You’ve been there. You spend hours hunting a 1% spawn rate Scyther in the urban ruins of Lumiose, finally catch it, and then realize you have no friends online to help you evolve it into Scizor. It’s the classic solo player’s nightmare.
Honestly, after Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduced the Link Cord—an item that finally let us evolve trade-heavy Pokémon without talking to a single human being—we all thought the dark days were over. We thought Game Freak had finally seen the light. But Pokémon Legends: Z-A just pulled a massive U-turn.
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The Link Cord is gone. It's basically back to the old-school grind, but with a few modern twists that make it slightly less of a headache. If you’re trying to complete that Pokédex for the Shiny Charm or just want a Gengar that doesn't suck, here is the deal with Legends Z-A trade evolutions and how you're actually supposed to get them in 2026.
The Harsh Reality: No Link Cord This Time
I’ve seen a lot of people searching for the Link Cord location in the Lumiose redevelopment zones. Stop looking. It’s not in the game. Unlike the Hisui region, which was all about that rugged solo survivalism, Legends: Z-A is built around the "urban redevelopment" of Lumiose City. The devs clearly wanted to lean back into the "social" aspect of Pokémon, even if it feels like a step backward for those of us who prefer playing in handheld mode on a quiet train.
Basically, to get your Alakazam or Machamp, you have to use the Link Play feature.
You’ll find this in the main menu under the communications tab. It requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Yeah, that’s the catch. If you don't have NSO, you’re mostly restricted to catching fully evolved "Alpha" versions of these Pokémon in the high-level Wild Zones (like Zone 20), but those don't count toward the specific "Evolve a Pokémon" research tasks.
Every Pokémon That Needs a Trade in Legends: Z-A
The list is actually shorter than you might think, but the requirements are specific. Some just need a trade; others need to be holding an item that usually costs a fortune in "Z-credits" or requires finishing a specific side mission.
No Item Required (Just Trade 'Em)
For these, you just need a willing partner. You send your Haunter, they send theirs, and both of you end up with a Gengar.
- Haunter to Gengar
- Kadabra to Alakazam
- Machoke to Machamp
- Phantump to Trevenant
- Pumpkaboo to Gourgeist
The "Held Item" Headache
This is where it gets tricky. In Legends: Arceus, you just clicked the item on the Pokémon like an Evolution Stone. In Z-A, you have to actually make the Pokémon hold the item before the trade starts. If you forget to equip it, nothing happens.
- Scyther to Scizor: Needs a Metal Coat. You can grab one as a reward for Side Mission 101, "Steadfast as Steel."
- Onix to Steelix: Also needs a Metal Coat. If you've already used yours on Scyther, you can buy another from Racine Construction in the post-game.
- Slowpoke to Slowking: Needs a King's Rock. Check Side Mission 84 for a freebie.
- Spritzee to Aromatisse: Needs a Sachet. Side Mission 10 involves gathering Skiddo leaves, and that’s your best bet.
- Swirlix to Slurpuff: Needs a Whipped Dream. Go talk to the NPC in front of Cafe Shutterbug (Side Mission 14).
The DLC Additions (Mega Dimension)
If you’re playing the Mega Dimension DLC that dropped recently, they added the Porygon line and Feebas.
- Porygon to Porygon2: Needs Upgrade.
- Porygon2 to Porygon-Z: Needs Dubious Disc.
- Feebas to Milotic: Needs Prism Scale.
Using Community Trade Codes (The Pro Move)
Since we’re all collectively annoyed about the Link Cord being missing, the community has basically fixed the problem themselves. If you don't have friends who play, you can use "Universal Trade Codes."
These are 8-digit codes you enter in the Link Trade menu. By using a specific code, you’re matched with someone else in the world who is trying to do the exact same evolution.
For example, the community standard for Haunter is 0066-0066. You put up your Haunter, they put up theirs, and you both leave happy. Just be careful with the item-based ones. Always check the "Check Summary" screen before hitting "Confirm" to make sure the other person’s Scyther is actually holding a Metal Coat. Don’t get scammed in 2026, please.
Why Does This Matter for Your Pokédex?
You might be thinking, "Can't I just catch a Gengar in the wild?"
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Well, yes. You can. But Legends: Z-A uses a research level system similar to Hisui. To max out a Pokédex entry and get that sweet, sweet Shiny Charm, you often have a task that specifically says "Times Evolved." Catching a wild Steelix in the construction pits is great for your team, but it won't tick that box.
Also, with the return of Mega Evolution, you really want these final stages early. A Mega Alakazam absolutely shreds through the Z-A Royale challenges in the mid-game. If you're stuck with a Kadabra because you're "trade-shy," you're leaving a lot of power on the table.
Actionable Steps for Solo Players
- Prioritize Side Missions: Do not spend your hard-earned Z-credits on Metal Coats or King's Rocks early on. Almost every trade item is a guaranteed reward for a specific Lumiose "Request."
- Use the 0000-0000 Method: If you're just looking for any trade to trigger a generic task, use the common community codes during peak hours (usually evening in US/EU time zones).
- Check the Held Item: In the trade screen, Z-A actually shows the held item icon. If it's not there, back out.
- Alpha Hunting: If you truly cannot get online, head to the Level 50+ zones in the late-game. Gengar and Machamp spawn as "Static Alphas" near the Prism Tower outskirts at night.
Once you've secured your trade evolutions, focus on farming Mega Stones. Most of these Pokémon, like Scizor and Alakazam, have insanely powerful Mega forms in this game that require specific "Sync Challenges" to unlock.