Hey there, fellow Pokémon trainer! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been exploring every nook and cranny of Lumiose City in Pokémon Legends Z-A, only to find your path blocked by that annoying purple goo sludge. I mean, seriously—who thought it was a good idea to cover half the city in this stuff? When I first encountered it, I tried everything from Fire attacks to Electric moves, and nothing worked! But don’t worry, I’ve spent countless hours figuring this out, and I’m here to share everything I’ve learned about getting rid of this purple menace.
What Exactly Is This Purple Goo Sludge?
Before we dive into the solutions, let me tell you what we’re dealing with here. This purple goo sludge is basically the game’s way of blocking off certain areas until you’ve progressed enough or have the right tools. It’s scattered all over Lumiose City, blocking access to rare Pokémon, special items, and even some side missions. I’ve found it in Wild Zones, back alleys, and even near some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
What makes this purple sludge so frustrating is that it’s not immediately obvious what type of move works against it. Unlike other obstacles in Pokémon games that usually have some visual clue about their weakness, this purple goo just sits there looking… well, purple and gooey. When I first started playing, I must have wasted a good hour trying every single move type I had before finally figuring it out!
The Main Solution: Water-Type Moves Are Your Best Friend
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff. After tons of trial and error (and maybe a little rage-quitting), I discovered that Water-type moves are the most reliable way to deal with purple sludge. And here’s the best part—any Water-type move will work! I’m talking Water Gun, Bubble Beam, Surf, Hydro Pump, you name it. If it’s a Water-type attack, it’ll wash away that purple goo like it’s nothing.
I remember when I first tried this with my starter Totodile. I used Water Gun on a particularly large patch of purple sludge, and poof—it disappeared instantly! I was so excited that I literally jumped out of my chair. My roommate probably thought I’d lost my mind, but hey, when you’ve been stuck on something for that long, the victory feels amazing.
How to Actually Use Water Moves on the Sludge?
Now, let me walk you through the exact process because it’s not as simple as just using the move in battle. Here’s what you need to do:
- Approach the purple slime and bring out a Pokémon that knows at least one Water-type attack
- Press and hold ZL to target the purple slime (this is crucial—many people miss this step!)
- While holding ZL, use your Water-type attack by pressing its corresponding button in the bottom-right of the screen
- Your Pokémon will approach the slime, use the attack, and then the purple slime will completely disappear
I learned this the hard way. At first, I was just trying to use the moves normally, and nothing was happening. It wasn’t until I read about the ZL targeting that everything clicked. Trust me, this targeting system makes all the difference!
Pro Tip: Grouped Sludge Piles
Here’s something cool I discovered—if there are multiple slime mounds grouped together, you might only need to use the Water attack once to get rid of all of them. I’ve cleared out entire sections of blocked pathways with just one well-placed Bubble Beam. Of course, if there are one or two stubborn mounds left over, just hit them again with another Water attack.
The Secret Alternative: Psychic-Type Moves
But wait, there’s more! Water-type moves aren’t the only solution. I was messing around with my team one day and discovered that Psychic-type moves can also blast away the purple sludge. This makes perfect sense when you think about it—Psychic-type moves are super-effective against Poison-type Pokémon, and this purple goo definitely has some toxic vibes going on.
However, and this is important, not all Psychic-type moves work. Through my testing, I found that Confusion works perfectly, but Psybeam has no effect whatsoever. It’s weird, I know, but that’s just how the game works. I’d recommend sticking with Water-type moves for reliability, but having a Psychic-type attack in your back pocket can be a real lifesaver in a pinch.
Where to Find Water and Psychic-Type Pokémon?
Now, I know what some of you are thinking: “But I chose Chikorita/Tepig as my starter! What do I do now?” Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. The Pokédex in Pokémon Legends Z-A is absolutely packed with solid Water-types and Psychic-types. Here are my go-to spots:
Best Water-Type Locations
Wild Zone 2 is basically Water-type paradise. I’ve found:
- Magikarp – Yeah, they’re weak at first, but they evolve into Gyarados!
- Binacle – These little rock-water guys are surprisingly useful
- Staryu – Classic Water-type that evolves into the powerful Starmie
If you want something a bit more special, you can actually get a Froakie by completing the “A Challenge from Froakie” side mission. I did this early on, and having a Froakie (and eventually Greninja) made clearing purple sludge a breeze.
Best Psychic-Type Locations
For Psychic-types, here’s what I’ve found:
- Ralts – Currently available through Mystery Gift until February 26, 2026 (don’t miss out on this!)
- Abra – You can catch these in Wild Zone 5, though they’re tricky to catch since they teleport away
I personally went with the Ralts from the Mystery Gift, and evolving it into a Gardevoir gave me both a powerful team member and a reliable way to clear purple sludge with Confusion.
