ZA's 'Starter Leak' may not be what it seems

Usual Pokemon the news cycle was interrupted by an announcement Pokemon Legends: ZA coming in 2025 rather than this year, and with the possibility of Gen 10 coming in 2026 rather than next year, it's a bit dry at the moment. However, it makes sense for Nintendo and The Pokemon Company to keep their cards close to their chest for now, as there are rumors that Pokemon Legends: ZA will launch on the Switch 2 – or whatever Nintendo's next console will be called. However, Pokemon fans can count on some rumors and leaks about what's next, and the renowned Riddler Khu is already providing it.

Khu was a reliable source Pokemon leaks for several years, correctly predict many Pokemon Legends: Arceus' content as well Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's, including DLC. While there are already some hints as to where Gen 10 might take place, another project is in the pipeline Pokemon Legends: ZAand if it's anything like Pokemon Legends: Arceuswill have three starters from different regions. This is exactly why Khu's recent “3 5 8” tweet can be read as a leak regarding Kalos starters, but there may be more to it than meets the eye.

2:32 am

Related

Pokemon Leaker Potentially Teases Legends: ZA Starters

A trusted Pokemon leaker is posting another teaser on social media that may hint at what the game's highly anticipated starters could be.

Why Pokemon Legends: ZA's New Leaks Could Be About The Beginning

Why Gen 3, Gen 5 and Gen 8 starters could work in PLZA

On the surface level, the “3 5 8” could easily be read as a leak stating that there will be a Gen 3 starter, a Gen 5 starter, and a Gen 8 starter. It would make sense, following the pattern it set Pokemon Legends: Arceusand Gen 3 and Gen 8 would also be the generations the game didn't include starters, making up for some variety. However, PLA included Oshawott from Gen 5 as a water-type starter. In that case, possible starters would be:

• Treecko (grass-type starter, Gen 3)
• Torchic (Fire type starter, Gen 3)
• Mudkip (water-type starter, Gen 3)
• Snivy (Grass starter, Gen 5)
• Tepig (Fire starter, Gen 5)
• Grookey (Grass starter, Gen 8)
• Scorbunny (Fire type starter, Gen 8)
• Sobble (water-type starter, Gen 8)

There is some merit to the theory that the “3 5 8” leak is referring to beginners, including the fact that Snivy would fit right in as a first partner pokemon. Pokemon Legends: ZA given that it is inspired by the French royal family and Kalos takes place in the same real-world country. Still, it seems more likely that this leak is referring to something else entirely.

Why the new Pokemon Legends: ZA leaks are unlikely to be about beginners

First off, Riddler Khu's name suggests that they'll be using riddles, and that's mostly what they've done with leaks so far – they haven't revealed the information outright and instead made fans infer it. “3 5 8” referring to Pokemon Legends: ZAAppetizers would accurately give away information, so while Occam's Razor as a principle suggests that the simplest explanation is probably correct, it could be a bait-and-switch from Khu. Instead, the numbers could refer to new megaevolutions, convergent species, regional forms, intergenic evolutions, or something else entirely.

Given that Pokemon Legends: Arceus had 5 pokemon linked to crawl abilities, it would make sense to use the same formula Pokemon Legends: ZAwhich has 5 different species as riding pets. The 8 might be the number of new Mega Evolutions in the game, which may seem low, but in the context of most if not all of the past ones returning, it would be fair. Finally, 3 may refer to regional forms, although the number is a bit low compared to them PLAthough the game adds a few cross-generational evolutions and new Megas. It would make sense though since the game has three starters after all. Fans will have to wait for now, but Gens 3, 5, and 8 fans shouldn't hold their breath.

Pokémon Legends: ZA is an ambitious new entry in the Pokémon video game series that will be released simultaneously worldwide in 2025. A new adventure awaits in Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan is underway to make the city a place that belongs to the people and the people. Pokemon.

Systems

Franchise

Pokemon

Released

2025