Step-by-step post-game guide to unlock and catch Zygarde in Pokémon Legends Z-A. Learn required prerequisites, how to beat Trainer L, reach Wild Zone 20, and survive the 3-phase boss fight.
So you’ve rolled the credits, cleared the main missions, and captured both Xerneas and Yveltal, yet Zygarde still isn’t appearing anywhere in Lumiose City.
Many players run into this exact problem because Zygarde is not available during the main storyline.
Instead, it serves as the final post-game challenge, locked behind several prerequisites, a difficult trainer battle, and one of the most demanding multi-phase boss fights in the entire game.
This detailed guide walks step-by-step through everything required — unlocking the mission, battling Trainer L, navigating to Wild Zone 20, defeating all three Zygarde forms, and understanding how to use Zygarde’s unique form-changing mechanics afterward.
Every section below reflects exact in-game systems, supported by verified data from official resources and community documentation.
Quick Answer: How to Get Zygarde in Pokémon Legends Z-A (High-Level Overview)
To access and capture Zygarde, the following actions must be completed in order:
- Finish Main Mission 42, titled “To Keep the World in Balance,” which concludes the main storyline.
- Defeat Trainer L at Hotel Z, an essential requirement that many players overlook.
- Complete 15 Reward Matches in the Infinite Z-A Royale, which unlocks post-game cutscenes and progression steps.
- Watch the Eternal Floette cutscene in Quasartico after completing the reward matches.
- Return to Hotel Z to trigger Trainer L’s appearance and the subsequent mission chain.
- Access Wild Zone 20, located beneath the remains of Prism Tower in Lumiose City.
- Interact with Zygarde inside Wild Zone 20 to begin the full three-phase boss fight.
- Defeat Zygarde in all three phases; you will then receive a guaranteed catch.
Important: Every prerequisite must be completed in sequence. Missing even one will prevent the Zygarde mission from triggering.
Post-Game Requirements Checklist Before the Zygarde Mission Appears
Zygarde will only appear after certain tasks and story events are completed. These requirements are often misunderstood, causing many players to believe their game is “bugged.” Ensuring each step below is complete resolves every known issue involving the mission not triggering.
1. Complete the Main Story
- Zygarde does not appear before the main game ends.
- The storyline must be finished to the rolling of credits, ending with Mission 42.
- This establishes the “Balance” theme culminating in the Zygarde encounter.
2. Catch Xerneas and Yveltal
- These two legendaries represent opposite forces required for the narrative resolution.
- They form part of the prerequisite chain leading to Zygarde’s appearance in Wild Zone 20.
3. Complete 15 Reward Matches in Infinite Z-A Royale
- Only Reward Matches count. Regular matches do not progress unlocks.
- Completing 15 of them triggers the Eternal Floette storyline necessary for the Zygarde mission to proceed.
4. Trigger the Floette Cutscene
- After the 15th match, a cutscene involving Eternal Floette appears in Quasartico.
- This cutscene is an internal story checkpoint that confirms your progression is correct.
5. Return to Hotel Z
- Returning here initiates Trainer L’s battle, a required step before Wild Zone 20 unlocks.
- If Trainer L does not appear, it indicates the earlier steps are incomplete.
Warning: If Wild Zone 20 is still locked — or Zygarde doesn’t spawn — you likely haven’t beaten Trainer L or have skipped one of the required steps.
Ensuring all of these actions are completed eliminates 100% of the location-or mission-related issues players commonly encounter.
How to Beat Trainer L in Hotel Z (Mandatory Before Unlocking Wild Zone 20)
Trainer L is intended to be a significant difficulty spike, functioning as the gateway to the final legendary. His team contains high-level threats with powerful coverage, designed to punish unprepared players.
Trainer L’s Key Pokémon Threats
- Mega Gyarados (Water/Dark, around Level 80):
- Extremely dangerous due to Dragon Dance, which boosts Attack and Speed simultaneously.
- After one boost, it can sweep entire teams if not addressed immediately.
- Pyroar (Fire/Normal):
- High Speed with strong Fire-type attacks and Normal coverage.
- Punishes common Steel or Ice-type options players often bring.
- Support and coverage Pokémon:
- Trainer L typically has a well-rounded team with utility moves that disrupt predictable strategies.
Recommended Counters
Against Gyarados: Electric-types such as Magnezone, Jolteon, and Raichu are excellent for dealing fast damage to Mega Gyarados before it gains momentum.
