A Z-Power Ring (Japanese: Ｚパワーリング Z-Power Ring) is a bracelet that allows a Trainer and their Pokémon to gather the Z-Power required to perform Z-Moves. A Z-Power Ring is made by refining a Sparkling Stone. Z-Power Rings have a slot in the center where the wearer can insert a Z-Crystal as well as multiple other slots to store Z-Crystals not in use.
Z-Crystal (Japanese: Ｚクリスタル Z-Crystal) is an item required to upgrade moves to Z-Moves through the use of a Z-Power Ring. Z-Crystals play an important role in the island challenge, as they provide proof of completing trials and grand trials, much like Gym Badges in other regions. However, not all Z-Crystals are obtained in this manner.
A Z-Move (Japanese: Ｚワザ Z-Move) is a special type of move, in which a Trainer and their Pokémon's wishes combine to unleash an attack comprising the full power of both. These moves are very powerful, but they can only be used once per battle. The origins of Z-Power are largely shrouded in mystery. However, information by Professor Kukui indicates that Z-Power may be related to the energy produced by Ultra Wormholes. Wicke also speculates that Lusamine's losing consciousness after fusing with Nihilego in Ultra Space may have been due to the Z-Power surrounding her. Alolan legends found in the Malie Library also indicate that Solgaleo/Lunala gifted the Tapunium Z to the guardian deities after fighting against them. The Ultra Recon Squad reveal that the Z-Power that surrounds the user and their Pokémon when using a Z-Move as well as the aura surrounding Totem Pokémon are a result of Necrozma's light shining down on Alola long ago.
There are three different kinds of Z-Moves: Z-Moves which can be used by any Pokémon, with one Z-Move for each of the 18 types; status moves that have been turned into Z-Moves by one of the 18 type-specific Z-Crystals; and Z-Moves that can only be used by specific Pokémon. The Z-Move that a Pokémon can perform depends on the Z-Crystal it holds. There are 18 different Z-Crystals that correspond to each of the 18 types, and several others that correspond to specific Pokémon. Z-Moves work by powering up one of the Pokémon's normal moves, so the Pokémon must also know an appropriate move. For the type-related Z-Crystals, the Pokémon must know a move of the same type as the Z-Crystal it is holding. For the Pokémon-specific Z-Crystals, the move required differs for each Pokémon.
A Z-Power Ring is also required in order to perform Z-Moves. A Pokémon can only use a Z-Move if its Trainer is wearing a Z-Ring or Z-Power Ring and has the same Z-Crystal the Pokémon is holding. Mega Evolved and Primal Pokémon cannot use Z-Moves, even when holding an appropriate Z-Crystal (such as after Transform).
There are three different kinds of Z-Moves: Z-Moves which can be used by any Pokémon, with one Z-Move for each of the 18 types; status moves that have been turned into Z-Moves by one of the 18 type-specific Z-Crystals; and Z-Moves that can only be used by specific Pokémon. The Z-Move that a Pokémon can perform depends on the Z-Crystal it holds. There are 18 different Z-Crystals that correspond to each of the 18 types, and several others that correspond to specific Pokémon. Z-Moves work by powering up one of the Pokémon's normal moves, so the Pokémon must also know an appropriate move. For the type-related Z-Crystals, the Pokémon must know a move of the same type as the Z-Crystal it is holding. For the Pokémon-specific Z-Crystals, the move required differs for each Pokémon.
A Z-Power Ring is also required in order to perform Z-Moves. A Pokémon can only use a Z-Move if its Trainer is wearing a Z-Ring or Z-Power Ring and has the same Z-Crystal the Pokémon is holding. Mega Evolved and Primal Pokémon cannot use Z-Moves, even when holding an appropriate Z-Crystal (such as after Transform).
When using a Z-Move in the games, a special cutscene plays, first showing the Trainer performing a certain pose, before shifting to the Pokémon surrounding itself with its Z-Power and executing the Z-Move. This cutscene cannot be deactivated, even if battle animations are turned off.
Z-Moves draw upon the PP of the Pokémon's original moves in order to execute, requiring and consuming PP upon use. When the Z-Move option is chosen in battle, a list of Z-Moves overlays the Pokémon's original list of moves, with each compatible move of the Pokémon's original moves overlain by a Z-Move option that draws upon that move.
Damaging Z-Moves derive their category (physical or special) and power from the original move. For example, a Gigavolt Havoc based on Nuzzle (with a power of 20) will have a power of 100 and be a physical move, while one based on Thunderbolt (with a power of 90) will have a power of 175 and be a special move. If the Pokémon knows more than one compatible move, it will be able to choose among different versions of the Z-Move with different stats, with the instance that has the highest power sparkling. Damaging Z-Moves do not inherit any other properties from the original move, so have neutral priority and do not have the additional effects of the base move.
Damaging Z-Moves bypass accuracy checks to always hit, unless the opponent is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly.
Z-Moves based on status moves are enhanced versions of the original moves, having a Z- prefixed to the start of the status move's name. While they have the effects of the original status move, the user also receives a Z-Power effect (Japanese: Ｚパワーこうか Z-Power effect), which is executed before the move itself. For example, Z-Splash also boosts the user's Attack by 3 stages, while Z-Parting Shot also restores the switch-in ally's HP by 100%. These effects are not affected by Contrary, Simple, or Heal Block.
