Choose the optimal order to fight Rogue Mega Slowbro, Camerupt, and Victreebel in Pokémon Legends Z-A. Learn which weaknesses to exploit and how to chain victories for easier boss fights.
Making the Right Choice in Main Missions 11, 12, and 13
After defeating Absol and unlocking the secrets of Mega Evolution, Pokémon Legends Z-A throws you into one of its most important decision points: you must take down three Rogue Mega Evolutions, but you get to choose the order.
This isn’t just a flavor choice—your decision dramatically impacts how difficult these boss fights become. Pick the right order, and you’ll steamroll through all three with strategic type advantages. Pick wrong, and you’ll spend forever chipping away at massive HP pools while getting destroyed by super-effective attacks.
Having wrestled with this decision myself (and made some mistakes along the way), I’m going to break down the optimal strategy for tackling Rogue Mega Slowbro, Camerupt, and Victreebel. We’ll cover type matchups, which Pokémon to use, and most importantly—how to create a domino effect where each victory makes the next fight easier.
Meet Your Opponents: The Three Rogue Megas
Before strategizing, let’s understand what you’re up against:
| Rogue Mega | Type | Level | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Slowbro | Water / Psychic | 34 | Bug, Ghost, Grass, Electric, Dark |
| Mega Camerupt | Fire / Ground | 34 | Ground, Water (4× weakness!) |
| Mega Victreebel | Grass / Poison | 34 | Flying, Fire, Psychic, Ice |
All three are Level 34, so there’s no stat advantage based on order. The key differentiator is type matchups and which Mega Stones you have access to.
Important context: These fights are significantly easier if you have your own Mega Evolution to counter them. Trying to brute-force Rogue Megas without Mega Evolving yourself is possible but painfully slow. Trust me—I tried it once and immediately regretted it.
The Starter Pokémon Strategy (If You’re Already Fully Evolved)
Here’s the best news: AZ gives you a Mega Stone for your starter right before this decision point. If you’ve already evolved your starter to its final form, your choice becomes simple:
If You Picked Chikorita (Grass Starter)
Fight Rogue Mega Slowbro first
- Your Mega Meganium has Grass-type attacks super effective against Slowbro’s Water/Psychic typing
- Slowbro is weak to Grass moves, making this a clean matchup
- After defeating it, you’ll obtain Slowbronite for future fights
If You Picked Tepig (Fire Starter)
Fight Rogue Mega Victreebel first
- Your Mega Emboar has Fire-type attacks devastating to Victreebel’s Grass/Poison typing
- Victreebel crumbles under Fire attacks
- Obtaining Victreebellite helps with other Rogue Megas afterward
If You Picked Totodile (Water Starter)
Fight Rogue Mega Camerupt first
- Your Mega Feraligatr has Water-type attacks that exploit Camerupt’s 4x Water weakness
- This is the easiest matchup of all three due to that double weakness
- Cameruptite becomes available after victory
But what if your starter isn’t fully evolved yet? Don’t panic—there’s a backup plan that’s actually even better.
The Optimal Order Using Mega Absol (Works for Everyone)
Here’s the secret most players miss: You already have access to Mega Absol from Main Mission 9. Absol and Absolite are handed to you earlier in the story, and Mega Absol creates a perfect chain reaction for these three fights.
The Domino Effect Strategy
This is the optimal order regardless of your starter choice:
Step 1: Fight Rogue Mega Slowbro First
Why: Mega Absol is Dark-type, which is super effective against Slowbro’s Psychic typing
Strategy:
- Use Mega Absol’s Dark-type attacks (like Night Slash, Dark Pulse)
- Target Slowbro’s Psychic weakness
- Apply Burn or Poison for damage over time
- Use Protect strategically to avoid Slowbro’s Psychic attacks
Reward: Slowbronite (allows you to Mega Evolve Slowbro)
Step 2: Catch and Evolve Slowbro
Before fighting the next Rogue Mega, you need to obtain your own Slowbro:
Option A: Catch Alpha Slowbro
- Location: Wild Zone 11
- Benefit: Already evolved, higher stats as an Alpha Pokémon
- Drawback: More difficult to catch
Option B: Catch Slowpoke and Evolve It
- Location: Wild Zone 10 or Wild Zone 11
- Evolution: Evolves at Level 37
- Benefit: Easier to catch, you control moveset development
- Drawback: Requires grinding to Level 37
Pro tip: If you’re catching Slowpoke, use status conditions like Drowsy to make the catch easier. Having a Master Ball saved is overkill but guarantees success if you’re struggling.
