Complete Mega Lucario Z Unlock Guide for Pokémon Legends: Z-A

This comprehensive guide walks you through every step to unlock Mega Lucario Z—the exclusive Z Mega Evolution in Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s “Mega Dimension” DLC—with streamlined instructions and no tedious checklists. From capturing Riolu to mastering combat strategies, we cover all essentials for trainers aiming to add this fast-paced Fighting/Steel-type powerhouse to their team.

Prerequisites to Get Started

Before diving into the DLC content, ensure you meet these core requirements: Own a copy of Pokémon Legends: Z-A with the main story completed, purchase and download the “Mega Dimension” DLC (launched December 10, 2025, for $29.99), and unlock the Mega Evolution Bracelet by finishing Chapter 3 of the base game. We recommend preparing at least 20,000 in-game currency for potential purchases and stockpiling 240 Mega Shards (collected by breaking pink crystal clusters across Lumiose City) to streamline Mega Stone acquisition. Save your game before starting the DLC to avoid losing progress, especially if you’re midway through other quests.

Step 1: Capture Riolu (Lucario’s Pre-Evolution)

Riolu can be found exclusively on rooftops across Lumiose City’s districts, with the highest spawn rates during daytime hours. The most reliable locations include the roof of Magenta District 9—accessible via scaffolding and a short glide to the eastern edge—and Rouge District 4’s Poké Ball shop rooftop, which requires a flying or high-jumping Pokémon like Talonflame to reach. For a quicker approach, use a Smoke Bomb to sneak up on Riolu without alerting it, then weaken it with moves like Fake Tears or Knock Off before throwing Quick Balls for a high catch rate. Alpha Riolu occasionally spawns on Bleu District 5’s rooftops, offering better base stats but requiring stronger countermeasures to subdue. If you prefer not to hunt, complete Side Quest 24 (“Abra’s Playmate”) after finishing Main Quest 9 to trade an Abra (caught in Wild Area 5) for a Riolu with NPC Bond at Académie Étoile.

Step 2: Evolve Riolu into Lucario

Riolu evolves into Lucario only when its friendship level reaches 220 or higher and it levels up during daytime. The fastest way to boost friendship is through the café method: Equip Riolu in your party, visit any Lumiose City café, purchase a friendship-boosting drink, and rest with Riolu—repeat this 7 times to hit the required friendship threshold in 5–10 minutes. Alternatively, equip Riolu with a Soothe Bell (earned by completing Side Quest 36 “Friendly Competition”) to increase friendship gains by 50% during battles and exploration. Avoid letting Riolu faint in combat, as this reduces friendship, and use Exp. Candy L to level it up once friendship is maxed—evolution will trigger automatically with a cinematic sequence, preserving Riolu’s nature and IVs.

Step 3: Obtain the Lucarionite Z Mega Stone

The Lucarionite Z—required for Z Mega Evolution—has two acquisition paths. The simplest method is progressing through the “Mega Dimension” DLC’s main story, where the stone is awarded as a key story item at a critical narrative beat, no extra effort needed. For trainers who prefer to collect ahead of time, gather 240 Mega Shards (dropped by smashing pink crystal rocks throughout Lumiose City) and visit Quasartico Inc. headquarters in the Rouge District. The front desk NPC will exchange your shards for the Lucarionite Z, though this option only becomes available after unlocking the DLC’s Mega Evolution mechanics. Note that this Mega Stone is distinct from the standard Lucarionite—ensure you’re trading for the “Z” variant specifically to unlock the new form.

