How to get the Kanto starters in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

You can get all the Kanto starters in Pokémon Legends ZA, but you will have to progress up until the very end of the Story Missions to see them. But you’re in luck if you’re a fan of Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle, as you can pick one of them in a side quest you can’t miss quite early into the game.

Here are the two methods to get the Kanto starters in ZA.

First method: Pick one during A Call from Mable

You can pick one of the three Kanto starters during Side Mission 022, “A Call from Mable.” You unlock this side quest by progressing through the main story and getting Main Mission 08, “Reaching Rank V.” After you defeat Lida, simply heal at a Pokémon Center, and Mable will call you, giving you the quest.

Head to the Pokémon Research Lab south of Lumiose and take the elevator to the Director’s Office. When you arrive, Mable will let you pick one from Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle to keep, simple as that. When you make your choice, the Pokémon will join your party or be sent to your box at Lv. 5.

Regardless of your choice, the Pokémon will be shiny-locked.

Second method: Catch ’em all in the endgame

If you want to catch the other Kanto starters you missed from Mable’s quest, you need to finish Legends ZA. Once you complete the main story and the credits roll, you unlock the Wild Zone 20 in the center of Lumiose City, where the Prism Tower is. You can catch Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur in that area as wild spawns, which means you can also hunt for their shiny versions there.

Stock up on Poké Balls, bring some strong Pokémon with you to take them down, and you should have all Kanto starters in your Pokédex easily. Then, to have all their Mega Evolutions available in combat, you must buy their Mega Stones from the Stone Emporium for 100,000 Poké Dollars each.