Pikachu is one of the most famous Pokemon in the world, and for good reason! This electric mouse has been the face of the Pokemon franchise since the beginning, appearing in games, TV shows, and movies. If you’re playing Pokemon Legends ZA, you probably want to add this iconic Pokemon to your team. The good news is that there are three main ways to get Pikachu in Pokemon Legends ZA: you can catch a Pichu and evolve it, find wild Pikachu in specific locations, or track down the rare Alpha Pikachu. This guide will walk you through each method step by step, so you can have your very own Pikachu in no time.
Key Takeaways
- Three main methods to get Pikachu: evolve Pichu, catch wild Pikachu, or find Alpha Pikachu
- Wild Zone 3 at Rouge Plaza is the best spot for wild Pikachu spawns during day and night
- Pichu can be found in Wild Zone 1 and evolved through friendship at Novuveau Cafe
- Alpha Pikachu appears in Wild Zone 6 on a rooftop at level 41 – be prepared for a tough battle
- Thunder Stone evolves Pikachu into Raichu – available at Stone Emporium or in Lumiose City
- Friendship evolution requires max friendship – achieved through coffee at Novuveau Cafe
- Save before catching – both Pichu and Alpha Pikachu can run away if you fail
Method 1: Catch and Evolve Pichu into Pikachu
The first way to get Pikachu in Pokemon Legends ZA is by catching its pre-evolution, Pichu, and evolving it through friendship. This method is great because you can find Pichu very early in the game.
Where to Find Pichu
Pichu lives in Wild Zone 1, which is one of the first areas you can explore in Pokemon Legends ZA. To reach Pichu’s location, you’ll need the TM Rock Smash to break some boulders that block your path. Once you have Rock Smash, head to the back entrance of Wild Zone 1 by following the alleyway.
Pichu is very shy and will run away if it spots you, so you need to be sneaky. Move slowly and quietly when you’re in the area. When you see Pichu, aim carefully and throw your Poke Ball before it notices you. Make sure to save your game before attempting to catch Pichu, because if it breaks free from the Poke Ball, it will run away immediately.
How to Evolve Pichu Through Friendship
Once you’ve caught Pichu, you need to max out its friendship to evolve it into Pikachu. The easiest way to do this in Pokemon Legends ZA is by visiting the Novuveau Cafe. Here’s what you need to do:
- Head to Novuveau Cafe in Lumiose City
- Order any coffee four times
- Each coffee will increase your Pichu’s friendship level
- After four coffees, your Pichu will have max friendship
- Level up Pichu once (through battle or experience candy) and it will evolve into Pikachu
This friendship evolution method is reliable and works every time if you follow the steps correctly. Remember that Pichu doesn’t evolve at a specific level – it’s all about friendship!
Method 2: Catch Wild Pikachu in Pokemon Legends ZA
If you don’t want to bother with evolution, you can catch Pikachu directly from the wild in Pokemon Legends ZA. This method is straightforward once you know where to look.
Best Pikachu Location: Wild Zone 3
The primary Pikachu location in Pokemon Legends ZA is Wild Zone 3 at Rouge Plaza. Pikachu spawns here both during the day and at night, making it a reliable spot to find one. When you arrive at Rouge Plaza, look for Pikachu in the grassy areas and near buildings.
Pikachu in this area are very alert and will notice you quickly if you try to sneak up on them. While it’s possible to catch them by sneaking, your best bet is to battle them first. Weaken Pikachu with your Pokemon to make it easier to catch, then throw your Poke Ball when its health is low.
Respawn Tips for Multiple Attempts
If you don’t catch Pikachu on your first try, don’t worry! You can reset the Wild Zones to make Pikachu respawn. Here are two methods:
- Teleport method: Fast travel to a location far from Wild Zone 3, then return to Rouge Plaza
- Time method: Leave the area and come back after a few minutes to let the Pokemon respawn
Both methods work well, so choose whichever is more convenient for you. Remember that patience is key when trying to catch Pikachu in Pokemon Legends ZA.
Method 3: How to Catch Alpha Pikachu
For trainers looking for a challenge, catching an Alpha Pikachu is the ultimate test. Alpha Pokemon are special versions that are larger, stronger, and more aggressive than their regular counterparts.
