Which Mega Evolution Pokémon Should You Get First in Pokémon Legends: Z-A?

Choose the starter-linked Mega Evolution you most want to use: Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile. There is no sourced, reliable winner among their Mega forms for battle strength. Your choice does affect when you can get that Pokémon’s Mega Stone: Nintendo Life’s guide says you receive the selected starter’s stone after defeating Rogue Absol, while the other two are postgame purchases.

Which starter should you choose?

Pick the partner Pokémon you most want on your team and whose Mega form you like best. Pokémon Legends: Z-A offers Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile as partner choices, linking each to a different Mega Evolution: Meganium, Emboar, and Feraligatr, respectively.

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2		Pokémon Legends: Z-A Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]	$59.99	Buy on Amazon
3		Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition	$65.00	Buy on Amazon

There is no evidence-backed ranking that establishes one of these three as the strongest in Z-A battles. Without a comparative test or official ranking, choosing based on a presumed damage or matchup advantage would be speculation. Treat the decision as a matter of team preference and acquisition timing, not a proven competitive tier list.

How your choice affects Mega Stone availability

Nintendo Life’s guide, published December 10, 2025, reports that you receive the selected starter’s Mega Stone after defeating Rogue Absol. It names the stones as follows:

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• 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

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The same guide says the two stones you did not receive become available at the Stone Emporium in the postgame for 100,000 Poké Dollars each. This is a secondary guide’s acquisition information, not an official Nintendo statement. If you already know which starter you want to Mega Evolve first, the practical choice is to select that Pokémon; if not, choose by preference and be prepared to wait until the postgame for the other stones.

What to weigh before deciding

• Your preferred Pokémon: You will have the partner before its Mega Evolution is available, so choose the one you most want to keep on your team.
• Timing: The selected starter’s stone is the earlier route described by Nintendo Life’s guide. The other two are reported as postgame purchases.
• Appearance: If you prefer one Mega form’s design, that is a sensible tie-breaker when no sourced battle ranking distinguishes the three.

What Mega Evolution changes—and what it does not

Mega Evolution is temporary. The Pokémon Company describes it as a temporary power-up, so it is a form to use at a chosen moment in battle rather than a permanent evolution. Nintendo explains that a Trainer’s Key Stone resonates with a Mega Stone held by the Pokémon to enable Mega Evolution. Some Mega-Evolved Pokémon may change type, but the available evidence does not establish a comparative battle advantage for Meganium, Emboar, or Feraligatr in Z-A.

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Does Mega Dimension affect this choice?

No. Mega Dimension is additional story content, separate from the starter choice, and includes Mega Stones for Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y. Nintendo says the add-on became available on December 9, 2025, and that the main story must be completed before its DLC story can progress. Those Raichu forms do not change which of Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile you should choose.

Quick Recap

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Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]

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Pokémon Legends: Z-A Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]

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• [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.
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Sources

• Nintendo: Pokémon Legends: Z-A — partner choices and the game’s Mega Evolution overview.
• Nintendo Life: Pokémon Legends: Z-A — All Mega Stones — starter-stone reward and postgame purchase details.
• Nintendo Support: What DLC is Available? — Mega Dimension content and availability.
• Nintendo Support: How to Update Pokémon Legends: Z-A — DLC story prerequisite and update information.
• The Pokémon Company: Mega Evolution — explanation of Mega Evolution as a temporary change.

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