The Best Pokemon in Pokemon Legends Z-A

When they’re first starting out, most players tend to rely quite heavily on their starter and whatever other Pokemon they can get their hands on during the game’s opening stages. However, as they progress a little further through the main story, they’ll want to start assembling a team of the most powerful Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, as doing so will make all of the Rogue Mega Evolution battles a lot easier.

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As tends to be the case in most modern Pokemon games, the strongest Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A consist mainly of Legendaries and Pseudo-Legendaries, although there are one or two surprises this time around due to the heavy focus that the game places on Mega Evolution. This guide will go over some of the best Pokemon in the game and also explain how and when players can start adding them to their teams.

Updated December 16, 2025, by Tom Bowen: The Mega Dimension DLC recently added 132 Pokemon to Pokemon Legends: Z-A, including 20 returning Mythicals and Legendaries. As you might expect, this has led to some rather big changes when it comes to the game’s most powerful Pokemon. Rather than add the new Pokemon here, we’ve put together a new list that focuses specifically on the strongest DLC Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, as not everybody has access to the Mega Dimension expansion. However, for those just looking for a basic list that covers all of the strongest Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the table below should prove useful.

The Strongest Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

12

Gyarados

Mega Gyarados’ Base Stat Total is 640

Although Florges boasts a slightly higher base stat total than Gyarados, the Gen 1 Pokemon has the edge thanks to the strength of its Mega Evolution. Mega Gyarados boasts a monstrous Attack stat and can put it to use with powerful physical attacks like Crunch and Waterfall. As an added bonus, players can get their hands on Gyarados fairly early on, as Magikarp is one of six Pokemon that can be found in Wild Zone 2.

How to Get Gyarados in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Gyarados can be found in Wild Zone 11, and an Alpha Gyarados can be found in Wild Zone 20. Players can also get Gyarados by evolving Magikarp at Level 20. To Mega Evolve Gyarados, players will need an orb of Gyaradosite, which they can get from the Quasartico Mega Shard Exchange for 240 Mega Shards.

11

Starmie

Mega Starmie’s Base Stat Total is 660

Mega Starmie is one of several new Mega Evolutions that have drawn criticism due to their ridiculous designs, but when it comes to stats, it’s one of the best around. Most Pokemon only gain 100 base stat points when they Mega Evolve, but for some reason, Starmie gains 140. In doing so, it becomes one of the best Water-types in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and can hit hard with both physical and special attacks.

How to Get Starmie in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Starmie can be found in Wild Zone 16, and an Alpha Starmie can be found in Wild Zone 20. Players can also get Starmie by using a Water Stone on Staryu. To Mega Evolve Starmie, players will need an orb of Starminite, which they can get by completing Main Mission 34.​​​​

Mega Metagross’ Base Stat Total is 700

Metagross is one of the most popular Pseudo-Legendaries in the franchise due to its incredible bulk and impressive power. The return of Mega Evolution further sweetens the deal, treating Metagross to a bunch of great immunities and resistances and an incredible 150 Defense stat. Its Attack stat isn’t too far behind, allowing the Steel/Psychic-type to dish out damage just as well as it can take it.

How to Get Metagross in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

An Alpha Metagross can be found in Wild Zone 20. Players can also get Metagross by evolving Metang at level 45. To Mega Evolve Metagross, players will need an orb of Metagrossite, which they can get from the Quasartico Mega Shard Exchange for 360 Mega Shards after completing Main Mission 31.

9

Salamence

Mega Salamence’s Base Stat Total is 700

Salamence isn’t quite as durable as Metagross, but it can hit just as hard. It works best as a physical attacker, although it can still do a decent enough job with Special moves if needed. This bodes well, as Salamence can learn Flamethrower, which can come in incredibly useful if an opponent attempts to exploit its 4x weakness to Ice-type attacks. Mega Salamence isn’t half bad, either.

How to Get Salamence in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

An Alpha Salamence can be found in Wild Zone 20. Players can also get Salamence by evolving Shelgon at level 50. To Mega Evolve Salamence, players will need an orb of Salamencite, which they can get from the Quasartico Mega Shard Exchange for 360 Mega Shards after completing Main Mission 31.

