How to Pass Time and Make it Dark in Legends Z-A

By Daniel Hidalgo | 2025-10-16 09:31:43
One of the most exciting features in Pokémon Legends Z-A is the dynamic day and night cycle, which directly influences the world of Lumiose City. Just like in classic Pokémon games, certain rare and elusive Pokémon only appear under the cover of darkness or the light of day. Furthermore, critical gameplay events, including your essential Rank-Up battles, are tied to a specific time.Fortunately, you aren't left waiting for the real-world clock to align with your adventure. This guide will show you exactly how to manually control the time of day in Pokémon Legends Z-A, allowing you to hunt for exclusive Pokémon and progress your journey on your own schedule.

Unlocking the Ability to Change Time

You won't have the ability to change the time from the very beginning. To gain control over the day and night cycle, you must first make significant progress in the main story. Specifically, you need to complete Main Mission 5: The City in the Shadow of the Prism Tower.After finishing this mission and before embarking on your next major Rank battle, the game will grant you the freedom to manipulate the time. This is when the city of Lumiose truly opens up for exploration on your terms.

The Simple Method: Using Benches to Pass Time

The key to changing the time is found in an everyday object: the benches scattered throughout Lumiose City. Once you have completed the prerequisite mission, interacting with any bench will present you with two choices:
  • "Kill some time here"
  • "Hang out with your Pokémon"

  • To shift the cycle from day to night (or vice-versa), you must select the first option, "Kill some time here." The game will then prompt you to choose between waiting until nightfall or until morning, depending on the current in-game time.

    Why Changing the Time is Crucial

    Manually controlling the time is not just a cosmetic feature; it's a coremechanic for completionists and battlers alike. Here’s why you’ll beusing benches frequently:

    • Exclusive Pokémon Encounters: Many wild Pokémon have unique spawn conditions. To complete yourPokédex, you will need to explore specific Wild Zones at night to findspecies that are completely absent during the day.
    • Special Evolutions: Certain Pokémon may require evolution methods that are only possibleduring a specific time of day, a tradition held from previous Pokémongames.
    • Accessing the Battle Zone: The Battle Zone, where you undertake your crucial Rank-Up battlesagainst skilled trainers, is only active at night. Turning the time dark is essential for progressing through the game's battle ranks.

    Pro Tip: Don't ignore the second bench option, "Hang out with your Pokémon."While it doesn't advance time, it's a fantastic way to bond with yourentire party at once and take memorable photos using the game's photomode.

    By mastering theday and night cycle, you take full control of your adventure in PokémonLegends Z-A, ensuring no rare creature or battle opportunity slipsthrough your fingers.

    Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
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