Legends ZA Starters: Megas, Stats, and the Best Pick

The decision between Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile marks the true beginning of the Lumiose City redevelopment journey. In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, this choice carries more weight than in previous titles due to the introduction of exclusive Mega Evolutions and a real-time combat system that demands tactical movement. Whether navigating the neon-lit streets during a Z-A Royale or subduing a rogue Mega Evolution in a Wild Zone, your starter remains the cornerstone of your team composition.

Chikorita: The defensive pillar of Lumiose

Chikorita has long been perceived as a challenging pick in traditional Johto journeys, but the urban landscape of Kalos reshapes its utility entirely. As the Grass-type representative among the Legends ZA starters, Chikorita evolves into Bayleef and eventually Meganium. However, the true game-changer arrives with Mega Meganium.

Upon Mega Evolving using the Meganiumite—obtainable from AZ during the pivotal tenth story mission—Meganium gains the Fairy typing. This dual Grass/Fairy combination is strategically vital in the current meta. With a base Special Attack of 143 and reinforced defenses (115 in both Defense and Special Defense), Mega Meganium functions as a bulky special sweeper. In the context of real-time battles, its access to dual screens (Reflect and Light Screen) provides a safety net while players learn the timing of enemy dodges.

In the high-stakes encounters against rogue Dragon-types or the Dark-types frequently used by rival trainers in the nightly Z-A Royale, Mega Meganium stands out. Its Fairy typing grants it an immunity to Dragon-type moves, which are prevalent in the late-game boss fights. While its Speed remains a modest 80, its survivability often outclasses the raw aggression of its peers.

Tepig: Unmatched offensive pressure

Tepig represents the Unova region in this trio, bringing a Fire/Fighting typing to the final evolution, Emboar. For players who prefer a high-risk, high-reward playstyle, Tepig is the standout choice. In the real-time combat environment of Lumiose, Emboar’s sheer bulk and raw power allow it to ignore minor chip damage while delivering devastating blows.

Mega Emboar retains its Fire/Fighting typing but sees a massive surge in physical power. With a base Attack stat of 148 and a staggering 110 in HP, it is the definition of a tanky brawler. The real-time mechanics of Legends: Z-A allow Emboar to utilize moves like Flare Blitz and Close Combat with a sense of momentum. Since the game accounts for positioning, Emboar’s wide hitboxes make it easier to land strikes on agile opponents.

Statistically, Tepig’s line is often considered the strongest offensively. The Emboarite boosts its physical and special bulk to 110 each, compensating for its low Speed of 75. In the Z-A Royale competition, where trainers are ranked from Z to A, Emboar’s ability to break through Steel and Ice-type defenses quickly makes it a favorite for speed-running lower ranks. Its versatility as a mixed attacker means it can surprise opponents with powerful Fire Blasts even if they have high physical defense.

Totodile: The balanced physical sweeper

Totodile completes the trio as the Water-type starter, evolving into Croconaw and the formidable Feraligatr. In a twist that surprised many when the Lumiose project was first announced, Mega Feraligatr swaps its pure Water typing for a Water/Dragon dual identity. This change is monumental for the starter's viability.

Mega Feraligatr boasts the highest total base stats among the starters at 630. Its Attack stat reaches a terrifying 160, and its physical Defense climbs to 125. The addition of the Dragon typing removes its traditional weaknesses to Grass and Electric, replacing them with a vulnerability to Dragon and Fairy. In the urban Wild Zones, this makes Feraligatr an excellent choice for exploring areas where Electric-types roam.

The real-time combat system favors Feraligatr’s movepool, which includes priority attacks like Aqua Jet. This allows players to close the gap between them and their opponent instantly. When Mega Evolved, Feraligatr’s access to Dragon Dance—if timed correctly between enemy attack animations—can turn it into an unstoppable force. It is widely regarded as the most balanced option, offering a blend of high physical durability and overwhelming offensive potential.

Technical breakdown: Mega Evolution stats

Understanding the numerical shift between the base forms and the Mega forms is essential for long-term planning. The following data reflects the base stats for the final Mega stages of the Legends ZA starters:

From these figures, it is clear that Game Freak designed these starters to occupy distinct niches. Mega Meganium is your primary Special Attacker and defensive pivot. Mega Emboar serves as the HP-heavy Physical Attacker. Mega Feraligatr acts as the high-Defense Physical Sweeper. While Feraligatr has the highest total, the distribution of Emboar's HP and Meganium's Special Attack makes the choice far more nuanced than a simple numbers game.

