Hey there, fellow Pokémon trainer! If you’re anything like me, you’ve been absolutely obsessed with Pokémon Legends Z-A since it dropped. And let’s be real – who doesn’t want a Gardevoir on their team? This elegant Psychic/Fairy type has been a fan favorite since Generation 3, and in Z-A, it’s more powerful than ever. But here’s the thing: finding Ralts in this game isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
I spent countless hours scouring Lumiose City, talking to NPCs, and experimenting with different spawn locations to bring you the most comprehensive Ralts guide out there. Trust me, I’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to! Whether you’re looking to add Gardevoir to your main team or you want to collect both evolution paths, I’ve got you covered.
Why Ralts and Gardevoir Are Worth Your Time?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of finding Ralts, let me tell you why this Pokémon line is absolutely worth the effort. When I first started my Z-A journey, I wasn’t sure if I should bother with Ralts – I mean, there are so many cool Pokémon to choose from, right? But let me tell you, Gardevoir has become one of the MVPs of my team.
Here’s what makes Gardevoir special in Pokémon Legends Z-A:
- Incredible Special Attack: With a base Sp. Atk of 125, Gardevoir hits like a truck against anything that doesn’t resist it
- Great Typing: Psychic/Fairy gives you useful resistances and only two weaknesses (Poison and Steel)
- Mega Evolution Potential: Once you get the Gardevoirite, you can Mega Evolve during battles for even more power
- Versatile Movepool: Access to moves like Psychic, Moonblast, Calm Mind, and more makes it adaptable to any situation
- Early Game Power: You can get Ralts relatively early, meaning you’ll have a fully evolved Gardevoir before hitting the mid-game
I remember the first time I used my Gardevoir in a Promotion Match – it swept through three of my opponent’s Pokémon without breaking a sweat. The satisfaction of seeing all that hard work pay off? Absolutely priceless.
All Ralts Locations in Pokémon Legends Z-A
Okay, let’s get to the good stuff – where to actually find this elusive Pokémon. Unlike most Pokémon in Z-A, Ralts doesn’t spawn in Wild Zones. Instead, you’ll need to check specific locations in Lumiose City. I’ve personally verified each of these spots, so I can promise you they work!
Location 1: Vert Sector 4 Courtyard (Early Game)
This is by far the best spot to get your first Ralts, especially if you’re just starting out. Here’s exactly how to find it:
- Head to Vert Sector 4 in Lumiose City
- Look for Café Classe – it’s a prominent landmark on Vernal Avenue
- Behind the café, you’ll find an enclosed grassy courtyard
- Enter the courtyard and head to the back area
- You should see a Ralts hanging out near some scaffolding
Pro tip: If you don’t see the Ralts right away, don’t panic! Simply warp to the nearby Vernal Pokémon Center and then return to the courtyard. This resets the spawn, and the Ralts should appear. I’ve used this trick dozens of times, and it works like a charm.
Location 2: Magenta Sector 7 (Mid-Game)
This location requires a bit more work but is great if you’re further along in the game:
- Travel to Magenta Sector 7 in northwestern Lumiose City
- Look for a thicket/bush blocking a pathway
- Use any Fire-type move to burn down the bush (I used Ember from my starter)
- Behind the bush, you’ll find a hidden area with a guaranteed Ralts spawn
Cool bonus: If your trainer level is high enough (I’d say level 25+), you might encounter an Alpha Ralts here! Alpha Pokémon have better stats and are usually higher level, making them even more valuable for your team.
Location 3: Galerie de la Lune Rooftop (Late Game)
This is the most challenging location to reach but offers consistent spawns:
- Go to Rouge Sector 2 and find the Galerie de la Lune shopping center
- Look for scaffolding on the north side of the building
- Use your Roto-Glide ability to reach the rooftop
- From there, glide to the glass dome in the center of the complex
- You’ll find a Ralts spawning consistently on top of the dome
Note: You’ll need the Roto-Glide ability for this one, which you typically get around the mid-point of the main story. I’d recommend waiting until you have this ability before attempting this location.
