If you’ve been wondering how to add the original Kanto starters Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle to your team in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, here’s exactly how it works.
Unlike previous Pokemon games you won’t find these Pokemon in the wild (yet) or are assigned to them early on. Instead, you need to complete a side quest.
She’ll ask you to visit her Pokémon Research Lab and this is where you get your hands on one of the three Kanto Starters; Charmander, Squirtle, or Bulbasaur.
How to Get a Kanto Starter – Charmander, Squirtle, or Bulbasaur
At some point during your ZA Royale progression (for most players, around Rank V), you’ll receive a call from Mabel after visiting a Pokémon Center. This is Side Mission 22 – A Call From Mable
However, you need to make sure you reach Main Mission 8 and finish your first battle to unlock this side quest. After the first battle heal your Pokemon at the Pokemon Center before heading to Mable.
Mable’s office is on the third floor of the Pokemon Research Lab.
The quest won’t appear on your map automatically. You’ll need to open your side quest menu and look for Side Quest #22 that’s the one leading to the Kanto starters.
Choose from one of three options but which one is the best is a question everyone asks, right? Here is some information to help you make the decision.
| Starter | Mega Stone Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Charmander | You can buy both Charizardite X and Charizardite Y from the shop. | Easy access to both Mega Evolutions. |
| Squirtle | You can buy the Blastoisinite from the shop. | Great for early Mega access. |
| Bulbasaur | You cannot buy the Venusaurite. You must earn it during Main Mission #29, near the end of the game. | Mega Venusaur comes much later. |
The starter you get from Mable come with three perfect IVs which you’ll only be able to see once the Pokemon fully evolve. Your chosen Pokémon will be around Level 53, making it a strong addition to your team mid-game.
How to Get All 3 Kanto Starters in Pokemon Legends Z-A
Since you can only select one of the three, the remaining two won’t be available from Mable anymore. You can’t even battle her for them. But let me tell you, there is a way to get the remaining two as well:
After beating the main story and watching the credits:
- A new area called Wild Area 20 will unlock.
- In this region, you can find and catch Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle in the wild.
- These Pokémon can appear in Shiny and even Alpha form.
In the same Wild Area you will also find PLZA starters like Chikorita, Totodile, and Cyndaquil (from Johto).
