Choose Tepig if you want the strongest attack-focused case. Totodile is the better fit if you value a balanced profile, while Chikorita is a sound choice if you prefer it or want Mega Meganium’s Fairy typing. There is no official ranking, and the choice is not permanent: the two starters you leave behind can be caught after the main story.
Which starter is best in Pokémon Legends: Z-A?
Nintendo Life’s October 28, 2025 guide comparison makes Tepig the clearest pick for players seeking raw offensive strength: its final evolution, Emboar, is the only dual-typed final evolution among the three and has the highest base Attack. That is a guide-based comparison, not an official ranking or a claim that Tepig is best for every team.
Totodile is a strong alternative if you prefer balance. Nintendo Life describes its final evolution, Feraligatr, as the trio’s most balanced and says it has the highest base stat total. Chikorita is described as statistically weakest in that comparison, but Mega Meganium gains Fairy typing. Nintendo Life’s starter guide discusses these relative strengths and Mega Evolution typings.
What each starter offers
| Starter | Base type | Guide-reported evolution levels | Notable strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chikorita | Grass | Bayleef at level 16; Meganium at level 32 | Nintendo Life describes the line as the fastest of the three, with the best Special Defense; Mega Meganium gains Fairy typing. |
| Tepig | Fire | Pignite at level 17; Emboar at level 36 | Emboar has the highest base Attack among the trio’s final evolutions and is the only one with dual typing, according to Nintendo Life. |
| Totodile | Water | Croconaw at level 18; Feraligatr at level 30 | Nintendo Life calls Feraligatr the most balanced and says it has the highest base stat total; Mega Feraligatr gains Dragon typing. |
The evolution levels are listed in GameSpot’s October 15, 2025 guide. Type and comparative-stat descriptions come from GameSpot and Nintendo Life, respectively; neither source establishes a universally best starter for every encounter or team.
#1 Best Overall
![Pokémon Legends: Z-A Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IOdpg0EfL._SL160_.jpg)
- Your journey will take you to all manner of sights in the streets arrayed around Prism Tower, including shops, restaurants, and places called wild zones—where Pokémon roam free.
- As you catch, train, and battle Pokémon, there will be plenty of people to meet too—like AZ, the enigmatic owner of Hotel Z.
How to choose for your play style and team
Choose Tepig for an attack-oriented option
If you want the strongest cited case for high Attack and a dual-typed final evolution, choose Tepig. GameSpot’s broad type guide says Fire is effective against Grass, Ice, Bug, and Steel. Those are general type-matchup notes, not a complete evaluation of every battle or the real-time combat system.
Choose Totodile for balance
If a balanced profile matters more to you than specializing in Attack, Totodile is the natural alternative based on Nintendo Life’s comparison. GameSpot lists Water as effective against Fire, Ground, and Rock, and Mega Feraligatr gains Dragon typing.
Rank #2
![Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51r8yUj+syL._SL160_.jpg)
- Venture into Hyperspace Lumiose in this additional story content that can be accessed after completing the main game
- Work with the mysterious baker, Ansha, to make donuts that awaken the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa’s power and grant you and your Pokémon a variety of useful effects
- Join Team MZ and the Mega Evolution Successor, Korrina, to investigate Hyperspace Lumiose, the otherworldly home to rare and hyper-strong Pokémon
- Discover new Mega Evolutions such as Mega Raichu X, Mega Raichu Y, Mega Chimecho and Mega Baxcalibur
- Claim Holo-X and Holo-Y in-game apparel items, which you can wear as soon as you are able to customize your character’s look and outfit in the main game
Choose Chikorita for preference or Mega Meganium
Chikorita is not an objectively wrong pick. Choose it if you like the Pokémon or want a Grass starter whose Mega Evolution gains Fairy typing. GameSpot lists Grass as effective against Water, Ground, and Rock; that broad matchup information does not by itself determine how useful Chikorita will be in every encounter.
Consider the rest of your team
Nintendo Life advises considering type and moveset balance across the full team. If you expect to build a varied roster, personal preference can reasonably break the tie; the guides do not identify one starter as the right answer for every team.
Rank #3
- [4K ULTRA HD PERFORMANCE] Protect the peace in Lumiose City in this enhanced edition for the Nintendo Switch 2 system, featuring native 4K resolution and a stable 60FPS frame rate. Experience the urban re-development plan with high-fidelity textures and advanced lighting effects centered around the iconic Prism Tower.
- [REAL-TIME BATTLE ENGINE] For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, command your Pokémon in seamless real-time battles. Engage over 100+ unique species with zero loading transitions, utilizing an upgraded combat AI that leverages the increased processing power of the Switch 2 hardware.
- [MEGA EVOLUTION MECHANICS] Master the power of Mega Evolution to suppress rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon appearing across the Kalos region. This edition introduces 15+ newly discovered Mega-Evolved forms, each rendered with dynamic particle effects and exclusive Z-A signature moves for tactical depth.
- [MULTIPLAYER Z-A ROYALE] Compete in the Z-A Royale each night to test your skills against global Trainers. Supported by Nintendo Switch 2's improved low-latency wireless architecture, these competitive events allow you to climb leaderboards and unlock rare evolution stones in 20-player lobbies.
- [EXPANSIVE WILD ZONES] Explore vibrant Wild Zones where Pokémon roam free in their natural habitats, from bustling city shops to hidden restaurants. This Hong Kong physical edition is region-free and supports English, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese, featuring the enigmatic AZ and the peacekeeping Team MZ.
Can you get the other starters later?
Yes. Nintendo Life and GameSpot report that the two starters you did not choose can be caught in Wild Zone 20 after completing the main story. Nintendo Life notes that you must also progress through a short postgame sequence before you can reach the zone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the official Pokémon site confirms
The official Pokémon page presents the choice as: “Which Pokémon will you set off on your adventure with: Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile?” It identifies the three first partners and shows Mega Meganium, Mega Emboar, and Mega Feraligatr, but it does not rank the starters. See the official Pokémon Legends: Z-A Pokémon page.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- An ambitious new adventure set in Lumiose City awaits in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, coming to Nintendo Switch in late 2025. Explore the city, unravel its secrets and battle Pokémon like never before!
- An urban redevelopment plan is underway in Lumiose City! The goal: to turn it into a place Pokémon and people can truly share. Shortly after arriving, you’ll choose from one of these partner Pokémon to accompany you on your journey – Chikorita, Tepig or Totodile.
- Together, you can explore the streets of this vast city or visit Wild Zones – habitats where you’ll encounter wild Pokémon. To catch them, aim carefully and throw a Poké Ball or take them on with the help of the Pokémon on your team.
- For the first time ever, Trainers and their Pokémon will move around and take action in real time during battles. Pokémon will unleash their moves when their Trainers command them to. In addition to type matchups, there will be new mechanics to consider, such as the precise timing for swapping out your Pokémon or using moves, the different lengths of time moves will take to launch, and how big an area the moves will impact.
- In Lumiose City, Pokémon can go beyond Evolution by undergoing Mega Evolution! When a Trainer’s Key Stone resonates with the Mega Stone held by their Pokémon, the Pokémon will do more than just change shape and size – it will unlock a new level of power, which could turn the tide of battle!
Rank #4
- Live the life of a Pokémon Trainer in the streets of Lumiose City!
- For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, command your Pokémon in real-time battles
- Use the power of Mega Evolution in battle and take on rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon
- Compete in the Z-A Royale each night to test your skills and try to become the strongest Pokémon Trainer
- Visit shops, restaurants, and places called wild zones—where Pokémon roam free—all centered around Prism Tower
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