In Pokémon Legends: ZA, large swaths of Lumiose City are blocked off by various hazards. One of the most troublesome issues is a purple sludge that clogs the streets, cutting you off from rare Pokémon, special items, and even side-mission progression.
What makes the purple goo so obnoxious is the fact that it’s not immediately clear what type of Pokémon move is effective against it. But once you know its weakness, purple goop will become a minor roadblock on your journey to dominate the Z-A Royal.
How to clear the purple goo in Pokémon Legends: ZA
Water-type moves are the most reliable way to deal with purple sludge. I tried out a few different Water-type moves, and based on my findings, any Water-type move will clear up the sludge.
If you picked a Totodile like I did, clearing out purple goo won’t be much of an issue. If you choose Chikorita or Tepig, you’ll have to catch a Water-type Pokémon if you want to get past the slime. Luckily, the Pokédex in Pokémon Legends: ZA is full of solid Water-types. One of the best places to grab a Water-type is Wild Zone 2, which is home to Magikarp, Binacle, and Staryu. You could also pick up a Froakie by completing “A Challenge from Froakie” side mission.
Water-type moves aren’t the only way to deal with purple sludge. Psychic-type moves can also blast it away, which makes sense: Psychic-type moves are super-effective against Poison-type Pokémon. A free Ralts is currently available through Mystery Gift until Feb. 26, 2026, but you can also catch an Abra in Wild Zone 5.
If you want a rundown of all the places you can find Water and Psychic-type Pokémon, check out our Wild Zone breakdown here. Once you’re armed with the power of water and/or psionics, purple goo won’t keep you from grabbing the Revitalizing Root for Fennekin or exploring the underbelly of Lumiose City.
