15 Must-Know Pokémon Legends: Z-A Tricks to Rocket You to Rank A
Pokémon Legends: Z-A has a lot packed into Lumiose City and beyond, so here are clear, concrete tips to help you get started and improve both exploration and Z-A Royale performance.
1. Sneak attacks and catching
2. Shiny audio cue
3. Recovering thrown Poké Balls
4. NPCs with yellow chat bubbles
5. Collecting pink Mega Shards
6. Stacking buff cards before battles
7. Catching Pokémon outside wild zones
8. Nighttime activities and wild zones
9. Manually teaching new moves
10. Pokémon positioning and move order
11. Shop restocks and new areas
12. Clearing obstacles with Pokémon moves
13. Healing cooldowns in battle
14. Catching variety for the Pokédex and missions
15. Selling treasures at Pokémon Centers
Sneak attacks and catching
Sneaking gives you a preemptive strike, which matters for both catching Pokémon and starting fights. Approach from behind where possible: throwing Poké Balls at a Pokémon’s back increases catch chances. Also, sneak-attacking a trainer’s Pokémon before the trainer spots you grants a strong opening attack. Finally, moves used during a sneak attack do not go on cooldown, so you can follow up with another super-effective hit if you have the advantage.
Shiny audio cue
Shiny Pokémon produce a distinct sparkling sound when they spawn. Therefore, listen carefully while exploring: if you hear that sound, look around for a differently colored Pokémon and investigate.
Recovering thrown Poké Balls
If you miss throws, a man in blue will appear outside Pokémon Centers and return lost Poké Balls to you. This NPC typically shows up after you toss balls and miss.
NPCs with yellow chat bubbles
Talk to NPCs who have yellow chat bubbles above their heads. They usually give items or can heal you during Z-A Royale events. These NPCs are a reliable source of useful support while exploring Lumiose City. 
Collecting pink Mega Shards
Pink crystal masses found on roads, walls, and rooftops can be smashed to obtain Mega Shards. You will use Mega Shards later to buy Mega Stones, and some stones can cost up to 360 shards. Consequently, break those pink clumps whenever you see them.
Stacking buff cards before battles
Floating blue hologram cards on the ground give bonus tasks during Z-A Royale. You can hold up to three cards at a time; pick tasks that match your team to maximize points. If a card’s task doesn’t fit your team, you can pick another card to replace it before entering battle.
Catching Pokémon outside wild zones
Pokémon appear across the city, not just in wild zones. Look on rooftops, in trees, on lamp posts, and inside alleyways. Some Pokémon may be unowned and catchable in these locations.
Nighttime activities and wild zones
More than just Z-A Royale happens at night. Wild zones can host different Pokémon after dark, so check wild areas as well as the battle zone to find species that only appear at night. 
Manually teaching new moves
Pokémon do not auto-learn moves for you. When a Pokémon levels up and can learn a new move, the leveling interface shows a light bulb next to its name. You must manually teach any moves beyond a Pokémon’s first four via the menu screen.
Pokémon positioning and move order
Different moves change a Pokémon’s position during battle. For example, physical moves like Tackle tend to bring the user forward, while ranged moves like Water Gun may pull the user back. Therefore, grouping similar move types in sequence saves time and reduces wasted movement. Use close-range moves together, then follow with ranged moves.
Shop restocks and new areas
Local shops update stock as you progress through the story. Notifications appear on your Rotom phone when shops refresh. In addition, new wild zones open up after certain events, so revisit shops and areas periodically to find newly available Mega Stones and Pokémon.
Clearing obstacles with Pokémon moves
Various moves remove obstacles: Rock Smash clears boulders, water-type moves remove sludge, and fire-type moves clear brambles and ice. If you encounter an odd block, try using different-type Pokémon moves to clear the path. 
Healing cooldowns in battle
You can heal and revive Pokémon during fights using items from the menu, but those actions have a cooldown. Plan heals ahead and keep your team healthy to avoid being left with only one Pokémon at a critical moment.
Catching variety for the Pokédex and missions
Registering a variety of Pokémon to the Pokédex rewards you through the local researcher Mable. Many side missions also ask for specific Pokémon to be brought to people in Lumiose City, so keeping a broad collection in your PC is useful.
Selling treasures at Pokémon Centers
Golden sparkles on the ground yield items like berries, Exp. Candy, and mints. Treasure items are among the most valuable and can be sold at Pokémon Centers for money. If you need cash, check your satchel for treasures collected while exploring.
