Pokemon Legends Z-A walkthrough: How to complete Reaching Rank A main mission

In Pokemon Legends Z-A, Reaching Rank A is one of the more challenging main missions, marking a major turning point in the story as you uncover deeper ties between AZ, Team Flare, and the mysterious events around Lumiose City. This mission unlocks after you’ve completed all Rogue Mega Pokemon quests and progressed through the previous rank promotions.

After returning to your hotel room, you’ll receive news about your upcoming Rank A promotion match, and from there, the story quickly unfolds into one of the most lore-heavy parts of Pokemon Legends Z-A.

Here’s how to complete Reaching Rank A in Pokemon Legends Z-A.

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Reaching Rank A in Pokemon Legends Z-A walkthrough

The Reaching Rank A mission begins after you’ve cleared the last wave of Rogue Mega Pokemon. A brief cutscene at the hotel sets things in motion, where you learn that your next opponent for the promotion battle is a mysterious trainer named Grisham.

Emma in Pokemon Legends Z-A (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Your first lead comes from Emma at the Looker Bureau in Rouge Sector 5. Head there and speak with her to begin the mission. However, before sharing any information, Emma decides to test your strength.

Emma’s Pokemon Team:

• Ampharos
• Mawile
• Lucario
• Lopunny
• Malamar

Emma’s lineup includes strong dual types that can hit hard if you’re unprepared. Ground- or Fire-type Pokemon like Excadrill, Arcanine, or Camerupt work great here. Her Mega Malamar is the biggest threat, so switch to a Fairy or Bug-type like Sylveon or Scizor to counter it effectively.

Once you defeat her, Emma opens up about Grisham’s past as a Team Flare trainee and directs you to Mable at the Pokemon Research Lab for more information.

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Meeting Mable at the Research Lab

After your battle with Emma, make your way to the Pokemon Research Lab and take the elevator to the third floor. Inside, you’ll find Mable, who admits she also has ties to Team Flare. She reveals that Grisham, known then as “Gris,” disappeared years ago after the team’s collapse.

Mable believes he’s been hiding out at Nouveau Cafe in Centrico Plaza and advises you to go there next. Before leaving, stop at a Pokémon Center to heal your team and stock up on supplies.

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Battle with Griselle at Nouveau Cafe

At Nouveau Cafe, approach the food truck and select Order a meeting with Grisham. This triggers a cutscene where you meet Griselle, Grisham’s assistant. Suspicious of your motives, she challenges you to a battle before letting you see him.

Griselle’s Pokemon Team in Pokemon Legends Z-A:

• Talonflame
• Camerupt
• Aerodactyl
• Metagross
• Pyroar

Most of Griselle’s team is weak to Water-type attacks, so bringing a Starmie, Barbaracle, or Greninja can make this fight much smoother. Keep a Fire-type ready for Metagross, as it can hit hard with Steel moves.

After the battle, Grisham appears and calms Griselle down. He then invites you to follow him into Lysandre Cafe, promising to show you the truth about Team Flare Nouveau.

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Exploring Lysandre Labs

Inside the cafe, Grisham activates a secret entrance leading underground into Lysandre Labs, a hidden facility from AZ’s era. Your main goal here is to collect Lab Key Cards to unlock deeper sections of the lab.

Follow this sequence to progress efficiently:

• East Wing: Battle a Houndoom and activate the red console before taking the warp pad.
• Next Room: Defeat Manectric and pick up Lab Key Card A from the nearby desk.
• West Wing: Power up another console, then navigate through warp pads to find Lab Key Card B.
• Big Hall: Take down an Alpha Arbok and several Ekans to get Lab Key Card C.
• Final Section: Fight an Alpha Aegislash and collect the Elevator Key Card afterward.

With all the cards in hand, return to the elevator. You can visit B2F for extra EXP Candy L, but your next major objective is on B3F.

Read more: Should you play Pokemon X and Y before Legends Z-A?

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Retrieving AZ’s Research Files

Once you reach B3F, access the main computer terminal. Here, you’ll uncover four classified files revealing AZ’s connection to Team Flare and his role in the creation of the weapon that reshaped Kalos.

After reading the documents, a short cutscene featuring L will play, shedding more light on AZ’s past and motivations. When it ends, return to Lysandre Cafe to continue the story in Pokemon Legends Z-A.

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Meeting AZ and Preparing for the Promotion Battle

Back at the café, Grisham asks you to find AZ’s Floette, which leads you to Hotel Z. Inside, you’ll finally meet AZ himself and learn the full truth behind his creation of the weapon and the Mega Pokémon rampage.

Once the dialogue concludes, you’ll unlock a Challenge Ticket, but it will require 45,000 Ticket Points to be used. The best way to earn these quickly is by grinding battles in the Z-A Royale. Focus on high-tier matches to efficiently rack up points.

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Grisham Promotion Battle for Rank A

When you’ve collected enough points, return to Nouveau Cafe to face Grisham in your official Rank A promotion match. This is one of the toughest trainer battles so far, so make sure your team is well-prepared.

Grisham in Pokemon Legends Z-A (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Grisham’s Pokemon Team:

• Pangoro (Fighting/Dark)
• Malamar (Psychic/Dark)
• Pyroar (Fire)
• Tyranitar (Rock/Dark)
• Salamence (Dragon/Flying)
• Charizard (Fire/Flying)

Grisham’s team hits hard and covers several types. Fairy-types like Sylveon or Gardevoir are great for Pangoro, Malamar, and Salamence, while Ground-types like Excadrill can handle Pyroar and Tyranitar. Keep an eye out for Mega Salamence, as it’s his ace and can sweep unprepared teams quickly.

Defeating Grisham officially earns you the Rank A promotion, marking a huge milestone in your journey.

Once the battle ends, you’ll unlock new main missions such as Operation: Protect Lumiose and Prism Tower’s Dark Turn. These quests continue the story around AZ and the looming threat over Lumiose City, setting the stage for the final act of Pokemon Legends Z-A.

Also read: How to sneak in Pokemon Legends Z-A

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Edited by Sijo Samuel Paul