8

Tyranitar

Mega Tyranitar’s Base Stat Total is 700

Tyranitar has a lot of weaknesses, the most notable of which being its 4x weakness to Fighting-type attacks. However, Tyranitar is completely immune to Psychic-type moves and hits like a ten-ton truck thanks to its monstrous 134 Attack stat, which only two other non-Mega Evolutions can beat. Mega Tyranitar is even stronger and can be incredibly hard to beat due to its 150 Defense.

How to Get Tyranitar in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

An Alpha Tyranitar can be found in Wild Zone 20. Players can also get Tyranitar by evolving Pupitar at level 55. To Mega Evolve Tyranitar, players will need an orb of Tyranitarite, which they can get by completing Main Mission 33.​​​​

7

Dragonite

Mega Dragonite’s Base Stat Total is 700

Dragonite is another Gen 1 Pokemon that was treated to a Mega Evolution in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and Mega Dragonite doesn’t disappoint. Upon Mega Evolving, Dragonite gains a huge boost to its Special Attack and Special Defense stats. This allows it to hit ridiculously hard with Blizzard, making it an excellent counter for most of the other Mega Evolved Dragon-types in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.

How to Get Dragonite in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

An Alpha Dragonite can be found in Wild Zone 20. Players can also get Dragonite by evolving Dragonair at level 55. To Mega Evolve Dragonite, players will need an orb of Dragoninite, which they can get by completing Main Mission 32.​​​​

6

Garchomp

Mega Garchomp’s Base Stat Total is 700

The last Pseudo-Legendary in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, but far from the least when it comes to power. When Mega Evolved, Garchomp has the second-highest Attack stat in the game, with only Mega Heracross able to beat it. Unlike Mega Heracross, though, Mega Garchomp is also a competent Special Attacker, allowing it to make use of Draco Meteor, Fire Blast, and other powerful counters for Dragon-types.

How to Get Garchomp in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

An Alpha Garchomp can be found in Wild Zone 20. Players can also get Garchomp by evolving Gabite at level 48. To Mega Evolve Garchomp, players will need an orb of Garchompite, which they can purchase from the Stone Emporium for ₽70,000 after completing Main Mission 10.

5

Diancie

Mega Diancie’s Base Stat Total is 700

The Gen-9 games only introduced one new Mythical Pokemon, although a few older Mythicals do show up here and there. Diancie was added to Pokemon Legends: Z-A shortly after its launch, with players able to catch one as part of a special Mystery Gift side quest. Its regular form is incredibly durable with 150 Defense and Special Defense stats. However, its mega evolution flips the script, with Diancie’s defense stats dropping down to 110 in exchange for 160 Attack and Special Attack.

How to Get Diancie in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Players can catch Diancie as part of the Shine Bright Like a Gemstone EX Mission, which is unlocked via Mystery Gift. To Mega Evolve Diancie, players will need an orb of Diancite, which they’ll receive when they first claim the Shine Bright Like a Gemstone Mystery Gift.

4

Xerneas

Xerneas’ Base Stat Total is 680

More than a decade on since its debut as the box Legendary for Pokemon X, Xerneas makes its triumphant return, and it’s rocking the same 680 base stats that made it so popular back in the day. Unlike most of the strongest Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Xerneas doesn’t need Mega Evolution to dominate, thanks in large to its 131 Attack and Special Attack stats. It’s also completely immune to Dragon-type attacks, making it an excellent counter a lot of the Pseudos.

How to Get Xerneas in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Players can catch Xerneas during Main Mission 40, which becomes available after completing the main story.

3

Yveltal

Yveltal’s Base Stat Total is 680

Like Xerneas, Yveltal boasts 131 Attack and Special Attack stats, making it incredibly versatile. It’s immune to both Ground and Psychic-type attacks and resistant to Ghost, Grass, and Dark, which can come in very handy when chasing Alphas in the post-game. When it comes to damage, powerful Special moves like Focus Blast, Hyper Beam, and Hurricane make it a deadly foe for those unfortunate enough to find themselves facing it.

How to Get Yveltal in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Players can catch Yveltal during Main Mission 41, which becomes available after completing the main story.