Mystery Gift Ralts (Limited Time)
If you’re reading this guide before February 28, 2026, you’re in luck! There’s a special Mystery Gift available that gives you a Ralts holding a Gardevoirite. Here’s how to claim it:
- Open the menu and select “Link Play”
- Choose “Mystery Gift”
- Select “Get via Internet”
- You’ll receive a Ralts already holding the Gardevoirite Mega Stone
This is honestly the easiest way to get started with Ralts, and the fact that it comes with the Mega Stone already is a huge bonus. I claimed this on day one and it saved me a ton of time searching for the Gardevoirite later.
Ralts Spawn Rates and Best Times
Through my extensive testing (I’m talking hours of camping these spots), I’ve noticed some patterns in Ralts spawns that might help you:
| Location | Best Time to Visit | Spawn Rate | Alpha Chance | Required Progress |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vert Sector 4 | Morning/Day | 80% | 5% | Early Game (Mission 3+) |
| Magenta Sector 7 | Anytime | 60% | 20% | Mid Game (Mission 8+) |
| Galerie de la Lune | Evening/Night | 90% | 10% | Late Game (Roto-Glide) |
| Mystery Gift | N/A | 100% | 0% | Anytime |
Personal observation: I’ve had the most luck at Vert Sector 4 in the morning. For some reason, the spawn rate seems highest between 8 AM and 12 PM in-game time. Your mileage may vary, but it’s worth trying different times if you’re having trouble.
Catching Ralts: Tips and Tricks
Finding Ralts is one thing, but actually catching it can be another challenge entirely. Here are some tips I’ve learned from catching dozens of them:
Recommended Poké Balls
- Ultra Balls: Your best bet for a reliable catch
- Quick Balls: If you can throw one on the first turn, you have a decent chance
- Dusk Balls: Surprisingly effective if you’re catching at night
My personal strategy: I always start with a Quick Ball turn one. If that fails, I switch to Ultra Balls. I’ve caught about 70% of my Ralts this way.
Status Conditions
Ralts is relatively fragile, so be careful with damaging moves. Here’s what works best:
- Sleep: Hypnosis or Spore are perfect for catching Ralts
- Paralysis: Thunder Wave works well and doesn’t risk accidental KOs
- Poison/Burn: I’d avoid these – they can knock out Ralts before you catch it
Warning: Ralts knows Teleport, which it will use if you take too long! I lost count of how many Ralts teleported away before I learned to be quicker with my status moves.
Level Considerations
Ralts spawns between levels 8-15 depending on the location. Here’s my recommendation:
- Bring a Pokémon around level 20-25 – strong enough to weaken Ralts but not so strong that you’ll one-shot it
- Avoid using super-effective moves (Ghost, Poison, Steel)
- Consider using False Swipe if you have it – it’s perfect for leaving Ralts at 1 HP
The Complete Evolution Guide: Ralts to Gardevoir
Now that you’ve got your Ralts, let’s talk about evolving it into the beautiful Gardevoir. This process is straightforward, but there are some important things to know.
Evolution Path Overview
Ralts has a two-stage evolution process:
- Ralts → Kirlia: Level 20
- Kirlia → Gardevoir: Level 30
It’s that simple! No special items needed for the Gardevoir evolution path. Just level up and you’re good to go.
Leveling Up Efficiently
If you’re anything like me, you want that Gardevoir as fast as possible. Here are the best methods I’ve found for leveling up Ralts:
Method 1: EXP Share
The easiest way is to simply put Ralts in your party with EXP Share turned on. It will gain experience from every battle, even if it doesn’t participate. I evolved my first Ralts this way while focusing on my main team.
Method 2: Active Battle Participation
Ralts gains more EXP if it actually participates in battles. Here’s my strategy:
- Switch Ralts in at the beginning of battles
- Use one move (I recommend Confusion or Disarming Voice early on)
- Switch to a stronger Pokémon to finish the fight
- Ralts will get full EXP for participating
Method 3: Lucky Eggs
If you have a Lucky Egg, use it! This item doubles all EXP gained. I saved mine for when my Ralts was around level 15, and it cut my grinding time in half.
