Looking to unleash the full power of the colossal Water-type in the Mega Dimension DLC? This guide covers the best Dondozo moveset and nature in Pokemon Legends Z-A, helping you dominate both PvP ranked matches and story mode with this bulky powerhouse.
Table of Contents
Pokemon Legends: Why Dondozo Dominates
| Stat | Base Value | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| HP | 150 | 3rd Highest in Game |
| Attack | 100 | Solid Physical |
| Defense | 115 | High Bulk |
| Sp. Attack | 35 | Very Low |
| Sp. Defense | 65 | Moderate |
| Speed | 65 | Below Average |
Type: Water
Location: 4-Star Hyperspace Wild Zones (Water-type portals)
Best Dondozo Moveset for PvP Ranked
| Move | Type | Power | How to Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquidation | Water | 85 | Level Up |
| Ice Fang | Ice | 65 | TM015 (Mable Research Level 7) |
| Earthquake | Ground | 100 | Level Up |
| Curse/Protect | Status | — | Curse (Level Up) / TM017 (Mable Level 4) |
This moveset gives Dondozo perfect coverage against its main threats. Liquidation serves as your primary Water-type STAB move, while Ice Fang handles Grass-types like Garchomp that would otherwise wall you. Earthquake provides devastating Ground coverage, and Curse boosts both Attack and Defense at the cost of Speed—which Dondozo doesn’t need anyway.
Alternative: Replace Curse with Protect to block attacks while recovering HP via Leftovers.
Optimal Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
Go with Adamant Nature every time. This gives Dondozo an Attack boost while reducing its already pitiful Special Attack, which you’ll never use.
Don’t have Adamant? Purchase an Adamant Mint from vendors in:
- Rouge Sector 1
- Sushi High Roller
- Wild Zone 3
- Jaune Plaza
Feed it to your Dondozo to change its nature instantly.
The Secret Weapon: Commander Ability
Here’s where Dondozo becomes unstoppable. Despite Pokemon Legends Z-A removing abilities, Dondozo retains Commander as a hidden trait that functions like Generation 9 games.
How It Works:
- Send out Tatsugiri first
- Switch to Dondozo
- Tatsugiri jumps into Dondozo’s mouth
- Dondozo gets a one-stage boost to ALL stats lasting 45 seconds
- During the animation, Dondozo has invincibility frames
This “Mega Dondozo” combo is currently the only guaranteed way to achieve an omni-boost in the entire game!
Best Held Item: Leftovers
Dondozo loves the Leftovers item for the recovery it provides in battle. With the third-highest HP stat in the game, passive healing lets you outlast nearly any opponent.
Where to Get: Complete the side mission “The Best Use For Leftovers”
For more Pokemon Legends Z-A guides, check out TechnoSports’ coverage on Mega Evolution tier list and our Hyperspace Wild Zone locations guide.
Team Synergy: Best Partners
For Ranked PvP:
- Tatsugiri (Essential for Commander boost)
- Garchomp (Covers Electric weakness)
- Rotom (Handles Grass-types)
For Story Mode:
- Meganium (Fire/Water/Grass core, self-healing)
- Delphox (Fast, special attacker)
- Garchomp (Physical powerhouse)
Weaknesses to Watch
Dondozo only has two weaknesses:
- ⚡ Electric-types (2x damage)
- 🌿 Grass-types (2x damage)
Use Ice Fang and smart switching to handle these threats. Pair with Ground-types like Garchomp to absorb Electric attacks.
Catching Dondozo: Location Guide
Find Dondozo in 4-Star Hyperspace Wild Zones with Water-type focus. According to Pokemon Database, it appears in Tatsugiri hordes, replacing one of the smaller fish.
Pro Tip: Use the Interactive Map in-game to locate Water-type portals efficiently.
For more catching guides and competitive strategies, visit TechnoSports’ Pokemon Legends Z-A hub.
FAQs About Dondozo in Pokemon Legends Z-A
Q: What’s the best EV spread for Dondozo in competitive battles?
A: For PvP ranked matches, invest 252 EVs in Attack and 252 EVs in Special Defense with an Adamant nature. The remaining 4 EVs go into HP. This spread maximizes your physical damage output while boosting special bulk to handle threats like Ampharos and Rotom. If using Assault Vest, this spread makes Dondozo nearly unkillable against special attackers while dealing massive damage with Liquidation and Earthquake.
Q: Can Dondozo work without Tatsugiri in Pokemon Legends Z-A?
A: Yes, but you’ll miss the game-changing Commander boost that makes Dondozo truly dominant. Without Tatsugiri, Dondozo functions as a standard bulky Water-type with decent attack power and excellent HP. You can still run Curse to manually boost stats, use Leftovers for recovery, and rely on Liquidation/Earthquake coverage. However, the Tatsugiri combo transforms Dondozo from “good” to “elite tier,” so it’s highly recommended for ranked battles where you want maximum competitive advantage.
