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

The latest trailer for Pokemon Legends Z-A has fans excited for the upcoming title, but one specific battle interaction has left players scratching their heads.

Pokemon Legends Z-A is the next major release in the franchise, set in Lumiose City with a mix of real-world inspired visuals and familiar gameplay mechanics. The trailer, released on September 30, gave players a fresh look at both exploration and combat, continuing the style first introduced in Legends Arceus.

However, one sequence quickly caught the community’s attention. In the footage, a level 50 Gyarados uses Surf on a level 32 Houndoom, yet the Fire-type takes the hit without fainting despite the huge type and level disadvantage. Instead, the move only chips away a portion of its health bar, prompting players to question whether something has changed about damage calculations in the new game.

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

On X, players debated the clip, offering explanations. User WilliamTimeMage noted: “60 base special attack lol it’s the equivalent of Gardevoir using a physical attack.” Others pointed out Gyarados is primarily a physical attacker, making special moves like Surf much weaker.

Another factor discussed was the presence of Alpha Pokemon. As Pepperle78 wrote, “It’s because he’s a physical attacker attacking an alpha Houndoom.” Alpha Pokemon, introduced in Legends Arceus, are known for boosted stats and durability.

Some fans argued the change might be intentional for balance. “I love when they make Pokemon spongier,” one player said. “One or two hit KO’ing a Pokemon doesn’t feel like a fight to me.”

Others suggested mechanical tweaks, noting Legends Arceus also altered move power for balance in real-time encounters. Jump’n Jo speculated that Surf “might be base 50 power due to the hitbox and other potential effects.”

While the explanation may come down to a mix of type mechanics, Alpha buffs, and real-time balancing, the scene has sparked discussion over how Legends Z-A will handle battle pacing compared to mainline entries, further distancing itself from traditional turn-based combat.