Method 4: EXP Farming Spots
Certain areas give more EXP than others. My favorite spots:
- Wild Zone 1: Great for early-game leveling
- Promotion Matches: These give massive EXP if you can win
- High-level Wild Zones: Once you’re strong enough, these are the most efficient
Friendship Evolution Notes
In previous Pokémon games, Ralts evolution was tied to friendship. In Legends Z-A, however, it’s purely level-based. This is actually a blessing – no need to worry about friendship mechanics! Just get those levels and you’re set.
Kirlia to Gardevoir: The Final Evolution
Once your Ralts hits level 20, it will evolve into Kirlia. Now you’re just 10 levels away from your Gardevoir! Here’s what you need to know about this final stage:
Level 30 Evolution
When Kirlia reaches level 30, you’ll get the option to evolve it into Gardevoir. Simply:
- Open the menu
- Select Kirlia
- Choose “Evolve” when the option appears
- Confirm the evolution
And just like that, you’ll have your very own Gardevoir!
Gardevoir’s Base Stats and Capabilities
Let me break down why all this effort is worth it. Here are Gardevoir’s base stats:
| Stat | Value | Rank Among All Pokémon |
|---|---|---|
| HP | 68 | #142 |
| Attack | 65 | #202 |
| Defense | 65 | #182 |
| Special Attack | 125 | #40 |
| Special Defense | 115 | #22 |
| Speed | 80 | #101 |
| Total | 518 | #103 |
What this means: Gardevoir is a special attacking powerhouse with excellent special bulk. Its physical stats are mediocre, but that doesn’t matter when you’re hitting opponents with 125 base Special Attack!
Best Nature for Gardevoir
Based on Gardevoir’s stats, here are the best natures to aim for:
- Modest: ↑ Special Attack, ↓ Attack (Perfect for Gardevoir)
- Timid: ↑ Speed, ↓ Attack (Great for outspeeding opponents)
- Mild: ↑ Special Attack, ↓ Defense (Good for story playthroughs)
My recommendation: Go for Modest if you can get it. The extra Special Attack makes a noticeable difference in battles. I got lucky and found a Modest Ralts early on, and it’s been an absolute monster.
The Gallade Alternative: What You Need to Know
Now, I want to talk about the other evolution path – Gallade. While this guide focuses on Gardevoir, it’s important to know your options.
Male vs Female Kirlia
Here’s the crucial difference:
- Female Kirlia: Can only evolve into Gardevoir
- Male Kirlia: Can evolve into either Gardevoir (level 30) OR Gallade (Dawn Stone)
This is why I recommend catching multiple Ralts if you can – at least one male and one female. That way, you can have both evolution paths covered.
How to Get Gallade
If you want Gallade instead of (or in addition to) Gardevoir:
- Make sure your Kirlia is male
- Obtain a Dawn Stone
- Use the Dawn Stone on Kirlia at any level
- It will evolve into Gallade immediately
Dawn Stone Locations
Dawn Stones can be found in several places:
- Stone Emporium: Available for purchase in southern Lumiose City (mid-game)
- Wild Zones: Can be found as hidden items throughout various zones
- Side Quests: Some quests reward you with evolution stones
Personal tip: I found my first Dawn Stone in Wild Zone 5, near the waterfall. Keep your eyes peeled for sparkly spots on the ground!
Mega Evolution: Taking Gardevoir to the Next Level
Once you have your Gardevoir, you’re not done yet! Mega Evolution is available in Legends Z-A, and Mega Gardevoir is an absolute beast.
How to Get Gardevoirite
The Gardevoirite is the Mega Stone needed for Mega Evolution. Here’s how to get it:
- Mystery Gift Ralts: If you claimed the special Ralts, it comes holding a Gardevoirite
- Stone Emporium: Available for purchase late-game
- Post-game Content: Some post-game areas have guaranteed Mega Stone spawns
Mega Evolution Requirements
To Mega Evolve Gardevoir in battle:
- Gardevoir must be holding the Gardevoirite
- You need to have obtained the Mega Ring (story progression)
- Select the “Mega Evolve” option during battle
Mega Gardevoir Stats and Abilities
Mega Gardevoir gets some serious upgrades:
- Special Attack: Increases from 125 to 165
- Special Defense: Increases from 115 to 135
- Ability: Changes to Pixilate (Normal-type moves become Fairy-type and get 20% boost)
Why this matters: That Pixilate ability is incredible. Moves like Hyper Beam become devastating Fairy-type attacks. I’ve swept entire teams with a well-timed Mega Evolution.
