Z-A’s DLC is Giving Chimecho a Mega Evolution

Pokemon Legends: Z-A came out just three weeks ago, but it’s already getting additional content in the form of the new Diancie side quest and the Mega Dimension DLC, now scheduled for release on December 10. Many fans are wondering how to get Diancie in Pokemon Legends: Z-A due to the Pokemon’s incredibly low catch rate (and the fact that it fits the color scheme of Heal Balls, which have a low catch rate as well), though the critter is not yet usable in ranked battles. Things will dramatically change come December 10, as several returning Pokemon become available and receive new Mega Evolutions, including Gen 3’s Chimecho.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s second trailer for the Mega Dimension DLC came out yesterday, and it features a better look at what is coming with the expansion:

• New zones that are glimpses of Hyperspace Lumiose.
  • These will be accessible with donuts baked by Hoopa and Ansha, requiring players to farm Berries.
  • Each zone will have a timer, an increase to the maximum level of the player’s Pokemon and wild Pokemon, and different challenges associated with each type of donut.
• A donut cooking minigame involving Berries.
• New trainer battles and Alpha encounters.
• 27 confirmed returning Pokemon, so far, including:
  • Galarian Meowth
  • Perrserker
  • Mankey
  • Primape
  • Annihilape
  • Cubone
  • Marowak
  • Alolan Marowak
  • Galarian Mr. Mime
  • Mr. Rime
  • Chingling
  • Chimecho
  • Munna
  • Musharna
  • Golett
  • Golurk
  • Wimpod
  • Golisopod
  • Rookidee
  • Corvisquire
  • Corviknight
  • Nacli
  • Naclstack
  • Garganacl
  • Frigibax
  • Arctibax
  • Baxcalibur
• New Mega Evolutions, including:
  • Mega Raichu X
  • Mega Raichu Y
  • Mega Chimecho
  • Mega Baxcalibur

Mega Chimecho in Pokemon Legends: Z-A has a very distinct appearance that combines the general idea of Chimecho as a Pokemon with the design of its pre-evolution, Chingling, whose silhouette makes for the gold/metal frame that holds several chimes. This is an interesting take on the Mega Evolution, and the fact that it gains Steel as a secondary type is also fantastic for Chimecho. However, you should be upset about its Mega Evolution rather than celebrate it because it takes away more than it gives.

Say Goodbye to Chimecho Regional Forms and Cross-Gen Evolutions After Pokemon Legends: Z-A

As a gimmick, Mega Evolution is the most liked in the entire series. It provides Game Freak with an avenue to give fully evolved critters a new special form that is more powerful than the base one, thanks to 100 extra stat points. However, this also technically means that all Pokemon capable of Mega Evolving can’t have further evolutions in future generations, and possibly even no regional forms. This is not a hard rule, but Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s new DLC Mega Evolutions and base game Mega Evolutions are all for critters with no other forms, and no Pokemon capable of Mega Evolving from the Gen 6 games got a regional form or cross-gen evolution afterwards.

This is a bad thing for Chimecho because it has a BST of 455, and while it’s not a terrible spread with 50 points in Attack and all other stats being higher, it’s a far cry from being a good Pokemon. This is mainly due to:

• Chimecho’s low stats, which Mega Chimecho can only improve so far with a BST of 555.
• The move selection for Chimecho is rather poor, and the addition of Steel as a secondary type for Mega Chimecho (Psychic/Steel) can only do so much.
• Considering that Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s best teams typically use Metagross, sometimes even Mega Metagross, it’s hard to justify picking Mega Chimecho when it has a BST of 555 vs. Metagross’ 600 and Mega Metagross’ 700.
• Chimecho getting a Mega Evolution means it most likely won’t get a regional form, and it’s basically guaranteed to not get a cross-gen evolution either.

Why Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Mega Chimecho is a Curse, Not a Blessing

Cross-gen evolutions are much better for a Pokemon’s potential utility in battles, as they are permanent additions. Mega Evolution is a gimmick tied to Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and thus temporary. While Pokemon Champions allows Mega Evolutions, it’s unclear how popular the game will be and how much traction it will get in the competitive scene.

As such, Chimecho shouldn’t have gotten a Mega Evolution, and instead, it should have gotten a cross-gen evolution further down the line – maybe as soon as Gen 10 next year. Mega Chimecho may not move the needle as much in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, let alone the entire series, when this specific gimmick goes away. As cool as Mega Chimecho is, it’s more of a curse than a blessing for this otherwise underwhelming Pokemon.

Systems

Released

October 16, 2025

ESRB

Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases

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