How to Get Mega Charizard X and Y in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Before you can Mega Evolve a Charizard, you first need to have one on your team. Charizard evolves from Charmeleon at Level 36, which in turn evolves from Charmander at Level 16.

You can obtain a Charmander early in the game during Side Mission 22: A Call from Mable. By visiting Mable at the Pokémon Research Center, you’ll be given the choice to add one of the original Kanto starters—Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or Charmander—to your team.

If you don’t choose Charmander here, don’t worry. After you complete the main story, all Kanto and Z-A starters, including Charmander, begin to spawn regularly in Wild Zone 20.

Where to Find Charizardite X and Charizardite Y

To unlock Charizard’s Mega Evolutions, you need to acquire its two unique Mega Stones: Charizardite X and Charizardite Y.

Both of these stones can be purchased from the Stone Emporium, a shop located in the southern part of Lumiose City, near Hotel Z and Wild Zone 1. The shop becomes fully stocked with Mega Stones after you complete Main Mission 10, which fully unlocks the Mega Evolution mechanic.

The prices for these powerful items are steep:

• Charizardite X: 100,000 gold
• Charizardite Y: 100,000 gold

Each Mega Stone is a one-time purchase, as you cannot own duplicates. Be sure to save up your money, as acquiring both will cost you a total of 200,000 gold.

How to Mega Evolve Charizard

Once you have a Charizard and at least one of its Mega Stones, you can use Mega Evolution in battle.

1. Equip the Mega Stone: Open your satchel, select either Charizardite X or Charizardite Y, and have your Charizard hold it.
2. Build the Transformation Meter: In battle, as you attack your opponent or collect the glowing orbs dropped by Rogue Mega Evolutions, a meter on your screen will fill.
3. Activate Mega Evolution: Once the meter is full, switch to your Charizard (if it’s not already in battle) and press the right thumbstick. This will trigger the transformation into either Mega Charizard X or Y, depending on the stone it’s holding.

Mega Evolution is a temporary transformation that lasts for a set duration in battle. You can extend this time by continuing to collect the glowing orbs that appear in the arena.

Mega Charizard X vs. Mega Charizard Y: What’s the Difference?

The two Mega Evolutions offer completely different typings, stat distributions, and strategic advantages. To use both in a single battle, you would need two separate Charizards on your team, each holding a different Mega Stone.

Mega Charizard X

• Type: Fire / Dragon
• Key Stats: Massively increased Attack, with boosts to Defense and Special Attack.
• Strengths: This form transforms Charizard into a physical juggernaut. The Dragon typing removes its 4x weakness to Rock-type moves and gives it powerful STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) moves like Dragon Claw and Outrage. It’s an aggressive, close-range brawler.
• Weaknesses: As a Fire/Dragon-type, it is weak to Ground, Rock, and Dragon-type moves.

Mega Charizard Y

• Type: Fire / Flying
• Key Stats: Exceptionally high Special Attack, with boosts to Special Defense and Speed.
• Strengths: Mega Charizard Y leans into its identity as a special attacker. It retains its Fire/Flying typing and is designed to devastate opponents from a distance with incredibly powerful special moves like Fire Blast and Solar Beam. Its stats make it one of the most potent special attackers in the game.
• Weaknesses: As a Fire/Flying-type, it retains its crippling 4x weakness to Rock-type moves, and is also weak to Water and Electric-type moves.

Choosing between Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y depends entirely on your team’s needs. If you require a fierce physical attacker to break through defensive walls, Mega Charizard X is your answer. If you need a long-range special cannon to sweep through opponents, Mega Charizard Y is the superior choice.