ZA is going to be a brand new game on June 4th

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Pokemon Legends: ZA has been in a sort of dormant state lately as it receives frequent updates to match each new season that comes into play every three weeks. However, most of them have changed almost nothing. There were usually reward updates like cycling through special Poke Balls as end of season rewards or maybe some minor variations on the meta. Until now, each season had its own set of rules, and not all Pokémon were eligible due to their DLC status, legendary status, mythic status, or restricted tag. In the game, players only used Pokemon with Mega Evolutions Pokemon Legends: ZA in season 8 and was the most prominent overall despite the middling rewards.

But now things are changing dramatically and season 12 will be the beginning of a new era Pokemon Legends: ZA. While rewards will likely be happening all the time, such as the game awarding missing Mega Stones for reaching certain positions and changing rewards at the end of the season, there's a lot more to come on June 4th. In fact, Season 11 ends on June 4th and Season 12 begins immediately, bringing a huge change to eligible Pokemon.

Pokemon Legends ZA Mega Greninja

Today officially marks the end of an era for Pokemon Legends: ZA

Pokemon Legends: ZA is getting a new update today, May 13, which signals the end of the long-standing structure of the competitive scene.

Season 12 makes Pokemon Legends: ZA a brand new game

Pokemon legends in season 12 Image via Pokemon.com

  • Season 11 ends on June 32026, v 6:59 PM PDT/9:59 PM ET
  • Season 12 begins June 3rd2026, v 11:00 PM PDT/4. June2026, v 2 a.m. ET

Pokemon Legends: ZAMega Evolutions have long been the game's biggest draw, especially in ranked battles, but Season 12 shakes that up in a big way. While previously players could only use certain Pokemon, this is no longer the case in Season 12.

Scratch & Peek

Identify the cover and scrape off as little of the foil as possible.




Scratch & Peek

Identify the cover and scrape off as little of the foil as possible.

EasyMediumHardPermadeath

Eligible Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: ZA Season 12

  • Lumiose Pokedex: All Pokemon (numbers 001 to 232)
  • Hyperspace Pokedex: All Pokemon (numbers 001 to 132)
  • Limited Pokemon: All allowed without restrictions

Limited Pokemon include Pokemon Legends: ZA's Mewtwo, Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, Kyogre, Groudon and Rayquaza. A given ruleset usually only allows players to use one or two of these Pokémon, and some previous rulesets allowed none. However, the official rules for Pokemon Legends: ZA Season 12, as listed on Pokemon.com, throws all that out the window and allows players to use any Pokemon they want.

GameRant Quiz

GameRant Quiz

Easy (15s) Medium (10s) Hard (5s) Permadeath (5s)

This is also a first for the series, as VGC has historically only allowed one or two restricted Pokémon while Pokemon Legends: ZA now allows a full team of three limited Pokemon starting June 4th. This is a big deal, as ranked battles will likely be filled to the brim with Kyogre, Groudon, Xerneas, and Mewtwo, given that these are the strongest meta Pokémon in Legends: ZA.

Pokemon Legends: ZAMega Rayquaza isn't necessarily on par, but it has an ace up its sleeve in that it doesn't need a held item to Mega Evolve. In fact, if you want to know how to Mega Evolve Rayquaza in Pokemon Legends: ZAit can evolve simply by knowing the Dragon Ascent move. As such, you can use any item on Mega Rayquaze in ranked battles, and Focus Sash is a fantastic choice.

Kyogre and Groudon are so powerful that they don't really need their Primal forms to shine. This is also worth noting Pokemon Legends: ZA's Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon do not have their abilities active in ranked battles. This means that Kyogre is not immune to fire attacks and Groudon does not become immune to water moves.

June 4 marks the beginning of a new era for Pokemon Legends: ZA

Because it's the first time ever that all Pokemon in the Pokemon Legends: ZAPokedex and DLC Pokedex are usable without restrictions, starting a new era of the game. It's a logical next step that future seasons will either have to stick to the same set of rules or create crazy ones like Mega Evolutions only.

  • season 1: All base game Pokémon enabled, excluding Xerneas, Yveltal and Zygarde. He introduced Mega Greninja.
  • season 2: All base game Pokémon enabled, minus Zygarde and Mewtwo. Introduced by Mega Delphox.
  • Season 3: All Pokemon base games enabled. One limited Pokemon per team. Diancie was considered a restricted Pokémon. Introduced by Mega Chesnaught.
  • Season 4: Most Legendary and Mythical Pokémon banned, including restricted Pokémon. He introduced Mega Baxcalibur. For the first time, DLC Pokémon could be used.
  • Season 5: Restricted Pokemon are not allowed. He introduced Mega Sceptile. For the first time, most Legendary and Mythicals could be used.
  • Season 6: All eligible Pokemon, but only one restricted Pokemon allowed. Introduced by Mega Swampert.
  • Season 7: All pokemon eligible, but only two restricted pokemon allowed. Introduced by Mega Blaziken.
  • Season 8: Only Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution are allowed.
  • Season 9: Most Legendary and Mythical Pokémon banned.
  • Season 10: Restricted Pokemon are not allowed.
  • Season 11: All eligible Pokemon, but only one restricted Pokemon allowed.

Normally, each set of rules either made some Pokemon unusable, such as Pokemon Legends: ZA's Mega Zeraora and her base form, or had a limit for the strongest monies in the game. All of these restrictions are gone in Season 12, so starting June 4th, players will have a whole new playing field in Ranked Battles. Not only that, but it sets an exciting precedent for the game, and future seasons could bring even more unique rulesets.

All rewards for Pokémon Legends: ZA Season 12

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.




Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)

First and foremost, it's worth noting that Season 12 runs from Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 11:00 PM PDT/4. June 2 at 2:00 a.m. ET through Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 6:59 p.m. PDT/9:59 p.m. ET. This means that season 13 will probably start on June 24th at 11:00 PM PDT/25th. June at 2:00 a.m. ET. As usual, players can look forward to refreshments Pokemon Legends: ZA Season 12 Rewards:

  • Rank A

    • Golden bottle cap 3x

    • Bottle cap x5

    • Seed of Mastery x3

    • Big Nugget x1

  • Rank B to E

    • Golden bottle cap 2x

    • Bottle cap 3x

    • Seed of Mastery x2

    • Nugget x2

  • Order F to I

    • Golden Bottle Cap x1

    • Bottle cap 2x

    • Seed of Mastery x1

    • Nugget x2

  • Order J to M

    • Bottle cap x1

    • Seed of Mastery x1

    • Nugget x2

  • N to R order

    • Seed of Mastery x1

    • Nugget x1

  • Rank S or below

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In addition, players will be able to get all ranked exclusive Mega Stones Pokemon Legends: ZA. These and other rating rewards are as follows:

  • Rank Y – Greninjit
  • Order X – Delphoxite
  • Rank W – Chesnaughtite
  • Rank V – Baxcalibrite
  • The rank of U – Sceptilitis
  • Rank T – Swampertit
  • Rank S – Blazikenit
  • Rank M – Safari Ball x1
  • Rank I – Safari Ball x1
  • Grade E – Safari ball 2x
  • Rank D – Safari ball 2x
  • Grade C – Safari Ball x3
  • B rank – Safari Ball x3
  • Rank A – Safari Ball x5

These rewards will be awarded upon achievement of the respective placement, not at the end of the season. As usual, players will also be reset to Rank Z and will have to climb back to Rank A. If you played Season 11, don't forget to also claim your previous End of Season Rewards on the Ranked Battles screen.

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