Best Pokémon Legends: Z-A Team
Full Guide with Movesets & Mega Stones
Finding the best Pokémon Legends: Z-A team isn't just about picking strong Pokémon — it's about Mega Evolution access, type coverage, and knowing exactly when and where to build your roster. This guide breaks down the best Z-A team for the full story, including movesets, Mega Stone locations, and availability by rank.
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Try our Pokémon Legends: Z-A Team Builder →The Best Pokémon Legends: Z-A Team at a Glance
The best team in Legends: Z-A is a full Mega roster. Mega Evolution is central to every major battle in this game — Rogue Mega fights and the Z-A Royale both demand it. Running a non-Mega in the late game puts you at a measurable stat disadvantage.
The full team is accessible by Rank E. Most members are ready by Rank F.
| Pokémon | Type (Mega) | Role | Available By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meganium | Grass Fairy | Bulky special attacker | Starter |
| Gyarados | Water Dark | Physical sweeper | Wild Zone 2, Rank Y |
| Heracross | Bug Fighting | Physical attacker, MVP | Side Mission 2 |
| Charizard X | Fire Dragon | Mixed attacker, Fire coverage | Side Mission 22 |
| Excadrill | Ground Steel | Fairy killer, wallbreaker | Wild Zone 8, Rank V |
| Aerodactyl | Rock | Rock coverage, utility | Stone Emporium (Old Amber) |
Best Starter for Pokémon Legends: Z-A — Meganium
Meganium is the best starter choice for this team, and it's not particularly close. Mega Feraligatr loses out because better Water-type options exist elsewhere in the roster. Emboar was a closer call, but the abundance of strong Fighting Megas — including Heracross, obtainable from Side Mission 2 — makes it redundant. Mega Meganium's Grass/Fairy typing fills a role no other team member covers, and its defensive bulk gives it strong matchups across every critical battle.
- Giga Drain — learned at Level 19 as Bayleef. Sustains HP while dealing damage, ideal for a bulky attacker.
- Dazzling Gleam — Fairy STAB. TM found after burning vines in Wild Zone 7, post Main Mission 9.
- Earth Power — Side Mission 80 (A Shocking Territorial Dispute) at Rank C or above.
- Energy Ball — secondary Grass STAB for cooldown situations. TM on the rooftops south of Aimless Park.
Gyarados — Best Water-Type for the Z-A Team
Mega Gyarados has a massive physical Attack stat and a Dark secondary typing with more useful matchups than Feraligatr's Dragon typing in this game's context. Magikarp is available in Wild Zone 2 after starting Main Mission 5 at Rank Y, evolving at Level 20. It holds up reliably from early game through the finale.
- Waterfall — Level 24
- Crunch — Level 30
- Iron Head — Level 33
- Earthquake — Mabel's Research Level 34
- Bite — via Move Relearner, useful as secondary Dark STAB
Heracross — Best Early-Game Pokémon in Legends: Z-A
No best Pokémon Legends: Z-A team is complete without Heracross. It's obtainable from Side Mission 2 — trade a Pikachu to the NPC, unlocked after Main Mission 5 at Rank Y. Its early availability, strong Bug/Fighting coverage, and exceptional Mega Evolution make it the most impactful member across the entire playthrough.
- Brick Break — Level 24
- Megahorn — Level 45
- Close Combat — Level 50
- Lunge — Level 32
- Shadow Claw — Mabel's Research Level 9, if Ghost coverage is preferred over Lunge
Charizard X — Best Fire-Type for Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Charizard X is the best Fire-type pick for this team. Its Fire/Dragon typing drops the 4x Rock weakness, Water is no longer super effective, and Dragon STAB adds coverage that complements the rest of the roster. Both physical and mixed sets are viable. Charmander is obtained by completing Side Mission 22 (A Call from Mable), available before the Vinnie promotion match for Rank F.
- Fire Fang — Level 17
- Fire Punch — Mabel's Research Level 17
- Dragon Rush — Level 42
- Thunder Punch — TM after Mabel's Research Level 15
- Flamethrower — Level 30, for a ranged special option on a mixed set
Excadrill — Best Ground-Type for the Legends: Z-A Team
Ground/Steel is one of the best type combinations in Legends: Z-A. It neutralizes Fairy-types, hits hard with Earthquake, and Mega Excadrill's Attack stat makes it a consistent damage dealer throughout the story. Drilbur is found in Wild Zone 8 after reaching Rank V and starting Main Mission 10.
Note: the Mega Stone requires Rank E, so Excadrill won't be Mega-evolved for the first Canari battle, but will be ready for the next two.
- Earthquake — Level 46, or Mabel's Research Level 34
- Iron Head — TM after Side Mission 45 (On Maintenance Duty) at Rank E
- Drill Run — Level 40
- Megahorn — Level 50
Aerodactyl — Best Rock-Type to Complete Your Z-A Team
The best Pokémon Legends: Z-A team needs Rock coverage, and Aerodactyl delivers it with added flexibility through the three elemental fangs. Buy the Old Amber from the Stone Emporium for 30,000 Poké Dollars. You'll also need a Jaw or Sail Fossil to complete Side Mission 27 (Restored from a Fossil), which unlocks the fossil machine. Head to the Pokémon Lab, second floor, and speak to the scientist at the machine.
- Stone Edge — Level 45
- Fly — TM after Side Mission 46 (Pidgeot Soaring High) at Rank E
- Ice Fang / Thunder Fang — Mabel's Research Levels 5–7
Not Sure If This Is the Best Team for You?
Every player's playstyle is different. If you chose a different starter, or already have a few Pokémon you're committed to, the best team on paper might not be the best team for your run.
Use our Pokémon Legends: Z-A Team Builder to plug in your current roster and see exactly where your type coverage breaks down — and what to add to fix it.
Try Pokemon Team Builder →Final Notes
This best Pokémon Legends: Z-A team covers Rock, Water, Fire, Grass, Fairy, Ground, Steel, Fighting, Bug, and Dragon — enough to handle every major battle without a single Legendary. Heracross and Excadrill do the heaviest damage. Meganium and Gyarados provide durability. Charizard X and Aerodactyl fill the coverage gaps. It's a team built for the game's actual challenges, not a showcase roster.