Getting Porygon-Z in Pokémon Legends: Arceus takes more than just raising your Pokémon's level. Unlike standard main-line entries where trading with held items completes the job, Hisui requires specific special items and currency to push Porygon through its two-stage evolution line.
If you're hunting down the right evolution items, you'll need to brave Space-Time Distortions or visit the Trading Post in Jubilife Village. Let's break down exactly how to secure the Upgrade and Dubious Disc, catch your initial Porygon, and add Porygon-Z to your Hisuian Pokédex.
Where to Find Porygon in Hisui
Before you can evolve anything, you need to track down a Porygon. You won't find them wandering freely in the open fields of Obsidian Fieldlands or Crimson Mirelands.
Porygon only spawns inside Space-Time Distortions that appear in the Cobalt Coastlands. When the swirling purple and blue dome forms on your map, head there immediately and watch out for Porygon, Porygon2, or even a wild Porygon-Z if you're lucky.
Catching them can be tricky because distortion spawns are aggressive and items fly fast. Toss a heavy ball from behind for a back-strike bonus, or use smoke bombs to get close without drawing unwanted attention from alpha Pokémon sharing the distortion zone.
Step 1: Evolving Porygon into Porygon2 with the Upgrade
Once you've caught a Porygon, check its summary screen. You don't need to grind levels to 70 or 80—evolution items in Legends: Arceus work as soon as your Pokémon meets the item requirement.
To take Porygon to its middle stage, you need an Upgrade. There are two primary ways to get one:
- Space-Time Distortions: Defeat or catch other Pokémon inside Cobalt Coastlands distortions, where Upgrades drop randomly on the ground or from defeated Pokémon.
- The Trading Post: Head to Jubilife Village and speak to Simona near the training grounds. You can purchase an Upgrade for 1,000 Merit Points (MP) earned by returning lost satchels found around the map.
Open your satchel, select the Upgrade, and use it directly on Porygon. Your screen will prompt the evolution sequence, turning your digital duck into Porygon2.
Step 2: Evolving Porygon2 into Porygon-Z with the Dubious Disc
To reach the final form, Porygon-Z, you need a second item: the Dubious Disc.
Just like the Upgrade, the Dubious Disc can occasionally appear as a rare drop inside Cobalt Coastlands Space-Time Distortions. Alternatively, you can purchase it from Simona at the Jubilife Village Trading Post for 1,400 Merit Points.
Once you have the Dubious Disc in your inventory:
- Open your satchel and select the Dubious Disc.
- Apply it directly to your Porygon2.
- Confirm the prompt to trigger the final evolution into Porygon-Z.
Optimizing Porygon-Z in Battle
Porygon-Z functions as a high-damage special attacker with a wide movepool, but its physical defenses remain fragile. You'll want to balance its move loadout to make the most of its stats.
- Move Selection: Teach it moves like Tri Attack, Ice Beam, or Thunderbolt via the Move Shop to secure super-effective coverage against common Hisuian threats.
- Agile and Strong Styles: Use Agile Style to land consecutive hits with fast attacks, or switch to Strong Style when you need to finish off an opponent before they counterattack.
- Team Synergy: Pair Porygon-Z with bulky tank Pokémon that can switch in safely if an opponent targets its defensive weaknesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to trade with other players to evolve Porygon?
No. Pokémon Legends: Arceus removes player-to-player trade requirements for item-based evolutions. Using the Upgrade and Dubious Disc from your satchel completes both evolutions entirely offline.
What is the fastest way to earn Merit Points for evolution items?
Open your map frequently to check for lost satchel icons across all regions. Picking them up and returning them to owners online (or offline via built-in NPC satchels) awards 50 to 100 Merit Points per satchel, letting you buy rare items quickly.
Can Porygon-Z be found roaming in the wild?
Yes, Porygon-Z has a rare chance to spawn directly inside Cobalt Coastlands Space-Time Distortions, though catching one requires quick reflexes and careful stealth item use.
