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Stat-boosting moves that can be stacked work differently in Pokemon Legends Z-A, and this article explains everything that you need to know.
Pokemon Legends Z-A is confirmed to have lots of changes, some of these being completely different from the mainline series. Among the many additions like the Rogue Mega Evolution, and changes like no abilities, leaks have poured in for yet another major change – you will not be able to stack moves in Pokemon Legends Z-A. That said, the feature is not going away completely. Instead, it is going to function differently, and it is closer to a rework instead.
Instead of stacking the stats of moves, the duration of effect increases every time you use these same moves in Pokemon Legends Z-A. In this article, we will dive into more details about how exactly this feature will affect your battles.
How Does Stacking Moves Work in Pokemon Legends Z-A?
On Pokémon Legends: Z-A moves that boost or decrease stats like Swords Dance don't stack in power, instead they just make the effect last longer, similarly to how was in Legends: Arceus. pic.twitter.com/98h0HTgpEy
— Centro LEAKS (@CentroLeaks) October 6, 2025
To understand how this change affects gameplay in Pokemon Legends Z-A, we need to first understand stacking moves as a whole:
What Are Stacking Moves in Pokemon?
There are certain moves in Pokemon games that do not deal any damage, but rather buff the stats of your Pokemon. Similarly, moves that debuff or reduce the stats of your opponents also exist, and both of these can be ‘stacked’. When you stack a move, the effect multiplies each time that you use it.
For example, when a Pokemon uses Swords Dance, its Attack stat raises by two stages (2x). If used twice, the Pokemon gains two more stages (4x), and this process continues each time you use it. A Pokemon can have its stats buffed to 6x, after which any stat boosting move fails. As such, you can use Sword Dance a maximum of three times, but moves like Calm Mind which increase a Pokemon’s Sp. Atk. and Sp. Def. by one stage can be used six times in total.
The effect lasts till the Pokemon faints, or leaves the battlefield. Debuffs on enemy Pokemon work the same way, and can be stacked to a maximum of -6x. Both buffs and debuffs aim for the same outcome – to deal huge numbers with attacks.
What Does Stacking Moves Do in Pokemon Legends Z-A
In Pokemon Legends Z-A, stacking moves will increase the duration that it lasts for instead of multiplying the effect like in mainline games. This also reveals another piece of information – Pokemon Legends Z-A will have a duration counter for status move. This is similar to how these moves worked in Pokemon Legends Arceus game as well.
How Will The Change To Stacking Moves Affect Gameplay in Pokemon Legends Z-A?
Pokemon Legends Z-A takes a different approach to the gameplay, and is not turn-based combat-centric. Instead, it has real-time battles where the trainer and Pokemon are proactive throughout where the latter can even dodge on command. In such a scenario, stacking moves could perhaps lead to an indefinite usage where a Pokemon becomes too strong.
For example, Sylveon can use Calm Mind six times and get its maximum stats multiplier up. Then, it can use the dodge command to avoid attacks, and can become too strong for the opponent to defeat. To avoid this, specific amount of time during which Sylveon’s stats remain boosted could be an alternative.
If you have played Pokemon Legends Arceus, you are already accustomed to this kind of a flow in gameplay. On the other hand, conventional trainers might have problems adjusting to this kind of a battle system. In any case, it will be interesting to see how new strategies shape up around this feature in Pokemon Legends Z-A.
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