Last updated: 3 July 2026

Pokémon Legends: Z-A All Starters Evolution Lines and Mega Forms

Pokémon Legends: Z-A features three first partner Pokémon — Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile — each with a distinct type, evolution line, and unique Mega Evolution form unlocked during the story. Unlike most Pokémon games, your in-game friend picks up the two you didn't choose, meaning all three starters appear in every playthrough. This guide covers each starter's complete evolution line, their Mega Evolution types and stats, how to unlock their Mega Stones, and how to obtain the starters you didn't pick as your first partner.

01How Starters Work in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

At the beginning of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, you choose one of three first partner Pokémon. Immediately after your selection, your companion character takes the remaining two starters as their partners. This means all three starters appear as battle opponents and story characters regardless of your choice — you will encounter all three evolution lines during the main narrative.

Your chosen starter's Mega Stone is awarded for free after completing Main Mission 10: 'The Secrets of Mega Evolution.' The Mega Stones for the two other starters are sold at the Stone Emporium in the post-game, unlocked after clearing the credits, at a price of 100,000 Pokédollars each (200,000 total for both).

All three starters can be caught in Wild Zone 20, a post-game area that unlocks in the centre of Lumiose City after you clear the credits. To access it, speak to your companions at Hotel Z and then head to Centrico Plaza. Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile all roam freely in Wild Zone 20 — no trading required.

02Starter 1: Chikorita Line (Grass → Grass/Fairy)

Chikorita is a Grass-type starter originally from the Johto region, introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver. It is the most defensively oriented of the three starters in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

• Chikorita — Grass type. The starting form. Small, leaf-collared, and fragile in the early Wild Zones where Grass faces many common resistances.
• Bayleef — Grass type. The middle evolution. Faster and more reliable in real-time battles than Chikorita, but still best supported with type-coverage teammates.
• Meganium — Grass type. The final evolution. Meganium has strong special defense and above-average special attack, making it a special wall in its standard form.
• Mega Meganium — Grass/Fairy type. Stats: HP 80 | Atk 92 | Def 115 | Sp.Atk 143 | Sp.Def 115 | Speed 80. The Fairy secondary typing is a significant upgrade: it grants an immunity to Dragon moves, resistance to Dark and Fighting, and Fairy-type offensive coverage against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting. With 143 Sp.Atk and 115/115 bulk, Mega Meganium is the most durable of the three starter Megas.

Weakness profile before Mega Evolution: Fire, Flying, Ice, Bug, Poison. After Mega Evolution (Grass/Fairy): Fire, Flying, Ice, Bug, Poison, Steel. The Fairy typing adds Steel as a new weakness but the Dragon immunity and improved coverage outweigh this trade-off in most battles.

03Starter 2: Tepig Line (Fire → Fire/Fighting)

Tepig is a Fire-type starter from the Unova region, originally introduced in Pokémon Black and White. It evolves into Pignite and then Emboar, both of which carry the Fire/Fighting dual typing from the first evolution stage onward.

• Tepig — Fire type. The starting form. Strong offensive type early on, effective against many of the Grass and Bug Pokémon common in Lumiose City's Wild Zones.
• Pignite — Fire/Fighting type. The middle evolution. Fire/Fighting offensive coverage is excellent — between the two types you cover Grass, Bug, Ice, Steel, Normal, and Rock.
• Emboar — Fire/Fighting type. The final evolution with notably high base Attack. Emboar is a physical powerhouse before Mega Evolution.
• Mega Emboar — Fire/Fighting type. Stats: HP 110 | Atk 148 | Def 75 | Sp.Atk 110 | Sp.Def 110 | Speed 75. The Mega form retains Fire/Fighting typing but gains a massive Attack boost to 148 — the highest of the three starter Megas. The lower Defense of 75 makes it a glass cannon that rewards aggressive play in the real-time system.

Weakness profile: Water, Ground, Psychic (all at ×2). Neither Emboar nor Mega Emboar gains new weaknesses from the typing, and the redundant dual typing keeps the weakness list simple. Mega Emboar's high HP of 110 partially compensates for its lower Defense.

04Starter 3: Totodile Line (Water → Water/Dragon)

Totodile is a Water-type starter from the Johto region, introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver. It evolves into Croconaw and then Feraligatr, the most physically focused of the three starter final forms.

• Totodile — Water type. The starting form. Reliable type coverage against Fire, Ground, and Rock. Solid early-game performance against the varied Wild Zone encounters.
• Croconaw — Water type. The middle evolution. Better physical stats help it land hits more efficiently in the real-time system compared to Bayleef or Pignite at the same stage.
• Feraligatr — Water type. The final evolution with strong Attack and Defense in its standard form. One of the strongest fully evolved starters before Mega Evolution kicks in.
• Mega Feraligatr — Water/Dragon type. Stats: HP 85 | Atk 160 | Def 125 | Sp.Atk 89 | Sp.Def 93 | Speed 78. The Dragon secondary typing is the biggest typing change of the three Megas. Attack 160 is the highest in the starter Mega trio, and Defense 125 makes it surprisingly durable. Dragon typing provides broad offensive coverage (most types take neutral damage from Dragon moves) at the cost of a new Fairy-type weakness.

Weakness profile (Mega Feraligatr, Water/Dragon): Electric, Grass, Dragon, Fairy. The Fairy weakness is notable — Fairy Pokémon are relatively common in Lumiose City. Plan your team composition to cover this gap.

05Comparing All Three Starter Mega Evolutions

Side-by-side Mega stat comparison:

• Mega Meganium (Grass/Fairy) — Sp.Atk 143, Def 115, Sp.Def 115. Best for: special attackers who want bulk.
• Mega Emboar (Fire/Fighting) — Atk 148, HP 110, Sp.Atk 110, Sp.Def 110. Best for: aggressive physical attackers with good HP.
• Mega Feraligatr (Water/Dragon) — Atk 160, Def 125. Best for: maximum physical output with solid physical bulk.

All three Mega Stones eventually become available to any save file, so choosing your starter based on early-game playstyle and the Mega form you want available free during the story is the most important decision. If you want the 160 Attack Mega Feraligatr during post-game competitive battles, picking Totodile ensures you get that Mega Stone for free at Mission 10 rather than spending 100,000 Pokédollars later.