How to Use a Z‐Move in Pokémon Sun and Moon

Reviewed by Ishrak

Last Updated: September 6, 2020

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Z-Moves are a special type of move that a Pokémon can use in battle that draws from the bond between a Pokémon and its trainer. This article will explain how to use a Z-Move in battle.

Steps

You get the Z-Ring relatively early on, by completing the ceremonial battle at Iki Town against Hau at the beginning of the game.
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Have your Pokémon hold an appropriate Z-Crystal. This can be done by going in to your bag, selecting the “Items” and finding the Z-Crystal you want to equip your Pokémon with. Some Z-Crystals are for Pokémon that know a move of a specific type (for example, the Normalium Z is for Pokémon that know a Normal-type move), while others can be used only on a single Pokémon (such as the Snorlium Z, which can only be used with Snorlax).
- If a Pokémon does not meet the specifications of a Z-Crystal (for example, if they don’t know a Normal-Type move or they aren’t a Snorlax), then you won’t even be able to equip them with that Z-Crystal.
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It can be any type of battle - a battle with a wild Pokémon, a trainer battle, a battle with your rival, or even a battle with a Totem Pokémon.
Then, confirm the Z-Move that you’d like to use. Your Pokémon will then complete the Z-Move, which varies depending on the Z-Crystal you give it.

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Question

Do I activate the z-crystals in the bag, or what?

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Community Answer

To give a z-crystal to a Pokemon, go to bag. If you passed the first trial, there will be a z-crystals slot in the bag. Go to it and it will say which Pokemon is compatible with it. You can give one type of z-crystal to more than one Pokemon at a time.

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What if I used the wrong Z crystal?

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If you accidentally give a Pokemon the wrong Z-Crystal (which may not be possible), just go to your bag and select that Pokemon, then select the "Take" option.

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How do I activate the Z-Crystals?

Community Answer

All you have to do is give your Pokémon a Z-Crystal with the same Type as a move they know. When you select a Z-Crystal, your team will list if they are compatible or not. For example, a Primarina with Ice Beam, Psychic, Moonblast, and Sparkling Aria will be able to use Icium Z, Psychium Z, Fairium Z, and Waterium Z. This brings me to exclusive Z-Moves. As an example, a Primarina with its signature move Sparkling Aria would be able to use Primarium Z.

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Tips

You can only use a Z-Move once per battle, unless if, in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Moon, you use the Z-Rotom Power after using a Roto Loto Power and reaching maximum affection with your Rotom Dex, as this will allow you to use Z-Moves again. ^{[1]
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Research source}

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Z-Moves can either deal damage or inflict a status effect, depending on which move it's based on. Keep this in mind when choosing a Z-Move.

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Z-Moves vary in power and category (either dealing physical attack or special attack damage) depending on which move it's based on. For example, Gigavolt Havoc (an Electric-type Z-Move) will have a power of 175 and be a special move if it's based on Thunderbolt.

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How to Use a Z‐Move in Pokémon Sun and Moon

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