Season 3 of Pokémon Legends: Z‑A has officially been unveiled, and fans of the game’s competitive scene have plenty to look forward to. From long‑awaited Mega Stones to a set of rules aimed at balancing team strength, the upcoming season is shaping up to be one of the most impactful yet. Trainers eager to develop new strategies or strengthen their Pokémon rosters will find Season 3 filled with valuable rewards and meaningful changes to Ranked Battle gameplay.
At the center of the excitement is the reveal of several major Mega Stones, including the brand‑new Chesnaughtite. This stone allows the Grass‑ and Fighting‑type Kalos starter to Mega Evolve for the first time in the game. Players who enjoyed using Chesnaught throughout the main story now have an incentive to bring it into competitive battles and explore its enhanced form.
Even more appealing for collectors, two returning Mega Stones — Greninjite and Delphoxite — are making another appearance. Trainers who missed them during earlier distribution periods can now secure the full Kalos trio in a single season.
Ranked Battle Structure: Simple Goals, High Stakes
The Ranked Battle format in Pokémon Legends: Z‑A maintains its distinctive free‑for‑all design. Up to four trainers enter a three‑minute match where every decision matters. While straight victories help the most when climbing the ladder, the ranking system also rewards small in‑match achievements. Landing super‑effective damage, making smart switches, or triggering Mega Evolution are all actions that give progression boosts.
Season 2 already made a significant quality‑of‑life improvement by ensuring that players who place third or fourth do not lose ranking points. This adjustment encourages more participation by reducing penalties for bad matchups or chaotic battles. The improved system is now in full effect for Season 3, making it easier for players to hit the rank thresholds required to unlock Mega Stones.
Season 3 Timing and Mega Stone Milestones
The third season begins November 27 at 1:00 AM Eastern and wraps up December 17 at 8:59 PM Eastern. During this period, the following rewards are tied to rank placements:
- Chesnaughtite — awarded at Rank S
- Greninjite — awarded at Rank Y
- Delphoxite — awarded at Rank V
Each of these Mega Stones unlocks powerful transformations tied to the Kalos starters. Mega Chesnaught enhances defensive capabilities and grants improved offensive pressure; Mega Greninja offers increased speed and attack potential; Mega Delphox becomes a stronger special attacker with improved coverage.
With the ranking system now more forgiving, players can reach these tiers with fewer setbacks than before. Collectors and battlers alike will appreciate the chance to complete the Kalos line without being forced into extreme levels of grinding.
Reward Tiers: What Every Rank Earns
Beyond Mega Stones, Season 3 includes a tiered set of rewards that scale with rank:
Rank A
- Safari Ball ×3
- Gold Bottle Cap ×1
- Bottle Cap ×3
- Seed of Mastery ×3
- Big Nugget ×1
Ranks B–E
- Safari Ball ×2
- Gold Bottle Cap ×1
- Bottle Cap ×2
- Seed of Mastery ×2
- Nugget ×2
Ranks F–K
- Bottle Cap ×1
- Seed of Mastery ×1
- Nugget ×2
Ranks L–R
- Seed of Mastery ×1
- Nugget ×1
Rank S and below
- Nugget ×1
Items such as Bottle Caps and Seeds of Mastery are critical for creating battle‑ready Pokémon, especially when fine‑tuning stats and unlocking move potential. Trainers looking to prepare for intense endgame content or future seasons will find these resources extremely valuable.
New Restriction: Only One Special Pokémon Allowed
To create a more fair and beginner‑friendly meta, Season 3 introduces a new rule limiting teams to one Special Pokémon. This group currently includes legendary Pokémon like Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, and Diancie. These Pokémon boast extremely high stats and often dominate competitive matches when used together.
By capping each team at just one, players must choose which legendary best complements their strategy. The rule promotes creativity and reduces the “stacking” that caused imbalance in previous matches.
This change opens the door for lesser‑used species to shine while still keeping battles intense and unpredictable.
Mega Dimension DLC Overlap and Restrictions
Season 3’s final days overlap with the release of the upcoming Mega Dimension DLC, launching December 10. The expansion introduces new regions to explore, more Pokémon to discover, and additional story content.
However, any Pokémon exclusive to the DLC cannot be used in Ranked Battles during Season 3. This ensures fairness, preventing DLC players from gaining an advantage before the competitive environment can adapt to new species.
The restriction will likely be temporary, but it keeps the Ranked format balanced until the community is ready for further shifts in the meta.
A Season Packed With Opportunities
Between new Mega Stones, improved ranking accessibility, balanced restrictions, and the arrival of new DLC content, Season 3 offers both newcomers and veterans plenty to enjoy. The chance to collect all three Kalos starter Mega Stones in a single season is a major draw, and the broader reward structure guarantees that players of every rank will earn something worthwhile.
With carefully tuned competitive rules and a focus on fair progression, Pokémon Legends: Z‑A continues to refine its multiplayer ecosystem. Season 3 stands out as a moment where both competitive integrity and player reward are given equal importance — a promising sign for the game’s continued evolution.