A brand-newPokemongame has been announced:Pokemon Legends Z-A, a second installment of the ‘Legends’ brand of games followingPokemon Legends Arceus. That game was set in the ancient Hisuii region (Sinnoh of Generation 4) and featuredthree returning Starter Pokemonwhich were given new final regional variants of their evolutions.
This new title will be set in the Ancient Kalos (Generation 6) region, so fans are already speculating who the three Starter Pokemon will be. There are no clear clues as to which ‘mons will be returning, but there are some that are more likely than others to be included in the roster. This list will help to nail down who they will most likely be.
5Very Unlikely
Rowlett, Cyndaquil, Oshawatt
The chances that these Pokemon will be included as the three choices at the start ofPokemon Legends Z-Ais very slim for the simple fact that the Grass Quill, the Fire Mouse, and the Sea Otter Pokemon were the three Starter Pokemon ofPokemon Legends: Arceus.
There is no way that GameFreak would usethe exact same Pokemon for the sequel, as they would prefer to give other ‘mons a chance in the spotlight. These three Pokemon are pretty much an impossibility, so fans of these Pokemon should not get their hopes up.
4Unlikely
Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip,
The reason for these six starters being out of the picture is simple: all of these Pokemon have Mega Evolutions. The fan-favorite gimmick is returning forLegends Z-A, after a long absence from the franchise, and it makes perfect sense that the Starter Pokemon will receive a new Mega Evolution.
Although there is a slight chance, as the Starter Pokemon ofLegends Arceusreceived a new form, with new secondary typings, the Mega’s of these Pokemon will go in a different direction, a completely fresh Pokemon makes the most sense. It is safe to completely rule out Charmander, as its final form, Charizard, has not one but two Mega’s and a Gigantamax form. A third Mega evolution would just be overkill, any of the other five are probably a fairer game.
3Possibly
Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie, Sprigatitio, Feucoco, Quaxly,
None of these Pokemonhave a Mega Evolution, which makes them more likely, but realistically none of these should be slated to return as a Starter Pokemon.Pokemon Legends Arceuswas set in the ancient version of the Sinnoh region, and surprisingly, no Sinnoh Starters were included. So it makes sense to rule out Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie as they are the Kalos starters, the region the 2025 Pokemon game will be set in. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they can be ruled out, as there is little to suggest that this trend will continue.
The reason that the Generation 9 starters are just a possibility is the fact they are the newest starters and giving at least one of them another leading role in a game seems a bit too soon. They are still very much tied to the Paldea region, currently the main starsin the latest anime season, for example. But, GameFreak may have a good idea for a regional variant for one of these ‘mons and include them. WithPokemon,it is not wise to rule anything out.
2Likely
Snivy, Tepig, Litten, Popplio, Chikorita, Totodile
Moving on to the Pokemon who are most likely to make a jump over to the past version of Kalos as the first Pokemon. However, these are only likely because each of these Pokemon has a member of their trio that’s included as a starter inPokemon Legends Arceus.
Chikorita and Totodilehave a Generation 2representation in Cyndaquil, Snivy, and Tepig of Generation 5 have Oshawott Generation 7 have Litten, and Popplio have Rowlett. With only two sets of Starter Pokemon left, one of these Pokemon is the most likely to be included, so having another ‘mon in their trio that has already been a starter is not strong enough of a reason to be excluded from the speculation.
1Very Likely
Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble
This leaves just two sets of Starter Pokemon that are the most likely to be included in Pokemon Legends Z-A, Turtwing, Chimchar of Generation 4 and Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble of Generation 8. Some may argue thatPokemon Sword & Shieldwas too recent of a Pokemon game, but enough time has passed now to warrant these starters receiving some extra love from GameFreak.
A certainty is that one ofChimchar, Turtwig, and Piplupwill feature in the new game. They are wildly adored as a trio and have not received any new forms; Mega Evolutions or Gigantamaxes. Nothing. It has been a long time coming for one of thePokemon Diamond, Pearl & Platinumstarters to receive another chance in the spotlight and this game is the perfect opportunity to do so.
To go even deeper, both Grookey and Chimchar are based on monkeys so it is unlikely that they will be chosen together. This can be applied to all starters that share a common origin; Sprigatitio and Litten (cats), Fuecoco and Totodile (crocodiles), Snivy and Sobble (lizards, etc.). The starter Pokemon needs to be unique to give gamers a real choice of whom to take on their adventures throughPokemon Legends Z-A. With all of this narrowed down, the most likely candidates for the free starter Pokemon are,Snivy,Scorbunny, and Piplup—but this is purely speculation and GameFreak could go in a completely different direction.
