Top 10 Early-Game Pokémon to Catch in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

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When diving into Pokémon Legends: Z-A, one of the first tasks every player faces is building a solid team to carry them through the early stages. While it’s tempting to catch every Pokémon you come across, some are far more beneficial early on than others. Whether you're looking for power, versatility, or just something to get you through tough battles, here’s a list of the Top 10 Early-Game Pokémon to Catch in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

1. Piplup

Right from the start, Piplup stands out as an essential Pokémon. As a Water-type, it offers reliable stats and a versatile move pool that can handle many different types of opponents early in the game. Its evolution, Empoleon, will continue to be a staple of your team through the mid-game as it offers both solid offensive power and defensive capability.

2. Shinx

A fast and powerful Electric-type, Shinx can be a game-changer in early battles. Its electric attacks are effective against Flying- and Water-types, making it a useful addition to your roster. As it evolves into Luxray, Shinx provides great coverage for the tougher gym leaders and wild Pokémon you'll encounter.

3. Bidoof

Often considered a joke Pokémon, Bidoof is more useful than you might think. With a decent range of moves and the ability to learn a variety of TMs, it’s a solid choice for early-game utility. It can hold its own in battles while you work on catching other powerful Pokémon.

4. Ralts

Ralts may seem weak in its first stage, but its evolution into Kirlia and later into Gardevoir makes it a powerhouse for both psychic and fairy-type moves. Its high Special Attack makes it a dangerous opponent in battles, and having a Psychic-type early on will give you an edge against Fighting- and Poison-types.

5. Pidgey

As a Flying-type, Pidgey provides excellent utility in the early game. Its quickness and access to a variety of flying-type moves allow it to dominate in certain matchups. Evolving into Pidgeot, it retains its importance throughout the game with its impressive speed and strong STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves.

6. Turtwig

For those who want a tank early on, Turtwig is a fantastic pick. As a Grass-type Pokémon, it can take hits and dish out decent damage with moves like Razor Leaf. Once it evolves into Torterra, its Ground/Grass typing allows it to counter Water- and Electric-types effectively, making it a strong contender for endgame battles.

7. Zubat

Though Zubat starts out weak, its Poison/Flying typing becomes invaluable as you progress. With access to status moves like Toxic and powerful Flying-type moves, it can make quick work of many early-game threats. Plus, Zubat evolves into Golbat, and later Crobat, which has one of the highest speed stats in the game.

8. Magikarp

You might be tempted to ignore Magikarp, but don't underestimate the power of its final evolution—Gyarados. It may take some patience to level up, but once it evolves, Magikarp will transform into one of the most powerful Pokémon on your team, boasting high attack and versatility across many battle scenarios.

9. Abra

Abra is a rare find, but well worth the effort to catch. While it starts with only the move Teleport, it evolves into Kadabra, and later into Alakazam—one of the most powerful Psychic-type Pokémon in the game. Its high Special Attack and Speed make it a major asset to your team in the early game, allowing you to take down opponents swiftly.

10. Geodude

A Rock/Ground-type, Geodude offers solid defense, making it a great addition to your team when you need to withstand hits. While it may not deal massive damage at first, its evolution into Golem gives you a formidable physical attacker with an excellent defense stat, making it great against Fire-, Electric-, and Flying-types.

Building Your Early-Team Strategy

As you go through Pokémon Legends: Z-A, catching these Top 10 Early-Game Pokémon to Catch in Pokémon Legends: Z-A will help you establish a balanced team that can take on various types of enemies. Don’t rush through the process of catching, training, and evolving your Pokémon—each one plays an important role in helping you progress through the challenging early-game battles.

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