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Pokémon Legends Z-A Mega Stones: Every Location, Mission Reward, Shop Price, and Ranked Battle Unlock

18 October 2025
Nintendo Switch 2Nintendo Switch
10 min.
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Pokémon Legends Z-A Mega Stones: Every Location, Mission Reward, Shop Price, and Ranked Battle Unlock

Summary:

Mega Evolution makes a full-on comeback in Pokémon Legends Z-A, turning Lumiose City into a hunt for stones, shards, and clutch evolutions that swing tough encounters in your favor. We walk through how Mega Evolution functions in Z-A, when you first unlock it, and the best ways to secure every Mega Stone without wasting time or money. You’ll find a clear breakdown of Main Story mission rewards (including when AZ hands over your starter’s stone), a full explanation of the Quasartico Inc Mega Shard Exchange and how to unlock more stock, and what the Stone Emporium sells once the credits roll. We also cover the extra sources—postgame boss rewards, Mystery Gift, and Ranked Battle milestones—so you don’t miss limited-time stones tied to competitive seasons. To help you plan teams, there’s practical advice on when to prioritize certain Megas, how type changes affect roles, and how to route Mega Shard farming efficiently while you push Z-A Royale progression. If you’re ready to turn the tide in boss fights and clean up rogue Megas around the city, this puts every stone within reach.

Mega Evolution returns in Pokémon Legends Z-A

Mega Evolution is back and baked into the heart of Pokémon Legends Z-A, both mechanically and thematically. You’ll encounter Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon during the Main Story and quickly learn how much a single transformation can change the flow of a battle. The setup will feel familiar—specific Pokémon need their matching Mega Stone—but the pace fits Z-A’s more active combat loop. As you progress across Lumiose City’s districts, Mega Evolution turns from a novelty into a strategic pillar: it lets a favorite partner spike damage, shore up weaknesses, or even shift typing to counter a rough matchup. That power matters in story fights and in Z-A Royale milestones alike. Early on, it’s normal to lean on the free stones earned from missions; later, you’ll round out coverage by spending Mega Shards or Pokedollars to pick up situational Megas that elevate your roster.

How Mega Stones work in battles

Each Mega-capable species requires a specific stone, and your partner must hold it to transform when conditions are met. In Legends Z-A, once the feature is unlocked, your flow centers on making room for that transformation at the right moment—ideally when a boss phases into a dangerous attack pattern or a Ranked opponent commits to a predictable line. Because some Megas tweak typing or stat spreads, you’ll often optimize move sets around the Mega form, not the base form. A physical attacker that becomes part Fairy or Dark, for example, may demand new coverage moves to capitalize on its revised offensive profile. Don’t forget the little things: status prevention, chip shields, and positioning tools matter more when your plan hinges on a timely transformation. When everything lines up, the swing is dramatic; when you trigger too early or into poor terrain, you can burn a win condition and give the opposition breathing room.

Main Story Mega Stones: timing and mission flow

The Main Story path hands you a steady stream of Mega Stones as you clear set-piece encounters with Rogue Mega-Evolved foes. This drip-feed keeps your squad evolving alongside the stakes, and it’s the most reliable way to secure dozens of stones without spending currency. Expect your first unlock to land shortly after you confront a certain rogue Mega in the single-digit missions, with additional stones tied to later chapters where familiar faces return in amped-up forms. Your starter’s Mega Stone arrives from AZ after Mission 10, and by the time credits roll you’ll have a healthy spread of options for offense, bulky counterplay, and utility. The smartest approach is to equip and test stones as soon as you earn them—boss arenas and district layouts vary enough that a Mega that felt “mid” in one fight might be an MVP in the next due to terrain or enemy types.

What to prioritize as you collect story stones

It’s tempting to chase personal favorites first, but you’ll save time by targeting stones that fix gaps in your coverage. A fast physical Mega that threatens common boss types can trivialize multi-phase missions, while a bulky Mega that flips typing can anchor survival sections or timed objectives. If you’re juggling multiple candidates, consider which stones synergize with your available TMs, egg moves, and obtainable items at that point in the story. Keep notes on what each Mega brings—speed control, priority, hazard denial, or immunities—so you can slot the right stone before tough missions. Story-earned stones are also a great way to learn each Mega’s rhythm: how quickly you can build advantage, how long you can hold a lead, and what support your teammates should bring to keep the transformation safe.

