Pokémon Move Going All the Way Back to Generation 1 Is Broken in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

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Pokémon Legends: Z-A is changing up the traditional Pokémon battles. While it keeps the core idea of turn-based combat, it’s now a faster, more action-packed experience. This new game also alters a long-standing series mechanic that’s been around for almost 30 years. Usually, Pokémon moves stay consistent across games, letting players use strategies and older moves in fresh ways, but that’s changing with this installment.

Pokémon Legends changed things up by moving away from the traditional turn-based battles to a more open, real-time combat system. This new approach is exciting and makes the battles feel fresh, taking advantage of current game design trends. However, it also reduces some of the strategic thinking the series was known for and makes certain moves ineffective. Pokémon Legends: Z-A takes this even further, essentially rendering a well-known, historically non-damaging move completely useless in battle.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A Ruins “Substitute” As A Viable Technique

As a long-time Pokémon player, I remember Substitute being a really useful move since the very beginning! Back in the original Pokémon Red and Blue, it let my Pokémon trade a bit of HP to create a doll that would take hits for them. It was a lifesaver, giving me time to rethink my strategy when things got tough. It’s one of the few non-attack moves from the early games that stuck around for years, and honestly, I always thought it’d be a staple… but now, with Pokémon Legends: Z-A, it feels pretty useless. It’s a bummer to see a classic move become almost pointless.

That tactic worked well in the traditional, turn-based battles of past Pokémon games, but it doesn’t translate effectively to the new, more dynamic combat system. The change to a more open-ended style has actually improved many moves, and it’s a key reason why Pokémon Legends feels different. However, unlike other moves that have been successfully updated, “Substitute” just isn’t very effective anymore.

The ‘Substitute’ move still creates a decoy, but powerful attacks that affect a wide area can bypass it. Because battles use an automatic targeting system, players might unintentionally hit their own decoy. Wild Pokémon aren’t guaranteed to attack the decoy instead of the player, which reduces its usefulness. Even if an opponent does target the decoy, certain attacks – like beams – can pass right through it and still damage the player.

Ultimately, the change makes the move largely ineffective. What was once a helpful strategic option in turn-based battles now feels like a minor distraction at best, and completely useless at worst, in real-time combat. It’s disappointing, because the move’s charming animation and ability to stall opponents made it surprisingly adaptable and strong. It was also a memorable and visually appealing addition to the series. It’s unfortunate that Pokémon Legends: Z-A seems to have rendered “Substitute” unusable, even though including it makes sense as a nod to past games.

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2025-10-22 21:12