Get ready for the most exciting competitive event in Pokemon Legends ZA! Ranked Season 3 is just around the corner, bringing you the chance to earn exclusive Mega Stones that you can’t get anywhere else in the game. Whether you’re a seasoned competitive player or just starting your ranked journey, this season offers something special for everyone. From the powerful Chesnaughtite to the returning Delphoxite and Greninjite, these free Mega Stones will give your team the edge it needs to dominate battles. In this complete guide, you’ll discover everything about Season 3 dates, eligible Pokemon, all rewards, and proven strategies to climb the ranks quickly.
Key Takeaways
- Pokemon Legends ZA Ranked Season 3 runs from January 26, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. PST to December 17, 2026, at 5:59 p.m. PST
- Get three exclusive Mega Stones: Chesnaughtite (Rank S), Delphoxite (Rank V), and Greninjite (Rank Y)
- Only Pokemon from Lumiose Pokedex No. 001-231 are eligible for battles
- You need to play just one match to qualify for end-of-season rewards
- All Pokemon automatically level to 50 during ranked battles for fair competition
- End-of-season rewards include Safari Balls, Gold Bottle Caps, and Seeds of Mastery based on your final rank
When Does Pokemon Legends ZA Ranked Season 3 Start and End?
Pokemon Legends ZA Ranked Season 3 has a specific timeframe that you need to mark on your calendar. The season begins on Wednesday, January 26, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. PST and runs for three weeks, ending on Wednesday, December 17, 2026, at 5:59 p.m. PST. This gives you exactly 21 days to participate in ranked battles and earn your rewards.
For players around the world, here are the start times in different time zones:
- North America: 10pm (Wed) PST / 11pm (Wed) MST / 12am CST / 1am EST
- UK/Ireland: 6am GMT
- Europe: 7am CET / 8am EET
- Asia/Oceania: 3pm JST / 2pm AWST / 5pm AEDT
The three-week duration gives you plenty of time to reach your desired rank and claim all the rewards. Unlike some competitive games that require daily grinding, Pokemon Legends ZA ranked battles let you progress at your own pace, making it accessible for both casual and dedicated players.
What Pokemon Can You Use in Ranked Season 3?
Understanding which Pokemon you can use is crucial for planning your ranked battle strategy. For Season 3, only Pokemon from Lumiose Pokedex No. 001-231 are eligible to participate. This includes popular Pokemon from the Kalos region and gives you a wide variety of options to build your team.
You can register Pokemon at any level from 1 to 100, but don’t worry about level differences – all Pokemon automatically adjust to level 50 during battles. This ensures fair competition where strategy matters more than how much you’ve grinded levels.
Regional forms are allowed in ranked battles, giving you more strategic options. However, you can only use one Pokemon of the same species on your team. This means you can’t have two Pikachu or two Charizard on the same battle team.
There are four special Pokemon with restrictions: Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, and Diancie. You can include these powerful legendary and mythical Pokemon on your team, but you’re limited to using only one of them per battle. This rule prevents teams from becoming too overpowered and keeps the competitive scene balanced.
If you’re looking to build a strong team, check out our guide to Pokemon Legends ZA Wild Zones locations to find and train the best Pokemon for ranked battles.
How to Get Free Mega Stones in Ranked Season 3?
The most exciting part of Pokemon Legends ZA Ranked Season 3 is the opportunity to get exclusive Mega Stones that you cannot obtain through normal gameplay. These special items allow certain Pokemon to Mega Evolve during battles, making them significantly more powerful with improved stats and sometimes even new abilities.
Here are the three Mega Stones available in Season 3 and how to get them:
Chesnaughtite – Reach Rank S This Mega Stone allows Chesnaught to Mega Evolve into Mega Chesnaught. As a Grass/Fighting type, Mega Chesnaught gains massive defensive capabilities and becomes a formidable wall in battles. You’ll need to climb to Rank S to claim this exclusive reward.
Delphoxite – Reach Rank V Delphoxite enables Delphox to Mega Evolve, enhancing its special attack and speed stats. Mega Delphox becomes an even more potent special attacker with improved typing advantages. This stone is available when you reach Rank V.
Greninjite – Reach Rank Y Perhaps the most sought-after of the three, Greninjite allows Greninja to Mega Evolve. Mega Greninja gains the Protean ability, which changes its type to match the move it’s about to use, making it incredibly unpredictable and dangerous in battles.
