While the latest trailer forPokemon Legends: Z-Ahas finally confirmed its trio of intergenerational starter Pokemon, it seems that one particular Gen 2 starter Pokemon has come up short in the upcoming game. Ever since it was first revealed in 2024, rumors and leaks aroundLegends: Z-Ahave been rampant, with speculation encompassing everything from its Lumiose City setting to potential regional variants and the return of Mega Evolutions. Among these were questions over whichPokemon would be picked forLegends: Z-A’s starter trio, especially when its predecessor,Pokemon Legends: Arceus, featured starter Pokemon from multiple generations.
Appearing prominently throughoutPokemon Legends: Z-A’s new trailer, it seems that the game’s starter trio consists of Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile. However, Game Freak’s decision to pick Chikorita and Totodile as two out of Gen 2’s three starter Pokemon has inadvertently left the impression that its third, Cyndaquil, has been dropped in favor of Gen 5’s Tepig. While there is an obvious and straightforward answer as to why this choice was made, it still puts Cyndaquil in the unlucky position of being intentionally left out of its usual pack inLegends: Z-A.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Starter Trio Leaves Cyndaquil Behind
Despite extensive leaks andrumors suggesting thatPokemonLegends: Z-A’s starter triocould feature the likes ofPokemon XandY’s original trio or Pokemon from Gens 3, 5, and 8, the game’s recent trailer has proven otherwise. However, the surprise picks forLegends: Z-A’s starter Pokemon with Gen 2’s Chikorita and Totodile alongside Gen 5’s Tepig seem unusual, asLegends: Arceusset the precedent for choosing starter Pokemon from each generation individually. Two ofLegends: Z-A’s starter Pokemon originating from the same generation, which raises questions about why Cyndaquil was left out of the new trio and how this could influence the game.
The Likely Reason Why Pokemon Legends: Z-A Overlooks Cyndaquil
Though it might be an underwhelming reason, it could simply be that Cyndaquil’s previous inclusion inLegends: Arceus' starter trio meant it was out of the running for the nextPokemon Legendsgame. BetweenLegends: Arceus' 2022 release date andLegends: Z-A’sprojected launch in late 2025, it could be that Game Freak believed it was too soon for Cyndaquil to feature in a new game. However, while this does potentially explain why Cyndaquil wasn’t included inLegends: Z-A’s starter trio, it doesn’t account for why Game Freakfavored two starter Pokemon from the same generation.
Cyndaquil Could Reveal More About Pokemon Legends: Z-A Thanks to Pokemon Legends: Arceus
But there could be more to Cyndaquil’s absence inLegends: Z-Athat could both explain why it is missing and why Gen 2’s Chikorita and Totodile make up two-thirds of the game’s starter Pokemon. In addition to its recent inclusion as one ofLegends: Arceus' starter Pokemon, the game’s trio of Cyndaquil, Oshawott, and Rowlett featured brand-new Hisuian variants for their third and final evolutions.Game Freak may have chosen Chikorita, Totodile, and Tepig forLegends: Z-Abecause it plans to give its trio the same treatment with three all-new regional evolutions. Therefore, it would exclude an “unlucky” Cyndaquil to avoid giving it yet another variant.
While this is speculative, as neither the recent trailer nor Game Freak have confirmed regional starter variants forLegends: Z-A, it could help explain why Chikorita and Totodile were chosen for the game’s new starter trio. Despite both coming from the same second generation ofPokemongames, Game Freak may have selected Chikorita and Totodile with their final evolutionary stages in mind. As a result, similar to how it has already embracedLegends: Arceus' intergenerational trio of starter Pokemon,players could expectLegends: Z-Ato also introduce regional variants of Meganium, Feraligatr, and Emboar.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
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Pokémon Legends: Z-A is an ambitious new entry to the Pokémon video game series, releasing simultaneously worldwide in 2025. A new adventure awaits within Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon.