Starter stone from AZ: build around your choice

When AZ grants the starter’s Mega Stone after Mission 10, lock in on how that form complements your current roster. If your pick leans into sweeping, pack pivots and screens to keep it on the field; if it leans defensive, stack status cures and chip to grind longer fights. This stone is free, early, and strong—ride it while you can. It also sets the tone for the rest of your stone priorities: if your starter covers offense, your next purchases might be utility Megas that absorb punishment; if your starter is your wall, shop for a high-pressure Mega to close games and break shields.

Quasartico Inc Mega Shard Exchange: unlock, stock, and costs

Once you complete Mission 10, the Quasartico Inc Mega Shard Exchange opens for business, letting you convert Mega Shards into stones. The catalog expands as you clear more Main Story milestones, so don’t panic if your target isn’t on the shelf immediately—it’s tied to story progress. Typical prices range from modest totals for utility Megas to steeper costs for marquee attackers and bulk anchors. Treat shards like a second currency: map your routes to pass shard clusters, break them with appropriate moves, and stash enough for upcoming additions. Because the Exchange line-up grows in waves, it’s wise to keep a buffer so you can scoop newly available stones the moment you unlock the next tier.

Unlocking the Exchange and keeping it stocked

The critical breakpoint is Mission 10; after that, check back any time you push the story forward several missions. If you’re shard-starved, rotate across districts with dense cluster spawns, then loop past fast-respawn pockets while you complete errands or side quests. Prioritize clusters near safe travel points so you can bounce between zones without downtime. When a new wave hits the Exchange, scan for stones that give immediate value in the next mission bracket, not just long-term wish-list picks. Buying a stylish attacker is fun—buying a stone that trivializes the next difficulty spike is smarter.

Best early shard purchases to accelerate progress

Early on, look for Megas that either break common defensive cores or flip matchups you’ve repeatedly struggled with. A stone that grants an instant type advantage over frequent mini-bosses can save you healing items and time. Speed control is another premium; snag a Mega that outspeeds the city’s common threats and you’ll spend less effort on positioning. Utility Megas that bring resistances and priority also shine in rescue or escort beats where you can’t afford detours. The goal is to convert shards into wins, not into bench trophies—pick the stones that move your story forward fastest.

Stone Emporium: prices, timing, and availability

After the Main Story, swing down to the Stone Emporium on Vernal Avenue in the city’s south. This storefront sells standard evolution stones and a curated selection of Mega Stones for Pokedollars. Prices vary, and you’ll see premium tags on marquee stones and dual-form species. It’s also where you can buy the starter stones you didn’t choose once you’ve completed the story, letting you experiment with the other lines without starting a new save. Treat this shop like a cleanup step for your collection: buy what the Exchange didn’t offer, grab alternates for teams you want to test in Ranked, and fill any holes left by your story path. If you’re Pokedollar-limited, liquidate duplicate items and route your farming through trainer rematches or high-value errands to build a bankroll before a shopping spree.

Postgame, Mystery Gift, and Ranked rewards

A handful of stones sit outside the usual loop. One arrives as part of a postgame boss path tied to the Infinite Z-A Royale, another drops via Mystery Gift, and several hit the Z-A Battle Club’s Ranked seasons. For Ranked rewards, keep an eye on season calendars and rank thresholds; you don’t want to miss a stone that might not return for months. If you prefer PvE, the postgame boss route is your ticket—win streaks and climactic duels pay out in ways that feel earned without requiring online ladder time. Mystery Gifts are the easiest: claim them promptly so you don’t forget, then test the new Mega in a few quick skirmishes to understand its timing and role before you bring it into serious fights or competitive play.