What makes these Mega Stones special is their exclusivity. According to official Pokemon sources, these stones cannot be obtained through regular gameplay, making ranked seasons the only way to get them. If you missed previous seasons, Season 3 gives you another chance to claim these valuable items.
For more information about Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends ZA, check out our guide to new and returning Pokemon Legends ZA Mega Evolutions.
What Are All the Ranked Season 3 Rewards?
Pokemon Legends ZA Ranked Season 3 offers three types of rewards: battle rewards, promotion rewards, and end-of-season rewards. Understanding each type helps you maximize your earnings and plan your ranked journey effectively.
Battle Rewards
Battle rewards are given to every player who participates in a ranked match, regardless of whether you win or lose. These rewards are distributed at the end of each battle and include useful items for training and battling:
- Mega Shards – Can be exchanged for Mega Stones
- Pearls and Big Pearls – Valuable for selling or trading
- Heavy Balls – Special Poke Balls with higher catch rates
- Rare Candies – Instantly level up your Pokemon
- EXP Candies – Give experience points to your Pokemon
Promotion Rewards
Promotion rewards are special items you receive when you advance to a new rank. These are the most valuable rewards in ranked seasons because they include the exclusive Mega Stones:
- Chesnaughtite – Awarded when you reach Rank S
- Delphoxite – Awarded when you reach Rank V
- Greninjite – Awarded when you reach Rank Y
You receive these Mega Stones immediately after the battle where you achieve the required rank, so you don’t have to wait until the season ends to start using them.
End-of-Season Rewards
End-of-season rewards are distributed based on your final rank when the season concludes. The higher your rank, the better your rewards. Here’s the complete breakdown:
Rank A
- Safari Ball ×3
- Gold Bottle Cap ×1
- Bottle Cap ×3
- Seed of Mastery ×3
- Big Nugget ×1
Rank B to Rank E
- Safari Ball ×2
- Gold Bottle Cap ×1
- Bottle Cap ×2
- Seed of Mastery ×2
- Nugget ×2
Rank F to Rank K
- Bottle Cap ×1
- Seed of Mastery ×1
- Nugget ×2
Rank L to Rank R
- Seed of Mastery ×1
- Nugget ×1
Rank S and Below
- Nugget ×1
The Gold Bottle Caps and Seeds of Mastery are particularly valuable for competitive players, as they help maximize your Pokemon’s potential through hyper training and move mastery.
How to Play Ranked Battles in Pokemon Legends ZA?
Getting started with ranked battles in Pokemon Legends ZA is straightforward, but understanding the mechanics will help you succeed. Here’s everything you need to know about participating in ranked battles.
Starting Your First Ranked Match
To begin your ranked journey, follow these simple steps:
- Launch Pokemon Legends ZA on your Nintendo Switch
- Press the X Button to open the main menu
- Select “Link Play” from the menu options
- Choose “Ranked Battles” to enter the competitive mode
You can then select “Nearby Players” for local connections or “Faraway Players” for online play. Online play requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, so make sure you have an active membership before trying to connect.
Understanding Ranked Battle Mechanics
Ranked battles in Pokemon Legends ZA are different from traditional Pokemon battles. Four players face off against each other in real-time online battles. You’ll move simultaneously on the battlefield, attack, and dodge moves while trying to defeat your opponents.
A ranked match ends when you’ve defeated all three opposing Pokemon. You earn points based on your performance, including how many opponents you defeat, how quickly you win, and various battle actions like mega evolving and using super-effective moves.
The Ranking System
Pokemon Legends ZA features 26 different ranks ranging from Z to A. You start at Rank Z and work your way up through the ranks by earning points in battles. Each rank requires more points than the previous one, creating a progressive challenge that tests your skills.
The ranking system includes:
- Beginner ranks: Z, Y, X, W, V
- Intermediate ranks: U, T, S, R, Q
- Advanced ranks: P, O, N, M, L
- Expert ranks: K, J, I, H, G
- Master ranks: F, E, D, C, B
- Elite ranks: A
Tips for Ranking Up Quickly
If you want to climb the ranks fast, here are some proven strategies:
- Focus on battles rather than wins – you earn points even if you lose
- Use Mega Evolution when possible for bonus points
- Aim for super-effective moves to gain extra points
- Complete battle objectives like attacking first or using status moves
- Build a balanced team with different types to handle various opponents
Remember, you don’t need to be the best player to rank up – consistent participation and smart battle choices will help you progress steadily through the ranks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Would I struggle too much to reach S rank with my team?
