Meloetta is a Mythical Pokémon added in the Mega Dimension DLC. You cannot find it early in the game. It only becomes available after you finish the full DLC story and unlock a special post-game system.
If you follow the steps below in the right order, you can encounter and catch Meloetta without confusion or wasted effort.
How To Unlock Meloetta in Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mega Dimension
You must first complete the full Mega Dimension DLC storyline. This includes finishing Hyperspace Mission 12, Hyperspace Mission 13, and Hyperspace Mission 14. These missions end with you defeating and catching Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza. Meloetta is locked behind this progress. If even one of these missions is incomplete, Meloetta will not appear.
Once the final mission is done, Corbeau will contact you and unlock a new feature at the Rust Syndicate. This feature is required to find Meloetta.
How Special Scans Work
After completing the DLC story, you gain access to Special Scans at the Rust Syndicate. To use a Special Scan, you must collect 25,000 Survey Points. You earn Survey Points by completing activities inside Hyperspace Wild Zones.
When you reach the required amount, talk to Philippe at the Rust Syndicate and activate a Special Scan. This scan creates a special distortion on the map. These scans do not always lead to Legendary Pokémon, so you may need to repeat this process more than once.
How To Identify The Correct Distortion
After using a Special Scan, a distortion appears somewhere on the map. You must check its color. A yellow distortion is the correct one. A red distortion is only a battle zone and will never contain Meloetta.
The yellow distortion created by a Special Scan does not move or reset with the day and night cycle. Once it appears, it stays in that location until you enter it.
How To Trigger Meloetta’s Spawn
Enter the yellow distortion and wait briefly. Your character will pause, and Corbeau will contact you. You will receive a message telling you which Pokémon is nearby.
If the message confirms Meloetta is present, the encounter is active. If another Pokémon is detected instead, Meloetta has not spawned in that distortion. You will need to reload or run another Special Scan later.
Where Meloetta Appears Inside The Distortion
Inside the distortion, Meloetta appears in Hyperspace Lumiose. It spawns in a long indoor shopping corridor with a single large building area. There is only one main structure in this zone, so finding Meloetta is simple once you enter.
Meloetta cannot be shiny in this game. Items that increase shiny chances do not affect this encounter.
How To Catch Meloetta in Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mega Dimension
Meloetta is calm and easy to approach. Stay behind the entrance wall and move slowly when it looks away from you. A stealth throw with an Ultra Ball usually works.
If the first throw fails, weaken Meloetta slightly and throw another Ultra Ball. Avoid long battles. If Meloetta escapes completely, reload your last save so you do not lose the Special Scan.
