Game Freak's latest Pokémon games, Sun and Moon, introduce a lot of new features to the beloved handheld series, and remove quite a few others. Gyms are gone, and so are HMs, but Z-Moves and Z-Crystals may represent the biggest change.
Artwork for Snorlax using its Z-Crystal.The Pokémon Company
Z-Crystals are new items that can be used once per battle to boost the power of certain attacks or buff certain Status moves to help swing the tide. They're replacing Mega Stones, which allowed Pokémon to take on more powerful forms while in battle.
They essentially convert existing moves into more powerful Z-Moves. With the Waterium Z crystal, for example, any Water-type move is boosted to become 'Hydro Vortex', a powerful new attack. There are also Z-Crystals for specific Pokémon.
These Z-Crystals are found at various points of the plot, through completing trials (the events that are basically Gyms) and interacting with certain NPCs. There are allegedly other Z-Crystals, so we'll update our list with that information once it has been discovered.
<th>Z-Crystal
<th>Location
<th>Additional Information
Normalium Z
Awarded upon completion of the Verdant Cavern trial on Melemele Island.
Coverts Normal type moves into Breakneck Blitz.
Waterium Z
Awarded upon completion of the Brooklet Hill trial on Akala Island.
Converts Water type moves into Hydro Vortex.
Firium Z
Awarded upon completion of the Wela Volcano Park trial on Akala Island.
Converts Fire type moves into Inferno Overdrive.
Grassium Z
Awarded upon completion of the Lush Jungle trial on Akala Island.
Converts Grass type moves into Bloom Doom.
Electrium Z
Awarded upon completion of the Hokulani Observatory trial on Ula'ula Island.
Converts Electric type moves into Gigavolt Havoc.
Ghostium Z
Awarded upon completion of the Abandoned Site trial on Ula'ula Island.
Converts Ghost type moves into Never-Ending Nightmare.
Fairium Z
Given to the player by Mina halfway through Vast Poni Canyon.
Converts Fairy type moves into 'Twinkle Tackle'.
Fightinium Z
Awarded after defeating the first Kahuna.
Converts Fighting type moves into All-Out Pummeling.
Rockium Z
Awarded after defeating the second Kahuna.
Converts Rock-type moves into Continental Crush.
Darkinium Z
Awarded after defeating the third Kahuna.
Converts Dark-type moves into Black Hole Eclipse.
Groundium Z
Awarded after defeating the fourth Kahuna.
Converts Ground-type moves into Tectonic Rage.
Icium Z
Found in the cave area of Mount Lanakila on Ula'ula Island.
Converts Ice-type moves into Subzero Slammer.
Poisonium Z
Given to the player by Plumeria at Ancient Poni Path after obtaining the Sun and Moon Flutes.
Converts Poison-type moves into Acid Downpour.
Flyinium Z
Found behind the Machamp boulder on Ten Carat Hill.
Converts Flying-type moves into Supersonic Skystrike.
Psychium Z
Check the stones, in Haina Desert on Ula'ula Island, in this order: 2, 1, Up and 4.
Converts Psychic-type moves into Shattered Psyche.
Buginium Z
Found in a suitcase in Guzma's room, inside the Shady House on Ula'ula Island.
Converts Bug-type moves into Savage Spin-Out.
Dragonium Z
Awarded after defeating Totem Kommo-o.
Converts Dragon-type moves into Devastating Drake.
Steelium Z
Awarded upon completion of the Hokulani Observatory trial on Ula'ula Island.
Converts Steel-type moves into Corkscrew Crash.
Pikanium Z
Given to the player by the woman surrounded by Pikachus near the lighthouse in Konikoni City.
Allows Pikachu to use the unique Z-Move Catastropika.
Decidium Z
Given to the player by Professor Kukui after defeating Guzma at Malie Garden. This Z-Crystal corresponds to the starter Rowlet. If you didn't choose Rowlet as your starter, the item can be collected from the Professor after becoming Champion.
Allows Decidueye to use the unique Z-Movie Sinister Arrow Raid.
Incinium Z
Given to the player by Professor Kukui after defeating Guzma at Malie Garden.This Z-Crystal corresponds to the starter Litten. If you didn't choose Rowlet as your starter, the item can be collected from the Professor after becoming Champion.
Allows Incineroar to use the unique Z-Move Malicious Moonsault.
Primarium Z
Given to the player by Professor Kukui after defeating Guzma at Malie Garden.This Z-Crystal corresponds to the starter Popplio. If you didn't choose Rowlet as your starter, the item can be collected from the Professor after becoming Champion.
Allows Primarina to use the unique Z-Move Oceanic Operetta.
Tapunium Z
Obtained in the epilogue after battling Tapu Koko.
Allows Tapu Bulu, Tapu Lele, Tapu Fini and Tapu Koko to use the unique Z-Move Guardian of Alola.
Aloraichium Z
Is awarded after showing an NPC your Alolan Raichu (which is evolved from a standard Pikachu with a Thunder Stone).
Allows Alolan Raichu to use the unique Z-Move Stoked Sparksurfer.
Snorlium Z
Held by the Munchlax that will be made available to all Pokémon Sun and Moon players via Mystery Gift, until 11 January 2017.
Allows Snorlax (which Munchlax evolves into) to use the unique Z-Move Pulverizing Pancake.
Eevium Z
Obtained from the Mega Mart beside the Battle Royal Stadium after completion of the Pokémon League. An NPC in the queue will tell you about trainers with each Eveelution. Beat them all then return to the NPC.
Allows Eevee to use the unique Z-Move Extreme Evoboost.
