New Pokemon Legends Z-A trailer sparks confusion over “broken” battle mechanic

The newest trailer for Pokemon Legends Z-A has generated a lot of excitement among fans for the game’s release, but a particular moment during a battle has left players puzzled and curious.

Pokemon Legends Z-A is the next big installment in the Pokemon series. It takes place in Lumiose City and blends realistic graphics with gameplay fans will recognize. The trailer, which came out on September 30th, offered a new glimpse at how you’ll explore the world and battle, continuing the style we first saw in Legends Arceus.

However, a particular moment in the game footage quickly grabbed the community’s attention. A Gyarados at level 50 used the move Surf against a Houndoom at level 32. Surprisingly, the Fire-type Pokémon didn’t faint, despite being at a significant level and type disadvantage. The attack only reduced Houndoom’s health slightly, leading players to wonder if the way damage is calculated has been altered in this new game.

Check the damage though..

Gyarados Lv.50 vs Houndoom Lv.32

— Eclipse『ズルム』 (@3clipse_tt) September 30, 2025

Is Surf really that weak in Pokemon Legends Z-A?

On X (formerly Twitter), players discussed the video clip and shared their thoughts. One user, WilliamTimeMage, commented: “60 base special attack lol it’s like Gardevoir using a physical move.” Others also mentioned that Gyarados usually relies on physical attacks, which makes special moves like Surf less effective.

The conversation also touched on Alpha Pokemon. As Pepperle78 pointed out, “It’s because he’s a physical attacker attacking an alpha Houndoom.” These Alpha Pokemon, which first appeared in Legends Arceus, are recognizable by their increased stats and greater resilience.

Some players thought the alteration could be deliberate, designed to create a fairer game. “I really like it when they make Pokémon more resilient,” one gamer commented. “A Pokémon being defeated in just one or two hits doesn’t feel like a proper battle to me.”

Some players proposed adjustments to how moves work, pointing out that Legends Arceus changed move power during battles to keep things fair. Jump’n Jo guessed that the move Surf “could have a base power of 50, considering its hit range and other possible effects.”

The reasons behind this are likely a combination of how different Pokémon types interact, improvements to certain Pokémon (Alpha buffs), and adjustments made during gameplay. However, it’s also led people to wonder how Legends Z-A will control the speed of battles compared to older games, and how much further it will move away from the classic turn-based style of combat.

2025-10-01 21:21

Is Surf really that weak in Pokemon Legends Z-A?

Read More