Many players worry about their team composition when aiming for higher ranks like S. The good news is that you don’t need a perfect team to reach Rank S. While having strong Pokemon helps, the ranking system rewards consistent participation and smart battle decisions more than having the most powerful team. Players have reached Rank S with various team compositions, including those using Pokemon like Gardevoir, Absol, and Delphox. Focus on learning battle mechanics, using type advantages effectively, and participating regularly rather than trying to build the “perfect” team.
Do you gain experience from online ranked battles?
No, you do not gain experience points from participating in online ranked battles in Pokemon Legends ZA. This is actually beneficial for players who want to keep their Pokemon at specific levels for strategic reasons. Your Pokemon will level up through normal gameplay methods like wild battles and trainer battles, but ranked battles won’t affect their experience. This allows you to maintain optimal levels for your team while still enjoying competitive play.
How fast can one get to S rank in ranked battles?
The time it takes to reach Rank S varies depending on your skill level and how much you play, but many players report reaching Rank S within a few hours of focused play. Some players have achieved Rank S in as little as 2-3 hours by winning battles consistently. Even if you lose some matches, you still earn points toward ranking up, so steady progress is possible with regular participation. The key is to focus on earning points through battle actions rather than just winning matches.
How are the mega stones distributed in ranked seasons?
Mega Stones in ranked seasons are distributed as promotion rewards when you reach specific ranks. In Season 3, you receive Chesnaughtite immediately upon reaching Rank S, Delphoxite when you hit Rank V, and Greninjite when you achieve Rank Y. These stones are given to you right after the battle where you reach the required rank – you don’t have to wait until the season ends to claim them. This instant distribution system lets you start using your new Mega Evolutions right away.
If I miss the season end do I also miss the rewards?
Yes, if you miss the season end, you will miss out on the end-of-season rewards. To be eligible for end-of-season rewards, you must finish at least one match during the season (win or loss doesn’t matter). The rewards are distributed automatically based on your final rank when the season concludes, so there’s no way to claim them later if you miss the distribution window. However, the promotion rewards like Mega Stones are given immediately when you reach the required ranks, so you won’t lose those even if you stop playing before the season ends.
What Pokemon are eligible for Ranked Season 3?
For Pokemon Legends ZA Ranked Season 3, only Pokemon from Lumiose Pokedex No. 001-231 are eligible to participate. This includes Pokemon from the Kalos region and covers a wide range of types and battle styles. You can use regional forms of these Pokemon, but you’re limited to one Pokemon of each species per team. Additionally, there are special rules for legendary and mythical Pokemon – you can include Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, or Diancie on your team, but only one of these four can be used per battle.
How do I claim my end-of-season rewards?
Claiming your end-of-season rewards is simple and can be done after the season concludes. Follow these steps to receive your rewards:
- Launch Pokemon Legends ZA after the season has ended (after December 17, 2026)
- Press the X Button to open the main menu
- Select “Link Play” from the menu options
- Choose “Ranked Battles” to access the rewards screen
Your rewards will be automatically available for claim based on your final rank at the end of the season. Remember, you must have participated in at least one ranked match during the season to be eligible for these rewards.
Conclusion
Pokemon Legends ZA Ranked Season 3 offers an exciting opportunity for players to earn exclusive Mega Stones and valuable rewards while testing their skills in competitive battles. With free Mega Stones like Chesnaughtite, Delphoxite, and Greninjite available only through ranked play, this season is a must-participate event for serious Pokemon trainers.
The three-week duration from January 26 to December 17, 2026, gives you plenty of time to climb the ranks and claim your rewards. Remember, you only need to play one match to qualify for end-of-season rewards, so even casual players can benefit from participating.
Whether you’re aiming for the exclusive Mega Stones or just want to enjoy some competitive Pokemon action, Ranked Season 3 has something for everyone. Start preparing your team of eligible Pokemon from Lumiose Pokedex No. 001-231, and get ready to battle your way to the top ranks. Good luck, trainers!
