⚡ Pokémon Legends: Z-A — XP Guide
How to level up very quickly
The open-world economy system is highly exploitable. Here are all the methods for leveling up rapidly in Lumiose.
For once, you don't need a spreadsheet worthy of a thesis. Lumiose is full of crystals to break, items to convert, and Alphas that are a little too confident. Here's how to make the most of them.
⚡ 1. Why XP is (finally) simple in Z-A
The open world of Lumiose is packed with exploitable resources: crystals to break, items to convert at Quasartico Inc., and Alpha Pokémon that generously reward EXP. Together, they let you stack levels at a speed that would make a Raticate using Nitro turn pale.
Unlike previous installments, Pokémon Legends: Z-A centers leveling around a simple, repeatable resource economy. No tedious grinding: just efficient routes and a few key items.
💡 Basic principle: Always combine several methods at once — equipped Red Canary + systematic catching + crystal farming — for multiplied XP gains.
📊 2. Summary of the best methods
Here is a comparison table to help you choose the method suited to your progress in the game.
| Method | Requirements | Strength | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exp. Candies via Mega Shards | Unlock Quasartico Inc. | Massive “à la carte” XP | Ultra-fast attack for 5-minute runs |
| Red Canary Plush | Main Mission 5 (Tarragon) | EXP boost after battle | Upgrade it at Root Construction |
| Alpha Pokémon | Access to wild zones | Huge EXP gains + candies as drops | Toxic repeatedly / Perish Song late-game |
| Catch defeated Pokémon | Poké Ball stock | ~+66% more EXP | Reduce HP to 0, then catch them |
| Lucky Egg | Annex 109 (after MP 37) | Passive bonus | Profitable during long Alpha sessions |
🍬 3. Exp. Candies via Mega Shards (Quasartico Inc.)
This is the fastest and least tedious method. Go to the Quasartico Inc. Mega Exchange to convert your Mega Shards into Exp. Candies.
How to farm Mega Shards
- 1 Locate the crystal clusters around Lumiose's main thoroughfares (Prism Tower & adjacent wild zones).
- 2 Use an ultra-fast attack (e.g. Extreme Speed or an equivalent with a short cooldown) to smash the crystals in a chain.
- 3 Return to Quasartico Inc. and trade your shards for Exp. Candies (8 Mega Shards = 1 small candy).
- 4 Use the candies on the Pokémon you want to level up. Repeat.
⚡ Lightning farm: 600+ shards in ~5 minutes is entirely realistic once you've got your routes down. A handful of runs, and you'll gain several dozen levels without breaking a sweat.
🐦 4. Red Canary Plush: the subtle multiplier
The Red Canary Plush is one of the five Canary plushies. You receive one free from Tarragon at the beginning of Main Mission 5. It increases the EXP gained after each battle.
How to upgrade it
Go to Root Construction with colored screws to upgrade your Red Canary. A fully upgraded Red Canary reaches about ×1.7 EXP after battles — your plushie has officially become a performance accessory.
💡 Tip: Equip the Red Canary as soon as you get it. Even at its base level, the bonus accumulates throughout the game.
🔴 5. Alpha Pokémon: risky? Not if you play “toxic”
Alpha Pokémon are big targets: high HP, unique move sets, and EXP raining down. Two approaches to beat them without the headache:
Toxic method (hit-and-run)
Use Toxic (badly poisoned), retreat cleanly while dodging, and let the poison do the work. It's the school of patience, but the damage curve is in your favor.
Perish Song method (late game)
Perish Song makes any Pokémon that hears it faint after about 30 seconds. Few species can learn it, and usually rather late — use the other methods to achieve this.
🎁 Bonus: Defeated Alpha Pokémon may drop Exp. Candies. The snake biting its own tail… much to your delight.
🎯 6. Capture rather than defeat: the hidden bonus
After reducing a wild Pokémon's HP to 0, capturing the Pokémon grants a substantial EXP bonus — about +66% in addition to the initial EXP from the K.O.
How to make the most of it
- 1 Reduce its HP to 0 during the battle as usual.
- 2 Throw a Poké Ball at the knocked-out Pokémon to trigger the bonus.
- 3 Stock up on as many Balls as possible before your farming sessions so you never miss a capture.
💡 Bottom line: If you have Balls, make capturing your new reflex. It is one of the simplest EXP bonuses to activate permanently.
🥚 7. Lucky Egg: useful, but late
The Lucky Egg grants a passive bonus to EXP earned. It is obtained at the Green Pokémon Center via side mission 109 “Miraculous Self-Healing Pokémon”, unlocked after main mission 37.
Not a priority in the early game, but excellent for Alpha loops or long farming sessions. Combine it with the Red Canary for maximum effect.
⚠️ Note: The Lucky Egg is a held item—it occupies an equipment slot. Remember to switch it with other items according to your needs.
❓ 8. Quick FAQ
How many candies does it take to boost a Pokémon?
~80–100 Exp. Candy S (800 Mega Shards) can propel a Pokémon through dozens of levels, depending on its starting level.
Is there a simple farming route?
Chain crystal clusters around Prism Tower & wild areas, then trade them at Quasartico Inc. Repeat.
Red Canary or candies first?
Candies grant levels instantly. The Red Canary provides continuous gains. Ideally: free Canary → upgrades → candies to finish.
Are Alpha Pokémon mandatory?
No, but they offer the best EXP gains per battle. With Toxic, they become accessible as early as the mid-game.
Does capturing work on Alpha Pokémon?
Yes! The +66% bonus also applies to defeated Alpha Pokémon. Always keep Balls in stock during your sessions.
When should you unlock the Lucky Egg?
After main mission 37 via side mission 109. Not urgent, but highly profitable in the late game when combined with the Red Canary.
⚡ Conclusion
Leveling up quickly in Pokémon Legends: Z-A is above all a matter of strategy and combinations. Farming crystals, using the Red Canary, systematic captures, and managing Alpha Pokémon well: each technique strengthens the others.
So, start your crystal run, equip your Red Canary… and watch your levels soar!