Pokemon Legends: Z-A releases on October 16, which is just three weeks away as of this writing. Previews for Pokemon Legends: Z-A have largely been positive, with a few possible criticisms out there about the potentially repetitive nature of Lumiose City as a setting. That may be the case, but going in, I just want to lean into my childhood love for Pokemon. As such, I am more than ready and have been thinking about my main Pokemon team.
Rumors suggest that there will be a total of 230 Pokémon, with more than 170 confirmed so far. With the majority of the Pokemon Legends: Z-A Pokedex known, I figured it was a good time to plan my team. I think, on that note, it's worth highlighting that I typically do this and, of course, this may change based on my time in the game. For example, I am not going to include Yanmega on this list because it's not on the confirmed list (and unfortunately, I don't see it on any Pokemon Legends: Z-A leaked Pokemon lists either). It would absolutely be on my team if it were, but at least for right now, there's no reason to include. It's also worth noting that I am always aiming for decent type coverage without a lot of weaknesses—I don't want a single Pokemon type rolling my whole team—but I am making a team of Pokemon I enjoy based on the critter themselves. That's the main criterion for my Pokemon team: that I just have fun and like the little critters.
I'm also not opposed to using pseudolegendary or legendary Pokemon on my team, but those factors wouldn't be why I chose them, if I did. For my current plan, I have no intention of using any legendary.
My #1 Pokemon Legends Z-A Pick: My Starter
Obviously, early in the game, we're going to pick a starter. I remember being surprised to learn that Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile were the starters, especially after Pokemon Legends: Arceus pulled one mon from different generations, and we've got two from Gen 2 here. Despite that, my choice here is really simple. I'm going with Totodile, and you could put Totodile against any other starter in Pokemon history, I'm going to pick my little dude.
- Feraligatr: Water
- Mega Feraligatr: Water/Dragon (confirmed)
Totodile has been my favorite starter in the franchise ever since I played Pokemon Gold, so this is a super easy addition to my team. I can't say for full certainty that I'll heavily use Mega Feraligatr, as we haven't seen it, but the descriptions of it are fine. Not revolutionary, but fine. Still, I suppose Feraligatr locks in my Water Pokemon + gives me a Water/Dragon in the pocket if I needed the power bump in battle.
My Next Pokemon Legends Z-A Pick: My Ace
I'm not sure Ampharos is normally considered an ace, but every game I've ever used Ampharos? Ampharos slaps. Hands-down. It has never let me down. Ampharos would be my go-to Mega Pokemon, if needed or if applicable, simply because I also love Mega Ampharos' design. The fact that it gives me a secondary Dragon typing makes sense, but I am not too worried about the fact that Feraligatr and Ampharos are both capable of Mega Evolution and take on a Dragon subtyping (again if rumors on Mega Feraligatr prove true).
- Ampharos: Electric
- Mega Ampharos: Mega Electric
Pokemon Legends Z-A Pick: Gogoat
Ever since Gogoat was introduced, I've loved it. I'm not entirely excited about a simple Grass type on my team, as I would argue that Gogoat should have a stronger typing overall, but I am still pretty happy with it. If nothing else, between Gogoat and Ampharos, I am not going to have to worry about Water-type Pokemon. They are never really a significant concern anyway, but still, I have to have my Gogoat.
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- Gogoat: Grass
I also own a few goats, so it's just fate that I use Gogoat whenever I can. I've got to show one of my goats off too, right?
Pokemon Legends Z-A Pick: Gallade
I do enjoy a good split evolution in Pokemon, and the way that Gallade/Gardevoir developed over time ensures that I've always had a special place in my heart for Ralts to begin with. Looking at you, Wally.
- Gallade: Psychic/Fighting
Pokemon Legends Z-A Pick: Aegislash
In general, I love fantasy, so the fact that I can carry a ghost-sword Pokemon around is very cool. I tend to like the "bulkier," in a sense, types (steel, ground, etc.), so Aegislash really checks off a lot of boxes for me. Still, I think I would trade it for a Corviknight if it were in Pokemon Legends Z-A, but overall, I am quite happy to carry this Pokemon around in any team.
- Aegislash: Ghost/Steel
Pokemon Legends Z-A Pick: Krookodile
Speaking of the bulkier types, Ground would make a strong case for my favorite type. It's definitely up there, so really this slot is a toss-up between Hippowdon and Krookodile. It comes down to a matter of design, and in my head, at least in the upcoming game, Krookodile takes it.
