Mega Evolution is officially back in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and fans couldn’t be happier. The popular battle mechanic, first introduced in Pokémon X and Y, lets certain Pokémon temporarily evolve into more powerful forms with the help of Mega Stones. Among the returning favorites, Mega Gyarados easily stands out as one of the most intimidating and nostalgic choices.
If you’ve worked hard to turn your useless Magikarp into a mighty Gyarados, you’re already halfway there. The next step is getting the Gyaradosite, the special Mega Stone required to unlock its transformation. The good news? You can absolutely get one – but it’s not just sitting in the wild waiting for you to grab it.
Here’s everything you need to know about finding Gyaradosite in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, unlocking the Mega Shard Exchange, and making the most of your Mega Evolution.
Where to Find Gyaradosite in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
The Gyaradosite can only be obtained from the Quasartico Mega Shard Exchange, a shop where you trade Mega Shards for Mega Stones. Each type of Mega Stone can only be purchased once, so this is a one-time deal for your Gyaradosite.
To unlock the Quasartico Mega Shard Exchange, you first need to gain access to the Quasartico Headquarters. This happens after you defeat Vinnie and climb your way up the Z-A Royale ranks. Once you join the Quasartico team, you’ll be able to enter their HQ and access the exchange.
When you step inside the building, head to the back of the ground floor, where you’ll find two NPCs standing behind a front desk. Talk to either of them to open the Mega Shard Exchange menu. From there, you can purchase Gyaradosite and several other Mega Stones for your team.
How Much Gyaradosite Costs
Gyaradosite is one of the more affordable Mega Stones available at the Exchange. It’ll set you back 240 Mega Shards, which isn’t bad compared to some of the pricier options later in the game.
Mega Shards are earned by destroying Mega Stones scattered throughout Lumiose City, so make sure to explore and collect as many as you can. The city has a steady supply, and with a bit of patience, you’ll have more than enough to afford your first Mega Stone.
Since you can only purchase one Gyaradosite, you don’t have to worry about farming for extras – one is all you’ll ever need.
How to Use Gyaradosite
Once you’ve got your Gyaradosite, it’s time to put it to use. Simply give the Gyaradosite to your Gyarados to hold, and during battle, you’ll be able to trigger its Mega Evolution. When it transforms, you’ll witness one of the most striking forms in the series – Mega Gyarados.
Mega Gyarados not only looks menacing, but it also gains a Dark typing alongside Water, which completely changes its battle dynamics. It becomes bulkier, more resistant to several attack types, and gets a huge boost to its Attack stat. Moves like Waterfall, Crunch, and Earthquake hit even harder, turning Mega Gyarados into a devastating physical powerhouse.
Keep in mind that Pokémon holding a Mega Stone can’t be traded in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. You’ll need to remove the Gyaradosite before trading if you want to move your Pokémon around.
Can You Get More Than One Gyaradosite?
Unfortunately, no. Pokémon Legends: Z-A limits you to one of each Mega Stone, meaning you can’t buy multiple Gyaradosites. However, you can unequip the Gyaradosite and give it to another Gyarados – including a Shiny if you happen to catch one.
That flexibility means you won’t lose access to Mega Gyarados even if you decide to swap Pokémon later on. It’s a smart system that rewards commitment without punishing you for wanting to change your lineup.
Why You Should Get Gyaradosite
Even with the new Mega Evolutions introduced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A – like Mega Greninja and the two versions of Mega Charizard – Gyaradosite remains one of the best picks in the game.
For starters, Gyarados has always been one of the most reliable Pokémon to raise. Magikarp might be weak early on, but once it evolves, Gyarados becomes a serious threat. Add Mega Evolution into the mix, and you’ve got a Pokémon that can take down some of the toughest opponents in Lumiose City.
Mega Gyarados’ Water/Dark typing gives it new resistances and coverage options, while its massive Attack stat makes it ideal for offense-heavy strategies. Whether you’re battling through the main story or taking on tougher post-game challenges, Mega Gyarados is a Pokémon you’ll want on your team.
Plus, it’s hard not to appreciate the nostalgia factor. Watching your once-pathetic Magikarp turn into one of the fiercest Mega Evolutions in the game is pure satisfaction.
Other Mega Stones You Can Find
The Quasartico Mega Shard Exchange isn’t just home to Gyaradosite. As you progress through the story and unlock more of Lumiose City, new Mega Stones will appear in the shop.
Make sure to check back often, especially after major story milestones, since new Mega Stones become available as you dive deeper into the city’s mysteries. Collecting them not only expands your Mega Evolution options but also gives you more variety in battle.
That said, the Exchange isn’t the only way to get Mega Stones. Some can be found while exploring or as rewards from special events and missions. So keep your eyes open – you never know when you’ll come across another powerful Mega Stone.
Final Thoughts
Mega Evolution’s return in Pokémon Legends: Z-A is one of the most exciting updates for long-time fans, and Mega Gyarados is easily one of the highlights. Getting Gyaradosite might take a bit of effort, but once you see your Gyarados transform into its Mega form for the first time, it’s absolutely worth it.
Between its fearsome design, powerful moveset, and battle versatility, Mega Gyarados is a must-have addition to any team. So grab your Magikarp, head to the Quasartico Mega Shard Exchange, and unlock one of the strongest Mega Evolutions in the game.