Step 4: Unlock Z Mega Evolution Mechanics

Z Mega Evolution operates differently from traditional Mega Evolution, emphasizing speed over endurance. To activate it, first complete the DLC’s tutorial mission to unlock the Z Bracelet, then equip Lucarionite Z to your Lucario. In combat, accumulate energy by landing attacks or collecting glowing orbs dropped by defeated enemies—you’ll see a progress bar at the bottom of the screen fill as you fight. Once full, press ZR + A to trigger Mega Lucario Z’s transformation, which lasts approximately 25 seconds. During this window, Lucario’s attack speed increases by 40% and physical attack by 30%, but its defense drops slightly—designing it for quick, decisive strikes rather than prolonged battles. A 30-second cooldown applies after the form expires, so timing your transformation for boss fights or horde encounters is key.

Combat Setup: Best Natures, EV Spreads & Movesets

Mega Lucario Z thrives as a physical attacker, so prioritize natures that boost its core stats. Adamant (Attack +, Special Attack -) is ideal for maximizing raw damage output, while Jolly (Speed +, Special Attack -) excels in fast-paced teams where first strikes matter. Naughty (Attack +, Special Defense -) works well against special attackers, balancing offense with survivability. For EV distribution, invest 252 points in Attack and 252 in Speed to dominate the battlefield, with the remaining 4 points in Defense or Special Defense for minor resilience.

A optimal moveset includes Swords Dance (to double Attack), Extreme Speed (a priority +2 move for finishing weakened foes), Close Combat (high-damage Fighting-type staple), and Ice Punch (to counter Dragon and Flying-type weaknesses). Equip Life Orb to boost damage by 30% (at the cost of 10% health per attack) or Focus Sash to guarantee survival through one fatal hit—avoid defensive items that hinder Mega Lucario Z’s aggressive playstyle.

Battle Strategies & Weakness Management

Mega Lucario Z shines in scenarios where speed and burst damage are critical: use it to break through Dragon-type powerhouses like Garchomp or Salamence with Ice Punch (dealing 4x damage), or clean up hordes with a Swords Dance-boosted Comet Punch. Master energy management by building up your gauge with regular attacks before transforming—avoid wasting Z Mega Evolution on weak opponents. A effective combo is Swords Dance to strengthen，Extreme Speed to strike first, Close Combat for heavy damage, then Comet Punch during Z Mega Evolution to maximize burst potential.

Be cautious of Mega Lucario Z’s double weaknesses to Fighting, Fire, and Ground-type moves. Equip a Fire-resistant Vest or Fighting-resistant Headband to mitigate damage, and switch out when facing meta threats like Mega Blaziken or Primal Groudon. The Z Mega form’s reduced defense means it can’t sustain prolonged attacks—use it as a sprinter, striking fast and retreating once the transformation ends to avoid being targeted.

DLC Extras: Mewtwo Side Quest & Bonus Content

Purchasing the “Mega Dimension” DLC unlocks more than just Mega Lucario Z. Claim Mewtwonite X and Mewtwonite Y via the Mystery Gift function, then head to Lysandre Café to trigger a secret side quest. Explore the depths of Lysandre Labs, where Mega Stone energy reactivates dormant systems, leading to a battle with Mewtwo—defeat or capture it to add the legendary Psychic-type to your team. The DLC also includes Holo-X and Holo-Y cosmetic apparel sets, plus hidden encounters with Mega Lapras and Mega Thundurus in Hyperspace Lumiose, a distorted alternate version of the city accessible after completing the DLC’s main story.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your Riolu won’t evolve, confirm it hasn’t fainted recently (which lowers friendship) and that you’re evolving during daytime—use the in-game clock to check. For untriggerable Z Mega Evolution, verify you’re using the Lucarionite Z (not the standard Lucarionite) and have completed the DLC’s tutorial mission to unlock the Z Bracelet. To farm Mega Shards efficiently, focus on the pink crystal clusters in Lumiose City’s central plaza—each cluster drops 5–10 shards and respawns every 15 minutes. If you’re struggling with Mewtwo’s battle, use Mega Lucario Z’s speed to outmaneuver its Psychic-type moves and strike with Close Combat for super-effective damage.

With this guide, you’ll unlock Mega Lucario Z and master its high-speed combat style in no time.