- Krookodile: Dark/Ground
As a note, I often enjoy having a Bug type on my team even if it's not Yanmega. Still, none of my favorite or preferred Bug Pokemon are on the confirmed roster. I suspect I'll pick one up in an early route and use it until I finish this team if I don't outright choose to adopt it completely. All of that said, it's not too often that I divert from a planned team once I've chosen it.
My Pokemon Legends Z-A Team (As Currently Planned)
-
Feraligatr (Water)
- Maybe Water/Dragon
-
Ampharos (Electric)
- Electric/Dragon
- Gogoat (Grass)
- Gallade (Psychic/Fighting)
- Krookodile (Dark/Ground)
- Aegislash (Steel/Ghost)
Overall, I am pretty happy with this team. As my main team, I just want to have fun and beat the main story, and I think this selection of Pokemon will do that. Just because it bears repeating, I think I would trade Aegislash for Corviknight and swap in a strong Bug-type Pokemon (ones I enjoy anyway) if they were in the game, but overall, choosing from those available now leaves me with a team I am quite happy with. The only real weakness I should be concerned with, I believe, is Fairy-types and especially Mega Clefable. Still, if that's my only weakness and I have Aegislash for those situations, I think it will be a-okay.
Every Confirmed Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
As of September 25
- Charmander
- Charmeleon
- Charizard
- Weedle
- Kakuna
- Beedrill
- Pidgey
- Pidgeotto
- Pidgeot
- Ekans
- Arbok
- Pikachu
- Raichu
- Clefairy
- Clefable
- Abra
- Kadabra
- Alakazam
- Machop
- Machoke
- Machamp
- Bellsprout
- Weepinbell
- Victreebel
- Slowpoke
- Slowbro
- Gastly
- Haunter
- Gengar
- Onix
- Kangaskhan
- Staryu
- Starmie
- Scyther
- Pinsir
- Magikarp
- Gyarados
- Eevee
- Vaporeon
- Jolteon
- Flareon
- Aerodactyl
- Dratini
- Dragonair
- Dragonite
- Chikorita
- Bayleef
- Meganium
- Totodile
- Croconaw
- Feraligatr
- Spinarak
- Ariados
- Pichu
- Cleffa
- Mareep
- Flaaffy
- Ampharos
- Espeon
- Umbreon
- Slowking
- Steelix
- Scizor
- Heracross
- Houndour
- Houndoom
- Larvitar
- Pupitar
- Tyranitar
- Ralts
- Kirlia
- Gardevoir
- Sableye
- Mawile
- Meditite
- Medicham
- Roselia
- Numel
- Camerupt
- Swablu
- Altaria
- Shuppet
- Banette
- Absol
- Bagon
- Shelgon
- Salamence
- Budew
- Roserade
- Buneary
- Lopunny
- Gible
- Gabite
- Garchomp
- Riolu
- Lucario
- Hippopotas
- Hippowdon
- Snover
- Abomasnow
- Leafeon
- Glaceon
- Gallade
- Tepig
- Pignite
- Emboar
- Patrat
- Watchog
- Pansage
- Simisage
- Pansear
- Simisear
- Panpour
- Simipour
- Sandile
- Krokorok
- Krookodile
- Scraggy
- Scrafty
- Trubbish
- Garbodor
- Emolga
- Litwick
- Lampent
- Chandelure
- Bunnelby
- Diggersby
- Fletchling
- Fletchinder
- Talonflame
- Scatterbug
- Spewpa
- Vivillon
- Litleo
- Pyroar
- Flabébé
- Floette
- Florges
- Skiddo
- Gogoat
- Pancham
- Pangoro
- Furfrou
- Espurr
- Meowstic
- Honedge
- Doublade
- Aegislash
- Spritzee
- Aromatisse
- Swirlix
- Slurpuff
- Inkay
- Malamar
- Binacle
- Barbaracle
- Skrelp
- Dragalge
- Clauncher
- Clawitzer
- Helioptile
- Heliolisk
- Sylveon
- Hawlucha
- Dedenne
- Goomy
- Sliggoo
- Goodra
- Klefki
- Pumpkaboo
- Gourgeist
- Noibat
- Noivern
- Zygarde