Exclusive Z-Moves can be used only by specific Pokémon, and require a specific move to be upgraded. They have a fixed category and power. Exclusive Z-Moves can be used by a Pokémon transformed into an appropriate species regardless of its original species, if it holds the corresponding Z-Crystal; however, if the Pokémon who the move is exclusive to is transformed, it cannot use its own species' exclusive Z-Move unless it is transformed into another Pokémon of the same species.
Damaging Z-Moves cannot be fully protected against by protection moves (such as Protect and Spiky Shield), instead dealing 25% of the original damage. Status Z-Moves can be blocked by protection moves, but will apply their Z-Power effects regardless. Like any other move, Z-Moves can be redirected by effects such as Follow Me and Storm Drain.
Z-Moves may be used without regard to the effects of Taunt, Torment, Disable, Encore, Imprison, and Heal Block; however, the Pokémon never has an opportunity to select a Z-Move if it is forced to use Struggle (e.g. if it is affected by Taunt and only knows status moves). Even if the target of Z-Heal Pulse or Z-Floral Healing is affected by Heal Block, that Pokémon's HP is restored. Status Z-Moves can be used without regard to the effects of Gravity, but Gravity will still cause them to fail after applying their Z-Power effect (e.g. Z-Magnet Rise will raise the user's evasion but then fail).
Even if a status Z-Move fails, it still applies its Z-Power effect. Z-Moves are affected normally by Powder and weather. Weather-changing moves turned into Z-Moves (except Defog) will disappear as usual during heavy rain, extremely harsh sunlight, and strong winds, but will apply their Z-Power effects regardless.
The types of damaging Z-Moves are unaffected by type-modifying Abilities (although status Z-Moves' types are). However, their types are affected by Ion Deluge (if the Z-Move would be Normal-type) and Electrify.
If a Pokémon uses a damaging Z-Move on a Pokémon with Cursed Body, that damaging Z-Move can be disabled (with no effect on the base move). However, if Cursed Body would disable a status Z-Move (such as Z-Nature Power), the base status move will be disabled.
Z-Moves draw upon the PP of the Pokémon's original moves in order to execute, requiring and consuming PP upon use. When the Z-Move option is chosen in battle, a list of Z-Moves overlays the Pokémon's original list of moves, with each compatible move of the Pokémon's original moves overlain by a Z-Move option that draws upon that move.
Damaging Z-Moves derive their category (physical or special) and power from the original move. For example, a Gigavolt Havoc based on Nuzzle (with a power of 20) will have a power of 100 and be a physical move, while one based on Thunderbolt (with a power of 90) will have a power of 175 and be a special move. If the Pokémon knows more than one compatible move, it will be able to choose among different versions of the Z-Move with different stats, with the instance that has the highest power sparkling. Damaging Z-Moves do not inherit any other properties from the original move, so have neutral priority and do not have the additional effects of the base move.
Damaging Z-Moves bypass accuracy checks to always hit, unless the opponent is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly.
Z-Moves based on status moves are enhanced versions of the original moves, having a Z- prefixed to the start of the status move's name. While they have the effects of the original status move, the user also receives a Z-Power effect (Japanese: Ｚパワーこうか Z-Power effect), which is executed before the move itself. For example, Z-Splash also boosts the user's Attack by 3 stages, while Z-Parting Shot also restores the switch-in ally's HP by 100%. These effects are not affected by Contrary, Simple, or Heal Block.
Exclusive Z-Moves can be used only by specific Pokémon, and require a specific move to be upgraded. They have a fixed category and power. Exclusive Z-Moves can be used by a Pokémon transformed into an appropriate species regardless of its original species, if it holds the corresponding Z-Crystal; however, if the Pokémon who the move is exclusive to is transformed, it cannot use its own species' exclusive Z-Move unless it is transformed into another Pokémon of the same species.
Damaging Z-Moves cannot be fully protected against by protection moves (such as Protect and Spiky Shield), instead dealing 25% of the original damage. Status Z-Moves can be blocked by protection moves, but will apply their Z-Power effects regardless. Like any other move, Z-Moves can be redirected by effects such as Follow Me and Storm Drain.
Z-Moves may be used without regard to the effects of Taunt, Torment, Disable, Encore, Imprison, and Heal Block; however, the Pokémon never has an opportunity to select a Z-Move if it is forced to use Struggle (e.g. if it is affected by Taunt and only knows status moves). Even if the target of Z-Heal Pulse or Z-Floral Healing is affected by Heal Block, that Pokémon's HP is restored. Status Z-Moves can be used without regard to the effects of Gravity, but Gravity will still cause them to fail after applying their Z-Power effect (e.g. Z-Magnet Rise will raise the user's evasion but then fail).
Even if a status Z-Move fails, it still applies its Z-Power effect. Z-Moves are affected normally by Powder and weather. Weather-changing moves turned into Z-Moves (except Defog) will disappear as usual during heavy rain, extremely harsh sunlight, and strong winds, but will apply their Z-Power effects regardless.
The types of damaging Z-Moves are unaffected by type-modifying Abilities (although status Z-Moves' types are). However, their types are affected by Ion Deluge (if the Z-Move would be Normal-type) and Electrify.
If a Pokémon uses a damaging Z-Move on a Pokémon with Cursed Body, that damaging Z-Move can be disabled (with no effect on the base move). However, if Cursed Body would disable a status Z-Move (such as Z-Nature Power), the base status move will be disabled.
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