Pokémon Legends: Z-A Reintroduces a Classic Hazard
The upcoming release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A on October 16 will see the return of a mechanic that many longtime fans will remember: poison damage outside of battles. This hazard, absent from the franchise for several generations, will once again require trainers to carefully manage their teams when exploring the overworld.
How Status Conditions Work in Pokémon
Status Conditions have always played a crucial role in Pokémon battles, affecting strategy and momentum. While Poison and Burn both deal damage over time, Burn also reduces the afflicted Pokémon’s physical attack power. Other conditions such as Sleep, Paralysis, and Frozen do not inflict direct damage but instead can restrict or delay a Pokémon’s ability to act. These ailments can typically be cured with items like Antidotes or Full Heals, or by visiting a Pokémon Center.
Poison Damage Outside Battles Returns After Years
Footage from a demo kiosk at the 2025 Pokémon World Championships revealed that Pokémon afflicted with Poison in Pokémon Legends: Z-A will now lose HP outside of battle. According to community reports and shared clips, affected Pokémon such as Mareep and Fletchling were shown losing 1 HP every three seconds while walking in the overworld.
However, the mechanic has been updated from earlier generations. Unlike in the classic Pokémon Red and Blue, poisoned Pokémon will not faint from overworld damage—they will instead remain at 1 HP. Additionally, Pokémon in Poké Balls are unaffected, meaning only the active Pokémon on the field will take damage.
What About Burn and Other Status Effects?
At this stage, it is not yet confirmed whether Burn or other damage-over-time conditions will also extend outside of battle in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. With the game’s setting of a transformed Lumiose City, the reintroduction of poison as an overworld hazard suggests more mechanical changes could be on the way. Trainers will need to prepare for new challenges as traditional mechanics are reimagined in this highly anticipated release.
