Choosing Your Starter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A: A Comprehensive Guide

The Pokémon Company unveiled details about its upcoming title, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, at the February 27th, 2025 Pokémon Presents, including the three exciting starter Pokémon. This guide helps you decide which starter best suits your playstyle.

The Contenders:

• Totodile (Water): A classic Johto starter, Totodile evolves into Croconaw and then Feraligatr. Boasting a respectable base stat total of 314 (second highest among the starters), Feraligatr's final evolution shines with a powerful 530 base stat total, including an impressive 100 Defense.

• Chikorita (Grass): Another Johto favorite, Chikorita boasts the highest base stat total among the starters at 318. While its evolutions, Bayleef and Meganium, have lower base stats (405 and 525 respectively), Chikorita's movepool includes powerful options like Solar Beam and Giga Drain.

• Tepig (Fire): Hailing from the Unova region, Tepig's base stat total of 308 is solid. Its final evolution, Emboar, is a standout, gaining a Fighting type and reaching a 528 base stat total. Emboar's dual typing grants resistance to six types: Bug, Steel, Fire, Grass, Ice, and Dark, offering a significant advantage.

Making the Decision:

While the optimal choice depends on anticipated opponents in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, several factors point towards a clear winner. The return of Mega Evolutions will undoubtedly influence starter viability, but move sets are crucial. All three starters learn powerful moves: Chikorita (Solar Beam, Giga Drain), Totodile (Hydro Pump, Superpower), and Tepig (Flare Blitz, Head Smash).

However, Tepig's Emboar evolution stands out due to its dual typing. This dual-type advantage provides superior type coverage and resistances compared to the other starters, making it a compelling choice for a balanced team. While Feraligatr has fewer weaknesses, Emboar's broader resistances offer a significant strategic edge.

Conclusion:

For a well-rounded and strategically advantageous experience in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Tepig emerges as the recommended starter. Its impressive movepool and Emboar's dual-type resistances provide a significant advantage throughout the game.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A will launch on Nintendo Switch in late 2025.