If you’ve been exploring the vibrant yet mysterious world of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, you’ve likely heard whispers about one of the most sought-after Pokémon in the game—Larvitar. This adorable yet powerful Rock/Ground-type Pokémon evolves into the mighty Tyranitar, a Pseudo-Legendary powerhouse loved by trainers since Generation II.
However, catching Larvitar in Pokémon Legends: Z-A isn’t as simple as stumbling upon it in the wild. It’s elusive, often tucked away in hidden rooftops or high-altitude areas, making it a rare gem worth the hunt. This detailed, guide will walk you through everything—from Larvitar’s lore, locations, and catching strategy to how to evolve it into Tyranitar for maximum battle dominance.
So grab your Poké Balls and Roto-Glide—it’s time to hunt one of the strongest Pokémon in the game!
🌋 About Larvitar in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Larvitar is a Rock/Ground-type Pokémon and the first stage in the evolution line leading up to Tyranitar, the Pseudo-Legendary beast that dominates both PvE and PvP battles.
This small, green, dinosaur-like Pokémon lives deep underground and feeds on layers of rock and soil until it’s ready to emerge to the surface. In Pokémon lore, Larvitar is said to consume an entire mountain’s worth of earth before it becomes strong enough to see the sky—a fascinating reflection of its incredible strength and endurance.
In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Larvitar’s lore remains consistent. You’ll often find it hiding in elevated or concealed areas, such as rooftops in Lumiose City or secluded zones deep within Wild Zone 15. These spots reflect its secretive and rugged nature.
⚙️ Larvitar’s Base Stats
| Attribute | Base Value |
|---|---|
| HP | 50 |
| Attack | 64 |
| Defense | 50 |
| Special Attack | 45 |
| Special Defense | 50 |
| Speed | 41 |
While its early-game stats might seem modest, Larvitar grows exponentially as it evolves. Its final evolution, Tyranitar, boasts monstrous Attack and Defense, making it a crucial addition to any late-game team.
🏙️ Where to Find Larvitar in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Larvitar isn’t your typical Wild Zone Pokémon—it prefers secluded, elevated, or city-based locations. You’ll have to explore and climb to track it down. Let’s go over the two main spawn locations where you can find Larvitar in Legends: Z-A.
🏞️ 1. Rooftops of Lumiose City (Early-Game Location)
If you’re still in the early stages of the game and haven’t unlocked all Wild Zones yet, Lumiose City is your best bet.
📍 Location: Vert Sector 2 Plaza Area
- Found on building rooftops in Vert Sector 2.
- You’ll need to climb ladders, jump across rooftops, or use the Roto-Glide to reach them.
- Look for grassy patches or soil mounds on building tops—Larvitar often hides there.
- Occasionally, an Alpha Larvitar may spawn, making this an incredible opportunity for a strong catch early in your journey.
💡 Pro Tip:
Use stealth sprays to move quietly. Larvitar spooks easily, and once it disappears, you’ll need to reset the area by leaving and returning to the plaza.
🪨 2. Wild Zone 15 (Mid-to-Late Game Location)
Once you’ve advanced further into the main storyline, you’ll unlock Wild Zone 15, one of the prime locations for finding Larvitar.
📍 Location Details:
- Wild Zone 15 opens after Main Mission 33.
- Larvitar appears on elevated ledges and rooftop structures within the area.
- To access these, you’ll need to activate a nearby Holovator through a side mission—this grants vertical access to Larvitar’s nesting zones.
- Occasionally, multiple Larvitars spawn together, giving you a better chance to find one with ideal stats or Nature.
⚠️ Note:
In Wild Zone 15, Larvitar shares some spawn zones with Sandshrew and Geodude, so you might need to reset several times before encountering it.
🪜 Step-by-Step Guide to Get Larvitar in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Let’s break down the full process—from exploration to capture.
Step 1: Prepare Your Items
Before you begin the hunt, make sure you’re equipped with:
- Stealth Spray – to avoid alerting Larvitar.
- Quick Balls – for instant capture attempts.
- Ultra Balls / Great Balls – for backup during battles.
- Roto-Glide – essential for navigating rooftops.
- Pokémon with False Swipe – to lower HP without fainting Larvitar.
Step 2: Go Rooftop Hunting in Lumiose City
- Head to Vert Sector 2 Plaza in Lumiose City.
- Locate the climbable ladders or glide points near the plaza edge.
- Move quietly across rooftops to search for grassy or earthy patches—these are Larvitar’s favorite hiding spots.
- If you don’t see it, change time of day or leave and re-enter the area to reset spawns.
If you’re lucky, you might even encounter an Alpha Larvitar, easily recognized by its glowing red eyes and larger size.
