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This spoiler-heavy guide covers the main-story Royale promotion matches from Rank Z through Rank A, with each opponent’s team, reported levels, and practical counter ideas. A few early Pokémon levels and the Rank C Mega evolution differ between the October 2025 guides; where they disagree, both reports are noted. Check your in-game team and version for exact details.
How Royale promotion matches work
The Z-A Royale takes place at night in Lumiose’s battle zones. Win battles to earn Ticket Points, then exchange enough points for a Challenger’s Ticket and a promotion match. Bonus cards can add Ticket Points. The official Pokémon gameplay overview recommends using daytime to catch and train Pokémon and stock up on items. It also notes that avoiding detection can let you launch a surprise attack with a critical hit.
The promotion ladder covered here is not a match at every lettered rank: Zach (Z), Yvon (Y), Xavi (X), Rintaro (W), Vinnie (unranked, then F), Canari (F), Ivor (E), Corbeau (D), Jacinthe (C), Grisham (B), and a rival match at A. The October 2025 guides report that you do not have to grind every rank level.
Rank Z — Zach
- Slowpoke — level 8, Water/Psychic
- Pidgey — level 8 in GameSpot’s guide or level 9 in Nintendo Life’s guide, Normal/Flying
- Pikachu — level 9, Electric
Bug moves pressure Slowpoke, Electric moves target Pidgey, and Ground moves are effective against Pikachu. A small, flexible early team or your starter can cover the match.
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- 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
Rank Y — Yvon
- Spritzee — level 15, Fairy
- Swirlix — level 15, Fairy
- Vivillon — level 15 in GameSpot’s guide or level 16 in Nintendo Life’s guide, Bug/Flying
Steel- or Poison-type attacks deal with the Fairy pair. Against Vivillon, Rock is especially useful; Flying, Fire, Electric, and Ice moves are also options.
Rank X — Xavi
- Venipede — level 20, Bug/Poison
- Roselia — level 20, Grass/Poison
- Kadabra — level 20 in GameSpot’s guide or level 21 in Nintendo Life’s guide, Psychic
- Furfrou — level 21, Normal
Fire, Flying, or Psychic moves can threaten both Venipede and Roselia. Use Dark or Bug attacks against Kadabra, then Fighting moves against Furfrou; Ghost Pokémon are immune to Normal attacks. This is the first four-Pokémon promotion team, so plan for a longer fight rather than spending your strongest option immediately.
Rank #2
- 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.
Rank W — Rintaro
- Simisage — level 24, Grass
- Simisear — level 24, Fire
- Simipour — level 24, Water
There is no single shared weakness across this trio. Prepare a separate answer for each: Fire or Flying against Simisage, Water, Ground, or Rock against Simisear, and Grass or Electric against Simipour.
Unranked match — Vinnie (promotion to Rank F)
- Houndoom — level 30, Fire/Dark
- Buneary — level 30, Normal
- Sharpedo — level 30, Water/Dark
- Mega Drampa — level 32, Normal/Dragon
Fighting attacks can exploit weaknesses on several members, including Houndoom, Buneary, and Sharpedo. Fairy moves can hit the Dark types and Drampa; Ground, Electric, or Rock coverage can help against particular team members. Keep a strong answer ready for Mega Drampa rather than relying on one move type for the whole team. Nintendo Life reports that winning advances you to Rank F and awards the Safeguard TM.
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.
Rank F — Canari
- Heliolisk — level 37, Normal/Electric
- Ampharos — level 38, Electric
- Stunfisk — level 38, Ground/Electric
- Mega Eelektross — level 39, Electric
Ground attacks are useful against much of this team, but do not assume they settle every matchup: Stunfisk’s Ground typing changes the interaction, and Nintendo Life warns that some Pokémon here have Grass coverage. Bring a backup answer or a Steel/Ground Pokémon such as Excadrill. Nintendo Life reports Volt Switch as the reward.
Rank E — Ivor
- Heracross — level 45, Bug/Fighting
- Medicham — level 46, Psychic/Fighting
- Machamp — level 46, Fighting
- Mega Falinks — level 47, Fighting
Flying moves are broadly useful against the Fighting-heavy lineup, but Medicham can threaten a Flying answer with Psychic attacks. Ghost attacks offer another way to pressure the team. Avoid leaning on Normal or Steel Pokémon, which are vulnerable to Fighting moves. Nintendo Life reports Bulk Up as the reward.
