Let me tell you something – when I first started exploring Wild Zone 2 in Pokémon Legends Z-A, I was absolutely stumped. I’d searched every inch of that place, caught every other Pokémon, but my Pokédex was still missing one crucial entry: Staryu. Sound familiar? Don’t worry, I’ve been there, and I’m about to share everything I learned through hours of trial and error.
My Wild Zone 2 Struggle Story
I remember spending what felt like an entire real-life day combing through Wild Zone 2. I was convinced there was some secret area I was missing, or maybe Staryu was hiding in some super obscure spot. I checked behind every rock, in every patch of grass, even tried fishing in every body of water I could find. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
It wasn’t until I stumbled upon a Reddit thread that the lightbulb went off – Staryu only appears at night! I facepalmed so hard I probably left a mark. But hey, that’s how we learn, right? Now I’m here to save you from that same frustration.
The Night-Only Secret: When to Hunt Staryu
Here’s the deal with Staryu in Wild Zone 2 – this starfish Pokémon is seriously nocturnal. I mean, it takes the “star” part of its name quite literally, only coming out when the stars are visible. During the day, you can search until you’re blue in the face, but you won’t find a single Staryu spawning.
Key Timing Information:
- Staryu spawns ONLY during nighttime in Wild Zone 2
- You can change the time of day by resting at benches (unlocked after completing certain story missions)
- Look for benches near the northwestern gate of Wild Zone 2 for quick access
I found this out the hard way, but now I’m sharing it with you so you don’t waste hours like I did. Trust me, there’s nothing more frustrating than searching for something that isn’t even there!
Where Exactly to Find Staryu in Wild Zone 2?
Okay, so you’ve changed it to nighttime – now where do you actually look? I’ve mapped out the exact spots where I consistently found Staryu during my hunting sessions.
Primary Staryu Spawn Locations
In the Water:
- The small lake in the center of Wild Zone 2
- Along the shoreline areas where water meets land
- Swimming near the southeastern island
On Land:
- Various shorelines around the water bodies
- Near the rock formations close to water
- Sometimes spotted on the beaches
When I was hunting, I noticed that Staryu tends to spawn in groups of 2-3, so if you find one, there are likely others nearby. They’re not super rare once you’re hunting at the right time, which is a relief compared to some other Pokémon in the game.
The Alpha Staryu Location
Now, if you’re looking for something more challenging, there’s an Alpha Staryu that spawns in Wild Zone 2. I learned this the hard way when I stumbled upon it with my underleveled team and got absolutely destroyed.
Alpha Staryu Details:
- Location: Southeastern island in Wild Zone 2 (connected by a rock bridge)
- Time: Only appears at night (like regular Staryu)
- Level: Around level 30-31
- Warning: This thing hits HARD with Ice Beam
I tried taking it on with my level 18 Bunnelby early in the game, and let me tell you – it was not pretty. The Alpha Staryu demolished my poor bunny Pokémon in one hit. Lesson learned: come prepared or come back later when you’re stronger.
How to Change Time of Day in Pokémon Legends Z-A?
Since Staryu only appears at night, you need to know how to change the time of day. I remember being confused about this at first, so let me break it down for you.
Time Changing Requirements:
- Complete the three side quests
- Finish the fifth main story quest
- After that, you can interact with any bench in Lumiose City
How to Change Time:
- Find any bench (they’re all over the city)
- Interact with it
- Choose the option to rest until nightfall
- Confirm your choice
I personally use the benches near the northwestern gate of Wild Zone 2 because they’re super convenient. I can change the time and immediately head into the zone to start hunting. Efficiency is key when you’re trying to complete your Pokédex!
Staryu Stats and Evolution Info
Before we dive deeper into catching strategies, let me share some important information about Staryu itself. Knowing your target helps you prepare better, right?
Staryu Base Stats
| Stat | Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| HP | 30 | Pretty fragile, be careful not to knock it out |
| Attack | 45 | Not a physical attacker |
| Defense | 55 | Decent but not great |
| Special Attack | 70 | This is where it shines |
| Special Defense | 55 | Average defensive capabilities |
| Speed | 85 | Actually pretty fast! |
| Total | 340 | Solid for an early-game Water type |
Evolution Information
Staryu evolves into Starmie using a Water Stone. I always keep a few Water Stones handy because Starmie is an absolute beast in battle. With its excellent Special Attack and Speed, plus access to great moves, it’s been a staple on many of my teams throughout the years.
Catching Staryu: Tips and Strategies
Now let’s get to the good stuff – actually catching these starfish Pokémon. I’ve developed some pretty solid strategies through my hunting adventures.
