Z Mega Evolution Explained — How Mega Lucario Z, Garchomp Z and Absol Z Work in Pokémon Champions

Mega Lucario Z, Mega Garchomp Z and Mega Absol Z are now battle-legal in Pokémon Champions, arriving with Regulation Set M-C. If you’re wondering what “Z Mega Evolution” actually changes, the honest answer splits in two: it means something specific and real-time in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and something different — typing, stats and Abilities — in Champions’ traditional turn-based battles. They’re not the same mechanic wearing two skins.

What Z Mega Evolution Actually Is

Z Mega Evolutions are a distinct category of Mega Evolution, not a separate evolutionary stage. The Pokémon Company’s own explanation for Mega Lucario Z lays out the logic: “It is called Mega Lucario Z in order to differentiate it from the previously discovered Mega Lucario,” and it “was determined to be a Mega Evolution rather than a regular Evolution, based on how its form changes through exposure to a Mega Stone.” So a given species can now have two separate Mega forms — an ordinary one and a Z one — each requiring its own, differently named Mega Stone.

The Three Z Mega Evolutions in Champions

As of Regulation Set M-C, three exist in Pokémon Champions: Mega Absol Z, Mega Garchomp Z, and Mega Lucario Z. Their ordinary counterparts — regular Mega Absol, Mega Garchomp and Mega Lucario — remain separate forms with their own stones; Z Mega Evolution adds new options rather than replacing what already existed.

How Z Mega Evolution Works in Legends: Z-A

In Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension, Z Mega Evolutions are built around that game’s real-time battle system. The Pokémon Company’s own description: “Z Mega Evolutions such as Mega Lucario Z need less time to fire off moves after receiving an order. But Z Mega Evolutions also burn through Mega Power very quickly, making them less suited for long battles.” It’s a speed-for-stamina trade built specifically for fast, decisive real-time fights.

Why That Doesn’t Carry Over to Champions

Pokémon Champions doesn’t use that system at all. Game Freak has been explicit that Champions exists specifically to preserve the classic turn-based format — a deliberate contrast to Legends: Z-A becoming the first mainline game to move to real-time battles. There’s no “Mega Power” resource, no faster move execution, and no time pressure in a Champions battle. Instead, each Z Mega Evolution is differentiated the way any other Pokémon is here: by its type, base stats, and Ability. The “Z” is a naming and stone distinction carried over from the games’ shared lore, not a battle mechanic imported wholesale.

Mega Lucario Z

Mega Lucario Z keeps the Fighting/Steel typing of ordinary Mega Lucario, but its Ability is different: Aura Guard, a new Ability making its Pokémon Champions debut. Nintendo’s official description: it “halves the damage the Pokémon takes from contact moves.” Its held item is Lucarionite Z, distinct from the ordinary Lucarionite.

Mega Garchomp Z

This is the one worth double-checking against Legends: Z-A rather than assuming. In Legends: Z-A, Mega Garchomp Z is described as losing its Ground typing. In Pokémon Champions, it doesn’t — Mega Garchomp Z is confirmed Dragon/Ground, the same dual typing as ordinary Mega Garchomp. What actually sets it apart is its Ability, Levitate, which grants immunity to Ground-type moves and Ground-based hazards despite Garchomp still technically being part Ground-type. It’s an unusual combination: the type stays, but the Ability cancels out the type’s usual downside. Its item is Garchompite Z.

Mega Absol Z

Ordinary Mega Absol is pure Dark-type. Mega Absol Z isn’t — it’s confirmed Dark/Ghost, a genuine typing change rather than just an Ability swap. Its Ability is Sharpness, which increases the power of slicing moves like Shadow Claw and Night Slash. Its item is Absolite Z.

Can You Use a Z Mega and a Normal Mega in the Same Battle?

No. Nothing in current Champions material suggests the “Z” designation grants a second Mega Evolution slot. Champions’ existing one-Mega-per-battle rule applies to Z forms the same as ordinary ones — you’re choosing which Mega Evolution to bring, not unlocking an extra one.

What Regulation Set M-C Actually Changed

Regulation Set M-C runs worldwide from September 9 through December 2, 2026. Alongside the three Z Mega Evolutions, it adds three ordinary new Mega Evolutions — Mega Salamence, Mega Golisopod and Mega Baxcalibur — plus 24 additional Pokémon newly eligible for battle, including Rillaboom. Pokémon legal under the prior Regulation Sets M-A and M-B remain available; M-C adds to the roster rather than replacing it.

Is Z Mega Evolution Replacing Ordinary Mega Evolution?

No. Both continue to coexist as separate, independently available options. Nothing in current official material suggests Z forms are intended to phase out standard Mega Evolutions for the same species.

What Could Still Change

Pokémon Champions is a live, ongoing competitive game, and future Regulation Sets can add, remove, or restrict which Pokémon and Mega Evolutions are legal. The Z Mega Evolutions themselves — their typing, stats and Abilities — are fixed game data, but their tournament-legal status is tied to Regulation Set M-C specifically, and that’s worth keeping separate from the forms’ underlying design.

For more on Pokémon’s mechanics and lore, see our explainer on why Mimikyu wears a Pikachu costume and our coverage of the Pokémon: Wild Card anime movie.