Mega Evolutions have long been a staple in Pokémon battles, offering new and enhanced forms for existing Pokémon. In this article, we’ll dive into the impact of several Mega Evolutions introduced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, focusing on the evolution of Excadrill, Scolipede, Scrafty, and others. As we explore these Pokémon, we’ll break down their battle potential, designs, and availability to see how they stack up in the world of Mega Evolutions.

Excadrill: Power and Precision, But Does It Need a Mega Evolution?

Excadrill is a formidable Pokémon in its original form, with strong attack, decent speed, and a great typing of Steel and Ground. Mega Evolution seems like a natural progression for this already powerful creature, but does it improve on its already impressive stats?

Upon Mega Evolution, Excadrill gains significant boosts in attack, speed, and defense, but loses some of its precious speed. Its move pool is excellent, with access to powerful moves like Earthquake and Rock Slide, making it an asset in battle. The availability of its Mega Stone early in the game (mission 25) is also a huge plus for trainers looking to strengthen their teams quickly.

However, despite its effectiveness in battle, Excadrill’s design as a "bigger drill mole" feels somewhat uninspired. The exaggerated drills on its body, though functional, make it look awkward and unbalanced. The design does not capture the same level of appeal as its base form, earning it a lower rating. Overall, Mega Excadrill scores a 3.75 out of 5 stars—great in battle, but lacking in visual charm.

For players interested in power over design, however, Mega Excadrill remains a strong contender. If you’re looking to buy shiny Pokémon for your team, you might want to consider Excadrill, as its Mega form can quickly turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Scolipede: A Support Pokémon with Potential

Scolipede’s Mega Evolution brings new life to a Pokémon that is often overlooked. While its base form isn’t particularly flashy, its Mega form introduces exciting new features, including boosted defenses and the ability to use support moves like Toxic and Baton Pass.

Although Scolipede’s Mega Evolution doesn’t turn it into a powerhouse like some other Pokémon, it opens up unique strategies for players who favor defensive or support-based tactics. With access to TMs like Swords Dance and Earthquake, Scolipede can be a dangerous opponent if played correctly.

However, much like Excadrill, Scolipede’s Mega Evolution design isn’t perfect. Its armor and color scheme are cool, but it doesn’t quite live up to the hype of other Mega Pokémon. Still, it earns a solid 3.875 out of 5 stars for its mix of defensive capabilities and visual appeal.

Scrafty: A Controversial Mega Evolution

Scrafty’s Mega Evolution is certainly a point of debate. On one hand, its Dark/Fighting typing is fantastic, and its stats improve significantly in attack and defenses. Its move pool, including Power-Up Punch and Parting Shot, also makes it an excellent support Pokémon. But the design… that’s where things get tricky.

Mega Scrafty turns its iconic sagging pants into a white, hooded garment, which has sparked controversy among fans. The design, while thematically consistent with a lizard shedding its skin, falls short in execution. The hood with eye holes seems out of place, and many players feel that it doesn’t do justice to the potential of Mega Evolution.

Despite the design flaws, Mega Scrafty still earns a respectable 3.125 stars overall. Its utility in battle makes it worth considering, but if you’re looking for a Mega Evolution that combines strength and style, there might be better options.

Mega Chandelure: The Ghostly Powerhouse

Mega Chandelure is arguably one of the most broken Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. With insane stats—175 Special Attack and excellent defensive stats—it’s an absolute powerhouse in battle. Its Ghost/Fire typing is perfect for offense, and it boasts an extensive move pool that includes Flamethrower and Shadow Ball.

What sets Mega Chandelure apart is its early availability in the game. Unlike other Mega Pokémon locked behind late missions, Chandelure can be obtained after mission 20, giving it an edge in accessibility.

While its design, which simply adds a crown and some gold fixtures to its base form, might feel a bit underwhelming, the Pokémon’s immense power more than makes up for it. Mega Chandelure’s overall score is 4.375 stars, and its competitive potential makes it a must-have for players who favor offensive strategies.

Mega Evolutions with Unique Strengths

Overall, the Mega Evolutions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A each have their strengths and weaknesses. Excadrill’s Mega Evolution is a powerhouse, but its design leaves much to be desired. Scolipede offers support and strategy, though its design doesn’t stand out. Scrafty’s Mega Evolution is a strong contender in battle, but its design leaves much to be desired. Finally, Mega Chandelure stands as one of the most powerful Pokémon in the game, even if its design doesn’t quite live up to its potential.

For players looking to buy shiny Pokémon or add powerful Megas to their collection, it’s clear that Chandelure and Excadrill are solid picks. If you're willing to overlook design flaws in favor of battle prowess, these two Pokémon will serve you well in any competitive scenario.

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