We’ve all been staring at that neon-blue blueprint of Lumiose City for way too long. When Game Freak dropped the trailer for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the internet basically imploded, but not because of the Mega Evolution return—okay, maybe a little because of that—but because of the massive question mark hovering over our first partner. Everyone wants to know who the Pokemon Legends ZA starter trio will be, and honestly, if Legends: Arceus taught us anything, it’s that we should expect the unexpected.
Forget the standard Kalos trio for a second. While Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie are native to the region, the "Legends" formula historically pulls from different generations to create a brand-new dynamic. In Arceus, we saw Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott. It wasn't random. They fit a specific historical theme of feudal Japan. So, for a game centered entirely around an "Urban Redevelopment Plan" in a French-inspired city, we have to look for Pokémon that fit the vibe of Parisian culture, architecture, or revolution.
The Theory of the French Connection
Why would Game Freak pick starters from other regions? It's about the "Regional Form" potential. If we’re getting new final evolutions—which is almost a guarantee at this point—they need to be Pokémon that haven't already peaked.
Take Snivy. It’s the most obvious candidate for a Pokemon Legends ZA starter. It's literally the "Grass Snake" Pokémon, but its design is rooted in French royalty and the fleur-de-lis. Serperior's regal posture screams Versailles. If Game Freak wants to lean into the "High Fashion" or "Aristocracy" aspect of Lumiose City, Snivy is the frontrunner. It’s been stuck in the Unova box for too long. Bringing it to Kalos to give it a secondary type—maybe Grass/Steel to represent the industrialization of the city—would be a masterstroke.
Then there's the Fire-type slot. This is where things get messy. A lot of people are pointing toward Torchic, mainly because Blaziken is a fan favorite and already has a Mega Evolution. But would they give us a starter that already has a Mega? That feels redundant.
Instead, look at Litten. Incineroar is a wrestler, sure, but what if the Kalosian variant went in a different direction? Think about the "Catacombs of Paris." A Fire/Ghost or Fire/Dark Incineroar that isn't a bipedal luchador could redeem the line for people who hated the heel-wrestler pivot. Or, consider Tepig. Wait, don't close the tab. A Fire/Fairy Emboar based on a "Gourmet" or "Chef" theme would fit the French cafe culture perfectly. It sounds wild, but Legends is where Game Freak gets weird.
Breaking Down the Water-Type Options
Piplup? Too soon? Maybe.
Totodile is the one everyone is screaming for. Feraligatr is cool, but it’s just... a big alligator. Imagine a Kalosian Feraligatr that takes inspiration from the gargoyles of Notre Dame. A Water/Dragon or Water/Rock type with a stony, gothic aesthetic would be incredible. It fits the "Urban Redevelopment" theme because you're literally building a city where these creatures might have lived in the ruins or the old masonry.
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Another dark horse is Popplio. Primarina is already very "performer" oriented, which fits the glitz and glamour of Lumiose. But we just had a Gen 7 starter in the last Legends game with Rowlet. Game Freak usually likes to spread the love across different generations. This makes the Pokemon Legends ZA starter selection a logistical nightmare for theorists.
Why the Kalos Starters Might Actually Stay
There is a vocal minority—and they might be right—arguing that we will just get the original Kalos starters. The logic? They never got their Mega Evolutions.
Think about it. Charizard has two Megas. Blastoise and Venusaur have them. But Greninja, Delphox, and Chesnaught? They were skipped in their own debut generation. It felt like a snub back in 2013, and it feels like a snub now. Using the Pokemon Legends ZA starter slots to finally give us Mega Greninja (an actual Mega, not the Battle Bond transformation) would be the easiest win Game Freak has ever had.
However, there’s a catch. Legends: Arceus was set in the past. Z-A is set during a redevelopment. If it’s set in the future or a stylized "Reconstruction Era" (think 1800s Paris), the "foreign" starter logic holds more weight. Travelers bring Pokémon from other lands to the growing metropolis. That’s how cities work. They are melting pots.
The "A" and the "Z" Connection
We have to talk about Zygarde. The title isn't just a letter; it’s a reference to the order of the ecosystem. Zygarde is the guardian. If the starters are meant to represent the balance of the city, we might see a theme of "Nature vs. Industry."
- Grass Starter: Represents the parks and the "green" movement of the city.
- Fire Starter: Represents the forge, the lights, and the energy.
- Water Starter: Represents the Seine River and the infrastructure.