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 D — Corbeau
- Arbok — level 50, Poison
- Gyarados — level 51, Water/Flying
- Roserade — level 51, Grass/Poison
- Mega Scolipede — level 52, Bug/Poison
Use Electric attacks for Gyarados. Psychic attacks can cover much of the rest, while Fire targets Roserade and Scolipede. Fairy is a poor general choice against the Poison-heavy team. Nintendo Life reports Gunk Shot as the reward.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Rank C — Jacinthe
- Carbink — level 57, Rock/Fairy
- Mawile — level 58, Steel/Fairy
- Gardevoir — level 58, Psychic/Fairy
- Aurorus — level 58, Rock/Ice
- Mega Clefable — level 59 in GameSpot’s guide; Nintendo Life instead lists Mega Clefairy at level 59, Fairy/Flying
Steel attacks offer broad coverage against this lineup; Fire or Ground can answer Mawile. Poison is not a reliable one-type plan because the secondary types affect which matchups are favorable. GameSpot reports that this segment includes battles against previous opponents before Jacinthe’s team. Nintendo Life reports Play Rough TM as the reward.
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- An ambitious new adventure set in Lumiose City awaits in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, coming to Nintendo Switch in late 2025. Explore the city, unravel its secrets and battle Pokémon like never before!
- An urban redevelopment plan is underway in Lumiose City! The goal: to turn it into a place Pokémon and people can truly share. Shortly after arriving, you’ll choose from one of these partner Pokémon to accompany you on your journey – Chikorita, Tepig or Totodile.
- Together, you can explore the streets of this vast city or visit Wild Zones – habitats where you’ll encounter wild Pokémon. To catch them, aim carefully and throw a Poké Ball or take them on with the help of the Pokémon on your team.
- For the first time ever, Trainers and their Pokémon will move around and take action in real time during battles. Pokémon will unleash their moves when their Trainers command them to. In addition to type matchups, there will be new mechanics to consider, such as the precise timing for swapping out your Pokémon or using moves, the different lengths of time moves will take to launch, and how big an area the moves will impact.
- In Lumiose City, Pokémon can go beyond Evolution by undergoing Mega Evolution! When a Trainer’s Key Stone resonates with the Mega Stone held by their Pokémon, the Pokémon will do more than just change shape and size – it will unlock a new level of power, which could turn the tide of battle!
Rank B — Grisham
- Pangoro — level 61, Fighting/Dark
- Malamar — level 61, Psychic/Dark
- Pyroar — level 61, Normal/Fire
- Tyranitar — level 62, Rock/Dark
- Salamence — level 62, Dragon/Flying
- Mega Charizard X — level 63, Fire/Dragon
This six-Pokémon team has several weaknesses to Fairy attacks and multiple targets for Fighting moves, but no single type solves every matchup. Bring broad coverage and preserve a strong answer for Mega Charizard X. Nintendo Life reports Flare Blitz TM as the reward.
Rank A — Urbain or Taunie
The rival is Urbain or Taunie, depending on the story. The October 2025 guides list these shared team members:
- Meowstic — level 62, Psychic
- Goodra — level 62, Dragon
- Manectric — level 63, Electric
- Avalugg — level 62, Ice
The final Mega Pokémon depends on the starter you chose. Nintendo Life lists the rival’s starter with a type advantage over yours; GameSpot’s roster excerpt shows Mega Meganium, so do not treat that as the final Pokémon in every save.
| Your starter | Rival’s Mega Pokémon |
|---|---|
| Chikorita | Mega Emboar |
| Tepig | Mega Feraligatr |
| Totodile | Mega Meganium |
Ground moves can target Manectric and hit Emboar if that is the rival’s Mega. Keep other coverage available: Dark or Fairy attacks can help against Meowstic or Goodra, while Fire and Poison options can address the possible Mega Meganium. Check your starter choice before settling on a final matchup plan.
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- Carry more than one coverage option. Later teams are larger and less uniform, so a single type advantage is less likely to carry the match.
- Plan for the next opponent. GameSpot recommends switching after a knockout where the battle allows it, so choose a favorable matchup instead of leaving an ill-suited Pokémon in.
- Save an answer for the ace. Promotion teams introduce Mega-evolved aces, beginning with Vinnie’s Mega Drampa in the guides’ progression.
- Use the battle zone before the fight. The official gameplay overview recommends catching, training, and stocking items during daytime; stealth can also help you initiate with a surprise attack.
Exact levels for some Pokémon vary between Nintendo Life’s October 27, 2025 guide and GameSpot’s October 15, 2025 guide. The Rank C Mega species also differs between those reports. The Rank A Mega lineup above follows Nintendo Life’s starter-dependent breakdown; GameSpot’s roster excerpt records Mega Meganium. Treat the lists as guide-reported lineups and verify details in your own game if a level or species does not match.
Quick Recap
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