In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, one of the first tasks trainers will face is catching their very first Pokémon and building a strong team. The early stages of the game are crucial, and having the right Pokémon early on can make all the difference. Here, we’ll walk through the Top 10 Early-Game Pokémon to Catch in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, each providing unique abilities, types, and utility to help you succeed.

1. Chikorita

Starting with a Grass-type Pokémon like Chikorita is a fantastic choice. Known for its defensive capabilities, Chikorita can learn a variety of healing and status-enhancing moves. Its Grass-type moves are great for early game, especially against Water, Ground, and Rock-types. Having a solid, reliable Pokémon like Chikorita early on gives you a strong foundation in the game.

2. Pancham

Pancham brings a Fighting-type presence to your team. Its ability to dish out heavy physical damage makes it an asset during the game's early stages. Pancham’s potential to evolve into Pangoro, which becomes both Fighting and Dark-type, offers additional versatility as you progress.

3. Espurr

Espurr is an excellent Psychic-type Pokémon that evolves into Meowstic, a fast and offensive force. Early on, Espurr offers solid utility with its high special attack and speed stats. As you venture deeper into Pokémon Legends: Z-A, this Pokémon becomes crucial for dealing with Fighting and Poison-types.

4. Talonflame

Talonflame, which is obtained from catching a Fletchinder, gives you a reliable Fire/Flying-type with high speed. Talonflame is essential for taking down pesky Bug, Grass, and Ice-type Pokémon, and its powerful Fire-type moves make it an immediate threat to any wild Pokémon you encounter.

5. Abomasnow

Abomasnow brings an Ice/Grass combination that is useful against a variety of types. Though it’s weak to Fire, its ability to set up Hailstorms with the Ice-type weather effect can severely damage enemies over time. As an early-game catch, it helps you manage pesky Ground- and Flying-types.

6. Clefairy

Clefairy is a Fairy-type Pokémon that provides versatility with its decent special attack and special defense. Known for its ability to learn a range of moves like Moonblast and Heal Pulse, Clefairy is a great choice if you're looking to have a support role in your team.

7. Bayleef

A starter choice with great potential, Bayleef, the evolved form of Chikorita, is much stronger than its earlier form. With high Special Defense and decent attack stats, Bayleef can tank hits and deal out significant damage with moves like Razor Leaf. Its status-improving moves are useful in longer battles.

8. Charmander

While a little harder to catch in the early stages, Charmander is an iconic Fire-type that offers immediate power. Evolving into Charizard gives you access to powerful Fire and Flying moves that can cut through many types, especially Grass and Bug.

9. Machop

Machop, a pure Fighting-type, is another excellent choice for early-game. Its impressive physical attack and decent speed allow it to quickly take out enemies in battle. By evolving into Machamp, you gain a powerhouse that can rival many opponents.

10. Inkay

Inkay offers a unique Psychic/Dark typing, making it an interesting addition to your roster. Inkay can learn a variety of moves that target a wide range of opponents, and once it evolves into Malamar, its stats and movepool grow even stronger, making it a valuable team member later in the game.

These Top 10 Early-Game Pokémon to Catch in Pokémon Legends: Z-A will help set you up for success. By catching these Pokémon early on, you’ll have a balanced and diverse team that can handle nearly any challenge the game throws at you. As you progress, remember to keep an eye out for these key Pokémon, as they’ll make your journey through Pokémon Legends: Z-A much smoother and more enjoyable.