How to make it rain in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

While direct weather control isn’t available in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, strategic time management can help you achieve the rainy conditions needed for specific evolutionary requirements. The game’s weather system operates on a semi-random cycle that changes with time progression, making certain Pokémon encounters and evolutions weather-dependent.

In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, certain Pokédex completion milestones are gated behind specific weather patterns, particularly the requirement for rainfall to evolve one of the game’s most elusive Pokémon species. Rather than direct manipulation, players must work with the game’s natural weather rotation system, advancing time repeatedly until the desired precipitation conditions manifest.

Below we detail the most effective strategies for triggering rain conditions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A and how to maximize your efficiency when working with the game’s weather mechanics.

The most reliable technique for altering weather conditions involves strategically using benches to advance time rapidly until rainfall occurs. This method leverages the game’s built-in time progression system, though it requires patience due to the random nature of weather generation.

This approach isn’t particularly fast, but extensive testing confirms it as the most consistent method available. Each transition between day and night cycles triggers a brief battle zone cinematic, which adds to the overall time investment. Prepare for extended reset sessions—our testing required over thirty attempts before achieving rainy conditions, though your experience may vary based on random chance factors.

Image: Game Freak/Nintendo, The Pokémon Company via Polygon

Pro Tip: Position yourself near multiple bench locations to minimize travel time between reset attempts. The central plaza area typically offers the most convenient access points for efficient time cycling.

Side Mission 64, titled “Let it Rain, Let it Pour,” does temporarily force rainfall during the mission sequence, allowing you to battle the designated trainer under precipitation conditions. However, this solution proves unreliable for evolution purposes—in our testing, the rain consistently ceased immediately following battle conclusion. Even if precipitation persists in your game session, this represents a single-use opportunity since mission completion prevents repetition.

Another consideration involves understanding the game’s weather probability algorithms. While not explicitly documented, observations suggest that certain in-game days may have higher precipitation likelihoods. Keeping track of weather patterns across multiple gaming sessions could reveal optimal timing windows for your reset attempts.

The primary motivation for seeking rainy conditions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A typically involves either capturing Goomy or evolving Sliggoo into Goodra. For Goomy acquisition, we strongly recommend targeting the westernmost dead-end chamber within Lumiose Sewers, where this Pokémon spawns regardless of current weather conditions. Access to this sewer section unlocks after initiating Side Mission 57, “The Camerupt Entrepreneur,” which becomes available upon completing Main Mission 19.

Regarding Sliggoo evolution preparation, ensure your Sliggoo reaches level 50 before beginning your weather manipulation attempts. This preparation allows immediate evolution activation once rainfall begins, eliminating the need to level up during limited precipitation windows. Keep Sliggoo in your active party throughout reset attempts to capitalize immediately when conditions align.

Advanced Technique: Consider developing multiple Sliggoo simultaneously to maximize evolutionary opportunities during rare rainfall events, or coordinate with other players to identify active rain periods in your game version.

For players seeking optimization, combine bench resetting with other productive activities. Complete item gathering, side missions, or Pokédex entries during loading screens and cutscenes to minimize time waste. The average successful rain trigger requires 45-90 minutes of dedicated reset attempts, so multitasking helps maintain engagement during this process.

Common mistakes include: attempting evolution without pre-leveled Sliggoo, overlooking the sewer Goomy location, and underestimating time requirements. Always verify your Sliggoo meets the level 50 threshold before committing to weather manipulation sessions.

Looking for additional Pokémon Legends: Z-A guidance? Our Complete Guide provides comprehensive gameplay foundations, while the Weapons Unlock section details combat optimization. For team composition advice, consult our Class Guide covering strategic Pokémon selection.

We also offer specialized evolution guides for Pokémon requiring unique conditions beyond standard leveling, such as Inkay and Malamar, plus comprehensive listings for Mega Stone acquisition timelines to support your Mega Evolution objectives.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides » How to make it rain in Pokémon Legends: Z-A Master weather manipulation techniques to evolve Sliggoo and complete your Pokédex in Pokémon Legends: Z-A