Building the perfect team for Pokemon Legends: Z-A's main story can make or break your adventure through Lumiose City. Whether you're facing challenging Rogue Mega battles or progressing through the storyline, choosing the right Pokemon determines your success rate. This comprehensive ranking system evaluates every available Pokemon based on their combat effectiveness, accessibility, and overall utility throughout your journey.
What Makes a Pokemon Story-Worthy?
The best story companions excel across multiple categories that directly impact your gameplay experience. Raw power alone won't carry you through every encounter, as you need Pokémon that combine offensive capabilities with defensive resilience.
Early availability plays a crucial role since late-game additions won't help during challenging mid-story battles. Pokemon you can catch or evolve within the first few hours provide immediate value and grow stronger alongside your progression.
Mega Evolution access transforms good Pokemon into exceptional ones. Pokemon with easily obtainable Mega Stones gain significant advantages in both stats and movepool versatility.
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Focus on Pokemon that can handle multiple enemy types rather than specialists. Versatility beats raw type advantage in story mode.
S-Tier Pokemons: The Elite Four
Feraligatr
Feraligatr dominates the S-tier rankings with incredible physical attack power and impressive bulk. This Water-type starter evolution learns devastating moves like Hydro Pump and Ice Fang, covering multiple type weaknesses effectively.
What sets Feraligatr apart is its exceptional stat distribution. With 105 base Attack and 100 base HP, it survives hits that would knock out frailer Pokemon while dealing massive damage in return. The combination of Torrent ability and powerful STAB moves creates a reliable powerhouse for any situation.
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Gardevoir
Gardevoir brings unmatched special attack prowess to your team. With access to Gardevoirite through the early purchase bonus, this Psychic/Fairy-type becomes an immediate game-changer.
The Trace ability provides tactical flexibility by copying opponent abilities, while moves like Psychic and Moonblast offer excellent type coverage. Gardevoir's 125 base Special Attack ensures most enemies fall in one or two hits.
Excadrill
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Excadrill combines Ground and Steel typing for exceptional defensive capabilities while maintaining offensive pressure. This mole Pokemon excels at breaking through Rock and Electric-type opponents that trouble other team members.
Mold Breaker ability ignores problematic enemy abilities like Sturdy or Levitate, ensuring your attacks connect when they matter most. Excadrill's access to Earthquake and Iron Head provides reliable STAB damage throughout the story.
Lucario
Lucario rounds out the S-tier with perfect balance between physical and special capabilities. This Fighting/Steel-type learns both Aura Sphere and Close Combat, adapting to any battle scenario.
The Inner Focus ability prevents flinching, maintaining consistent damage output against aggressive opponents. Lucario's diverse movepool includes coverage options like Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon.
A-Tier Pokemons: Solid Performers
Why These Pokemon Excel
Blastoise provides excellent defensive anchoring for your team. With access to Mega Blastoise, this Water-type gains additional bulk and special attack power. Rain Dish ability offers passive healing during weather effects.
Emboar delivers devastating physical damage through moves like Flare Blitz and Hammer Arm. The Reckless ability boosts recoil moves, creating explosive damage potential against tough opponents.
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Gyarados supports your team through Intimidate, reducing enemy attack stats while threatening with powerful moves like Waterfall and Ice Fang. This pseudo-legendary offers excellent stats across the board.
Medicham becomes a glass cannon with Pure Power, effectively doubling its attack stat. Combined with High Jump Kick and Zen Headbutt, this Fighting/Psychic-type eliminates threats quickly.
B-Tier Pokemons: Situational Stars
The B-tier contains Pokemon with specific strengths that shine in particular situations but lack the overall consistency of higher tiers.
Absol
Absol provides critical hit support through Super Luck and high-power moves like Night Slash. However, its fragile defenses limit sustained combat effectiveness.
Dragonite
Dragonite offers late-game power with Multiscale reducing damage at full HP. Unfortunately, its evolution requirements make it unavailable during crucial early battles.
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B-tier Pokemon often require specific team compositions or late-game access to reach their potential.
Talonflame excels with Gale Wings priority on flying moves, but recent ability changes have reduced its impact. Brave Bird still provides excellent damage output when needed.
Team Building Strategies
Start with one S-tier Pokemon as your primary damage dealer, then add complementary types to cover weaknesses. A balanced team typically includes:
- Primary Attacker (S-tier choice)
- Tank/Support (High HP/Defense Pokemon)
- Coverage Specialist (Handles specific type matchups)
- Utility Pokemon (Status moves, healing, setup)
Type Coverage Priorities
Focus on covering these common enemy types throughout the story:
- Electric-types - Use Ground moves or Pokemon
- Flying-types - Electric or Ice coverage
- Steel-types - Fire or Fighting moves
- Dark-types - Fighting or Fairy attacks
Mega Evolution Planning
Plan your Mega Stone distribution carefully since you can only use one Mega Evolution per battle. Prioritize Pokemon that gain the most significant stat boosts or ability changes.
Gardevoir and Lucario offer the best Mega Evolution value in story mode due to their balanced improvements and movepool synergy.
For more Pokemon Legends: Z-A, check out our Best Starter Pokemon guide.