Alpha Pokémon Guide in Pokémon Legends: Z-A | Catch Shiny Alpha Pokémon Fast

Alpha Pokémon return in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and just like in Legends: Arceus, they're stronger, larger, and much more aggressive than ordinary Pokémon. These red-eyed giants roam Lumiose City and the surrounding Wild Zones, ready to attack anyone who gets too close.

 

You'll first start seeing Alpha Pokémon after completing the Side Mission "A Big O' Bunnelby." From that point on, they begin appearing across the city — sometimes in alleyways, sometimes on rooftops, and often deep within Wild Zones. Each Alpha has a fixed location, meaning that if you're not ready to fight one yet, you can return later to try again. However, not every spawn is guaranteed; the Alpha might disappear or change species if you move too far from its area.

 

 

How Alpha Pokémon Behave

Alpha Pokémon are always hostile. The moment they spot you, they'll roar and charge straight in, even if their normal counterparts are usually passive. They're typically 10–20 levels higher than nearby Pokémon and often appear with allies, forcing multi-battles. Unprepared players can be quickly overwhelmed.

Once caught, their glowing eyes disappear, but they retain the Alpha Mark in their summary and remain visibly larger than average Pokémon.

 

Why You Should Catch Them

Alpha Pokémon are among the best wild catches in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Every Alpha you catch has at least three perfect IVs, making them much stronger than average Pokémon. They also know a special move that their species can't normally learn through leveling up. Some players hunt specific Alphas purely for these unique moves or for team building, especially since many Alphas are final evolutions that can carry your party through mid-to-late game battles.

Defeating them is also rewarding — Alpha battles drop more EXP, Pokédollars, and crafting materials than standard encounters. So even if you fail to catch them, the fight itself is worth the effort.

 

Can Alpha Pokémon Be Shiny?

Yes — Alpha Pokémon can appear as shiny variants in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The shiny rate is the same as for normal wild Pokémon, meaning it's extremely low.

If you have the Shiny Charm, your odds increase slightly, but it's still a rare find. Keep in mind that any Alpha obtained through Missions or Side Missions is shiny-locked, so only wild Alphas have a chance of being shiny. This rule continues into the upcoming Mega Dimensions DLC as well.

Finding a Shiny Alpha is one of the biggest flexes in the game — they're not just strong, they're visually unique and permanently marked as Alphas.

 

Best Ways to Catch Alpha Pokémon

Catching an Alpha Pokémon isn't about luck — it's about control.

Start by bringing Pokémon that are a few levels higher than the local wild Pokémon, then weaken the Alpha slowly. Because they have increased HP and Defense, status conditions are your best friend. Moves like Toxic, Spore, or Thunder Wave help a lot; Poisoning is particularly effective since it chips away at their HP without triggering the Alpha's enraged state.

 

Always clear the surrounding wild Pokémon before you start the battle, or you risk getting ganged up on. Once the Alpha's HP is low, switch to Ultra Balls or Master Balls — Quick Balls can work early if you're lucky.

If you lose or the Alpha faints, don't worry. Leave the area, rest at a camp, or change zones — most Alphas will respawn in the same place after you reload the map.

 

Where to Find Alpha Pokémon

Alpha Pokémon are scattered throughout Lumiose City and every Wild Zone. You'll often find them in the same regions where their regular species spawn — for example, Alpha Houndoom near volcanic areas or Alpha Staraptor patrolling the skies over the rooftops. Some appear only at night, others in specific weather conditions, so it's worth revisiting locations at different times.

Exploration pays off. Each Wild Zone typically contains several Alpha Pokémon, and you can sometimes find multiple Alphas from the same evolutionary line in one area. Keep your camera and minimap ready — the red glow of their eyes is your warning before they spot you.

 

Final Tips

Alpha Pokémon are dangerous but worth the risk. They're strong, carry perfect IVs, and make excellent long-term team members. Early in the game, it's usually smarter to avoid them until your Pokémon reach higher levels, but later on, they become one of the best sources for rare and powerful partners.

 

If you want an easier way to get Alphas — especially Shiny ones — without hours of hunting, check PKMBuy where Alpha Pokémon are available. Otherwise, prepare your items, status moves, and Poké Balls — Lumiose City's Alphas won't go down without a fight.