Competitive Movesets and Strategies
While this isn’t a competitive guide per se, I want to share some movesets that have worked wonders for me in both the main story and Promotion Matches.
Main Story Moveset
This is what I used for my playthrough, and it carried me through everything:
- Psychic: STAB move with great power
- Moonblast: Fairy STAB, excellent coverage
- Calm Mind: Set-up move to boost Special Attack and Special Defense
- Draining Kiss: Healing move that also deals damage
Strategy: Lead with Calm Mind if you can, then sweep with Psychic and Moonblast. Use Draining Kiss when you need health.
Late-Game/Promotion Match Moveset
For tougher battles, I recommend this setup:
- Psychic: Your main STAB
- Moonblast: Secondary STAB
- Focus Blast: Coverage against Steel and Dark types
- Wish: Support move for healing
Strategy: This set gives you perfect coverage against almost everything in the game. Focus Blast has shaky accuracy, but when it hits, it destroys would-be counters.
Mega Gardevoir Moveset
If you’re using Mega Evolution:
- Hyper Beam: Becomes Fairy-type with Pixilate, absolutely devastating
- Psychic: Reliable STAB
- Focus Blast: Coverage
- Calm Mind: Set-up to become unstoppable
Warning: Hyper Beam leaves you vulnerable, so only use it when you’re certain it will KO the opponent. I learned this the hard way after getting revenge-killed one too many times!
Training and EV Training Tips
If you want to maximize your Gardevoir’s potential (and why wouldn’t you?), here are some advanced training tips.
EV Training Basics
EVs (Effort Values) are hidden stats that boost your Pokémon’s growth. For Gardevoir, you want to focus on:
- Special Attack: 252 EVs (maximum)
- Speed: 252 EVs (maximum)
- Special Defense: 4 EVs (remaining points)
Best EV Training Spots
Here’s where I trained my Gardevoir:
- Special Attack: Wild Zone 12 (against Psychic-types)
- Speed: Wild Zone 8 (against Flying-types)
- Power Items: Use Power Lens, Power Anklet, etc., to speed up training
Vitamin Method
If you have the money, vitamins are the fastest way to EV train:
- Calcium: +10 Special Attack EVs
- Carbos: +10 Speed EVs
- You can use up to 26 of each vitamin per stat
My approach: I used vitamins to get halfway there, then finished with actual battles. It’s expensive but saves a ton of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve been playing Pokémon Legends Z-A since launch, and I’ve seen a lot of questions pop up about Ralts and Gardevoir. Here are the most common ones, answered based on my personal experience:
When is the earliest I can get Ralts?
You can get your first Ralts as early as Mission 3, once you’re let off the training leash and can freely explore Lumiose City. The Vert Sector 4 location is accessible from this point, making it the earliest possible Ralts catch in the game.
Do I need to worry about friendship for evolution?
No! Unlike previous Pokémon games, Ralts evolution in Legends Z-A is purely level-based. No friendship mechanics required. Just get Ralts to level 20 for Kirlia, then level 30 for Gardevoir. This makes the process much simpler than in games like Ruby/Sapphire.
Can I find shiny Ralts in these locations?
Yes! All the locations I mentioned have a chance to spawn shiny Ralts. The shiny rate appears to be the standard 1/4096, but using methods like Masuda Method or Shiny Charm can improve your odds. I personally found a shiny Ralts in Magenta Sector 7 after about 300 resets – the pink coloration is beautiful!
What’s the difference between Gardevoir and Gallade?
Gardevoir is a special attacker with Psychic/Fairy typing, while Gallade is a physical attacker with Psychic/Fighting typing. Gardevoir has better special bulk, while Gallade has better physical attack. Both are excellent, but they serve different roles on a team.
