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The first decision you’ll make in Pokemon Legends: Z-A is choosing your starter Pokémon, with options like Chikorita, Totodile, and Tepig, representing Grass, Water, and Fire types. While you’re not required to keep your starter in your team, these Pokémon often become the core of your team as you progress. Below, we’ll go over which one might be the best choice, along with their evolutions and what to expect from them.
Among the three major starters, Chikorita stands out as the most practical. Its final form, Meganium, gains a Fairy type through the Mega Evolution system, giving it an edge against many opponents, particularly late in the game. However, this advantage isn’t huge and doesn’t drastically change overall performance.
These starter Pokémon are inspired by old favorites from previous games. Chikorita and Totodile come from Generation 2’s Gold and Silver, whereas Tepig is from Generation 5’s Black and White. Your main rival or buddy—Urbain or Taunie, depending on your gender—will keep the other two starters you don’t choose, with one having an advantage over your choice, and the other being weaker against it.
Most major battles in Z-A involve high-level Rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon, which appear in waves during the main story. Early on, there will be enemies your starter can beat easily, and others they’ll struggle against, so no clear best option exists at first.
By the late game, when your starter has fully evolved, their strengths vary further. Emboar, the final form of Tepig, is a Fire/Fighting type from the start, but the Mega Evolutions add more options. Choosing Chikorita allows access to Mega Meganium—now a Grass/Fairy type—while Totodile can Mega Evolve into Feraligatr, becoming a Water/Dragon type. Mega Emboar remains Fire/Fighting. Here’s a quick look at their Mega forms:
– Mega Meganium (Chikorita line): Gains Fairy typing, providing strong advantages against many powerful Rogue Megas. However, it may still struggle against Poison and Steel types later in the game.
– Mega Feraligatr (Totodile line): Becomes a Water/Dragon type, offering a different set of strengths.
– Mega Emboar (Tepig line): Stays a Fire/Fighting type but benefits from its default high power.
Choosing based on these Mega Evolutions can make a big difference in fights against certain Rogue Pokémon, but all three have their own pros and cons.
As for the Kanto starters—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—these become available later in the game, similar to their appearances in Pokémon X and Y. Your choice can influence specific battles, like a Rogue Mega Venusaur if you pick Bulbasaur. For example, Bulbasaur might let you get a Mega Venusaur earlier, along with its Mega Stone, which could give you an edge in some fights.
While it’s worth considering these details, the most important thing is to choose the Pokémon you like most. You can always catch other starters later in the game and obtain their Mega Stones in the post-game, so missing out on any isn’t a concern.
If you want to learn more about classic Pokémon in Z-A, such as where to find Eevee or Riolu, there are plenty of resources to explore. In the end, your choice should be based on what you enjoy, and building a balanced team to complement your starter will lead to a successful adventure.
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