Alpha Pikachu Location in Wild Zone 6
You can find Alpha Pikachu in Wild Zone 6, sitting on a rooftop at level 41. This is much higher level than the wild Pikachu in Wild Zone 3, so make sure your team is strong enough before attempting this catch.
To reach the Alpha Pikachu location in Wild Zone 6:
- Enter Wild Zone 6 and look for tall buildings
- Find the ladder or climbing point to reach the rooftop
- The Alpha Pikachu will be waiting there, noticeably larger than regular Pikachu
Battle Strategy for Alpha Pikachu
Alpha Pikachu is very aggressive and will attack you on sight. Here’s how to prepare for this battle:
- Bring Pokemon that resist Electric attacks – Ground types work best
- Use status moves – Sleep or paralysis can help weaken Alpha Pikachu
- Stock up on healing items – Alpha Pokemon hit hard
- Bring your best Poke Balls – Ultra Balls have a higher catch rate
The catch rate for Alpha Pikachu is very low, so don’t get discouraged if it takes several tries. Save your game before attempting the catch so you can reload if Alpha Pikachu defeats your team or runs away.
How to Evolve Pikachu into Raichu
Once you have your Pikachu, you might want to evolve it into Raichu for even more power. Evolving Pikachu in Pokemon Legends ZA is simple and doesn’t depend on levels.
Thunder Stone Requirements
To evolve Pikachu into Raichu, you need a Thunder Stone. Unlike Pichu’s friendship evolution, Pikachu’s evolution doesn’t require any special conditions besides having the Thunder Stone.
Where to Find Thunder Stone
There are two main ways to get a Thunder Stone in Pokemon Legends ZA:
- Stone Emporium: You can buy a Thunder Stone here for 3,000 Pokedollars
- Lumiose City exploration: Thunder Stones appear as red Poke Ball items scattered throughout Lumiose City
The Stone Emporium is the most reliable method if you have the money, but exploring Lumiose City can be fun and might reward you with other useful items too.
Evolution Process
Once you have a Thunder Stone, evolving Pikachu is easy:
- Open your menu and go to the Items section
- Select the Thunder Stone
- Choose to use it on Pikachu
- Confirm the evolution
- Enjoy your new Raichu!
Remember that once you evolve Pikachu into Raichu, you can’t go back. Make sure you’re ready to say goodbye to your Pikachu before using the Thunder Stone.
Common Mistakes When Getting Pikachu
Many trainers make the same mistakes when trying to get Pikachu in Pokemon Legends ZA. Here are the most common errors and how to avoid them:
Friendship Evolution Errors
Some players try to level up Pichu without maxing out friendship first. Remember that Pichu won’t evolve just by gaining levels – you need to max out its friendship at Novuveau Cafe first. Don’t waste your time grinding levels if you haven’t done the friendship method yet!
Wrong Wild Zone Locations
It’s easy to confuse the different Wild Zones in Pokemon Legends ZA. Make sure you’re looking in the right places:
- Pichu: Wild Zone 1
- Regular Pikachu: Wild Zone 3 (Rouge Plaza)
- Alpha Pikachu: Wild Zone 6 (rooftop)
Double-check your map to ensure you’re in the correct zone before spending time searching.
Poor Catching Strategies
Both Pichu and wild Pikachu can run away if you’re not careful. Always save before attempting to catch them, and consider using better Poke Balls if you keep failing. For Alpha Pikachu, don’t even try to catch it without weakening it first in battle.
Pro Tips for Pikachu Trainers
Once you have your Pikachu, these tips will help you make the most of this electric powerhouse:
Best Moveset Recommendations
Pikachu learns some great moves in Pokemon Legends ZA. Focus on these:
- Thunderbolt – Powerful and reliable Electric attack
- Quick Attack – Fast move that usually goes first
- Iron Tail – Good coverage against Rock and Ice types
- Electro Ball – Powerful against slower opponents
Training Strategies
Pikachu is fast but fragile. Train it to be a special attacker by focusing on Special Attack EVs. Since Pikachu has low HP, teach it moves that help it survive, like Light Screen or Protect.
