What is the best starter Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: ZA?

In Pokémon Legends: ZA, players face a crucial choice early in their journey: choosing between Chikorita , Totodile , or Tepig as their starting partner. This decision can influence their playstyle, battle performance, and even progress through the early stages.

With real-time combat mechanics and new evolution dynamics, each starter brings unique advantages and challenges. The following analysis considers resistances, mobility, synergy with new mechanics, and indicates which is the most balanced choice for different player profiles.

Context and mechanics of Pokémon Legends: ZA

Pokémon Legends : ZA is set in Lumiose , in the Kalos region, and replaces turn-based combat with a real-time system where positioning, timing, and movement matter.

In this new format, Pokémon can dodge, retreat, or advance during battle, and attacks are executed with pauses and "windows" of use.

Furthermore, the game confirms that the available starter Pokémon are Chikorita (Grass type), Totodile (Water type), and Tepig (Fire type) — a combination that mixes different generations.

To make the right choice, it's important to consider: elemental resistances and weaknesses, versatility in the early stages , synergy with the new combat mechanics, and adaptability for the "mid-game" in Pokémon Legends: ZA.

Profile of each starter Pokémon in Pokémon Legends ZA: advantages, challenges, and application.

Chikorita

Advantages: Chikorita offers good support and resistance options against Water types and other physical elements. For players who prefer a strategic approach, its type versatility can alleviate early disadvantages.

Challenges: However, the Grass type often has significant weaknesses (such as Fire, Flying, Ice) that can be detrimental in various encounters. In real-time battles, taking too much weakness damage can leave the player vulnerable to the opponent's quick attacks.

Ideal application: suitable for those who want to play cautiously, take advantage of healing or control moments, and compensate for weaknesses with well-balanced team choices.

Totodile

Advantages: Totodile has an aggressive profile and generally better physical attack and speed stats in its early stages. Being a Water type, it faces few types that completely neutralize it (except Grass and Electric).

Challenges: May struggle in matchups against Grass or Electric types, especially without adequate coverage. In fast-paced fights, Totodile needs to make good use of its damage to finish off enemies before taking critical hits.

Ideal application: an excellent choice for those who want to act offensively from the start, exploiting openings and applying pressure. It is consistent and reliable for a variety of real-time combat scenarios.

Tepig

Advantages: Tepig emerges as an interesting option by bringing the Fire type, which is generally effective against several starter types (Grass, Ice, Bug). If used well, it can take down starter or common rural Pokémon with a type advantage.

Challenges: As is common for Fire-type Pokémon, Tepig struggles against Water and Ground types, requiring caution in stages with many opponents of these types. In battles where weaknesses are frequently exposed, it can be riskier to keep it alone for too long.

Ideal application: suitable for players with an offensive style but who plan on strong defensive coverage for the team. If well supported, it can surprise defenseless opponents with Fire.

What is the best starter Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: ZA?

To make a more balanced choice, consider these criteria:

1. Resilience and fewer weaknesses:
   Totodile stands out for having only two main weaknesses (Plant and Electric), while Chikorita and Tepig face more elemental disadvantages.
2. Synergy with real-time combat:
   Since the game demands movement and timing, a Pokémon with good damage and good fast attack speed tends to perform better. In this sense, Totodile offers a middle ground between offensive power and sustainability.
3. 's ability to remain useful in the mid-game
   allows it to evolve into Pokémon with high offensive power, and Chikorita can become an interesting support. However, Totodile seems to have the most balanced profile to avoid becoming obsolete in later stages.

Thus, Totodile emerges as the safest choice for most players, balancing offensive power with lower vulnerability. However, Chikorita and Tepig remain valid choices for more tactical or aggressive playstyles.

Final recommendations and initial strategies for Pokémon Legends: ZA

• If you prefer a balanced game with less risk , go with Totodile . It offers consistent performance in diverse situations.
• If you enjoy a more strategic or support-oriented style, Chikorita can be fun, as long as you anticipate the weaknesses along the way.
• If your playstyle is aggressive and you want to take down fast opponents, Tepig compensates with firepower, but requires caution in stages with Water and Ground types.

Furthermore, assembling a team with a balance of the remaining types—especially in the mid-stages—helps mitigate the starter's weaknesses. Combining Totodile with Grass or Electric-type Pokémon can help cover its deficiencies.

The initial choice in Pokémon Legends: ZA helps a lot, but the real difference will be in team decisions, combat movement, and the balance between offense and defense. You can start one way, but adapting as you progress can be the secret to victory in Pokémon Legends ZA .