Catching Alpha Pokémon early in Pokémon Legends: Z-A can make a huge difference in how smoothly your journey through Lumiose City goes. These towering, red-eyed powerhouses not only offer boosted stats but also provide an early edge in battles that can carry you well into the midgame. Whether you’re building a story team or preparing for online challenges, knowing which Alphas to prioritize is key. Here’s a look at some of the best early Alpha Pokémon to catch and how they can help shape your adventure.
1. Alpha Garchomp – The Powerhouse of Early Offense
If you manage to locate an early Alpha Gible or Gabite, don’t hesitate—catch it. Alpha Garchomp is one of the most powerful Ground and Dragon types available early in the game. Its combination of high Attack and Speed makes it perfect for sweeping through early gym battles and wild encounters. Pair it with a good Rock-type move, and you’ll have little trouble taking down Flying and Fire-type opponents.
Pro tip: Use Stealth Spray and Razz Berries to approach without triggering aggression. Once caught, Garchomp will easily remain a core team member well into the postgame.
2. Alpha Luxray – Reliable and Easy to Find
Luxray is a fan favorite for a reason. This Electric-type Alpha appears in several early routes, making it one of the more accessible powerhouses. With access to moves like Wild Charge and Crunch, Alpha Luxray is perfect for handling Water and Flying types you’ll encounter frequently.
Its intimidating presence in battle also helps weaken foes, giving you a strategic advantage during tougher encounters. If you plan to buy Shiny Pokemon ZA later, Luxray is one of the best candidates to look out for due to its striking golden form.
3. Alpha Gallade – A Versatile Psychic and Fighting Hybrid
Alpha Gallade is a great early-game catch for players who like balance and flexibility. Its wide move pool includes both physical and special options, allowing you to tailor its moveset based on your playstyle. It’s particularly strong against Dark and Normal types that can cause trouble in the early stages of the story.
If you’re building a balanced team composition, Gallade fills multiple roles—support, offense, and even utility with moves like Hypnosis.
4. Alpha Ursaluna – The Tank That Carries You Through
Few Pokémon can match Alpha Ursaluna’s sheer durability. Its combination of Normal and Ground typing, along with massive HP and Attack, makes it a reliable wall early on. You can find its pre-evolution, Ursaring, relatively early and evolve it once you’ve met the conditions.
Ursaluna’s ability to both take hits and deal them back makes it perfect for prolonged boss fights. Its bulk also helps in Alpha encounters where you need to withstand a few hits before throwing your Poké Balls.
5. Alpha Lucario – Balanced and Stylish
If you come across an Alpha Riolu, make it a top priority. Lucario remains one of the best all-around Pokémon you can catch early. It offers balanced stats, a dual Fighting/Steel typing, and access to a range of powerful moves like Aura Sphere and Flash Cannon.
Its versatility in both story and competitive play makes it one of the best long-term investments for your roster. Many players even look to the Best place to buy pokemon for legends za to find Lucario variants with optimal stats for PvP battles.
Catching the right Alpha Pokémon early can give you a strong foundation for everything that follows in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Prioritize options like Garchomp, Luxray, Gallade, Ursaluna, and Lucario to ensure your team is ready for any challenge the Kalos region throws at you.
While hunting down these giants takes patience, the reward is a well-rounded, powerful team that can handle both in-game challenges and online battles. Whether you catch them yourself or explore the Best place to buy pokemon for legends za, these Alphas are well worth the effort.
