Let me tell you something – when I first started playing Pokémon Legends Z-A, I was absolutely determined to get my hands on a Larvitar. I mean, who wouldn’t want this little rock-skinned powerhouse that eventually evolves into the mighty Tyranitar? But man, let me tell you, finding this guy was like trying to find a needle in a haystack – until I figured out all the secrets.
I’ve spent countless hours exploring every nook and cranny of Lumiose City, battling my way through Wild Zones, and yes, even falling off more rooftops than I’d like to admit. But you know what? It was all worth it because now I’m going to share everything I’ve learned about finding Larvitar in Pokémon Legends Z-A.
Why Larvitar is Worth the Hunt?
Before we dive into the locations, let me just say why I think Larvitar is one of the best Pokémon you can get in this game. When I first caught mine, I wasn’t expecting much from this little green dinosaur-looking creature, but boy was I wrong.
Larvitar eventually evolves into Pupitar at Level 30, and then into the absolute beast that is Tyranitar at Level 55. We’re talking about a Rock/Dark-type kaiju with stats that can rival some of the legendary Pokémon in the game. Plus, if you manage to get the Tyranitarite (more on that later), you can even Mega Evolve it!
I’ve used my Tyranitar in countless battles, and let me tell you – there’s nothing quite like watching your once-tiny Larvitar transform into this massive powerhouse that can take down almost anything in its path.
All Larvitar Locations in Pokémon Legends Z-A
Okay, let’s get to the good stuff. I’ve found Larvitar in several different locations throughout the game, and I’m going to share each one with you. Some of these you can access pretty early, while others require you to progress further in the story.
Location 1: Vert Sector 2 (Early Game)
This is probably the most popular early-game location for Larvitar, and it’s where I found my first one. Here’s exactly how to get there:
- Start at Wild Zone 2 – Head to the west side of Wild Zone 2 and look for “Vert Sector 2,” which is basically a green garden area on the northwest side near Vert Plaza.
- Take the right staircase – When you’re facing Vert Sector 2, you’ll see a staircase. Take the right side of these stairs and continue into the Vert Sector 2 area.
- Find the ladder – Once you’re in the grassy area, veer to your right until you spot a ladder that goes up a building. This is your ticket to the rooftops!
- Climb and turn left – Go up that ladder and immediately turn left once you’re on the rooftop.
- Navigate the rooftops – Keep following the rooftops around until you see some boxes stacked up near a gap between buildings.
Now, here’s where it gets tricky. You need to get across that gap, and you have two options:
Option A: The Early Game Method (No Roto-Glide) If you haven’t unlocked Roto-Glide yet (you won’t get this until Mission 16), you’ll need to use some parkour skills. Get as far back on the boxes as possible, start sprinting, and hit the roll button (Y) right as you’re about to fall off. This takes some practice – I probably fell about 10 times before I nailed it!
Option B: The Late Game Method (With Roto-Glide) Once you have Roto-Glide from Mission 16, this becomes much easier. Just glide across the gap like it’s nothing.
- Find Larvitar – Once you’re across the gap, head straight and then go left when you see new rooftops. Look for a vent on the left side of the roof and hide behind it. In the grass in front of this vent, you’ll find your Larvitar!
Pro tip: Save your game before attempting to catch Larvitar. I learned this the hard way after missing it several times. Just press X then ZR to save.
Location 2: Bleu Sector 7 (Mid-Game)
This location requires a bit more story progression, but it’s worth it because you can find an Alpha Larvitar here! Here’s how to reach it:
- Progress the story – You’ll need to have access to the holovator in this area, which typically happens around Main Mission 19 or so.
- Find the scaffolding – Look for scaffolding next to Nouveau Café (Truck No. 2). This is your starting point.
- Climb up – Take the scaffolding up to the rooftops. Interestingly, this is also where you can find an Eevee!
- Follow the rooftops – Keep following the rooftop path around until you can Roto-Glide across to another building.
- Go up the ladder – Once you’re on the new building, you’ll see a ladder to your left. Take it up.
