While you may not be able to start Pokemon Legends: Z-A with the Kalos starters, you can still unlock them. Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie are all available in-game and can be added to your team relatively early on. So, if you’re looking to replace your selected starter with one from Gen 6, then you’re in luck.
Unfortunately, none of the Kalos starters are going to be roaming around early on in the game, so you will only be able to get one of each at the start of the game, and will be stuck with them until you can unlock the Wild Zones they spawn in.
Where To Get Chespin
Once you begin Main Mission 6, you’ll suddenly have access to a handful of Side Missions, including Side Mission 7: A Feisty Chespin. You can find Side Mission 7 between Rouge Sector 2 and Academie Etolie. There, you will find an angry Chespin next to a car. Unlike the other two Kalos starter missions, this one won’t require you to go anywhere else to complete it.
The Side Mission is simply that Chespin is looking for a fight and will have you battle it several times. Once you’ve beaten it enough times, the person who started the Side Mission will encourage it to take a break and accompany you, allowing it to grow stronger, which will grant you this Chespin. From there, you can fully evolve Chespin to unlock your very own Chesnaught.
Where To Catch Wild Chespin
Although Side Mission 7 is the earliest way to unlock Chespin, you will also be able to catch it once you unlock Wild Zone 17 as well. There’s no real reason to wait this late, especially given how easy Side Mission 7 is to complete, unless you specifically want a shiny or Alpha.
In Wild Zone 17, you can find Chespin during the day or night. That being said, if you don’t see any or accidentally defeat the ones you do see without catching them, leave and reset the area to keep searching. You may even spot an Alpha Chespin in this area if you’ve caught all the available Pokémon in this Wild Zone.
Where To Get Fennekin
In the middle of Magenta Sector 2, you’ll be able to find a woman named Blanche with a Side Mission related to Fennekin. She shouldn’t be too hard to spot, considering that Fennekin will be curled up right next to her. Interact with her to begin Side Mission 8: Get Well, Fennekin.
This Side Mission unlocks at the same time as the other two Kalos starter Side Missions, during Main Mission 6, so you’ll be able to do it as soon as you begin unlocking Side Missions as a whole.
The main objective of the mission will be to find a Revitalizing Twig for Fennekin, which mission markers will guide you to. Once you complete the mission, you’ll be rewarded with some money, items, and, of course, Fennekin. You can then fully evolve Fennekin to unlock Delphox.
Where To Catch Wild Fennekin
If you’re unhappy with the Fennekin you received from Side Mission 8 or don’t wish to complete the Side Mission, then the only other way to get Fennekin is in Wild Zone 18. Here, wild Fennekin will spawn, sometimes even as an Alpha, for you to catch until you have one you’re happy with.
If you can’t find any or accidentally let them all escape, then you can always rest or fast-travel to reset the area. They do spawn during both night and day, so it shouldn’t matter when you go to look for them.
Where To Get Froakie
If you’re hoping to get your hands on a Greninja, especially since its Mega Evolution Stone is the first one available through season one of online ranked battles, then you’re in luck. Like Fennekin and Chespin, Froakie can be found relatively early on in the game. Specifically, you’ll be able to obtain your first one by completing Side Mission 9: A Challenge From Froakie.
Don’t forget to take advantage of Mints if you’re not a fan of the nature of your Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie.
This mission can be found east of Jaune Sector 8 along North Boulevard. There will be a Racine Construction worker standing next to a construction platform here, which has a Froakie sitting on it. The Side Mission will involve you completing three platforming challenges in a limited time, and if you’re successful, you’ll be gifted the Froakie as a reward.
Where To Catch Wild Froakie
While Froakie is technically the last of the Kalos starters in terms of Side Missions, it’s the opposite in terms of Wild Zones. Of course, none of that truly matters, since all three Side Missions and all three Wild Zones where they can be found unlock at the same time. With that being said, if you’re looking to catch a wild Froakie, you’ll need to head to Wild Zone 16.
In Wild Zone 16, you’ll be able to find Froakie day or night. Although the Side Mission is the optimal way to unlock Greninja early, the Wild Zone is the best way to hunt for a shiny or Alpha Froakie, if you’re interested in one. Either way, once you’ve completed all three Side Missions or visited all three Wild Zones, you’ll officially have unlocked all three Kalos Starters in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