Can I evolve my male Kirlia into Gardevoir?
Absolutely! Male Kirlia can evolve into either Gardevoir (at level 30) or Gallade (with Dawn Stone). Female Kirlia can only evolve into Gardevoir. This is why I recommend catching multiple Ralts if you want both evolution options.
How do I get the Gardevoirite if I missed the Mystery Gift?
Don’t worry if you missed the limited-time Mystery Gift! You can purchase the Gardevoirite at the Stone Emporium in southern Lumiose City once you’ve progressed far enough in the story. It becomes available around the time you reach Mission 15.
Is Gardevoir good for the main story?
Gardevoir is excellent for the main story! Its Psychic/Fairy typing gives it advantages against many common enemy types, and its high Special Attack means it can OHKO most opponents. I used Gardevoir as my main special attacker and it carried me through countless tough battles.
What level should I evolve my Ralts?
I recommend evolving Ralts as soon as it reaches level 20, and then evolving Kirlia as soon as it hits level 30. There’s no benefit to delaying evolution in Legends Z-A, and Gardevoir learns better moves than Kirlia anyway.
Can I breed Ralts in this game?
Unfortunately, breeding mechanics work differently in Legends Z-A compared to main series games. While you can obtain multiple Ralts through the various spawn locations, traditional breeding isn’t available in the same way.
What’s the best item for Gardevoir to hold?
For non-Mega battles, I recommend the Choice Specs for maximum Special Attack power. If you’re using Mega Evolution, obviously the Gardevoirite is mandatory. For more defensive play, the Sitrus Berry or Leftovers work well.
Personal Tips from My Playthrough
I’ve put over 100 hours into Pokémon Legends Z-A at this point, and I’ve learned a lot about optimizing Ralts and Gardevoir. Here are some personal tips that I haven’t seen elsewhere:
Save Before Important Battles
This seems obvious, but I can’t tell you how many times I forgot to save before tough Promotion Matches. Gardevoir is powerful, but one mistake can cost you the battle. Always save before important fights!
Experiment with Different Moves
Don’t just stick to the moves I recommended. Part of the fun of Pokémon is finding what works for you. I discovered that Thunderbolt on Gardevoir actually works surprisingly well against Flying-types that resist Psychic.
Use Gardevoir in Double Battles
If you’re doing double battles, Gardevoir is an absolute monster. Its ability to hit multiple opponents with moves like Dazzling Gleam, combined with its high Special Attack, makes it perfect for this format.
Don’t Neglect Defense
It’s easy to get caught up in Gardevoir’s offensive capabilities, but don’t forget to invest in its defenses too. A few Calm Mind boosts can turn Gardevoir from a glass cannon into an unstoppable tank.
Have Fun!
Most importantly, have fun with your Gardevoir! Whether you’re using it competitively or just enjoying the story, Gardevoir is a fantastic Pokémon that brings a lot of joy to the game. I’ve had so much fun building my perfect Gardevoir, and I hope you do too!
Conclusion: Your Journey to Gardevoir Mastery
And there you have it – everything you need to know about finding Ralts and evolving it into Gardevoir in Pokémon Legends Z-A! I’ve covered every location, evolution method, competitive strategy, and personal tip I’ve discovered through my extensive playtime.
Remember, the journey to getting your perfect Gardevoir is just as rewarding as having the final product. Whether you’re hunting for that perfect nature, breeding for specific IVs, or just enjoying the story with your Ralts by your side, every step of the process is part of the fun.
I hope this guide helps you on your Pokémon journey. If you have any questions or want to share your own Gardevoir stories, feel free to leave a comment below. And don’t forget to bookmark this page for future reference – you never know when you’ll need to look up that one specific detail about Ralts evolution!
Happy hunting, trainers! May your Ralts be plentiful and your Gardevoirs be mighty!
Looking for more Pokémon Legends Z-A guides? Check out our other articles on Mega Evolution mechanics, Wild Zone completion strategies, and Promotion Match tips. For all things Pokémon, visit our Pokémon hub!