Every Pokémon Legends ZA starter and the best one to pick

As a lifelong Pokémon RPG lover, I’ve always believed that your starter choice says a lot about you. It’s more than just your first companion; it’s the heart of your journey, the Pokémon that sees you through early battles, tough gym fights, and every moment of triumph and defeat. That’s why Pokémon Legends ZA has me intrigued. This time, the game breaks tradition with an unexpected trio of starters. Here’s what you need to know before kicking off your journey.

The unusual trio of Legends ZA

Instead of the usual Kalos Pokémon, trainers in Lumiose City will begin their adventure with one of three familiar faces from Johto and Unova: Chikorita, Totodile, or Tepig. Each brings something special to the table, Chikorita’s tactical defense, Totodile’s ferocious offense, and Tepig’s fiery flair. It’s a mix of nostalgia and surprise that’s bound to spark debates among fans before the game even launches.

Here’s how they stack up:
– Chikorita (Grass-type): 0.9m, 6.4kg, Ability – Overgrow (boosts Grass moves when HP is low)
– Tepig (Fire-type): 0.5m, 9.9kg, Ability – Blaze (boosts Fire moves when HP is low)
– Totodile (Water-type): 0.6m, 9.5kg, Ability – Torrent (boosts Water moves when HP is low)

When it comes to weaknesses, Chikorita struggles the most, being vulnerable to Flying, Poison, Bug, Fire, and Ice-type moves. Tepig fares slightly better, taking extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock-type attacks, while Totodile has the simplest matchup spread, with only Grass and Electric-type weaknesses to worry about. This makes Totodile the most balanced of the three in early and mid-game battles.

Which Pokémon Legends ZA starter is the best for you

After years of playing every mainline Pokémon game, I’ve learned that balance matters most when picking a starter, and Totodile nails it. The Water-type evolves into Croconaw at level 18 and then into Feraligatr by level 30, giving it one of the fastest routes to its final form. That means quicker stat boosts and access to a diverse moveset that can handle most early-game matchups with ease.

Feraligatr’s mix of attack power and durability makes it a strong contender for both casual and competitive play. Its only real counters, Grass and Electric types, are easy to plan around with proper team support.

Chikorita, on the other hand, is a test of patience and precision. It evolves into Bayleef at level 16 and Meganium at 32, offering strong healing and support moves that reward a tactical playstyle. But with five major weaknesses, it demands strategic team-building to shine.

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Meanwhile, Tepig is for players who love brute force and fiery spectacle. It evolves into Pignite at 17 and Emboar at 36, becoming a Fire–Fighting powerhouse capable of crushing opponents with physical attacks. The tradeoff? New vulnerabilities to Flying and Psychic moves, but that doesn’t make it any less fun to use.

If you’re looking for the most dependable and well-rounded choice, Totodile takes the crown in Pokémon Legends ZA. It’s strong, adaptable, and evolves early enough to give you an edge. Still, there’s no wrong answer here, Chikorita and Tepig can be just as rewarding with the right care and team synergy. Which one will you pick? Let us know in the comments.