Recent leaks from reputable sources such as Armarougue suggest a major shift in the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Chief among the early revelations is the introduction of Mabel as the regional professor. Formerly aligned with Team Flare, Mabel has turned her life around and now gifts players one of the starter Pokémon. This marks a thematic evolution of her character, now embracing a scientific and guiding role.

Notably, the game will include multiple starter choices. Aside from the main regional trio (which receive Mega Evolutions), players can also select a Kanto starter—Charmander, Squirtle, or Bulbasaur—through Professor Sycamore in Lumiose City. In addition, Generation 6 starters will reportedly be catchable in the wild, bringing the total to three complete starter lines accessible in-game.

Reformed Lysandre, AZ’s Fate, and a Darker Story Direction

A major storyline leak confirms that Lysandre survived the events of Pokémon X and Y. Now missing one eye but rendered immortal like his ancestor AZ, Lysandre is said to be reformed and aligned with Zygarde to protect Lumiose City. He will reportedly appear in multiple locations, including the Z Hotel and Prism Tower, and may even assist in battles—his ace remaining Mega Gyarados.

One of the more emotionally heavy plot points involves a potential sacrifice by either Lysandre or AZ. A cryptic line from a hacker character foreshadows a tragic climax: “You will cry.” It strongly implies that AZ may meet his end to unlock “Eternal Floette,” a special variant with a Mega Evolution. Floette, in its Mega form, will reportedly serve as one of the boss battles.

Legendary Encounters Pushed to Postgame

Players should not expect to encounter Xerneas or Yveltal during the main story. Instead, these Legendary Pokémon will be introduced in a postgame arc, referred to as the Z episode. The storyline centers around the Z activity, which draws both legendaries to Lumiose City.

To access these encounters, players must first defeat a series of mini-bosses. Meeting Xerneas requires overcoming three “enraged” bosses, while Yveltal’s challenge involves three Mega Evolution bosses. The meaning of “enraged” remains unclear—it could imply corrupted Pokémon or aggressive variants. Additionally, the Zygarde Cube, used to collect Zygarde cells, will also be a postgame item, reinforcing the post-story focus on legendary content.

Mega Evolutions Make a Strong Comeback

Mega Evolution features heavily in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, starting early in the game with Mega Lucario. This follows the pattern established in Pokémon X and Y, where Lucario played a central role in introducing Mega Evolution mechanics. The first major boss battle is rumored to feature Mega Absol. Its aesthetic differs slightly from traditional versions, but the coloration is not indicative of a shiny form.

These enraged Mega bosses suggest a heightened difficulty level in early battles. With Lucario likely joining the player early on, the type advantage against Mega Absol sets a strategic tone for initial gameplay. Additionally, the leaked starter Mega Evolutions—particularly Mega Feraligatr, Meganium, and Emboar—further cement the focus on this mechanic.

The game also allows players to find the starters in the wild, similar to Pokémon Legends: Arceus. This adds flexibility in team composition and supports diverse builds. The inclusion of Mega Evolutions for these wild starters confirms their central role in combat and progression.