Other players have compared Substitute to field-cover moves like Rock Tomb, saying it now functions more like temporary cover than an assured shield. Worse, some beam-style attacks (for example, Ice Beam and similarly animated moves) appear to penetrate the substitute’s visual model and still hit the Pokémon behind it, so being positioned behind a sub-doll no longer guarantees safety.
Pokemon ZA’s Substitute: What is the purpose? from r/pokemon
Substitute isn’t the only mechanic raising eyebrows. Aegislash—the Steel/Ghost Pokémon known for its Stance Change—has been hampered by its retained animations in Legends: Z-A despite the game removing traditional Pokémon abilities. Its form-switching animation is lengthy, so the Pokémon spends too much time vulnerable while the animation plays out.
Normally Aegislash begins in Shield Forme, shifts into Blade Forme to attack, and returns to Shield Forme to use defensive moves like King’s Shield. Those transitions used to swap stats to suit offense or defense; here the drawn-out animations disrupt its tempo, allowing opponents to land multiple attacks while Aegislash is mid-animation.
One Reddit user described the result as Aegislash being effectively unusable in the current meta, because each stance change gives enemies time to chain several hits. Another player added that Aegislash particularly struggles in real-time wild battles with multiple foes, regretting evolving their Doublade as a result.
Whether Game Freak will patch these behaviors remains to be seen. For now, be aware that some familiar tools may not behave like they used to, and you may need to adapt your strategies accordingly.
While you’re here, check out our roundup of Pokemon Legends: Z-A tips to help you navigate Lumiose City.
