If you’re playing Pokémon Legends: Z-A and wondering how to evolve Staryu, you’re in the right place. Staryu is one of the most iconic Water-type Pokémon in the franchise — graceful, cosmic, and surprisingly powerful in battle. In Legends Z-A, it becomes even more valuable thanks to Mega Evolution, making it a must-catch Pokémon for trainers aiming to build a competitive or well-balanced in-game team.
In this detailed evolution guide, we’ll cover:
- Where Staryu spawns in Legends: Z-A
- Best timings and methods to catch it
- How to evolve Staryu into Starmie
- How to unlock Mega Starmie
- Water Stone farming & purchase methods
- Strategy tips and battle strengths
- Why Staryu is important in Legends: Z-A’s storyline
Let’s jump into the waters of Lumiose and start your evolution journey.
⭐ About Staryu in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Staryu has always stood out in the Pokémon universe with its mysterious star-shaped form and glowing core known as its “jewel.” Legends: Z-A honors its classic lore, while giving it important gameplay relevance, especially in its Alpha form and Mega Evolution path.
Staryu in this game:
- Is a pure Water-type Pokémon
- Spawns in aquatic environments
- Appears primarily at night
- Evolves into Starmie using a Water Stone
- Connects to the core Mega Evolution storyline
Unlike many Pokémon that evolve through leveling or friendship, Staryu sticks to its traditional evolution method — an evolution stone. That simplicity makes it a rewarding early-game powerhouse once you secure the item.
🌙 Where to Find Staryu in Legends: Z-A
To evolve Staryu, you first need to catch one — and that’s not something you can do anytime, anywhere.
✅ Primary Location
Staryu can be found in:
Wild Zone 2 — specifically in water areas
✅ Spawn Timing
Staryu appears only at night, making it one of the time-dependent Pokémon encounters in the game. As soon as dusk falls, keep an eye on water surfaces — that’s when Staryu starts glowing faintly, making it easier to spot.
✅ Alpha Staryu Location
There’s also an Alpha Staryu located:
On the southeastern rocks of Wild Zone 2
Alpha Staryu is noticeably tougher and starts with higher base stats. If you prefer a stronger evolution candidate right away, camping for the Alpha spawn is absolutely worth the effort.
🎮 Tips for Catching Staryu
| Strategy | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Use stealth & tall grass | Avoid alerting it |
| Throw Wing Balls or Feather Balls | Reach distant water targets easily |
| Use Water-resistant Pokémon when battling | Reduces faint risk |
| Bring status moves (Sleep/Paralysis) | Boost catch rate |
Nighttime ocean scouting feels atmospheric in this game — the glowing star shape floating in the dark water makes catching Staryu both magical and satisfying.
💠 Steps to Evolve Staryu in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Once you have Staryu in your team, evolving it is straightforward — but requires a key item.
Step 1: Catch Staryu
As covered above, locate and catch it at night in Wild Zone 2.
Step 2: Obtain a Water Stone
Staryu does not evolve by leveling. You must use a Water Stone.
The most reliable location to get one is:
Stone Emporium — Lumiose City
✅ When the Shop Unlocks
The Stone Emporium becomes available:
After completing Mission 6
Once you hit that point in the story, you can enter the shop and purchase a Water Stone.
💰 Water Stone Tips
| Source | Notes |
|---|---|
| Stone Emporium | Guaranteed purchase after Mission 6 |
| Space-Time Distortion drops | Random but possible |
| Chest loot in wild zones | Rare chance |
| Reward from requests | Occasional story/side rewards |
Step 3: Use the Water Stone
Open your Satchel → Select Water Stone → Choose Staryu
The evolution animation begins immediately, transforming Staryu into Starmie.
No friendship, no level requirement — just the stone.
✨ How to Unlock Mega Starmie
Once you evolve into Starmie, your journey isn’t done — Legends Z-A introduces Mega Evolution mechanics, and Starmie is one of the Pokémon capable of using it.
✅ Progress through the story
To access Mega Starmie, continue the storyline until you face a key battle with:
Rogue Mega Starmie
Defeating it grants you:
Starminite — Starmie’s Mega Stone
With the stone obtained and the Mega Evolution system unlocked, you can Mega Evolve Starmie in battles, unlocking its true cosmic power.
⚔️ Why Staryu is Important in Legends: Z-A
Many trainers skip Staryu in older games, but in Legends Z-A, it serves a strategic and story-driven purpose.
🎯 Key Importance Factors
| Reason | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Early access to strong Water type | Helps in early & mid-game battles |
| Evolution into Starmie | Fast, item-based evolution |
| Access to Mega Evolution | Becomes Mega Starmie later |
| Linked to story progression | Ties into Rogue Mega Starmie fight |
| Flexible moveset | Psychic + Water versatility |
Starmie has always been a versatile competitive Pokémon, and Legends Z-A maintains that legacy. With natural speed, strong Special Attack, and move coverage including Water, Psychic, Ice, and Electric attacks, it’s one of the most balanced Water types you can obtain early.
📊 Staryu & Starmie Battle Tips
✅ Best Nature
- Timid (+Speed)
- Modest (+Special Attack)
Speed matters in Legends gameplay, and both Staryu and Starmie thrive as fast special sweepers.
✅ Recommended Moves
- Hydro Pump / Surf
- Psychic / Psyshock
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt or Thunder (Rain teams!)
✅ Ideal Roles
- Special Attacker
- Fast cleanup sweeper
- Rain team core Pokémon
⚠️ Watch Out For
Starmie’s weaknesses:
| Type | Threat |
|---|---|
| Electric | Common in-game |
| Dark | Can outspeed if unprepared |
| Grass | Frequent early wild encounters |
Plan your team with coverage Pokémon such as Ground or Fire types.
🌐 Lore Fun Fact
Staryu’s core glows brighter at night — matching its night-spawn mechanic in Legends: Z-A. The developers clearly leaned into its lore while designing the encounter system.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Evolving Staryu in Pokémon Legends: Z-A is easy once you know where to look and how to progress through the missions. The process may feel different from typical evolution mechanics used in modern Pokémon games, but that’s what makes it satisfying — simple, classic, and rewarding.
To recap:
| Step | Task |
|---|---|
| 1 | Catch Staryu at night in Wild Zone 2 |
| 2 | Unlock Stone Emporium after Mission 6 |
| 3 | Buy a Water Stone |
| 4 | Use Water Stone to evolve Staryu → Starmie |
| 5 | Progress story to unlock Mega Starmie with Starminite |
With a Starmie — and eventually a Mega Starmie — your team gains a fast, versatile powerhouse capable of handling a large portion of challenges in Legends: Z-A.
So grab that fishing lure, stalk the moonlit waters, and transform your glowing sea star into a cosmic force. The journey is worth every step.
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