How to Use a Z‐Move in Pokémon Sun and Moon

Last Updated: September 6, 2020

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Z-Moves are a special type of move that a Pokémon can use in battle that draws from the bond between a Pokémon and its trainer. This article will explain how to use a Z-Move in battle.

Steps

1
Have the Z-Ring. You get the Z-Ring relatively early on, by completing the ceremonial battle at Iki Town against Hau at the beginning of the game.
2
Have your Pokémon hold an appropriate Z-Crystal. This can be done by going in to your bag, selecting the “Items” and finding the Z-Crystal you want to equip your Pokémon with. Some Z-Crystals are for Pokémon that know a move of a specific type (for example, the Normalium Z is for Pokémon that know a Normal-type move), while others can be used only on a single Pokémon (such as the Snorlium Z, which can only be used with Snorlax).
- If a Pokémon does not meet the specifications of a Z-Crystal (for example, if they don’t know a Normal-Type move or they aren’t a Snorlax), then you won’t even be able to equip them with that Z-Crystal.
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3
Go into a Pokémon battle. It can be any type of battle - a battle with a wild Pokémon, a trainer battle, a battle with your rival, or even a battle with a Totem Pokémon.
4
Select the "Z-Power" option on the left side of the bottom screen. Then, confirm the Z-Move that you’d like to use. Your Pokémon will then complete the Z-Move, which varies depending on the Z-Crystal you give it.

Community Q&A

Question

Do I activate the z-crystals in the bag, or what?

Shogunyan999YT

Community Answer

To give a z-crystal to a Pokemon, go to bag. If you passed the first trial, there will be a z-crystals slot in the bag. Go to it and it will say which Pokemon is compatible with it. You can give one type of z-crystal to more than one Pokemon at a time.
Question

What if I used the wrong Z crystal?

Community Answer

If you accidentally give a Pokemon the wrong Z-Crystal (which may not be possible), just go to your bag and select that Pokemon, then select the "Take" option.
Question

How do I activate the Z-Crystals?

Community Answer

All you have to do is give your Pokémon a Z-Crystal with the same Type as a move they know. When you select a Z-Crystal, your team will list if they are compatible or not. For example, a Primarina with Ice Beam, Psychic, Moonblast, and Sparkling Aria will be able to use Icium Z, Psychium Z, Fairium Z, and Waterium Z. This brings me to exclusive Z-Moves. As an example, a Primarina with its signature move Sparkling Aria would be able to use Primarium Z.