Step 3: Fight Rogue Mega Camerupt Second
Why: Mega Slowbro has Water-type attacks that exploit Camerupt’s 4x Water weakness
Strategy:
- Mega Evolve your newly obtained Slowbro using Slowbronite
- Spam Water-type attacks (Surf, Hydro Pump, Scald)
- Camerupt’s double weakness means it melts (pun intended) under Water attacks
- This should be your easiest fight of the three
Reward: Cameruptite (allows you to Mega Evolve Camerupt)
Step 4: Catch and Evolve Camerupt
Same process as Slowbro:
Option A: Catch Alpha Camerupt
- Location: Wild Zone 8
- Higher stats, already evolved
Option B: Catch Numel and Evolve It
- Location: Wild Zone 8
- Evolution: Evolves at Level 33 (easier than Slowbro!)
- Build it with optimal moves for the final fight
If you’re exploring Wild Zones efficiently, check our guides for Wild Zone 4 and Wild Zone 6 for additional catching opportunities.
Step 5: Fight Rogue Mega Victreebel Last
Why: Mega Camerupt has Fire-type attacks super effective against Victreebel’s Grass typing
Strategy:
- Mega Evolve your Camerupt using Cameruptite
- Unleash Fire-type moves (Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Eruption)
- Victreebel is Grass/Poison, so Fire melts it quickly
- Use the real-time combat system to dodge Victreebel’s Poison attacks
Alternative: If you’d rather skip catching Camerupt, you can use Mega Slowbro’s Psychic-type attacks against Victreebel instead. Psychic is also super effective against Victreebel’s Poison typing.
Reward: Victreebellite (and the satisfaction of dominating all three Rogue Megas strategically)
Why This Order is Mathematically Optimal
Let’s talk about why the Slowbro → Camerupt → Victreebel order works so perfectly:
Type Advantage Chain
- Dark beats Psychic (Absol → Slowbro)
- Water beats Fire/Ground (Slowbro → Camerupt with 4x weakness)
- Fire beats Grass (Camerupt → Victreebel)
Each victory hands you the exact tool needed for the next fight. It’s elegant game design that rewards strategic thinking.
Difficulty Curve
- Slowbro is moderately difficult – Forces you to learn Rogue Mega mechanics with a type advantage
- Camerupt becomes easy – The 4x Water weakness makes this a breather fight
- Victreebel is medium difficulty – Ends on a satisfying note without being too hard or too easy
This pacing prevents burnout and keeps the experience engaging throughout all three missions.
Resource Efficiency
Catching and training two additional Pokémon (Slowbro and Camerupt) might sound tedious, but:
- Both are available in accessible Wild Zones
- Their evolution levels are reasonable (33 and 37)
- You get permanent additions to your Mega Evolution roster
- The time invested pays off immediately in easier fights
Alternative Order: If You Want to Mix Things Up
While Slowbro → Camerupt → Victreebel is optimal, here’s an alternative if you prefer different Pokémon:
Slowbro → Victreebel → Camerupt
How it works:
- Beat Mega Slowbro with Mega Absol (Dark vs. Psychic)
- Beat Mega Victreebel with Mega Slowbro (Psychic vs. Poison)
- Beat Mega Camerupt with Mega Victreebel (Grass vs. Ground)
Pros:
- Victreebel’s Grass-type attacks are super effective against Camerupt’s Ground typing
- You still create a type advantage chain
Cons:
- Victreebel is slightly harder to use effectively than Camerupt
- You miss out on exploiting Camerupt’s 4x Water weakness early
- The final fight becomes easier than the middle fight, which feels anticlimactic
Verdict: This order works, but it’s less optimal than the standard chain. Only choose this if you really dislike Fire-types or specifically want Victreebel on your team.
