For trainers diving into Pokémon Legends: Z-A, one of the most exciting challenges is hunting alpha Pokémon—especially when shiny variants are involved. In Wild Zone 20, you can push the limits by spawning six alpha Pokémon simultaneously and efficiently hunting them. As someone who’s spent countless hours experimenting with spawn mechanics, I’ve put together a systematic guide to help you replicate this setup and maximize your shiny hunting potential.
Understanding Alpha Pokémon Spawns in Wild Zone 20
Normally, Wild Zone 20 spawns two alpha Pokémon in random locations. However, there are six potential spawn points around the Prison Tower: three on the east side and three on the west. With careful manipulation, you can fill all six spots, creating opportunities for simultaneous shiny hunting.
The core idea is to manipulate spawn positions by “pulling” Pokémon with melee attacks. Pokémon like Scracrafty or Machamp are ideal because their proximity to the player allows you to move them without them despawning. Range attackers can be trickier as they may not stay close enough to control effectively.
Step 1: Duplicate Middle Spawns
Start by identifying the northeast and northwest alpha spawns. Use an eastern gate or other spawn point to draw the target Pokémon out and save your game. Move approximately 60 to 70 meters away—this distance keeps your pulled Pokémon within the aggro zone while despawning the middle spawn. Reloading the game after this step effectively duplicates the alpha, leaving multiple spawns active simultaneously. Repeat this method with other middle Pokémon until the three central spots are filled.
Step 2: Duplicate the Remaining Middle Alpha
Once the middle spawns are filled, you can target other alpha Pokémon like Machamp. Carefully aggro them and pull them toward a gate, repeating the save and reload process. The key is to ensure the spawn location of the pulled Pokémon is empty before finalizing. This step is slightly more complex as fewer spawns remain, but patience ensures success.
Step 3: Duplicate West Side Spawns
With the east side completed, focus on the west side spawns. Gengar, for example, is a good candidate for duplication. The process is the same: draw the Pokémon toward a gate, save, run 60 to 70 meters away, and reload. You may need to remove additional aggressive Pokémon in the area, such as Roserade or Gardevoir, to avoid interfering with the spawn manipulation.
Step 4: Duplicate the Final Alpha
The last alpha spawn is usually the trickiest. If neither of the remaining options is ideal, you may need to fast travel and repeat until you get a desirable melee attacker. Once aligned, pull the Pokémon toward the gate, save your game, and check that its original spot is empty. After successfully duplicating this last alpha, all six spawn points in Wild Zone 20 will be filled.
Shiny Hunting Strategy
With six alpha Pokémon on the map, the next step is shiny hunting. The recommended approach is using a bench reset. Sitting at a bench close to Wild Zone 20 allows you to reset and encounter three of the alphas at a time. By moving slightly away, you can access the remaining three, effectively allowing you to hunt all six simultaneously.
This method is not only great for alpha Pokémon but also increases your chances of encountering other shinies, such as Toadile, Squirtle, Chikorita, or Bulbasaur in the same area. Using controllers with macros or turbo buttons can further streamline this process.
Practical Tips and Considerations
Melee attackers are preferred for pulling because they are easier to control.
Save and reload frequently to ensure your pulled Pokémon stay at the intended location.
Aggressive Pokémon in the surrounding area can interfere with duplication, so be ready to clear them.
Timing of day or night does not impact the spawn method.
Once you catch or defeat a shiny alpha, you can repeat the setup to refill the spawn spot.
This method also opens possibilities for advanced strategies, such as testing different Pokémon for shiny hunting or building specialized alpha decks efficiently. For trainers who do not have the time or prefer convenience, some players opt to buy custom Pokémon or buy custom Pokémon for ZA to streamline competitive or shiny hunting efforts, though mastering the spawn manipulation method provides a satisfying in-game challenge.
By carefully manipulating spawns in Wild Zone 20, you can create six simultaneous alpha Pokémon encounters. This setup dramatically improves shiny hunting efficiency and allows for flexible strategies. Success requires patience, precise positioning, and consistent save-reload cycles, but the rewards—a full bench of alpha Pokémon ready to hunt—are worth the effort.