Complete Pokémon Table for Sludge Removal
To make things easier for you, I’ve put together this handy table of all the Pokémon I’ve found that work well for removing purple sludge:
| Pokémon | Type | Best Move | Location | Evolution Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totodile | Water | Water Gun | Starter | Croconaw → Feraligatr |
| Magikarp | Water | Splash (evolve first) | Wild Zone 2 | Gyarados |
| Staryu | Water | Water Gun | Wild Zone 2 | Starmie |
| Binacle | Water | Water Gun | Wild Zone 2 | Barbaracle |
| Froakie | Water | Bubble | Side Mission | Frogadier → Greninja |
| Ralts | Psychic | Confusion | Mystery Gift | Kirlia → Gardevoir |
| Abra | Psychic | Confusion | Wild Zone 5 | Kadabra → Alakazam |
Why Bother Removing All This Sludge?
You might be wondering if it’s even worth going through all this trouble. Let me tell you—it absolutely is! Here’s why:
Experience Points Galore
Every time you clear away purple sludge, your Pokémon gets a small chunk of experience points. I’ve leveled up several of my lower-level Pokémon just by cleaning up Lumiose City. It’s like the game is rewarding you for keeping the city clean!
Access to Rare Items and Pokémon
Some of the best items and rarest Pokémon are hidden behind purple sludge barriers. I found a Revitalizing Root for Fennekin blocked by a huge patch of purple goo, and let me tell you, it was worth the effort to clear it out.
Side Mission Progression
Several side missions can’t be completed until you clear out the purple sludge blocking certain areas. I was stuck on one particular mission for days before realizing I just needed to clean up some goo to progress.
Exploring Lumiose City’s Underbelly
There are some really cool areas in Lumiose City that are completely inaccessible until you remove the purple sludge. I discovered an entire underground section that had some amazing loot and even a few secret Pokémon spawns!
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Now that you know the basics, let me share some advanced tips I’ve picked up during my playthrough:
Save Your PP
Water-type moves use up PP (Power Points), and if you’re clearing a lot of sludge, you can run out quickly. I recommend carrying Ethers and Elixirs to restore PP, or having multiple Water-type Pokémon on your team.
Timing Your Attacks
If you’re in a hurry, you can actually use stronger Water-type moves like Surf or Hydro Pump to clear larger areas at once. I’ve found that Surf is particularly effective for clearing multiple slime piles in one go.
Weather Effects Matter
I’ve noticed that when it’s raining in Lumiose City, Water-type moves seem to be slightly more effective at clearing sludge. It might just be my imagination, but it’s worth keeping in mind!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let me save you some frustration by sharing the mistakes I made when I first started:
Don’t Use Physical Attacks
I tried using physical Water-type moves like Waterfall, and they don’t work on the sludge. Stick with special Water-type attacks.
Don’t Forget to Target
I mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating—you need to hold ZL to target the sludge. Just using the move normally won’t work.
Don’t Waste Time on Other Types
I spent way too much time trying Fire, Electric, Grass, and every other type of move on the sludge. Save yourself the trouble and go straight for Water or Psychic moves.
My Personal Experience and Recommendations
I’ve been playing Pokémon games since I was a kid, and I have to say, figuring out this purple sludge mechanic was one of the most satisfying “aha!” moments I’ve had in recent gaming history. When I finally cleared my first major sludge barrier and discovered what was behind it, I felt like a true Pokémon master.
If I had to recommend a strategy for new players, I’d say:
- Start with Totodile if you want the easiest time with sludge removal
- Catch a Magikarp early and evolve it into Gyarados for a powerful Water-type
- Get the Ralts from Mystery Gift while you still can—it’s limited time!
- Always keep at least one Water-type move on your main team
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove purple goo sludge in Pokémon Legends Z-A?
Use Water-type moves or select Psychic-type moves (like Confusion) on the purple sludge. Hold ZL to target the sludge, then use your move.
Where can I find Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon Legends Z-A?
Wild Zone 2 is the best place, with Magikarp, Binacle, and Staryu. You can also get Froakie through a side mission.
Do all Water-type moves work on purple sludge?
Yes, any Water-type move will work, including Water Gun, Bubble Beam, Surf, and Hydro Pump.
Can Psychic-type moves remove purple sludge?
Some Psychic-type moves work, like Confusion, but others like Psybeam don’t have any effect.
Do I get anything for removing purple sludge?
Yes! Your Pokémon gains experience points, and you’ll access rare items, Pokémon, and complete side missions.
What if I didn’t choose Totodile as my starter?
No problem! You can catch Water-types in Wild Zone 2 or get Froakie through a side mission.
How do I target the purple sludge?
Hold ZL to target the sludge, then use your Water-type or Psychic-type move.
Can I remove multiple sludge piles at once?
Sometimes! If sludge piles are grouped together, one Water-type move might clear them all.
Conclusion
Removing purple goo sludge in Pokémon Legends Z-A might seem daunting at first, but once you know the secret, it’s actually pretty straightforward. Water-type moves are your best bet, with Psychic-type moves as a reliable backup. Remember to explore Wild Zone 2 for Water-type Pokémon, grab that Mystery Gift Ralts while you can, and don’t forget to hold ZL to target the sludge properly.
I hope this guide helps you clear out Lumiose City and discover all the secrets hidden behind that pesky purple goo! If you’re looking for more Pokémon Legends Z-A content, be sure to check out my guide on how to get Eternal Flower Floette in Pokémon Legends Z-A for even more tips and tricks.
Happy sludge-busting, trainers! And remember—keep exploring, keep catching, and most importantly, have fun out there!
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