Basic Catching Approach
Staryu is actually one of the easier Pokémon to catch once you find it. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Stealth is Your Friend: Staryu doesn’t get aggressive easily. I’ve found that if I stay crouched in the tall grass and approach slowly, I can often get really close without spooking it.
- Use the Environment: The shorelines have plenty of long grass for hiding. I use this to my advantage, getting into position without being seen.
- Simple Poké Balls Work: Unlike some other Pokémon, Staryu doesn’t require special balls. I’ve caught most of mine with regular Poké Balls, though Ultra Balls give you better odds if you’re worried about it breaking free.
Battle Strategy (If You Get Spotted
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you’ll end up in a battle with Staryu. Here’s how I handle it:
Recommended Pokémon:
- Electric types (they resist Water moves and hit hard)
- Grass types (but be careful of Ice Beam from Alpha Staryu)
- Anything with good Special Defense
Moves to Avoid:
- Don’t use super effective moves unless you’re trying to knock it out
- Avoid status moves that might make catching harder
I usually lead with an Electric-type Pokémon and use a weak move to get Staryu’s health low without knocking it out. Then I switch to throwing Poké Balls. Works like a charm most of the time!
Alpha Staryu Battle Strategy
If you’re brave enough to take on the Alpha Staryu, you’ll need a solid strategy. I learned this from my failed attempts and eventual success.
Alpha Staryu’s Move Set
| Move | Type | Danger Level |
|---|---|---|
| Ice Beam | Ice | HIGH (super effective against Grass types) |
| Swift | Normal | Medium (always hits) |
| Bubble Beam | Water | Medium (can lower Speed) |
| Aqua Jet | Water | High (priority move) |
Recommended Team Composition
Based on my experience, here’s what works best against Alpha Staryu:
Electric Types:
- Any Electric Pokémon with Thunderbolt or Thunder Fang
- They resist Water moves and hit back hard
- Just watch out for Ice Beam if you’re using something like Magneton
High-Level Grass Types:
- Only if they’re high level and have Giga Drain
- The risk is Ice Beam, which will destroy most Grass types
- I’d only recommend this if you can one-shot it
General Tips:
- Bring Pokémon around level 35+ for a fair fight
- Have plenty of healing items ready
- Consider using status moves like Thunder Wave to paralyze it
Why Bother with Staryu? My Personal Take
You might be wondering, “Is Staryu even worth all this trouble?” Let me share my personal experience with this Pokémon.
Staryu (and its evolution Starmie) has been one of my favorite Water types since the original games. There’s just something about that starfish design that I love. But beyond aesthetics, Starmie is actually incredibly useful in battle.
Why I Love Starmie:
- Excellent Speed tier lets it outspeed many opponents
- Great Special Attack makes it a formidable special attacker
- Access to moves like Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, and Psychic gives it great coverage
- Water/Psychic typing is unique and useful
I’ve used Starmie in competitive play, and it never disappoints. Plus, in Pokémon Legends Z-A, having a good Water type is practically essential for covering various type matchups throughout the game.
Completing the Wild Zone 2 Survey
One of the main reasons you might be hunting for Staryu is to complete the “Surveying Wild Zone 2” request for Maple. I remember how frustrating it was to have five out of six Pokémon and be stuck on that last one.
Complete Wild Zone 2 Pokémon List:
| Pokémon | Type | Time of Day | Location Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kakuna | Bug/Poison | Any time | On trees, west side |
| Patrat | Normal | Any time | Cliffs in middle, northeast bridge area |
| Binacle | Rock/Water | Any time | Grassy area where bridges meet |
| Staryu | Water | Night only | In water and on shorelines |
| Magikarp | Water | Any time | Swimming in rivers |
| Budew | Grass/Poison | Any time | Near southern gate bridge |
Once you catch all six, you’ll complete the survey and earn those sweet research points. I think it’s 1,000 points for completing the Wild Zone 2 survey, which is definitely worth the effort.
Advanced Tips for Shiny Hunters
If you’re like me and love shiny hunting, Wild Zone 2 can be a great spot for shiny Staryu. Here are some advanced techniques I’ve picked up:
Method 1: Fly Reset
- Change time to night
- Fly to a nearby location (like Cafe Soleil)
- Fly back to Wild Zone 2
- Check for shiny Staryu spawns
- Repeat if no shiny appears
Method 2: Bench AFK
- Find a bench near Wild Zone 2
- Change to night time
- Enter Wild Zone 2 and check spawns
- If no shiny, return to bench
- Wait a few minutes, then re-enter
I’ve had decent success with the Fly Reset method, though shiny hunting always requires patience. The night-only restriction actually makes it a bit more challenging, but also more rewarding when you finally find that sparkly starfish!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Based on my experience and what I’ve seen others struggle with, here are some common mistakes you’ll want to avoid:
Mistake 1: Searching During Daytime I can’t stress this enough – Staryu does NOT appear during the day in Wild Zone 2. I wasted so much time before realizing this. Don’t make my mistake!