Battle Advantages
Pikachu’s Electric typing gives it advantages against Flying and Water types. It’s especially useful in the Battle Zones at night in Pokemon Legends ZA, where many Water-type Pokemon appear.
Shiny Hunting Tips
If you want a shiny Pikachu, try this method:
- Save before entering a Pikachu spawn area
- Check if any Pikachu are shiny
- If not, close the game and reload
- Repeat until you find a shiny Pikachu
Shiny Pikachu has a slightly different color – it’s more orange than yellow. This method works for both regular and Alpha Pikachu!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to evolve Pichu into Pikachu?
To evolve Pichu into Pikachu in Pokemon Legends ZA, you need to max out its friendship level first. The easiest way is to visit Novuveau Cafe and order any coffee four times. This will max out Pichu’s friendship. After that, level up Pichu once through battle or experience candy, and it will evolve into Pikachu. Remember that Pichu doesn’t evolve at a specific level – friendship is the only requirement!
Where to find shiny Pikachu in Pokemon Legends ZA?
Shiny Pikachu can be found in the same locations as regular Pikachu, primarily in Wild Zone 3 at Rouge Plaza. The shiny rate is low, so you’ll need patience. Save your game before entering the area, check if any Pikachu are shiny (they’ll be more orange than yellow), and if not, reload and try again. This method works for both regular and Alpha Pikachu spawns.
What level does Pichu evolve at?
Pichu doesn’t evolve at a specific level in Pokemon Legends ZA. Instead, it evolves through friendship when it reaches maximum friendship level and then gains one level. This means Pichu could evolve at level 5, level 15, or level 50 – as long as the friendship requirement is met first. Focus on building friendship rather than grinding levels.
How to get Thunder Stone in Pokemon Legends ZA?
You can get Thunder Stone in Pokemon Legends ZA through two main methods. First, you can buy it at the Stone Emporium for 3,000 Pokedollars. Second, you can find Thunder Stones as red Poke Ball items scattered throughout Lumiose City. The Stone Emporium is the most reliable method if you have the money, while exploring the city can be more adventurous.
Where to find Alpha Pikachu?
Alpha Pikachu can be found in Wild Zone 6, sitting on a rooftop at level 41. To reach it, enter Wild Zone 6 and look for tall buildings with climbing access. The Alpha Pikachu will be noticeably larger than regular Pikachu and much more aggressive. Make sure your team is strong enough before attempting this challenging catch.
How to increase friendship with Pokemon?
To increase friendship with Pokemon in Pokemon Legends ZA, the most effective method is visiting Novuveau Cafe and ordering coffee. Each coffee you order increases friendship with your Pokemon. Other methods include winning battles, using your Pokemon in activities, and keeping them in your active party. The cafe method is the fastest and most reliable for evolution purposes.
Does catching Pichu with a Luxury Ball help evolution?
Yes, catching Pichu with a Luxury Ball can help with friendship evolution in Pokemon Legends ZA. Luxury Balls increase the rate at which a Pokemon’s friendship grows, making it faster to reach the maximum friendship needed for evolution. While not required, using a Luxury Ball can reduce the number of coffees you need at Novuveau Cafe from four to three, saving you time and money.
Conclusion
Getting Pikachu in Pokemon Legends ZA is an exciting adventure that offers multiple paths to success. Whether you choose to evolve a Pichu through friendship at Novuveau Cafe, catch a wild Pikachu in Wild Zone 3 at Rouge Plaza, or challenge yourself with the powerful Alpha Pikachu in Wild Zone 6, you’ll end up with one of the most iconic Pokemon in the franchise.
Remember that patience and preparation are key – save before attempting catches, bring the right items, and don’t get discouraged if it takes a few tries. Once you have your Pikachu, you can keep it as is or evolve it into Raichu using a Thunder Stone from the Stone Emporium or Lumiose City.
Now that you know all the methods to get Pikachu in Pokemon Legends ZA, it’s time to start your adventure! Which method will you try first? Will you go for the quick wild catch, the friendship evolution, or the challenging Alpha Pikachu? Whatever you choose, enjoy building your bond with this amazing electric Pokemon!
