If you’ve been playing Pokémon Legends: Z-A, you probably know that having a steady supply of Poké Balls and crafting materials can make your adventures much smoother. Whether you’re hunting for rare Pokémon or trying to level up your team, running out of supplies at the wrong time can be frustrating. Luckily, there are some reliable strategies to quickly stock up without wasting hours wandering around.

Exploring Key Locations for Materials

One of the simplest ways to gather crafting materials is to focus on areas that are known to have consistent item spawns. For instance, riversides, caves, and forested zones often contain berries, herbs, and other components used for crafting Poké Balls and healing items. Walking around these areas with a Pokémon that can detect items or break rocks can save you a lot of time.

Personally, I like to make a small loop through the southern forest area because it has multiple spawn points that refresh relatively quickly. You can check the same spots every few in-game hours, and usually, there will be at least a few items waiting. It’s a bit like farming, but it doesn’t feel grindy if you mix in some wild Pokémon encounters.

If you’re the type who occasionally wants shiny Pokémon, some players find it convenient to buy shiny Pokémon Legends ZA from trusted sources like U4GM to fill out their collection quickly. While this isn’t necessary for farming materials, it’s a good way to save time if your goal is completing the Pokédex.

Crafting More Efficiently

Once you have a decent stockpile of materials, crafting is where your efforts really pay off. Focus on crafting Poké Balls in batches instead of making a few at a time. This is especially useful before heading into areas with higher-level Pokémon or alpha Pokémon encounters.

Speaking of alpha Pokémon, if you’re hunting for high-level targets but don’t want to spend hours grinding, there are platforms offering alpha Pokémon for sale. Again, this isn’t essential, but it’s an option for players looking to skip some of the grind. Otherwise, making sure you have a supply of crafted Poké Balls and healing items will let you handle these fights more efficiently without breaking your in-game economy.

Time-Saving Tips While Exploring

Here are a few practical tips I’ve picked up while gathering materials:

Use Pokémon with Item-Finding Abilities – Certain Pokémon in your team can help locate hidden berries and crafting items. Having one or two on your team while exploring makes a noticeable difference.

Check Nests and Bushes – Many resources spawn in bushes, nests, or under rocks. A systematic approach—checking each zone carefully—prevents you from missing easy pickups.

Plan Your Routes – Instead of wandering randomly, create a small farming loop. Some players even mark spawn points on a map to optimize runs.

Take Advantage of In-Game Time – Item respawns often follow in-game hours. Use downtime for resting or training to allow your farmed zones to refresh.

Trading vs. Crafting

For some players, trading items with NPCs or using in-game shops can complement your farming. While crafting is usually cheaper in the long run, occasionally buying certain rare materials can save time if you need them immediately. This is especially helpful for those who want to experiment with different strategies or focus on competitive builds.

Another personal note: always keep a few extra Poké Balls in your bag for unexpected encounters. Sometimes, a rare shiny or alpha Pokémon pops up when you least expect it, and it’s frustrating to miss the catch just because you were out of supplies.

Staying Organized

Finally, organization makes a surprisingly big difference. Keep your inventory balanced, separate materials from Poké Balls, and always check what you need before heading out. A little planning reduces wasted trips and ensures you always have the right supplies on hand.

By combining efficient farming routes, smart crafting habits, and occasional use of external resources like U4GM, you can maximize your stockpile of Poké Balls and materials without turning the game into a grind. You’ll spend more time exploring, catching Pokémon, and enjoying the world of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which is exactly what the game is all about.