Choosing the right starter Pokémon is a stepping stone to becoming a proficient Trainer in Lumiose City when you begin your Pokémon Legends: Z-A journey. However, you should know that the amount of damage a Pokémon takes changes depending on their type and their Mega Evolution counterpart.
Additionally, a starter Pokémon’s stats also matter, and upon its Mega Evolution, they gain 100 stat points, which are further divided and assigned to that Pokémon’s best stats. With that being said, let’s get into the Starter Pokémon to pick in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Chikorita Is the Best Starter Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile make up the starter Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and from this bunch, Chikorita is the best pick. Now, this may come as a surprise since Chikorita isn’t all that powerful to begin with. But speed is key in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and Chikorita excels in that department.
Chikorita is a Grass-type Pokémon with its two evolution stages being Bayleef (Level 16) and Meganium (Level 32). However, the real play begins after Chikorita evolves into Meganium. Now, Meganium’s also obviously a Grass-type, and Grass is generally not a great type for dealing damage.
However, Meganium, after Mega Evolution, becomes a Grass/Fairy type, which offers some offensive power to the Pokémon and some fantastic resistances. So, let’s take a look at Meganium’s weaknesses and resistances.
While Meganium starts taking quadruple damage from Poison-type moves after the Mega Evolution, the tradeoff is justified as the Pokémon gains resistance to additional types, allowing it to stay longer in combat. With 6 resistances and complete immunity to Dragon-type moves, Mega Meganium becomes an intimidating Pokémon.
Tepig (Fire-type) and Totodile (Water-type) are also great starter Pokémon choices, and it ultimately depends on which Pokémon you prefer. But you won’t regret choosing Chikorita at the beginning of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, especially when Mega Meganium comes into the fray.
Meganium’s Stats in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Meganium’s stats in Pokémon Legends: Z-A aren’t exceptionally great when it comes to attack and health, but defense is where the Pokémon truly shines. Here are Meganium’s base stats before the Mega Evolution:
When Meganium Mega Evolves, the additional 100 stat points will most likely get divided into its defenses, meaning that it’ll become much more tanky in battle. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, speed is crucial in Pokémon Legends: Z-A since turn-based battles have been replaced by real-time strategy gameplay.
Additionally, Emboar (Tepig’s Level 32 evolution stage) and Feraligatr’s (Totodile’s Level 32 evolution stage) speed stat values are 65 and 78, meaning that Meganium has the highest speed value among them at 80. Meganium triumphs over the other two starter Pokémon when it comes to speed, and engaging in real-time battles means that your Pokémon needs to be swift.
Overall, Chikorita is the best starter Pokémon in the game. Evolve your way up to Meganium, then bring Mega Meganium into the mix, and you have a formidable Grass/Fairy-type Pokémon on your team. So, who will your starter Pokémon be when Pokémon Legends: Z-A arrives? Share your thoughts and choices in the comment section below.