Mistake 2: Not Changing Time Properly Make sure you’ve actually progressed far enough in the story to change time at benches. If you can’t rest at benches yet, you need to complete more main story missions first.
Mistake 3: Underestimating Alpha Staryu That Alpha Staryu is no joke. I learned this the hard way with my underleveled team. Either come prepared with strong Pokémon or come back later when you’re higher level.
Mistake 4: Forgetting About Other Locations While Wild Zone 2 is the focus here, Staryu also appears in Wild Zone 10 (after Main Mission 9) and in Blue and Magenta Districts. If you’re really struggling, these are alternative options.
My Personal Staryu Story
Let me share a quick personal story about my Staryu hunting adventure. I was trying to complete the Pokédex and was stuck on Wild Zone 2 for what felt like forever. I had all the other Pokémon but just couldn’t find that last Staryu.
One night, I decided to try one more time before bed. I changed the time to night, entered Wild Zone 2, and there it was – not just one Staryu, but a whole group of them! And to make it even better, one of them was shiny! I couldn’t believe my luck.
I carefully caught the shiny one first (my heart was pounding), then caught a few regular ones for good measure. That shiny Starmie is now one of my favorite Pokémon in my collection, and it all started with that late-night hunting session.
Sometimes persistence really does pay off in Pokémon games!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I find Staryu in Wild Zone 2?
The most common reason is that you’re searching during the daytime. Staryu only appears at night in Wild Zone 2. Make sure you’ve changed the time to nighttime using a bench.
How do I change the time of day in Pokémon Legends Z-A?
You need to complete certain story missions first (specifically the three side quests and fifth main mission). After that, you can interact with any bench in Lumiose City to rest until nightfall.
Where exactly is the Alpha Staryu located?
The Alpha Staryu spawns on the southeastern island in Wild Zone 2. There’s a rock bridge connecting it to the main area. Remember, it only appears at night and is around level 30-31.
What level should I be to fight Alpha Staryu?
I recommend being at least level 35+ before attempting Alpha Staryu. It has powerful moves like Ice Beam that can easily defeat lower-level Pokémon.
Can Staryu appear during the day anywhere else?
Yes! While Staryu only appears at night in Wild Zone 2, it can spawn during both day and night in Wild Zone 10 (available after Main Mission 9) and in Blue and Magenta Districts.
What’s the best way to catch Staryu?
Staryu is relatively easy to catch. I recommend using stealth by crouching in tall grass and approaching slowly. Regular Poké Balls usually work fine, but Ultra Balls give you better odds if you’re concerned.
Is Staryu worth using on my team?
Absolutely! Staryu evolves into Starmie, which has excellent Speed and Special Attack stats. It’s a versatile special attacker with great move coverage, making it valuable throughout the game.
How do I evolve Staryu into Starmie?
Staryu evolves into Starmie when you use a Water Stone on it. Make sure you have a Water Stone ready when your Staryu reaches a level you’re happy with.
Can I shiny hunt for Staryu in Wild Zone 2?
Yes! Wild Zone 2 is actually a decent spot for shiny Staryu hunting. Use the Fly Reset or Bench AFK methods, and remember you can only hunt at night.
Do I need Staryu to complete the Wild Zone 2 survey?
Yes, Staryu is one of the six Pokémon you need to catch to complete the “Surveying Wild Zone 2” request for Maple. You’ll need to catch it along with Kakuna, Patrat, Binacle, Magikarp, and Budew.
Final Thoughts
Finding Staryu in Wild Zone 2 might seem frustrating at first, especially with the night-only restriction, but trust me – it’s worth the effort. Whether you’re trying to complete your Pokédex, finish the Wild Zone 2 survey, or add a powerful Water/Psychic type to your team, Staryu (and eventually Starmie) delivers.
I hope this guide saves you from the hours of frustration I went through when I first started hunting for Staryu. Remember the key points: hunt at night, use benches to change time, check the water and shorelines, and come prepared if you’re going after the Alpha.
Happy hunting, trainers! May your Poké Balls never fail and your shiny luck be ever in your favor. And hey, if you do manage to find a shiny Staryu out there, drop a comment and let me know – I’d love to hear about your success stories!
Want more Pokémon Legends Z-A guides? Check out our other articles for tips on finding rare Pokémon, mastering the battle system, and completing every mission in the game. Don’t forget to bookmark this page for future reference – you never know when you might need to come back for that Starmie evolution guide!