Best Starter Pokemon To Pick In Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Are you curious about the best starter Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A? As with the past games in the series, you’re given three options to choose from at the beginning of the campaign. This decision is pivotal, given that the creature that you pick becomes your main partner throughout your journey.

NEW GAMES What is the best starter Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A – Chikorita, Totodile, or Tepig

The three starter Pokemon are actually from previous releases: Chikorita and Totodile are from Gen 2–i.e. Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. Tepig, meanwhile, is from Gen 5–i.e. Pokemon Black and White.

Naturally, the Pokemon you pick at this stage will end up becoming one of the strongest in your squad as you progress through the game. As such, you need to be mindful of the one that you select.

There are a few factors to consider when talking about the best starter Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Firstly, long-time fans would remember how Cyndaquil was the ideal choice in the older games, with Totodile coming in second and Chikorita falling far behind in last place.

Granted, Legends: Z-A has its own campaign progression system and a different assortment of creatures in Lumiose City. In the end, it boils down to your ideal pick depending on their type/element and evolution:

• Chikorita
  • Type: Grass
  • Evolution 1: Bayleef at level 16
  • Evolution 2: Meganium at level 32
• Totodile
  • Type: Water
  • Evolution 1: Croconaw at level 18
  • Evolution 2: Feraligatr at level 30
• Bank
  • Type: Fire
  • Evolution 1: Pignite at level 17
  • Evolution 2: Emboar at level 36

Elemental strengths and weaknesses should also be given importance:

• Chikorita (Grass) does extremely well against Water, Ground, and Rock. It’s mostly ineffective against Fire, Grass, Poison, Flying, Bug, Dragon, and Steel.
• Totodile (Water) does extremely well against Fire, Ground, and Rock. It’s mostly ineffective against Water, Grass, and Dragon.
• Tepig (Fire) does extremely well against Grass, Ice, Bug, and Steel. It’s mostly ineffective against Fire, Water, Rock, and Dragon.

Sorry, Chikorita fans, but Grass-type Pokemon still draw the short end of the stick here due to weaker output against multiple enemy types. Water and Fire are mostly on par with each other. Just note that several early-game opponents that you face tend to be Normal, Grass, Ground, Flying, and Fighting types, too.

Aside from the best starter Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, there are many other creatures that can join your squad. In fact, you can get a Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or Charmander–the “OG” Pokemon from Gen 1–just a few hours after starting the campaign proper.

This takes place during Side Mission 22: A Call from Mable. Visit Mable in the Pokemon Research Center to see the three OGs lounging around in her room. Then, go ahead and choose one to become a permanent addition to your team.

Note: The Pokemon that you choose here should complement your main partner. For instance, if you picked Totodile instead of Tepig, then you might want to get Charmander. Once they evolve into a Charizard, they’ll become your Fire-based heavy-hitter.

You’ll find more options as you continue to explore Lumiose City. Ideally, you’ll want to catch the Alpha variants of Pokemon. These creatures are bigger and meaner compared to their counterparts, making them look more ferocious when you bring them out in battles. Shiny variants are also a given since they’re a lot rarer than the regular spawns. Of course, there are other early-game creatures that you should catch to fine-tune your team.

That does it for our guide on the best starter Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Don’t forget that several of your teammates undergo unique transformations that make them more powerful. You can learn about this mechanic in our Mega Evolutions guide.

You don’t need to face the challenges in Lumiose City all by your lonesome. We’ve got a Pokemon Legends: Z-A guides hub to help you go from the bottom to the very top of the rankings.