Pokemon games have featured raid battles since Pokemon GO, but the mainline titles have consistently used them to spotlight the game’s gimmick since Generation 8. Dynamax, Terastallization, and now, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is using them in tandem with Mega Evolution. In Pokemon Legends: Z-A, raid battles are fought against wild rogue Mega Evolved Pokemon as revealed in the latest Pokemon Presents.
One of the key components of Mega Evolution is the connection between creature and trainer. This fact might not have translated into gameplay, but in terms of lore, this is a silent requirement for the transformation. Mega Charizard X is said to boost its speed through the bond with its trainer, and Mega Gyarados tends to rampage blindly yet still manage to listen to a trainer it fully trusts, as a few examples. Despite this, these rogue Mega Evolved Pokemon are undergoing the transformation without a master, and that means these creatures are in pain more often than not.
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Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Rogue Mega Evolutions Are in Pain According to Lore
The Duality Behind Mega Evolution’s Popularity
When Mega Evolution was first understood and in between generations, players would discuss what the Pokedex Entries would say about it. Mega Evolution is widely seen as a cool extra transformation for creatures like Blaziken and Gardevoir, but it comes with a price. Many Mega Evolved Pokemon are in pain whilst in the new form. Mega Banette’s cursed power comes spilling out of its zippers upon evolving, said to be too much to where it “can’t help” but curse its trainer.
Other entries talk about losing control of upgraded limbs, or being irritated or blinded by the energy rushing through as a result of Mega Evolution. Mega Tyranitar, the one rogue Mega Evolution in battle in the trailer, is said to be so ferocious that it won’t even listen to its trainer, having destructive instincts keep it on the move against the pain of having its back “split right open.”
Just from this description, a Mega Tyranitar on the loose without a trainer sounds incredibly dangerous just as the Pokemon Legends: Z-A trailer proposes.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Rogue Mega Evolutions Finally Make Disturbing Pokedex Entries Into a Plot Point
At the very least, as upsetting as the idea of their favorite Pokemon being in pain for a limited-time stat boost might be, it works well in Mega Evolution Pokemon raid battles as a concept. No matter what’s causing these critters to go rogue, just the transformation itself gives them enough reason to go on a rampage and need skilled trainers wielding the same powers to take them down, both for themselves and others.
It serves as great motivation, and finally ties uncomfortable Pokedex entries into the story of a game at large, intentional or not. All there is to go on now is a brief overview of the gameplay mechanic, and it’ll take seeing in-game dialogue to understand if there truly is a connection between these entries and the raid battles themselves. Knowing Game Freak’s writing decisions so far, it’s likely an interesting coincidence, but that doesn’t mean fans won’t fill in the blanks while playing.
Even If Pokemon Legends: Z-A Doesn’t Address the Entries, Fans Will
No matter if the Pokedex entries and Mega Evolution’s effects on Pokemon get mentioned in the storyline or not, fans will likely keep it in mind while playing. As it always has been, players will likely mention it in conversation as they do with other Pokedex entries and possibly use it to sympathize with the new creature they catch afterward.
Now that Mega Dragonite has confirmed that new Mega Evolutions are on their way with unsettling Pokedex entries included, it’ll be interesting to see just how many keep this trend going even if Game Freak continues to ignore it in gameplay. Thankfully, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is set to release this October, so fans won’t have to wait much longer.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
- Released
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October 16, 2025
- Franchise
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Pokemon
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
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October 16, 2025
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
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October 16, 2025
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