When starting your journey in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, one of the most exciting aspects of the game is catching your first Pokémon. While there are a wide variety of creatures to discover, the early-game Pokémon you capture can significantly impact your progress. These Pokémon help you establish a strong foundation for your adventure and will be key players as you dive deeper into the world. In this article, we’ll explore the Top 10 Early-Game Pokémon to Catch in Pokémon Legends: Z-A and why each one is essential for your team.
1. Chikorita – A Steady Start
Chikorita is a solid choice for players who want a reliable Grass-type companion early in the game. As a starter Pokémon, it offers good coverage against early wild Pokémon and can help set the tone for your strategy. With its healing moves and defensive capabilities, Chikorita’s evolutionary line, including Bayleef and Meganium, provides lasting power through the early stages.
2. Charmander – The Fire Powerhouse
Although challenging to catch early on, Charmander is one of the most sought-after Fire-type Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. With its strong offensive abilities and quick evolution into Charizard, this Pokémon becomes a powerhouse against many early-game obstacles. Its Fire-type moves are invaluable against the many Grass and Bug-types you'll encounter.
3. Espurr – Psychic Prowess
Espurr is a top-tier choice for players looking for a Pokémon with Psychic-type advantages. Catching it early grants access to powerful moves like Confusion, making it an excellent choice for quickly defeating early-game foes. Plus, its evolution into Meowstic gives you a fast, versatile Pokémon that can hold its own in a variety of battles.
4. Pancham – Fighting Spirit
As a Fighting-type Pokémon, Pancham adds valuable offensive power to your early-game lineup. Its unique typing makes it highly effective against Normal and Rock-types, common in early areas of the game. Pancham evolves into Pangoro, a formidable force with impressive attack stats that can hold its own against tougher opponents.
5. Emolga – A Quick Electric-type
Emolga is an Electric/Flying-type Pokémon, and its speed is its standout feature. This quick little creature can deliver solid Electric-type attacks while providing coverage against Water- and Flying-types early in the game. Its evolution line may not offer much, but its utility and speed make it a solid addition to any team.
6. Bayleef – Balanced Power
As the evolved form of Chikorita, Bayleef brings higher stats and better offensive capabilities. With access to Grass-type moves and a decent defensive setup, Bayleef becomes a reliable choice against Water- and Rock-types, often appearing early in battles. Its evolutionary line gives players solid consistency as they progress.
7. Abomasnow – A Versatile Ice-type
Abomasnow offers not only Ice-type moves but also a dual Grass typing, making it effective in battles against Ground, Flying, and Dragon-types. This dual-type Pokémon can be challenging to catch, but its ability to hold its own early in the game makes it a worthwhile investment for players seeking an edge.
8. Clefairy – Fairy-type Support
Clefairy is a great option for players who want a Fairy-type Pokémon with high Special Defense. Its evolution into Clefable boosts its overall stats, making it a formidable option for both offensive and defensive strategies. With access to moves like Moonblast, Clefairy is a well-rounded Pokémon that excels in many different roles.
9. Inkay – Dark and Psychic Power
Inkay is a versatile Pokémon with a unique typing of Dark/Psychic, providing access to a wide range of moves that can deal with many different types of foes. Its evolution into Malamar further enhances its effectiveness, making it a valuable asset in battles where you need to counter opponents with strong Psychic or Ghost moves.
10. Talonflame – A Flying Threat
Talonflame is a Flying-type Pokémon that can soar above the competition with its high Speed and offensive power. As an early-game Pokémon, Talonflame excels with moves like Brave Bird, making it a top-tier choice for players who need quick and powerful aerial attacks. Its evolution from Fletchinder to Talonflame gives it staying power into the mid-game.
Why These Pokémon Matter
Each of the Top 10 Early-Game Pokémon to Catch in Pokémon Legends: Z-A plays a vital role in your journey, from helping you tackle challenging wild Pokémon to taking on important Gym Leaders and other formidable trainers. Building a team that balances offensive and defensive capabilities, along with a mix of types, is key to navigating the challenging early stages of the game.
By carefully selecting your early-game companions and focusing on evolving them, you'll have a strong team ready to face the trials that await in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. These Pokémon provide a variety of strategic options, making sure you’re always ready for whatever the game throws at you.