Navigating the real-time combat meta

Legends: Z-A introduces a combat gauge system where dealing damage builds Mega Energy. This changes how you interact with your starter. Unlike previous titles, you cannot simply Mega Evolve at the start of every minor skirmish. You must earn it through active combat.

• Meganium’s Role: In team-based link battles within the Battle Club, Meganium acts as the ultimate support. Its ability to heal and provide status protection while chipping away with Fairy-type moves makes it indispensable for 4-player cooperative play.
• Emboar’s Role: In the Z-A Royale, Emboar is a "shield breaker." Its Fighting-type moves are essential for dealing with the heavy Steel-types that Quas Artico trainers use to guard their rank. Its high HP allows it to survive the "pre-emptive strikes" that opposing trainers can launch during nighttime hours.
• Feraligatr’s Role: Feraligatr is the king of 1v1 duels. Its high physical defense allows it to trade hits with almost any physical attacker in the game, and its Dragon-type moves provide neutral coverage against a vast majority of the Pokédex.

The Kanto factor: Secondary starter synergy

Early in the story, players are offered a choice from the classic Kanto trio: Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle. This decision should ideally complement your initial Legends ZA starters pick. Because these Kanto starters also have access to Mega Evolution (Venusaur, Charizard X/Y, and Blastoise), they can fill the elemental gaps in your team.

For instance, if you chose Tepig, your team is naturally weak to Water-types. Selecting Bulbasaur provides a powerful Grass-type ally to mitigate this. Conversely, if you chose Chikorita, picking Charmander ensures you have the Fire-type coverage needed to deal with the Poison and Steel-types that threaten Meganium’s new Fairy typing.

It is also worth noting that the Mega Stone for your Kanto choice is often tied to specific mid-game missions involving rogue Mega Venusaur, Charizard, or Blastoise. Choosing a Kanto starter that is different from your main starter's type ensures you aren't overwhelmed when facing these rogue bosses.

Best starter for rogue Mega battles

The central conflict of the game involves subduing wild Pokémon that have spontaneously Mega Evolved and gone berserk. These boss battles require mobility and strategic typing.

• Mega Meganium is arguably the strongest against the mid-to-late game rogue Megas. Many of these bosses, such as Mega Sharpedo or Mega Altaria, struggle against Fairy-type moves. Meganium’s ability to sustain itself with Giga Drain while dodging large-scale area-of-effect (AoE) attacks makes it very beginner-friendly.
• Mega Emboar excels against the Steel and Ice-type rogue Megas found in the urban industrial zones. Its high HP pool is a cushion against the massive damage these bosses output. If you can master the timing of Emboar's heavier, slower moves, it can end boss fights faster than any other starter.
• Mega Feraligatr provides the most consistent performance. Its Water/Dragon typing is defensively excellent, only taking super-effective damage from two types. This makes it the safest pick for players who want a "set and forget" starter that can handle almost any situation without constant switching.

Strategic recommendation: Which one should you pick?

Choosing the best starter in Legends: Z-A depends heavily on your goals within Lumiose City.

If your priority is reaching Rank A in the Z-A Royale as quickly as possible, Tepig is the recommended choice. Its offensive typing and high damage output allow you to breeze through trainer battles. The lower speed is less of an issue in trainer matches compared to the chaotic movement of wild rogue battles.

If you prefer a tactical, defensive approach or plan to focus on multiplayer Battle Club content, Chikorita offers the most utility. Its transformation into a Grass/Fairy type is a significant upgrade over its previous incarnations, making it a legitimate threat in the Kalos endgame.

For the most versatile experience, Totodile is the gold standard. The Water/Dragon typing of Mega Feraligatr is fun to pilot and provides a unique aesthetic and mechanical experience that feels distinct from traditional Pokémon gameplay. Its high base stat total and physical presence make it a reliable partner for the entirety of the redevelopment project.

Ultimately, the urban environment of Lumiose City provides enough variety in team building that no choice is truly wrong. Between the Wild Zones, the Z-A Royale, and the secondary Kanto starters, you will have plenty of opportunities to round out your roster. Your starter is simply the first step in a much larger urban adventure.