Efficient Mega Shard farming across Lumiose City

Shard farming is as much about discipline as it is about route choice. Build a circuit that threads several dense cluster spots with fast travel anchors, then weave in errands or collection goals so each lap does double duty. Use Pokémon with multi-target or terrain-friendly moves to break clusters quickly, and consider swapping in a partner that resists common overworld threats so you don’t waste healing items on chip damage. If you’re aiming for an expensive stone, set a session target—say, a few hundred shards—and stop the moment you hit it. That prevents burnout and keeps your story momentum intact. Finally, check the Exchange catalog before you farm; if a new wave just unlocked, you may only need enough shards for one or two priority stones rather than grinding to a round number out of habit.

Team-building around Mega types and roles

The big mistake is slotting a Mega just because it looks cool. Build around what the form does best. If a Mega picks up a new typing, restructure the team to cover that type’s fresh weaknesses and to exploit its new resistances. If a Mega leans glass-cannon, pair it with pivots, speed control, or terrain that limits incoming damage. Bulky Megas love hazard control and chip tools so they can grind over time. And remember synergy: an Intimidate partner, a screen setter, or a cleric that clears status can be the difference between a Mega that collapses on contact and one that wins entire fights. In Ranked, think in terms of matchups—what the ladder is using this week, what your Mega cleanly answers, and which stone gives you an edge without overcommitting to narrow counters.

Starter Mega choices: what to pick and why

Your starter’s Mega shapes your early and midgame identity. If you choose the line that becomes a bruiser, your plan will revolve around clearing paths and punching through bulky story bosses. If you choose the nimbler line, you’ll lean on speed and tempo to skip dangerous sequences. The balanced option sits in the middle, offering flexibility when you don’t know what a district will throw at you. Whichever you pick, commit. Invest TMs that fit the Mega form’s stat spread, train EVs with the form in mind, and collect items that support its game plan. When you later unlock alternate starter stones at the Stone Emporium, you can experiment freely—but the first stone you get from AZ is the one that carries your campaign, so squeeze every win out of it.

Mistakes to avoid and pro tips for smooth progression

Don’t hoard shards “just in case” while struggling with the story—spend to win now and farm again later. Don’t neglect typing changes; re-tune coverage the moment a Mega gains or drops a type. Don’t trigger your transformation into a defensive wall at full health just to flex; save it for danger spikes or to secure a knockout that flips tempo. Do keep spare stones in your bag and rotate based on the district’s threats. Do test Megas in low-stakes encounters to learn their timing before a boss. And do watch Ranked calendars if you care about exclusive stones: even if you’re a PvE-first player, hopping into a season long enough to hit a rank threshold can future-proof your collection and open fresh team options for months.

Conclusion

Mega Evolution rules the flow of Pokémon Legends Z-A, and with a plan you can gather every stone without wasting shards or cash. Clear the Main Story to stock up on freebies, open Quasartico Inc after Mission 10 to buy key forms with Mega Shards, sweep the Stone Emporium postgame for missing picks, and grab the extras through Mystery Gift, postgame boss routes, and Ranked milestones. Build teams around what each Mega actually does—typing, stats, role—and you’ll turn rough missions, city challenges, and competitive ladders into highlight reels. If a fight feels impossible, the right stone usually isn’t far away.

FAQs
  • When do we unlock Mega Evolution in Z-A?
    • You gain access early in the Main Story after facing a Rogue Mega and receiving the key item that enables transformations. From there, stones you earn or buy let specific partners Mega Evolve during battles.
  • How do Quasartico Inc shard costs work?
    • The Mega Shard Exchange opens after Mission 10, with stock expanding as you progress. Prices vary by species; plan routes through shard-dense districts and keep a buffer for new waves that appear after major milestones.
  • Can we buy the starter stones we didn’t choose?
    • Yes. After completing the Main Story, the Stone Emporium sells Mega Stones for the two starter lines you didn’t pick, so you can test alternate builds without a new save.
  • Are any stones time-limited?
    • A few are tied to Ranked Battle seasons or special distributions. Check in-game notices and official news so you don’t miss season-locked stones that return infrequently.
  • What’s the fastest way to farm shards?
    • Build a loop across multiple cluster-dense areas near fast travel points, bring partners with efficient overworld moves, and combine laps with errands so every run advances your progression and your shard count.
Sources
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