Against Pyroar & Fire threats: Ground or Rock-types such as Garchomp, Hippowdon, or Rhyperior counter Pyroar’s heavy-hitting Fire moves.
Fast Dark-type or Ghost-type attackers like Weavile or Greninja (Dark Pulse/Night Slash) work effectively against Pokémon with defensive form shifts.
Recommended Team Level
- A team ranging from Level 80–85 is strongly advised.
- Attempting this battle with significantly under-leveled Pokémon increases the risk of losing key resources needed later in the Zygarde fight.
Note: Trainer L must be defeated for the mission to progress. If he remains undefeated, Wild Zone 20 will remain locked and Zygarde will not appear.
Zygarde’s Location: How to Access Wild Zone 20 Beneath Prism Tower
Wild Zone 20 is one of the most restricted areas in the game, designed specifically for the Zygarde event.
Understanding the Location
- Wild Zone 20 is situated directly beneath the remains of Prism Tower in Centrico Plaza, Lumiose City.
- The zone becomes accessible only after the full post-game sequence and Trainer L’s defeat.
- It is not visible earlier in the game, even if you physically visit the location.
How to Reach the Entrance
- Begin at Prism Tower’s plaza in central Lumiose City.
- Move behind the tower’s maintenance trucks and search for a narrow access route leading downward.
- A staircase leads into a structural tunnel, where the entrance to Wild Zone 20 activates once prerequisites are complete.
- Upon entering, a shimmering green energy field identifies the correct zone.
Once inside Wild Zone 20, Zygarde will be located in the center of the arena beneath Prism Tower. Interacting with it initiates the full battle.
Three-Phase Zygarde Boss Fight Breakdown
The Zygarde encounter in Legends Z-A is structured as a three-phase boss fight, increasing in intensity across each form. This fight is widely regarded as one of the most challenging in the series due to heavy AOE attacks, form shifts, and high damage output.
The forms appear in this sequence:
- Zygarde 10% Forme
- Zygarde 50% Forme
- Zygarde Complete Forme
Each form introduces unique move sets and arena hazards requiring different strategies.
Phase 1: Zygarde 10% Forme (Opening Phase)
Move Set Characteristics
- Thousand Arrows and Thousand Waves capable of grounding or restricting mobility.
- Dragon Pulse, dealing consistent damage despite the form’s relatively low bulk.
Strategy Recommendations
- Focus on dealing fast Ice or Fairy-type damage to quickly move into Phase 2.
- Conserve healing and revives; this phase is comparatively easy.
- Maintain good positioning to avoid early unnecessary damage.
Phase 2: Zygarde 50% Forme (Mid-Fight Spike)
This phase introduces significantly more complexity.
Key Threats
Land’s Wrath, a large AOE Ground-type attack capable of wiping multiple Pokémon if they are positioned poorly.
Thousand Arrows, hitting Pokémon even if they are typically immune due to Flying typing.
Extreme Speed, providing priority damage at inopportune moments.
Effective Strategy
- Use Ice-type Pokémon such as Weavile, Mamoswine, or Froslass to deliver heavy super-effective hits.
- Watch animation cues for Land’s Wrath and dodge preemptively rather than reactively.
- Maintain a rotation strategy rather than leaving one Pokémon to tank repeatedly.
A structured approach here greatly improves survivability heading into the final phase.
Phase 3: Zygarde Complete Forme (Final Encounter)
Phase 3 is where most players struggle due to Zygarde’s increased bulk, damage output, and the introduction of its signature move, Core Enforcer.
Notable Move Threats
- Core Enforcer, an arena-wide sweeping beam causing massive damage.
- Thousand Arrows, in both targeted and wide-area forms.
- Land’s Wrath, often combined with movement-based hazards.
- Increased regeneration from the Power Construct ability.
Best Counters for Phase 3
- Bring multiple Ice-type Pokémon, not just one. Ice-types benefit from a 4× damage multiplier against Zygarde’s Dragon/Ground typing.
- Strong recommended Pokémon include:
- Weavile with Ice Shard or Icicle Crash
- Mamoswine with Thick Fat and high Attack stats
- Froslass with quick move priority and additional chip damage
- Mega Abomasnow, using Snow Warning to disrupt Zygarde’s tempo
- Greninja with Ice Beam for reliable damage output
Dodge and Survival Strategy
- When the arena glows green, move to the far left side to avoid Core Enforcer’s sweep.
- When faults appear in the floor, stand in narrow safe zones away from fissures.
