Summary
WithPokemon Legends: Z-Aofficially revealed, fans have been speculating on what features, gameplay mechanics, and critters will be included in this new title. Following in the footsteps ofPokemon Legends: Arceus,Pokemon Legends: Z-Awill be a pivotal point in the series as it will likely solidify trends that players can expect to see in futurePokemon Legendsgames. One of the trends this game will likely follow fromPokemon Legends: Arceusis its choice of starters, which could feature different options from across several generations.
InPokemon Legends: Arceus, players were given the choice betweenRowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawottas their starters, rather than the typical Sinnoh starters of Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup. IfPokemon Legends: Z-Awants to follow a similar formula, it’s likely that players can expect to see a new crop of starters selected from three separate generations. The chosen starters will also likely receive extra attention in the game, similar to howPokemon Legends: Arceusgave its starters new Hisuian Forms.
Determining the Most Likely Starters in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Given that Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott were just used as the starters forPokemon Legends: Arceus, it’s unlikely they will appear as starters again inPokemon Legends: Z-A. Another factor to consider is the likelihood that the starters of this game will receiveMega Evolutionsnow that the mechanic has been confirmed to be returning. As such, any of the Gen 1 and Gen 3 starters are likely off the table since they have already gotten Mega Evolutions in the past, and the Gen 9 starters are likely out as well since they were also recently the starters forPokemon Scarlet and Violet.
With the options for starters narrowed down, the most likely candidates forstarters inPokemon Legends: Z-Aare Chikorita, Tepig, and Piplup. Chikorita and Tepig are two underrated mons from Gen 2 and Gen 5, respectively, and their inclusion inPokemon Legends: Z-Acould give them the love they deserve with awesome Mega Evolutions for Meganium and Emboar while also giving fans hoping to see new Unova and Johto games a nod. Piplup is already a very popular critter, and having Empoleon in a game set in the Kalos Region would be the perfect excuse to really lean into its Napoleon inspiration for its Mega Evolution’s design.
Pokemon X and Y’s Starters Also Have a Chance to Return as Starters
Although it would break with the precedent set byPokemon Legends: Arceus,Pokemon X and Y’s starter trio of Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie could return as the starters forPokemon Legends: Z-A. If the game is intended to be thePokemon Zgame that never was, it would make sense to keep the original Gen 6 starter trio, especially if the game is set in a modern or near-future version ofLumiose City. Additionally, Chesnaught, Delphox, and Greninja never received Mega Evolutions in the Gen 6 games, a surprising slight that Game Freak may want to make up for inPokemon Legends: Z-A.
It can be tough to pinpoint exactly which starters are the most likely to appear inPokemon Legends: Z-A, given the limited information that has been released so far. Game Freak has a few different directions it could go withPokemon Legends: Z-A’s starters depending on the core design elements of the game, which will likely be revealed in the coming months as the title’s 2025 release window approaches. With all starters now available on the Switch thanks toPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Indigo Disk DLC,Pokemon Legends: Z-Adoesn’t have to worry about including specific starters missing on the Switch and has more freedom when selecting its trio of choices.