Essential Preparation Before Fighting Rogue Megas
Regardless of order, here’s how to prepare for success:
Check Your Movesets
Before engaging any Rogue Mega:
- Open the main menu and review your Pokémon’s moves
- Ensure you have moves that target the boss’s weaknesses
- Replace weak or redundant moves with super-effective options
- TMs and move tutors exist for a reason—use them
Example optimal moveset for Mega Absol vs. Slowbro:
- Night Slash (Dark STAB)
- Psycho Cut (coverage)
- Swords Dance (buff)
- Protect (defense)
Stock Up on Healing Items
Rogue Mega fights are wars of attrition. Bring:
- Full Restores – Heal HP and cure status conditions
- Revives – Your Mega will probably faint at least once
- Status healing items – Slowbro loves Confusion, Camerupt inflicts Burns
- Stat boost items – X Attack, X Defense for clutch moments
You can farm Tiny Mushrooms and Colorful Screws to sell for money if you’re short on funds.
Level Your Team
While all Rogue Megas are Level 34, having your team at Level 35-38 provides a comfortable buffer. If you need to grind levels:
- Battle wild Pokémon in Wild Zones
- Complete Secondary Missions for XP
- Use fast travel to efficiently reach training spots
Maximize Happiness
Low happiness causes disobedience, which is disastrous in boss fights. Check our happiness guide to ensure your Pokémon obey commands consistently.
Battle Strategies for Each Rogue Mega
Let’s dive into specific tactics for each fight:
Fighting Rogue Mega Slowbro
Type: Water/Psychic
Weaknesses: Bug, Ghost, Grass, Electric, Dark
Key Threats:
- Psychic-type attacks – High damage to Fighting/Poison types
- Confusion status – Can cause your Pokémon to act erratically
- High Defense – Slowbro is naturally tanky
Winning Strategy:
- Lead with Mega Absol for Dark-type super effectiveness
- Watch for Slowbro’s Psychic attack animation and use Protect to block
- Apply Burn or Poison for passive damage (helpful against its high Defense)
- Focus on Special Attack moves if Absol isn’t working—Slowbro’s Special Defense is lower
- Keep status-healing items ready for Confusion
Don’t bring: Fighting or Poison types—they get destroyed by Psychic moves
Fighting Rogue Mega Camerupt
Type: Fire/Ground
Weaknesses: Ground, Water (4x!)
Key Threats:
- Eruption – Devastating Fire attack when Camerupt is at high HP
- Earth Power – Strong Ground-type special attack
- Burn status – Reduces your Physical Attack
Winning Strategy:
- Lead with Mega Slowbro and immediately unleash Water attacks
- The 4x weakness means Camerupt takes MASSIVE damage from every Water move
- This should be your quickest Rogue Mega fight—just spam Surf/Hydro Pump
- Use the real-time combat to dodge Eruption if it starts charging
- Stay aggressive—you have an overwhelming type advantage
Don’t bring: Fire, Steel, Electric, Poison, or Rock types—all take super-effective damage from Ground moves
Fighting Rogue Mega Victreebel
Type: Grass/Poison
Weaknesses: Flying, Fire, Psychic, Ice
Key Threats:
- Poison status effects – DoT that stacks with Badly Poisoned
- Solar Beam – Powerful Grass-type charged attack
- Razor Leaf – Fast, spammable Grass move
Winning Strategy:
- Lead with Mega Camerupt using Fire-type moves
- Alternative: Use Mega Slowbro with Psychic-type attacks (super effective against Poison)
- Watch for Solar Beam’s charge animation—dodge or Protect through it
- Stock Antidotes or Pecha Berries for inevitable Poison status
- Keep offensive pressure high to prevent Victreebel from setting up
Don’t bring: Water, Ground, Fighting, or Fairy types—Victreebel’s Grass and Poison moves wreck them
What If You Lose? The Continue System
Here’s something important: If you faint during a Rogue Mega fight, you can continue from where you left off.