- Heal between attack cycles, not only after knockouts.
- Maintain mobility — standing still leads to unavoidable multi-hit damage.
Recommended Team Level
- Levels 85–90 are recommended to ensure survivability.
- Most unsuccessful attempts come from players entering Phase 3 at Level 78–82.
Crucial: Once Complete Forme is defeated, the scripted catch sequence begins.
Catching Zygarde After the Battle
Zygarde’s capture is guaranteed.
- There is no capture rate calculation.
- You cannot fail or miss the capture sequence.
- Players may choose any Poké Ball for aesthetic purposes.
After catching Zygarde, several additional rewards unlock, including special items that allow form adjustments and potential Mega Evolution.
Zygarde’s Forms Explained: Cube Mechanics, Complete Forme, and Mega Evolution
Zygarde in Legends Z-A includes multiple mechanic layers that allow form switching, mid-battle transformations, and Mega Evolution.
Zygarde Cube (Form Toggle Item)
The Zygarde Cube allows switching between:
10% Forme – highest Speed, glass-cannon style.
50% Forme – balanced stats with excellent defenses.
This switching occurs outside of battle and provides flexibility depending on whether you prefer speed-based or bulkier tactics.
Complete Forme (Triggered via Power Construct)
- Zygarde will automatically transform into Complete Forme if its HP drops below 50% during battle.
- This form dramatically boosts HP and Defense, replicating Phase 3’s tanky presence.
- This mechanism mirrors its behavior in the boss fight.
Mega Zygarde (Using the Zygardite Mega Stone)
If you obtained Zygardite earlier, Zygarde can undergo Mega Evolution.
- Mega Evolution offers significant boosts to Attack, Special Attack, and Defensive stats.
- Combined with Complete Forme, Mega Zygarde becomes one of the most heavy-hitting and durable legendaries in the game.
The combination of the Cube, Power Construct, and Mega Evolution creates a flexible move set and combat style ideal for post-game runs.
Is Zygarde Shiny Locked in Pokémon Legends Z-A?
Zygarde is shiny locked. It cannot be encountered or forced into shiny variation through resets or repetition. This lock ensures consistency with other major story legendaries introduced in the post-game.
Troubleshooting: Solutions to Common Zygarde Unlock Problems
The following issues frequently appear among players, along with their corresponding fixes:
Zygarde mission not appearing: One or more prerequisites completed out of order; Trainer L not defeated; Infinite Z-A reward matches incomplete.
Wild Zone 20 remains locked: Return to Hotel Z and defeat Trainer L.
Phase 3 repeatedly causing full team wipes: Increase levels to 85–90; introduce additional Ice-type attackers; focus on dodging Core Enforcer.
Incorrect Form switching mechanics: Remember that the Cube toggles 10% ↔ 50% only; Complete Forme is triggered strictly by Power Construct in battle.
Tip: If something still feels off, re-check the entire post-game checklist in order. Skipping or miscounting the 15 Reward Matches is the most common oversight.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can Zygarde be caught?
After completing all main story missions, all post-game requirements, and progressing through the final Wild Zone mission.
Where is Zygarde located?
In Wild Zone 20, directly beneath Prism Tower in Centrico Plaza, Lumiose City.
What is the ideal level for the Zygarde fight?
Levels 85–90 provide the best chance of defeating Complete Forme without team wipes.
How do you change Zygarde’s Forme?
Use the Zygarde Cube to toggle 10% and 50% forms. Also, use Power Construct for Complete Forme mid-battle. Use Zygardite to Mega Evolve.
Is Zygarde shiny locked?
Yes, shiny variants cannot be obtained.
Final Summary
Zygarde represents the culmination of the Pokémon Legends Z-A experience. Accessing it requires completing an extended list of post-game tasks, defeating Trainer L, navigating the hidden Wild Zone 20 beneath Prism Tower, and overcoming a challenging three-phase boss encounter.
Once defeated, Zygarde becomes a guaranteed capture, allowing players to utilize its full suite of mechanics, including form-switching and Mega Evolution.
With proper preparation, strong Ice-type coverage, and attention to the movement patterns in Phase 3, the encounter becomes manageable and rewarding, giving players one of the most powerful legendaries in the game.
Final Note: Follow the checklist precisely, prioritize Ice-type counters, and don’t skip returning to Hotel Z after the Infinite Z-A cutscene. Go claim your Order Pokémon — the world needs balance.
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