Pokémon Legends: Z-A is expanding its Mega Evolution lineup once again, this time bringing in Mega Sceptile from Generation 3. The powerful Grass-type Mega Evolution officially arrives on January 7, but players eager to use it right away may run into a few obstacles. While Mega Sceptile is technically obtainable without purchasing additional content, doing so early will take extra effort, patience, and a bit of luck.
When Pokémon Legends: Z-A launched, it already featured more than 70 Mega Evolutions, including several brand-new forms created specifically for the game. However, not every fan-favorite Mega was available at launch. Game Freak has been gradually adding more through updates and competitive seasons, and Mega Sceptile was one of the forms confirmed to arrive later via Ranked Battles.
That time has finally come, as the developers have now revealed exactly when players can start earning Sceptilite.
Ranked Battles Season 5 Brings Sceptilite
Ranked Battles Season 5 will begin on January 7, 2026, at 10:00 PM PST / 1:00 AM EST / 4:00 AM CET, and will run for nearly three weeks. The season concludes on January 28, 2026, at 5:59 PM PST / 8:59 PM EST / 11:58 PM CET.
During this period, players can obtain Sceptilite, the Mega Stone required to Mega Evolve Sceptile. The item is awarded as a special Ranked Battles reward for reaching Rank S, which historically has been relatively easy to achieve. However, access to Ranked Battles requires an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription, meaning not all players will be able to claim Mega Sceptile immediately.
How to Get Sceptile in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Sceptile itself was introduced to the game through the Mega Dimension DLC, which launched on December 10. Players who do not own the $29.99 expansion cannot encounter Sceptile during normal gameplay. Even DLC owners must progress through the Hyperspace Missions before gaining access.
The DLC questline begins at the top of Hotel Z, which the game prompts players to visit once they are on version 2.0.0 or later.
That said, Pokémon Legends: Z-A continues the franchise tradition of allowing players to trade for Pokémon originating from DLC content without owning the DLC themselves. As a result, players without the expansion can still obtain Sceptile through trading, provided they can find someone willing to part with one.
Online trading communities remain the fastest way to do this. The r/PokemonTrades subreddit averages around 10,000 weekly visitors as of early 2026, while the main Pokémon Legends: Z-A subreddit has surpassed 224,000 members and regularly hosts dedicated trade megathreads.
The Hidden Cost of Mega Sceptile
Even after acquiring Sceptile, players face another limitation: Sceptilite is only available during Ranked Battles Season 5. This effectively locks Mega Sceptile behind a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, which starts at $3.99 per month.
When factoring in the cost of Nintendo Switch Online, the Mega Dimension DLC, and the base game itself, unlocking Mega Sceptile without trading can cost between $93.97 and $103.97, depending on whether players are using the standard Switch version or the more expensive Switch 2 edition of Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Fortunately, based on previous Ranked Battle seasons, reaching Rank S typically requires only a short amount of online play. Season 5 also reintroduces Mega Stones from earlier seasons, including Greninjite, Delphoxite, Chesnaughtite, and Baxcalibrite, making it easier for newer players to catch up.
Game Freak has followed a consistent pattern of rotating Mega Stones back into future seasons, so Sceptilite is expected to return at some point. Still, players will need access to Ranked Battles whenever it does.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Ranked Battles Season 5 Rewards
Rank A
- Gold Bottle Cap ×3
- Bottle Cap ×5
- Seed of Mastery ×3
- Big Nugget ×1
Rank B to Rank E
- Gold Bottle Cap ×2
- Bottle Cap ×3
- Seed of Mastery ×2
- Nugget ×2
Rank F to Rank I
- Gold Bottle Cap ×1
- Bottle Cap ×2
- Seed of Mastery ×1
- Nugget ×2
Rank J to Rank M
- Bottle Cap ×1
- Seed of Mastery ×1
- Nugget ×2
Rank N to Rank R
- Seed of Mastery ×1
- Nugget ×1
Rank S and Below
- Nugget ×1
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