Kadabra evolves into Alakazam in Pokemon Legends Z-A only when it is traded to another player: no held item is needed, but there is no way around the trade itself. The Linking Cord that replaced trading in Legends: Arceus does not exist in Z-A, so the usual plan is to trade Kadabra to a friend and have them trade Alakazam straight back. Below we cover where to catch Abra and Kadabra, the exact Link Trade steps, the ways to get an Alakazam if you play solo, and where Mega Alakazam comes in.
This applies to Pokemon Legends Z-A on Nintendo Switch and in the Switch 2 Edition, verified against the official patch notes through version 2.0.2. No update since launch has changed how trade evolutions work.
Where to Catch Abra and Kadabra
You can start from either stage. Per the community wiki’s spawn data:
| Pokemon | Where | Opens | Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abra | Wild Zone 5 (Bleu District) | Main Mission 5 | 12 to 14 |
| Abra | City sectors: Vert Sector 8, Magenta Sectors 6 and 7, Rouge Sectors 6 and 8, Jaune Sector 5 | Varies | Varies |
| Kadabra | Wild Zone 9 (Magenta District) | Main Mission 10 | 28 to 30 |
Abra evolves into Kadabra at level 16. Evolution in Z-A is manual, like Legends: Arceus: when a Pokemon is ready, an arrow appears on its icon in your party, and you select the Pokemon and choose Evolve. Nothing happens on its own, so if your Abra passed level 16 a while ago, check the party menu.
One trap to avoid: an in-game trade at Academie Etoile asks for an Abra in exchange for a Riolu. That is a different trade entirely and will not evolve anything, so do not hand over the Abra you meant to raise.
How to Trade Kadabra (Step by Step)
Link Play unlocks early in the story. Both players need a copy of Z-A.
| Step | What to press or select |
|---|---|
| Open the menu | X |
| Open online features | Link Play |
| Start a trade | Link Trade |
| Pick a connection | Nearby Players (local wireless) or Faraway Players (online) |
| Match with your partner | Both enter the same 8-digit Link Code |
| Send Kadabra | Offer Kadabra and confirm |
When the trade completes, Kadabra evolves into Alakazam on your partner’s side. They then offer it back in the same session, and you receive your Alakazam, still with your original trainer details.
A few practical notes:
- Faraway Players needs Nintendo Switch Online. Nearby Players uses local wireless between two consoles in the same room and does not.
- Make it a swap. If your partner also has a trade evolution, such as a Haunter or a Machoke, trade both at the same time so each of you gets an evolution, then trade back.
- Be careful with strangers. Community-run trade codes exist for exactly this, but nothing in the game forces a stranger to return your Pokemon. Trade something you can afford to lose, or use a friend.
- Evolve Abra first. Per player guides, there is no waiting period: you can trade a Kadabra the moment it evolves.
Getting an Alakazam Without Trading
If you have nobody to trade with, you can still get Alakazam, just not by evolving your own Kadabra:
- Wild Zone 20. Per the community wiki, Alakazam spawns in Wild Zone 20 in Centrico Plaza as an alpha, at around level 64 to 65. That zone opens at Main Mission 39, after the credits, so this is a post-game route.
- Hyperspace Lumiose (Mega Dimension DLC). Per the community wiki, Alakazam appears in 4-star Psychic-type hyperspace wild zones. The official DLC page notes that the Mega Dimension story requires finishing the main game first.
- Pokemon HOME. Z-A connected to Pokemon HOME in April 2026, so an Alakazam from another game can be moved in. The official HOME notice warns that Pokemon cannot go from Z-A back to earlier titles, which our HOME transfer guide explains in detail.
Wild Zone 20 is full of level 60-plus alphas, so read our guide on how to heal in Pokemon Legends Z-A before you go hunting there. It is the same post-game stretch where you can pick up Mewtwo, another Psychic type worth building around.
Mega Alakazam
Alakazam has a Mega Evolution in Z-A. Per the community wiki’s shop listings, Alakazite trades for 360 Mega Shards at the Mega Shard exchange in Quasartico Inc., and player guides say it becomes available after Main Mission 10. Give the stone to Alakazam to hold, fill the Mega Power gauge in battle, and it can Mega Evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you evolve Kadabra without trading in Pokemon Legends Z-A? No. Kadabra only evolves when traded. Solo players can instead catch an alpha Alakazam in Wild Zone 20 after the story, find one in Hyperspace Lumiose with the DLC, or transfer one in through Pokemon HOME.
Is there a Linking Cord in Legends Z-A? No. The Linking Cord was a Legends: Arceus item and does not appear in Z-A. There is no replacement item either.
Do you need Nintendo Switch Online to trade in Legends Z-A? Only for Faraway Players. Nearby Players trades over local wireless and does not need a subscription.
What level does Abra evolve into Kadabra? Level 16. Remember that evolution in Z-A is manual: select Abra in your party and choose Evolve.
Do you get your Kadabra back after the trade? Only if your partner trades it back. It arrives on their side as Alakazam, so agree on the trade-back before you start.