- Find the roof garden – At the top, you’ll see a small roof garden area. This is where the Alpha Larvitar hangs out!
The Alpha Larvitar here is typically around Level 31, making it quite a bit stronger than the regular one you can find earlier. But trust me, it’s worth the extra effort for that Alpha boost!
Location 3: Wild Zone 15 (Late Game)
This is probably the most straightforward location, but you’ll need to progress quite far in the story to access it. Here’s what you need to know:
- Unlock Wild Zone 15 – This Wild Zone doesn’t open up until you’ve completed Main Mission 19.
- Complete Side Mission 80 – You’ll need to finish “A Shocking Territorial Dispute” to access the rooftop area. This mission becomes available after defeating Lebanne in Main Mission 26.
- Find the holovator – Head to Hibernal Avenue and look for the holovator north of Café Kizuna.
- Use Fire-type move – Once you’re up there, you’ll need to use a Fire-type move on a spiderweb to create a path across the street.
- Find Larvitars – Cross over and you’ll find two Larvitars waiting for you! These are usually between Levels 40-42, so they’re quite strong.
Location 4: Rouge Sector 7 (Alternative Mid-Game)
I also found another rooftop location that’s worth mentioning:
- Go to Rouge Sector 7 – Head to the building directly to the right of Wild Zone 13.
- Find the ladder – Look for a ladder north of the battle court in Rogue Sector 7.
- Follow the roof – Go up and follow the roof around to its northern side until you see boxes.
- Cross over – Climb the boxes and Roto-Glide to the next building where Larvitar awaits!
This Larvitar was around Level 22 when I found it, making it a nice mid-game option.
Catching Larvitar: Tips and Strategies
Now that you know where to find Larvitar, let me share some tips I’ve learned from catching multiple ones across different playthroughs.
Understanding Larvitar’s Weaknesses
Larvitar is a Rock/Ground-type Pokémon, which means it has some pretty significant weaknesses:
- Water-type moves: 4x effective! This is your best bet.
- Grass-type moves: 4x effective as well.
- Fighting-type moves: 2x effective.
- Ground-type moves: 2x effective.
- Ice-type moves: 2x effective.
- Steel-type moves: 2x effective.
I always make sure I have a Pokémon with Water or Grass moves when I go Larvitar hunting. It makes the battle so much easier!
Best Poké Balls to Use
Let me tell you something important – Larvitar has a pretty low catch rate. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve knocked one out only to have it break out of every Poké Ball I threw at it.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Great Balls: Better than regular Poké Balls, but still not ideal.
- Ultra Balls: Your best bet for regular catches.
- Dusk Balls: If you’re catching at night or in caves, these are even better than Ultra Balls.
- Timer Balls: If the battle drags on, these become more effective.
For Alpha Larvitar, I’d recommend using your best balls right away. Those things are tough to catch!
Sneaking Approach
One thing I’ve found really helpful is using the stealth mechanics. When you’re approaching Larvitar on the rooftops, try to use the environment to hide behind things like vents or boxes. This gives you a better chance of getting close without spooking it.
I’ve had the most success with the Vert Sector 2 location by hiding behind the vent and waiting for Larvitar to get within range before making my move.
Evolution Guide: From Larvitar to Tyranitar
Okay, so you’ve caught your Larvitar – congratulations! But now what? Let me walk you through the evolution process.
Larvitar to Pupitar
This one’s pretty straightforward:
- Level requirement: Level 30
- Special requirements: None! Just level it up normally.
I usually like to use Exp. Candy or Rare Candies to speed this process up, especially if I’m trying to build my team quickly.
Pupitar to Tyranitar
The final evolution before the big one:
- Level requirement: Level 55
- Special requirements: Still none! Just keep leveling.
This is where things get exciting. Tyranitar is an absolute beast with fantastic stats and that awesome Rock/Dark typing.
Mega Evolution: The Final Form
Now, if you really want to take things to the next level, you’ll want to Mega Evolve your Tyranitar. But this isn’t as straightforward as the regular evolutions.
