Pokémon Legends: Z-A Ranked Battles Season 8: A Comprehensive Guide
A special season of Ranked Battles is coming to Pokémon Legends: Z-A, offering Trainers the opportunity to earn Mega Shards, which can be exchanged for useful items like Mega Stones, and Exp. Candy. Ranked Battles Season 8 runs from Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 11:00 p.m. PDT to Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 6:59 p.m. PDT. This season features a unique ruleset, permitting only Pokémon that have Mega Evolutions first introduced in the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game or the Mega Dimension DLC—including Zygarde and Mythical Pokémon.
Understanding Ranked Battles in Season 8
The four-player, real-time online battles during this special season will challenge Trainers from around the world. Players will earn points based on their performance, progressing through ranks from Rank Z to the ultimate Rank A. Rewards are granted for battles, promotions, and overall season performance.
Rewards System
There are three types of rewards available in Ranked Battles: battle rewards, promotion rewards, and season rewards. Battle rewards are received at the finish of each battle, regardless of outcome. Promotion rewards are earned when advancing to the next rank. Season rewards are based on the final ranking achieved at the end of the season.
Mega Stone Promotion Rewards
Mega Stones will be available as promotion rewards for ranks Y through S, including Greninjite, Delphoxite, Chesnaughtite, Baxcalibrite, Sceptilite, Swampertite, and Blazikenite.
Season Rewards: Mega Shards Abound
During this special season, Mega Shards can be earned not only as promotion rewards but also as season rewards, providing ample opportunity to collect these valuable resources.
Eligible Pokémon
Only Pokémon with Mega Evolutions newly discovered in Lumiose City or Hyperspace Lumiose may be registered to your Battle Team. The following Pokémon are eligible for this special season of Ranked Battles (Season 8):
- Lumiose Pokédex No. 003, 006, 009, 035, 037, 039 (Eternal Flower Floette only), 044, 046, 054 (Alolan Raichu excluded), 057, 070, 076, 121, 130, 134, 136, 144, 147, 160, 162, 171, 181, 185, 191, 211, 212, 215, 216, 219, 224, and 230
- Hyperspace Pokédex No. 015, 021, 031, 034, 051, 063, 072, 083, 088, 113, 125, 131, and 132
No more than one Pokémon with the same Pokédex number may be used. Pokémon can be registered from Lv. 1 to Lv. 100, but all Pokémon will be set to Lv. 50 during battles.
Held Items Restrictions
Pokémon are allowed to hold Mega Stones that were newly discovered in Lumiose City or Hyperspace Lumiose. No other held items are permitted.
How to Participate in Ranked Battles
- Launch your Pokémon Legends: Z-A game.
- Press the X Button to open the main menu.
- Select Link Play.
- Select Ranked Battles.
To be eligible for season rewards, players must complete at least one match during Ranked Battles Season 8.
Claiming Season Rewards
After the season concludes, follow these steps to claim your in-game rewards:
- Launch your Pokémon Legends: Z-A game.
- Press the X Button to open the main menu.
- Select Link Play.
- Select Ranked Battles.
Good luck, Trainers! This special season is sure to test your skills.