Last updated: 3 July 2026

Pokémon Legends: Z-A Best Starter Which Partner to Choose

Pokémon Legends: Z-A gives you three first partner Pokémon to choose from: Chikorita (Grass), Tepig (Fire), and Totodile (Water). Unlike traditional Pokémon games where your starter is your primary battler for the entire journey, all three are eventually available through your in-game friend and the post-game Stone Emporium — but your first choice matters because it determines which Mega Stone you receive for free during the story. Here is how each starter and its Mega Evolution compares, and which is best for different playstyles.

01How Starter Choice Works in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

At the start of the game you choose one of the three first partners. Your in-game friend receives the other two, meaning all three starter lines will appear during your playthrough regardless of your choice.

The critical mechanic tied to your pick: after completing Main Mission 10 ('The Secrets of Mega Evolution'), you automatically receive the Mega Stone for your chosen starter's final evolution for free from AZ at Hotel Z. The Mega Stones for the two starters you didn't choose are unlocked post-game in the Stone Emporium at 100,000 Pokédollars each.

All three starters follow their traditional evolution lines from the mainline series: Chikorita → Bayleef → Meganium, Tepig → Pignite → Emboar, Totodile → Croconaw → Feraligatr. Mega Evolution forms are available only for the fully evolved third stage.

02Chikorita → Meganium (Best for: Defensive Players)

Chikorita is the Grass-type starter from the Johto region. It evolves into Bayleef and then Meganium. In the base game, Meganium is a defensive Pokémon with solid special defense but limited offensive output — historically considered the hardest starter to use in Johto games, and that reputation carries into the early Wild Zones of Lumiose City where Grass faces several common resistances.

However, Mega Meganium transforms the calculus significantly:

• Mega Meganium type: Grass/Fairy. The Fairy secondary typing adds a great defensive profile (immune to Dragon, resistant to Dark and Fighting) and new offensive coverage against Dragon and Dark types.
• Stats (Mega Meganium): HP 80 | Atk 92 | Def 115 | Sp.Atk 143 | Sp.Def 115 | Speed 80. Mega Meganium is a specially oriented tank — its Sp.Atk of 143 and strong defenses make it a reliable damage dealer once Mega Evolved, even if its Speed is modest.
• Recommended for: Players who prefer to tank hits, react methodically, and exploit special attacks. Mega Meganium rewards players who are comfortable in longer battles.

Early-game warning: before you unlock Mega Evolution at Mission 10, Chikorita and its evolutions struggle against Fire, Flying, Ice, Bug, and Poison attacks. You will need strong type coverage from caught Pokémon to compensate.

03Tepig → Emboar (Best for: Beginners)

Tepig is the Fire-type starter from the Unova region. It evolves into Pignite and then Emboar (Fire/Fighting). Fire is one of the strongest offensive types in the early Wild Zones, and Emboar's high Attack makes it straightforward to use.

Mega Emboar is the most beginner-friendly Mega form:

• Mega Emboar type: Fire/Fighting. Retains the same dual typing as base Emboar, keeping all the same matchups (strong against Grass, Bug, Steel, Ice, Normal, Rock) with a massive stat boost.
• Stats (Mega Emboar): HP 110 | Atk 148 | Def 75 | Sp.Atk 110 | Sp.Def 110 | Speed 75. Mega Emboar is a raw physical powerhouse — Attack 148 is among the highest of the starter Megas. Its defenses are lower, so it trades hits less efficiently but wins fast.
• Recommended for: New players who want straightforward offensive power. If you hit fast and hit hard, Mega Emboar delivers.

The Fire/Fighting combination has some redundant weaknesses (Water, Ground, Psychic), but in the real-time system Mega Emboar's burst damage means fewer hit windows for opponents to exploit.

04Totodile → Feraligatr (Best for: Physical Attackers and Advanced Players)

Totodile is the Water-type starter from Johto. It evolves into Croconaw and then Feraligatr (pure Water type). Water is excellent coverage and Feraligatr has strong physical Attack in its standard form. In the real-time battles, physical attackers benefit from their higher single-move burst since speed of attack matters more than multi-hit setups.

Mega Feraligatr is the highest-ceiling starter Mega form:

• Mega Feraligatr type: Water/Dragon. The Dragon secondary typing is offensively potent (Dragon coverage hits most types neutrally or super-effectively) and opens new matchups, though it adds a weakness to Fairy-type attacks.
• Stats (Mega Feraligatr): HP 85 | Atk 160 | Def 125 | Sp.Atk 89 | Sp.Def 93 | Speed 78. With 160 Attack — the highest of all three starter Megas — Mega Feraligatr is the strongest physical attacker among the three. Its Defense of 125 also makes it more durable than Mega Emboar.
• Recommended for: Players comfortable with the real-time system who want maximum physical damage output and solid bulk. The Water/Dragon typing rewards those who understand its coverage and can play around its Fairy weakness.

05Which Starter Should You Choose?

Summary recommendation by playstyle:

• Best for beginners → Tepig (Emboar / Mega Emboar). Fire type clears early content efficiently, Mega Emboar's 148 Attack makes battles fast, and the simple Fire/Fighting typing is easy to understand.
• Best for defensive / special playstyle → Chikorita (Meganium / Mega Meganium). Grass/Fairy is a strong defensive combination. Mega Meganium with 143 Sp.Atk and 115/115 bulk rewards patient players who manage the Mega Gauge well.
• Best for physical power ceiling → Totodile (Feraligatr / Mega Feraligatr). Water/Dragon with 160 Atk is the strongest physical attacker of the three, ideal for players who want to maximize damage in the real-time system.

Whichever you pick, supplement your team with caught Wild Zone Pokémon early to cover your starter's weaknesses. All three starters are viable for the full game and Z-A Royale progression.