How to get the Tyranitarite:
- Progress to Main Mission 31 – You’ll need to reach “A Summons from Vinnie” in the main story.
- Defeat Mega Tyranitar – As part of this mission, you’ll battle against a Mega Tyranitar.
- Receive your reward – After winning the battle, you’ll get the Tyranitarite as a reward!
Unlike most Mega Stones in Legends Z-A, you can’t buy the Tyranitarite from stores. You have to earn it through this specific mission, which I think makes it even more special.
My Personal Experience and Tips
Let me share some personal stories from my Larvitar hunting adventures. I hope these help you avoid some of the mistakes I made!
The Great Roof Incident
I’ll never forget my first time trying to reach the Vert Sector 2 Larvitar. I didn’t know about the roll technique, and I must have fallen off that roof at least 15 times. My character was probably getting dizzy from all the rolling!
What I learned: Sometimes it’s better to wait until you have the right tools (like Roto-Glide) rather than frustrating yourself with early attempts.
The Alpha Larvitar That Got Away
One time, I found an Alpha Larvitar in Bleu Sector 7, but I made the mistake of knocking it out completely. I thought I could catch it, but apparently, if you deplete an Alpha’s health completely, you only get one chance to catch it before it disappears.
What I learned: Always try to catch Alpha Pokémon without reducing their health to zero, and save your game before attempting the catch!
The Evolution Celebration
When my first Larvitar finally evolved into Tyranitar, I was so excited that I actually took a screenshot. There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching that transformation happen, especially when you’ve put so much work into finding and training it.
What I learned: The journey is totally worth it for that final evolution moment!
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I get Larvitar in Pokémon Legends Z-A?
You can actually get Larvitar pretty early! The Vert Sector 2 location is accessible right after the tutorial ends, so you can potentially have one before your first ZA Royale match. You’ll need to master the roof jump technique, though.
What’s the best time of day to catch Larvitar?
From my experience, Larvitar spawns during both day and night in most locations. However, I’ve had slightly better luck catching them at night using Dusk Balls. The Wild Zone 15 location seems to have Larvitar available 24/7.
Can I find shiny Larvitar in these locations?
Yes! While I haven’t been lucky enough to find one myself, shiny Larvitar can spawn in any of these locations. The spawn rates are the same as regular shiny encounters, so it’s all about patience and luck.
Do I need any special items to evolve Larvitar?
Nope! One of the great things about Larvitar is that it evolves through regular leveling. No special stones, trading, or weird conditions needed. Just get it to Level 30 for Pupitar and Level 55 for Tyranitar.
Is Alpha Larvitar worth the extra effort?
Absolutely! In my opinion, Alpha Larvitar is totally worth the extra effort. Not only do you get a stronger starting Pokémon, but Alpha Pokémon often have better stats and sometimes even special moves that regular ones don’t have.
What level should I be before attempting to catch Larvitar?
For the early Vert Sector 2 Larvitar (around Level 20-22), I’d recommend having at least one Pokémon in your team at Level 25 or higher. For the Alpha Larvitar (Level 31), you’ll want your team to be around Level 35+ to make the battle manageable.
Final Thoughts
Finding Larvitar in Pokémon Legends Z-A might seem daunting at first, but trust me, it’s completely worth the effort. I’ve caught multiple Larvitars across different playthroughs, and each time I’m reminded of why this Pokémon is so special.
Whether you’re going for the early-game Vert Sector 2 catch, hunting the Alpha in Bleu Sector 7, or waiting for the late-game Wild Zone 15 spawn, the end result is the same – you’ll have an amazing Pokémon that will carry you through the rest of the game.
Remember to save often, be patient with the roof jumping, and don’t get discouraged if you don’t catch it on the first try. I’ve been there, and I promise it gets easier with practice.
Now get out there and start hunting! That Tyranitar isn’t going to evolve itself, and trust me, you’ll thank me later when you’re dominating battles with your rock-solid powerhouse.
Happy hunting, trainers! And don’t forget to bookmark this guide for future reference – you never know when you might need to come back for those evolution tips or location reminders!