Pokémon Legends Z-A Alpha Pokémon locations

Map of all Alpha Pokémon locations

Below is a map from our friends at Map Genie of the locations of all Alpha Pokémon in Lumiose City:

Pokémon Legends Z-A Alpha Pokémon locations

Here's our in-progress list of all the Alpha Pokémon locations in Pokémon Legends: Z-A:

Can Alpha Pokémon be shiny in Pokémon Legends Z-A?

Yes, Alpha Pokémon can be shiny in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Keep in mind that the same shiny odds and shiny locked rules are at play. This means, firstly, Shiny Alpha Pokémon are incredibly rare. Secondly, getting the Shiny Charm will increase your chance of encountering a Shiny Alpha Pokémon. Third and finally, any Alpha Pokémon you receive from a Mission or Side Mission - be it as a gift or a catch encounter - will be Shiny Locked. These rules will also follow over into the Mega Dimensions DLC.

Tips for catching Alpha Pokémon

Alpha Pokémon are powerful variants of the regular Pokémon you can encounter in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Typically they're the final evolution of a Pokémon, but you can find a number of stage one Alpha Pokémon as well. Be careful though - they're just as dangerous as the final evolution Alpha Pokémon and can be just as difficult to catch.

Due to this, it might be a good idea to avoid Alpha Pokémon if you've just started playing Legends: Z-A. Yes, it would be a great Pokémon to have in your party, but will you survive the fight? Will you be able to defeat the Pokémon surrounding it too? Do you have enough Poké Balls to catch it? Are they strong enough to keep it captured? Take all of these factors into account before you decide to fight an Alpha Pokémon.

It's highly unlikely you're going to catch any Alpha Pokémon on your first try, let alone the one-off chance Legends: Z-A gives you after depleting a Pokémon's health to zero. This means to ensure you catch it, you need to catch an Alpha Pokémon in battle - ideally when it's in the red portion of its health.

Once you reach this point, start throwing out Poké Balls and consider returning your Pokémon to its Poké Ball. Remember - the real-time battle mechanics mean you can run about wild Pokémon freely, so you just keep tossing ball after ball at it. You will take damage though if a Pokémon's attack hits you, so make sure you keep moving! This is worth doing though even if your Pokémon are still on the field, because some Alpha Pokémon have attacks with a wide range. No-one wants to end up on the wrong end of a Solar Beam…

Just don't wander too far when fighting Alpha Pokémon or lest it will heal itself. No - seriously, they must all have an invisible Pokémon Center or a bag of Potions stolen from a fallen trainer.

Best of luck catching every Alpha Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A! Make sure you check out our Legends: Z-A Pokédex and new Mega Evolutions as well.