If you follow this logic, Snivy (Nature), Chimchar (Industrial/Electricity/Fire), and Piplup (Water/Royalty) create a very specific European vibe. But wait, we already had a Sinnoh focus recently. It's a headache, honestly. You've got to balance nostalgia with fresh gameplay mechanics.
Mega Evolution's Impact on the Starter Choice
The return of the Mega Evolution symbol in the trailer changes the math. If the starters are getting new forms, they need to be able to Mega Evolve. Or, perhaps the new regional forms are the "Mega" versions in this timeline.
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Imagine choosing a Pokemon Legends ZA starter like Cyndaquil again, but instead of Hisuian Typhlosion, we get a "Lumiose Form" that can Mega Evolve into a towering inferno of blue flames. The power creep would be insane, but that’s what people want from a Legends game. They want the stakes to feel higher than a standard gym run.
I’ve seen some theories suggesting that we might get six starters. Three from the "past" and three from the "present." It sounds like a lot of work for a developer that usually sticks to a rigid structure, but Z-A is clearly trying to break the mold. The entire game taking place inside a single city is a massive departure from the open fields of Hisui.
What the Experts Are Saying
Popular community figures and dataminers have been scouring the code of recent "Indigo Disk" DLC for hints. While nothing is concrete, there was a heavy emphasis on the "Starter Synchro" machine. This allowed you to play as your Pokémon. In a city-locked game like Z-A, being able to navigate the streets as your Pokemon Legends ZA starter would be a game-changer.
Think about it:
- Sprinting through alleys as a fast Fire-type.
- Swimming through the canals as your Water-type.
- Scaling the Eiffel-tower-inspired Prism Tower as a Grass-type.
If the starters are chosen based on mobility rather than just combat, it opens up the list to Pokémon like Treecko (climbing) or Sobble (stealth).
Misconceptions About the "Legends" Branding
People keep calling this "Pokemon Legends Zygarde." It’s not. It’s Z-A. That "A" is important. Some speculate it refers to AZ, the ancient king of Kalos. Others think it refers to Alpha and Omega, or a beginning and an end.
If the game is about the history of the city, our starters need to be "Founding" Pokémon.
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Piplup fits the "Empoleon/Napoleon" French history perfectly.
Tepig fits the "Revolutionary" or "Commoner" vibe.
Chikorita... well, Chikorita needs help. A Meganium with a "Fleur-de-lis" or "Crystalline" theme would finally make it viable in the meta. Honestly, giving Chikorita a win would be the most "Expert" move Game Freak could make. It’s the underdog of all underdogs.
The Actionable Roadmap for Fans
Since we are likely looking at a late 2025 or early 2026 release, you shouldn't just sit and wait for the next trailer. There are things you can do to prepare for the Pokemon Legends ZA starter reveal.
First, look at the Pokémon currently available in the Scarlet and Violet DLC. Game Freak often uses the end of one generation to "test" assets for the next. The way certain Pokémon move or interact in the overworld might give away who they are polishing for a starring role in Lumiose.
Second, pay attention to the "Pokemon Works" trademarking. They are restructuring how they build these games. Z-A is likely going to have a much higher level of polish than Arceus because they aren't trying to build an entire world—just one very dense, very vertical city.
What to do now:
- Revisit Kalos: Dust off your 3DS or play through the X/Y sections of your memory. Remember the layout of Lumiose. It’s a circle. The starters will likely be tasked with "claiming" sectors of that circle.
- Save your Shinies: If Z-A allows Home integration (which it will), having the base forms of likely candidates ready is smart. Snivy, Oshawott, and Cyndaquil were the "Arceus" trio; it’s highly probable the Pokemon Legends ZA starter trio will involve one Gen 2, one Gen 5, and one Gen 8 or 9 Pokémon to keep the cycle going.
- Watch the architectural clues: The trailer showed "Section 4" of the redevelopment. Each section might correspond to a starter's habitat within the city.
The mystery of the Pokemon Legends ZA starter isn't just about which animal you pick. It’s about how that Pokémon represents the shift from the wild Kalos we knew to the structured, neon future of Lumiose City. Whether it’s a regal Snivy or a gothic Totodile, the choice will define how we experience the most ambitious Pokémon project in years. Stay skeptical of "leaks" involving perfect 3D renders—if it looks too good to be true, it’s probably a fan project. Stick to the official blueprints. The clues are all in the neon.