Pokemon Legends: Z-A starts you with a choice of Chikorita (Grass), Tepig (Fire) and Totodile (Water). We would pick Chikorita: it has the edge on Lida.
The pick matters most at the start. The game has no Gyms, so we looked at the first three boss fights in the game, Naveen, Lida and Vinnie. The sections below show how each starter does.
Chikorita has the easiest start
Chikorita starts as a Grass type. It evolves into Bayleef at level 16 and into Meganium at level 32. Meganium is a Grass type with 525 base stats in total.
Early on it starts with Tackle and Tail Whip, gets Leafage at level 6 and gets Disarming Voice at level 9.
Chikorita has the edge on Lida, and no early fight is a clear problem for it. Its matchup score is 5 across 10 opposing Pokemon.
Totodile is the middle pick
Totodile starts as a Water type. It evolves into Croconaw at level 18 and into Feraligatr at level 30. Feraligatr is a Water type with 530 base stats in total.
Early on it starts with Leer and Tackle, gets Water Gun at level 6 and picks up Bite at level 10.
Totodile has the edge on Lida, and no early fight is a clear problem for it. Its matchup score is 4 across 10 opposing Pokemon.
Tepig has the hardest start
Tepig is a Fire type. It evolves into Pignite at level 17 and into Emboar at level 36. Emboar is a Fire and Fighting type with 528 base stats in total.
In Pokemon Legends: Z-A, it starts with Tackle and Tail Whip, learns Ember at level 6 and gets Rollout at level 10.
Tepig goes into the early fights with no clear edge and no clear weak spot. Its matchup score is 2 across 10 opposing Pokemon.
The three starters side by side
| Starter | Type | Final form | Base stats | Matchup score | |---|---|---|---|---| | Chikorita | Grass | Meganium | 525 | 5 | | Tepig | Fire | Emboar | 528 | 2 | | Totodile | Water | Feraligatr | 530 | 4 |
Chikorita is the pick for Legends: Z-A
Chikorita has the highest matchup score at 5, ahead of Totodile at 4 and Tepig at 2. The score only covers the early game. Meganium has 525 base stats in total, and the other two final forms have 530 and 528.
(The score does not know which one has the best cry. We checked.)
Pokemon Legends: Z-A starters FAQ
What is the best starter in Pokemon Legends: Z-A?
Our pick is Chikorita, which has the highest matchup score.
Can you get the other starters?
No, not at the start. The other two usually come from a trade.
