Main Mission 04: Battling in the Z-A Royale

After the previous mission, this one is fairly straight-forward. But it's also more difficult, because you're battling to improve your rank now and that means facing off against other Pokemon Trainers.

Learn about the Z-A Royale from Taunie

When you first receive the mission, you are seated in a chair in the hotel lobby area. Head out the nearby door to meet Taunie in the plaza outside.

When you meet Taunie near the arch, tell her you're ready to brave the Z-A Royale. She informs you that you'll be entering a battle zone. It turns out the one you need to head to is the same one you've visited previously.

Earn Ticket Points by battling Trainers in the battle zone.

Follow Taunie along the corridor and then venture left to pass through the red translucent gate and enter the battle zone. As you arrive, you find your comrades waiting. Taunie explains what you need to do.

As Taunie notes, you must acquire 1,000 Ticket Points in order to secure a Challenger's Ticket. Only then can you participate in the match that will allow you to improve your rank from Z to Y.

Regular battles with other Pokemon Trainers wandering the battle zone award enough points that if you can win three consecutive matches without losing, you'll have your 1,000 points and your ticket on the first night. The game will keep track of how many more matches you need to win. After each victory, you can return to Taunie and she will heal your team.

This introductory battle zone area doesn't have a lot of twists and turns, and there are places to hide as you approach each rival trainer. For that reason, you should be able to sneak up on them and their Pokemon, allowing you to land an early attack and gain an advantage. Move at a crouch, and focus mostly on the trainer. You don't want them to see you coming.

For me, my Fletchling and starter Pokemon monsters were up to the task of taking out the monsters the three trainers used (a Bellsprout, a Bunnelby, and a Weedle) without returning to Taunie for healing. They're not challenging fights. Make sure that as you explore the battle zone, you talk to Lida for a Potion, and speak with Naveen for a Sitrus Berry. Both of your teammates are standing fairly close to the battle zone's entrance.

When you defeat the last opponent, you automatically receive the Challenger's Ticket.

Meet up with Taunie at the nearby Pokemon Center

You are instructed to meet Taunie at the Pokemon Center. Access your map and then you can fast travel to the Vert Pokemon Center. When you get there, talk to Taunie, who is seated on a bench near its entrance.

Taunie will instruct you to heal. Talk to the woman at the counter, who heals your team for free and revives any of them, if needed. You can also buy potions and other such items, if needed. You should already have enough items in your inventory to handle the impending challenge, though.

Find Zach at the taxi lot for your promotion match.

From the Pokemon Center, head along the street toward the ‘!’ on your mini-map. Along the way, you can pass over the sparkling points on the sidewalk for items such as Tiny Mushroom. There's a Poke Ball near the wall that you can grab, as well.

Meet up with Taunie at the edge of the parking lot and she introduces you to Zach, who offers his challenge. If you're ready to go, say so.

Boss Battle: Zach the Driver

The first thing to know is that you can't lose this battle, even if you actually do lose. In that case, you'll just be informed that loss isn't acceptable and then you can try again. The other thing to note is the roster of Pokemon you must beat. In order, they are Slowpoke, Pidgey, and Pikachu.

For me, Slowpoke was the toughest of the lot, because my starter was Tepig. You want to face off against Slowpoke with monsters that can withstand water attacks. I found that Mareep did best for me, with its Thunder Shock move.

Once you clear away Slowpoke, Pidgey is also fairly weak to electrical attacks (so make sure to use a potion and heal Mareep, if needed), while Pikachu falls quickly to fire attacks or Tackle moves.

When you win the fight, your rank will increase to Y. A cutscene introduces a new character named Emma. Then the mission is marked complete. Your medals are converted into 1,300 Poke Dollars and another cutscene follows. The next morning, you head downstairs to the lobby, where the next mission is presented.