Get ready for an outrageous new season in Pokémon Legends: Z-A!

Pokémon Legends: Z-Adidn’t quite hit the same high notes as its predecessor, Pokémon Legends: Arceus. While the urban environment was a bold move, it also exposed some visual and technical shortcomings within the subseries, leading to its reception as a solid, if unremarkable, entry. However, like many multiplayer Pokémon titles, it boasts a vibrant battling community, and with season 12 kicking off at 2 a.m. EDT on Thursday, June 4, the game is poised for a significant transformation.

The big news? All restrictions on Pokémon eligible for battle are being lifted. This means any Pokémon from the Lumiose Pokédex or the Hyperspace Pokédex can join the fray, including those previously deemed “restricted” like Groudon, Kyogre, Mewtwo, Rayquaza, Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde.

This is a game-changer for battles in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, especially considering past seasonal rules that banned all legendary and mythical Pokémon, limited teams to one restricted Pokémon, or only allowed Pokémon with mega evolutions. Many players will likely be thrilled, as a broader selection of Pokémon typically leads to a more varied meta.

However, while this sounds promising, it’s important to remember that these Pokémon are restricted for a reason: they are among the most powerful in the game. Removing all limitations could lead to an intriguing experiment, but it also risks making the meta even more predictable than before.

For more details on the season 12 ruleset and the seasonal rewards up for grabs, check out the official Pokémon website.