The game gives you the option to restart the battle at the exact point you failed, with the boss maintaining the damage you already dealt. This means:
Pros:
- You can theoretically brute-force wins through attrition
- No need to restart from full HP if you lose
- Less punishing than traditional Pokémon battles
Cons:
- Fights without type advantage take forever using this method
- You’ll burn through items quickly
- It’s honestly just not fun to slowly chip away at a boss for 20+ minutes
My advice: Use the continue option if you’re close to winning but got unlucky. Don’t rely on it as your primary strategy—get the type advantages, and these fights become manageable.
Building Your Post-Rogue Mega Team
After defeating all three Rogue Megas, you’ll have access to three new Mega Stones. Here’s how to incorporate them into your endgame team:
Mega Slowbro (Water/Psychic)
Tier: Mid-to-High
Best Role: Defensive Special Attacker
Pros:
- Excellent Defense stat tanks physical hits
- Access to both Water and Psychic STAB
- Works well in prolonged battles
Cons:
- Low Speed means you often attack last
- Middling Special Attack compared to pure attackers
When to use: Defensive team compositions, countering Fire/Fighting types
Mega Camerupt (Fire/Ground)
Tier: Mid
Best Role: Offensive Special Attacker
Pros:
- Great Special Attack stat
- Fire/Ground coverage hits many types
- Good against Steel and Electric opponents
Cons:
- 4x Water weakness is crippling
- Slow Speed
- Not considered top-tier compared to other Fire Megas
When to use: When you need Ground coverage alongside Fire power
Mega Victreebel (Grass/Poison)
Tier: Mid
Best Role: Fast Physical Attacker
Pros:
- High Attack stat
- Good Speed after Mega Evolution
- Chlorophyll synergizes with sunny weather
Cons:
- Fragile—can’t take many hits
- Poison typing doesn’t add much offensively
- Many weaknesses (Flying, Fire, Psychic, Ice)
When to use: Against Water/Ground teams, weather-based strategies
For comprehensive rankings, check our full Mega Evolution tier list.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Fighting Without Type Advantage
I see players tackle Rogue Megas with teams that have no super-effective moves. This turns 5-minute fights into 30-minute slogs. Always check type matchups first.
Mistake #2: Not Catching the Previous Rogue Mega
The game wants you to catch Slowbro and Camerupt between fights. Skipping this step removes your best counters for subsequent battles.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Status Conditions
Status effects like Burn, Poison, and Confusion dramatically swing these fights. Bring healing items or you’ll regret it.
Mistake #4: Poor Cooldown Management
In real-time combat, spamming moves without watching cooldowns leads to vulnerable windows. Time your attacks, use Protect strategically, and don’t button-mash.
Mistake #5: Wrong Starter Evolution Timing
If you rush these missions before fully evolving your starter, you miss out on the free Mega Stone advantage. Take time to level up first.
Additional Resources for Rogue Mega Success
Want to maximize your effectiveness? Check these guides:
- Status Conditions Guide – Master Burn, Poison, and other effects
- Protect Strategy Guide – Learn timing for defensive play
- Alpha Pokémon Guide – Catch stronger versions of Slowbro and Camerupt
- Best Early Pokémon – Build a solid team before these fights
For catching specific Pokémon to round out your team, explore guides for Eevee evolutions, Kanto starters, and how to get Pikachu.
Final Thoughts: Strategy Beats Brute Force
The beauty of these three Rogue Mega fights is that Pokémon Legends Z-A rewards strategic planning over pure power. You can brute-force wins, but why suffer through extended battles when you can create a perfect type advantage chain?
The optimal order—Slowbro → Camerupt → Victreebel—isn’t just efficient; it’s satisfying. Each victory directly enables the next, creating a momentum that carries you through all three missions with minimal frustration.
Take the time to catch and train Slowbro and Camerupt. Prepare your movesets. Stock up on items. And most importantly, trust the type advantage system—it’s there for a reason.
Do this right, and you’ll breeze through Main Missions 11, 12, and 13 feeling like a tactical genius. Rush in unprepared, and you’ll be continuing from defeat repeatedly, wondering why these fights are so hard.
The choice is yours, but now you know the optimal path. Go forth and conquer those Rogue Megas!
For more Pokémon Legends Z-A guides and strategies, visit the official Pokémon Legends website or purchase the game from the Nintendo Store.
