The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →In battle, press the + button before using a move that has been mastered as a Plus Move. It costs one segment of your Mega Gauge, so decide whether its stronger or altered effect is worth spending that energy now. Pokémon Legends: Z-A uses real-time battles, where you and your Pokémon move while you issue commands, making timing and positioning part of the choice.
How to activate a Plus Move
- Choose a move that is Plus-capable. A move must be mastered before you can use its Plus version. Check the move’s status in your game.
- During battle, press + before activating that move. The Plus effect is not automatic just because the move has been mastered. The sequence is confirmed by Nintendo Life’s battle guide.
- Use the move. It consumes one Mega Gauge segment, as described in Serebii’s Plus Moves reference. Watch the gauge if you are saving energy for Mega Evolution.
Nintendo describes battles as real-time, with Trainers and Pokémon moving around and Pokémon using moves when commanded: Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s official product page.
How to make a move eligible
Moves learned by leveling up
Serebii reports that level-up moves can become mastered as a Pokémon levels, typically five to 10 levels after learning the move. Alpha Pokémon can have Plus-capable moves from the outset, according to the same reference. The exact timing may depend on the move and Pokémon, so check the move’s status rather than relying on a fixed level.
Moves learned from TMs
TM-learned moves use a separate mastery route: take a Seed of Mastery to Josée at the Justice Dojo to master the move for Plus use, according to Serebii. Learning a move from a TM by itself does not make it eligible.
#1 Best Overall
![Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51r8yUj+syL._SL160_.jpg)
- Venture into Hyperspace Lumiose in this additional story content that can be accessed after completing the main game
- Work with the mysterious baker, Ansha, to make donuts that awaken the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa’s power and grant you and your Pokémon a variety of useful effects
- Join Team MZ and the Mega Evolution Successor, Korrina, to investigate Hyperspace Lumiose, the otherworldly home to rare and hyper-strong Pokémon
- Discover new Mega Evolutions such as Mega Raichu X, Mega Raichu Y, Mega Chimecho and Mega Baxcalibur
- Claim Holo-X and Holo-Y in-game apparel items, which you can wear as soon as you are able to customize your character’s look and outfit in the main game
What Plus Moves change
A Plus Move can increase a move’s power or add or strengthen an effect; it is not always just a damage boost. Serebii’s reference lists a 25% damage increase for attacking moves and says status effects may last longer or have stronger effects. It also notes additional damage for super-effective attacks. These are reference-page figures and descriptions, not independently tested results; check the specific move’s Plus effect in the current game.
Move-specific examples in Serebii’s entries show why the individual effect matters: Plus Recover is listed as healing 40% of maximum HP, Plus Shore Up as healing 60%, and Plus Water Shuriken as having base power 75 and hitting once. These figures are attributed to Serebii, whose page does not state a publication year.
Rank #2
![Pokémon Legends: Z-A Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IOdpg0EfL._SL160_.jpg)
- Your journey will take you to all manner of sights in the streets arrayed around Prism Tower, including shops, restaurants, and places called wild zones—where Pokémon roam free.
- As you catch, train, and battle Pokémon, there will be plenty of people to meet too—like AZ, the enigmatic owner of Hotel Z.
Plus Moves and Mega Evolution
Normally, activating a Plus Move spends one Mega Gauge segment. When a Pokémon Mega Evolves, Serebii says its moves become Plus Moves and receive an additional damage bonus. That creates a practical trade-off: spend a segment for an immediate move effect, or save gauge toward Mega Evolution.
- Spend it now if the added damage could secure a knockout, or a move-specific effect such as healing or improved status pressure could change the fight.
- Save it if Mega Evolution is close and likely to matter more in the encounter ahead.
- Consider the Pokémon if it cannot Mega Evolve or you are not realistically building toward Mega Evolution; Nintendo Life suggests Plus Moves can be useful in that situation.
There is no universal best choice: weigh the immediate effect against the gauge’s future value and the move’s particular Plus behavior.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Live the life of a Pokémon Trainer in the streets of Lumiose City!
- For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, command your Pokémon in real-time battles
- Use the power of Mega Evolution in battle and take on rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon
- Compete in the Z-A Royale each night to test your skills and try to become the strongest Pokémon Trainer
- Visit shops, restaurants, and places called wild zones—where Pokémon roam free—all centered around Prism Tower
Rank #3
- [4K ULTRA HD PERFORMANCE] Protect the peace in Lumiose City in this enhanced edition for the Nintendo Switch 2 system, featuring native 4K resolution and a stable 60FPS frame rate. Experience the urban re-development plan with high-fidelity textures and advanced lighting effects centered around the iconic Prism Tower.
- [REAL-TIME BATTLE ENGINE] For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, command your Pokémon in seamless real-time battles. Engage over 100+ unique species with zero loading transitions, utilizing an upgraded combat AI that leverages the increased processing power of the Switch 2 hardware.
- [MEGA EVOLUTION MECHANICS] Master the power of Mega Evolution to suppress rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon appearing across the Kalos region. This edition introduces 15+ newly discovered Mega-Evolved forms, each rendered with dynamic particle effects and exclusive Z-A signature moves for tactical depth.
- [MULTIPLAYER Z-A ROYALE] Compete in the Z-A Royale each night to test your skills against global Trainers. Supported by Nintendo Switch 2's improved low-latency wireless architecture, these competitive events allow you to climb leaderboards and unlock rare evolution stones in 20-player lobbies.
- [EXPANSIVE WILD ZONES] Explore vibrant Wild Zones where Pokémon roam free in their natural habitats, from bustling city shops to hidden restaurants. This Hong Kong physical edition is region-free and supports English, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese, featuring the enigmatic AZ and the peacekeeping Team MZ.
If pressing + does nothing
- Confirm the move is mastered. A move that has not reached Plus status will not activate as one.
- Check how the move was learned. Level-up and TM moves have different mastery routes; TM moves need a Seed of Mastery and Josée at the Justice Dojo.
- Press + before using the move. Do not expect the Plus effect to apply automatically in an ordinary battle.
- Check your Mega Gauge. Plus use costs one segment, so the gauge is part of the activation decision.
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