Sun and Moon Z-Moves and Z-Crystals
Match a held crystal with a compatible move and choose when to spend the party’s one use of Z-Power.
Original Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon for Nintendo 3DS (2016). Sun and Moon differences are labelled. Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have a different story, expanded Pokédex and altered trials.
The requirement is a move, not just a Pokémon type
The player needs a Z-Ring and the Pokémon must hold the relevant Z-Crystal. For an ordinary type crystal, it must know a move of that type. A Normal-type Pokémon with a Water move can use Waterium Z through that move. A damaging Z-Move takes its physical or special category and base strength from the selected move. You may use Z-Power once per battle across your party.
Choose the turn before choosing the animation
Use the burst to remove a dangerous opponent, finish a Totem before its ally gains momentum or break through a bulky League partner. A type immunity still matters. Protect reduces an ordinary damaging Z-Move’s damage instead of blocking it completely, but wasting the burst into an immunity or Mimikyu’s intact Disguise can lose your main advantage. Check target, typing and Ability first.
Status and signature Z-Moves
A status Z-Move adds a special Z effect to the base status move. Its value may be setup or recovery rather than raw damage. Signature crystals require a particular species and move: Decidueye uses Spirit Shackle with Decidium Z, Incineroar uses Darkest Lariat with Incinium Z and Primarina uses Sparkling Aria with Primarium Z. These differ from the generic type crystals.
Collect the crystals on the actual route
Trial and grand-trial rewards provide many type crystals. Mina gives Fairium Z in the original canyon journey. Other crystals come from optional locations and character tasks, including the postgame Eevee-user quest for Eevium Z. Original Sun/Moon do not offer the Ultra-specific Solganium Z, Lunalium Z and Ultranecrozium Z story rewards. The item reference keeps pickups and training purchases together.
These guides cover original Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon (2016). Check the version and in-game time before planning an encounter.