start. |
| Pick up the first glowing item | +50 Pts | Memorize item spawn locations. |
| Be the first Trainer to Mega Evolve | +75 Pts | Equip a Mega Stone and build your gauge quickly. |
| Use supereffective moves 5+ times | +80 Pts | Bring Pokémon with wide move coverage. |
| Defeat a Mega-Evolved Pokémon | +90 Pts | Target empowered foes for high risk/reward. |
| Defeat a Pokémon from all 3 opponents | +100 Pts | Spread your damage, don't just focus one player. |
| Finish with no Pokémon fainted | +120 Pts | Prioritize dodging and survival. A huge bonus! |
Glowing Battlefield Items: What They Do
Glowing orbs appear during battle. Grabbing the right one at the right time can turn the tide.
Item Effects and Uses
| Item Color | Effect | Best Use Case |
| Green Orb | Restores HP for your entire team | Use when multiple Pokémon are low on health after a respawn. |
| Red Orb | Boosts Attack & Special Attack | Grab before pushing for a key knockout. |
| Blue Orb | Boosts Defense & Special Defense | Ideal for surviving a focused assault. |
| Mega Power Orb | Charges your Mega Power gauge faster | Critical for securing the "First Mega Evolution" bonus. |
Ranking Up and Season Rewards
As you climb the ranks, you'll earn valuable rewards at the end of each season, including:
Mega Stones for powerful Evolutions
Exp. Candies for quick leveling
Other rare battle items
Since your rank doesn't decrease, you can experiment and learn without penalty. At the season's end, rewards are distributed, and everyone resets to Rank Z for a new climb.
Ready to Climb the Ranks?
Now you have the knowledge to dominate Pokémon Legends: Z-A's Ranked Battles. Remember, success comes from a mix of a well-built team, smart use of items, and a focus on those high-value bonus actions.
If you're looking to get a head start on building your perfect team, check out our selection of Pokémon Legends: Z-A Pokémon to find the ideal partners for your battle strategy. Good luck, and see you in the A ranks!
