Pokémon Legends: Z-A offers various Pokémon to catch throughout Lumiose City, whether they spawn in Wild Zones or just run around certain areas. While you can’t catch ’em all (heh) as a beginner, you can go for some specific, powerful Pokémon very early in the game.
The only requirement before catching them is completing Main Mission 5: The City in the Shadow of Prism Tower, where you’ll need to do three side missions for Emma. This will grant access to the entire Lumiose City map, so now the real mission begins to catch the following powerful Pokémon early in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
1. How to Unlock Larvitar
Larvitar is a Ground/Rock-type Pokémon, spawning in Vert Sector 2. Head left from Vert Plaza on the Lumiose City map until you’re at the entrance of Vert Sector 2 with three flights of stairs in front of a courtyard. Take the stairs and head to the building with the ladder on the right. Climb up to the roof, go up the green roof on the left, and then keep heading left until you come across a stack of boxes.
Climb up the boxes, then roll off the edge to close the gap. If you don’t reach the rooftop in front, keep doing this until you do. Once you’re there, follow the path and you’ll see Larvitar hiding in the bushes. If it’s an Alpha one, come back later to respawn a regular Larvitar. Catch it with your Poké Ball, and now you have a Size M Larvitar on your team, which can evolve into Pupitar and finally, Tyranitar.
2. How to Unlock Cleffa
Cleffa is a Fairy-type Pokémon, located near Cafe Cyclone, close to the Coulant Waterway, just southeast of the Vert Plaza. After travelling to Cafe Cyclone, go left, then head right until you come across the entrance to the courtyard inside. After entering, head up to the roof using the holovator on the right. Once you’re up, follow the path to the right and climb the three platforms in front to reach the rooftop with the ladder.
Get up the ladder, roll off the edge of the platform in front of you to reach the rooftop of the building ahead. Head left, get up to the rooftop, and you’ll see Cleffa hanging around. Stealthily go around the edge to flank Cleffa, then throw your Poké Ball to catch it. Clefa can then be evolved into Clefairy and then into Clefable.
3. How to Unlock Scraggy
Scraggy is a Dark/Fighting-type Pokémon, spawning in Rouge Sector 3. If you don’t know where to start, travel to Restaurant Le Yeah in the northwestern part of Luimiose City. Take the right just before the Poké Ball Boutique in your path. Approach the alleyway on the left stealthily, as there might be a bunch of Scraggy spawning there.
Sometimes, if you’re lucky, Scraggy’s evolved form, Scrafty, may spawn here near the boxes. Whatever the case may be for you, it’s worth catching both of them. Throw your Poké Ball from the cover to catch the Pokémon, and now you have a Scraggy/Scrafty on your team, depending on the spawn.
4. How to Unlock Hawlucha
Hawlucha is a Rare Fighting/Flying-type Pokémon, usually spawning on high grounds in Lumiose City. One of its spawn locations is the rooftops near Bleu Sector 8. To be more specific, the location is exactly on the P-shaped courtyard on the southwestern side of the map, to the left of Bleu Plaza. However, there’s a catch.
Sometimes, instead of a Hawlucha, a Pidgey may end up spawning. No need to worry, though, as you can leave the area or get some distance between the spawn and return to respawn a Hawlucha. Use your Poké Balls to catch it, and you have a high-level Hawlucha in your team at your disposal. Hawlucha has no evolution, but it’s still a strong Pokémon that excels in attacking opponents.
5. How to Unlock Riolu
Riolu is a Rare Fighting-type Pokémon, which is located to the northwest of Lumiose City, specifically on the rooftops of Rouge Sector 4 during the day. Start from Restaurant Le Yeah, face the direction of the Poke Ball Boutique and take the right from the yellow postal box. Once you enter the Rouge District, head right and follow the path until you come across a building with a ladder on the left.
Climb up the ladder to the rooftop, and go around the bushes to find the gap. You’ll notice Riolu standing near it, so what you’ll need to do is wait till it turns back. Enter the gap, go near Riolu, and throw your Poké Ball at the right time to register Riolu in your Pokedex. Riolu can then be evolved into Lucario by leveling up your friendship with it.
6. How to Unlock Dratini
Dratini is a Rare Dragon-type Pokémon that spawns on the rooftops of Bleu Sector 9. Head to the rooftops by travelling to Cafe Soleil, or you can backtrack from the location where you faced Hawlucha and follow the rooftop’s path on the right. Once you get there, you’ll see Dratini chilling on the rooftops.
Approach it cautiously and avoid being seen, because Dratini will flee and disappear if it notices you. If you don’t catch it successfully with your Poké Ball, it will still run away. What you need to do is save your progress and then reload to grab it. Alternatively, use Quick Balls for easier catches or straight-up flank Dratini to add the Pokémon to your team. Dratini can then be evolved into Dragonair.
7. How to Unlock Ralts
Ralts is a Psychic/Fairy-type Pokémon, found in the courtyard above Magenta Sector 7, in the northwestern part of Lumiose City. It’s located near the Magenta Pokémon Center, so head there and go down the street to the right of the Center. Follow the path, take the second left, then turn right to reach the entrance of the courtyard.
Inside the courtyard will be Ralts, and you may even face an Alpha Ralts at night. Catch it using your Poke Balls and you’re good to go. Alternatively, Ralts can also be obtained with a Gardevoirite (Mega Stone for Gardevoir) using the internet via Mystery Gift until February 28, 2026. This can be done in both the digital and physical versions of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Ralts can evolve into Kirlia, and finally into Gardevoir or Gallade (from male Kirlia).
8. How to Unlock Goomy
Goomy is a Rare Dragon-type Pokémon that specifically spawns during rain, located near the sewer in Vert Sector 9. Head to the Vernal Pokémon Center in the southern part of Lumiose City and take the alleyway to the right of the holovator in front. Once you enter the Vert District, enter the courtyard using the entrance on the right. Goomy will be right ahead of you, on the bridge in front of the sewers below.
Chances are that Eevee might spawn, but if the weather conditions are gloomy and rainy, then you’ll find yourself a high-level Goomy. Now, it’s going to be hard to catch because of its high level, so be sure to save if you don’t. You can try to get it with patience, but if you want to make things easier, reach Rank X and then confront Goomy. Goomy can be further evolved into Sliggoo and then into Goodra.
9. How to Unlock Shuppet
Banette is a Ghost-type Pokémon, found inside the courtyard in which you found Ralts. Enter the courtyard at nighttime, and head up the ladder in the left corner to reach the rooftop. Shuppet will be flying around right in front of you. Use your Poké Balls to catch Shuppet and add it to your team.
Later, you can evolve Shuppet into the more powerful Banette, so it’s better to have the prerequisites to be ready for the Pokémon’s evolved form as soon as you catch it.
10. How to Unlock Eevee
Eevee is a Rare Normal-type Pokémon, located inside the courtyard in which you found Goomy previously. Be sure to make your way from the Vernal Pokémon Center and enter the courtyard during the day for Eevee to spawn. The Pokémon will be present near the bridge, so proceed accordingly.
Additionally, Eevee’s catch rate is very low, so have the Blue Canari Plush with you, which can be purchased from Racine Construction with Colorful Screws, to have a better chance at catching and unlocking her in the Pokedex.
So, have you caught any of these strong Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A yet? Share your thoughts and experience of the game so far in the comment section below.