Step 3: Unlock Wild Zone 15
Once you progress past Main Mission 33, access Wild Zone 15.
- Use your Holovator to reach the elevated sections.
- Explore the northern cliffs and plateaus for Larvitar spawns.
- Keep your stealth up—Larvitar is very alert and tends to flee when spotted.
If it doesn’t appear right away, fast travel out of the zone and return after a few minutes to reset spawns.
Step 4: Capture Strategy
Capturing Larvitar can be tricky since it’s easily frightened and has a low base catch rate. Follow these pro tips:
- Sneak from Behind – Approach Larvitar slowly in crouch mode for a back-strike bonus.
- Use a Quick Ball Immediately – Best for surprise captures.
- If that fails, weaken Larvitar with non-lethal moves like False Swipe or Rock Smash.
- Avoid Water or Grass-type attacks—they’ll likely knock it out.
- When HP is low, throw Ultra Balls for a higher capture chance.
🧬 Larvitar Evolution Line in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Catching Larvitar is just the beginning! Here’s how to evolve it into the powerful Tyranitar.
| Evolution Stage | Level Requirement | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Larvitar | — | Rock/Ground |
| Pupitar | Level 30 | Rock/Ground |
| Tyranitar | Level 55 | Rock/Dark |
Larvitar evolves into Pupitar at Level 30 and then into Tyranitar at Level 55. Given the experience curve, it’s a good idea to catch Larvitar early so you can train it consistently.
💡 Training Tip:
Larvitar gains EXP faster in battles that include Rock or Ground-type Pokémon. Equip the Exp. Charm or Exp. Share to speed up leveling.
⚔️ Battle Strategy for Larvitar and Tyranitar
Larvitar and its evolutions excel in both offense and defense. Here’s how to make the most of them.
🔹 Best Nature
- Adamant (+Attack, -Special Attack) for physical power.
- Jolly (+Speed, -Special Attack) for faster movement.
🔹 Recommended Moveset for Tyranitar
| Move | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Edge | Rock | High critical-hit ratio and STAB bonus. |
| Crunch | Dark | Core move for coverage and strong damage. |
| Earthquake | Ground | Powerful area attack for multiple enemies. |
| Dragon Dance | Dragon | Boosts Attack and Speed, perfect for sweeping. |
This combination makes Tyranitar a devastating all-rounder capable of handling various types, especially Fire, Flying, and Psychic Pokémon.
🪄 Alpha Larvitar – A Rare Catch
Alpha Larvitar spawns occasionally on Vert Sector rooftops or Wild Zone 15 cliffs. These versions are larger, more aggressive, and boast higher base stats with stronger potential IVs.
Catching an Alpha Larvitar early gives you a head start toward raising a competitive Tyranitar for high-level battles.
🌌 Lore and Trivia
- Larvitar’s Origin: In the Pokémon world, Larvitar is said to be born underground and must consume massive amounts of soil before surfacing.
- Symbolism: Its evolution line represents growth through struggle—literally “rising from the earth” to become a mountain-like creature.
- In Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Some NPCs in Lumiose City reference Larvitar as a “protector of the cliffs,” hinting at its rooftop and elevated spawn behavior.
🗺️ Quick Recap – How to Get Larvitar
| Step | Action | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explore Rooftops | Vert Sector 2, Lumiose City | Early-game method, possible Alpha spawn. |
| 2 | Unlock Wild Zone 15 | After Mission 33 | Mid-game method, requires Holovator access. |
| 3 | Sneak and Catch | Rooftop/Cliffside areas | Use Quick Balls or weaken before capture. |
| 4 | Train & Evolve | Level 30 → 55 | Pupitar → Tyranitar evolution chain. |
🧠 Expert Tips for Players
- Catch Multiple Larvitars – Choose the one with the best Nature and IVs.
- Use Rock-Type Buffs – Equipping Rock-type boosting items increases effectiveness in early battles.
- Train in Mixed Environments – Battle across different Wild Zones to build balanced EXP.
- Save Often – Larvitar spawns are rare; don’t risk losing progress.
- Alpha Advantage – Alpha Larvitar evolves into Alpha Tyranitar—visually stunning and statistically superior.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Catching Larvitar in Pokémon Legends: Z-A is an adventure in itself—requiring patience, precision, and a good sense of direction. Whether you scale the rooftops of Lumiose City or brave the cliffs of Wild Zone 15, each encounter brings you closer to owning one of the strongest Pokémon in the entire franchise.
Once evolved into Tyranitar, this beast becomes a near-unstoppable force with immense attack power and defense, perfectly fitting for competitive battles and late-game missions.
So get your Quick Balls, polish your Roto-Glide, and embark on the climb—because up on those rooftops lies your future champion, Larvitar, the first step toward the legendary Tyranitar.