If you’re a Pokémon Legends: Z-A player who’s been frustrated with the game's standard MET (Met Location) system, you're not alone. For those who prefer their Pokémon to have more creative and meaningful origins, this guide is for you. In this article, I'll walk you through a fun and easy method to "jailbreak" your Pokémon, changing where they were initially caught to any location you desire.

While it’s not exactly a glitch in the traditional sense, this method works by manipulating the game's system in a way that allows you to set your own Pokémon’s MET location. It’s a neat way to add some flair to your collection, especially if you're looking to create memorable Pokémon with a unique backstory. Just make sure you know what you’re doing, as it might cause issues with Pokémon Home in the future—so proceed at your own risk.

The Jailbreaking Concept: Altering Your Pokémon's MET Location

In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the MET location is determined by where the Pokémon is originally found. However, with a bit of know-how, you can change this to any place within the game, allowing your Pokémon to have a cooler backstory. In this guide, I'll show you how to do this step by step.

Step 1: Find the Right Pokémon Not all Pokémon can be used for this process, so the first thing you need to do is pick a Pokémon that has access to a two-turn move, which is essential for this jailbreak. Moves like Fly, Dig, Bounce, Phantom Force, and Flying Press work best for this method. You’ll need an Alpha Pokémon, but be careful—some Alphas, like Excadrill, do not have the necessary moves. Make sure you pick a Pokémon that has one of the two-turn moves listed.

Step 2: Lure the Pokémon Near the Gate Next, you’ll need to lure your target Pokémon as close to the gate of its current zone as possible. Once it's close, let it lose interest (or "diagro") and save your game. This step is key because it resets the spawn point, enabling you to move the Pokémon to a different location.

Step 3: Use a Two-Turn Move to Escape the Zone After saving, you’ll want to get the Pokémon’s attention again and have it use one of its two-turn moves (like Phantom Force). Once the animation starts, quickly exit the gate. The Pokémon will use its move outside the wild zone, and the game will treat this as its new location.

Step 4: Travel to a New Location Now comes the fun part. Choose where you want the Pokémon to be "met." In my example, I chose the Justice Dojo in Lumio City for my Garchomp, but you can pick any location within the game. Some cool spots to consider include Esposas Vid (for ghost-types) or Quaartico, Inc. (perfect for a Draa with an Alolan palm tree backdrop). Even malls work, though catching Pokémon inside the mall requires a bit more finesse. It’s also worth noting that you can take your Pokémon to another wild zone if you want something really out-of-the-box.

Step 5: Save and Reset Once you’re at your destination, lure the Pokémon as far as it will follow. After it loses interest, save again and restart your game. Keep repeating this process until the Pokémon is in the spot you want. Once you’ve successfully got it where you want, save again, and the new MET location will be set. You can now catch it and enjoy the unique story you’ve created.

Tips and Insights

• Timing is Key: The game runs on a day-night cycle, and any transition from day to night can undo all your progress. Try to complete the process during the day to avoid setbacks.

• Experiment with Locations: Feel free to experiment with different spots. If you find an area that’s a named location on the save screen, it can work as a MET location.

• Be Cautious with Pokémon Home: While this jailbreak method is fun, it could potentially cause problems with Pokémon Home compatibility. If you plan to transfer these Pokémon, it’s a good idea to test it on a Pokémon that you don’t mind potentially being locked out of the system.

This jailbreak method is an exciting way to customize your Pokémon collection, giving you full control over their MET locations. Whether you’re a completionist or just someone who loves making your Pokémon stand out, this trick is a fun way to add a personal touch to your creatures. While it’s simple, it can also be incredibly rewarding, and it works with many different Pokémon and locations across the game.

As always, make sure to share your discoveries and fun ideas with the community! There may be more secrets out there that we haven't yet uncovered.