Which Starter Should You Choose in Pokemon Legends: Z-A?

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

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

The Contenders:

• Totodile: This classic Johto Water-type starter evolves into Croconaw and then Feraligatr. Feraligatr boasts impressive stats (530 base stat total, including 100 Defense), making it a strong contender.

• Chikorita: Another Johto Pokémon, Chikorita boasts the highest base stat total (318) among the starters. While its final evolution, Meganium, has slightly lower stats (525) compared to Feraligatr, its Grass-type moveset offers strategic advantages.

• Tepig: Hailing from the Unova region, Tepig is a Fire-type starter that evolves into Emboar. Emboar's dual Fire/Fighting typing provides excellent type coverage and resistances (Bug, Steel, Fire, Grass, Ice, and Dark), making it a versatile choice.

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 impact the meta, but movepools and typing play a crucial role. Chikorita learns powerful moves like Solar Beam and Giga Drain; Totodile can utilize Hydro Pump and Superpower; and Tepig has access to Flare Blitz and Head Smash.

However, Tepig's Emboar evolution stands out due to its dual typing. The increased resistances offered by Emboar's Fire/Fighting combination provide a significant advantage over the other starters. While Feraligatr has fewer weaknesses, Emboar's broader type coverage makes it a more strategically sound choice.

Therefore, Tepig emerges as the recommended starter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is slated for release on Nintendo Switch in late 2025.