Kalos was a bit too early to have regional variants, but that’s all changed with Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Here’s our top 10 list of Pokémon we hope to get a regional variant in Legends: Z-A.
Pokémon Regional Variant Candidate #10: Arboliva
Arboliva is a very recent Pokémon, but Polteageist being introduced in Gen. 8 didn’t stop it from getting a “convergent” species in Gen. 9. Arboliva is an elegant Pokémon, but it also feels somewhat lacking, perhaps because even Paldea’s premier Champion would rather use a Gogoat on her team. In the French-inspired setting of Kalos, food-based Pokémon would be incredibly fitting, so Pokémon Legends: Z-A may be able to spruce up Arboliva in some way.
Pokémon Regional Variant Candidate #9: Crabominable
Crabrawler is a cool little guy with a lot of fans—fans who can’t believe the abomination it evolves into. Crabominable is one of the series’s least liked Pokémon, but Legends: Z-A may be the chance to turn that all around, either as a regional variant or through a completely new evolution. France’s rich culinary tradition includes seafood, so even if Crabominable becomes a Crabouillabaisse, Kalos would be a fine location to improve upon this tragic Pokémon.
Pokémon Regional Variant Candidate #8: Milcery and Alcremie
Milcery and Alcremie could join the likes of Vulpix and Meowth as popular Pokémon with regional variants to act as a selling point. The new forms for these Pokémon could be based on French yogurt—although any pastry is also fair game—which opens up near endless possibilities for new Alcremie toppings. Finding the new toppings, or even just buying them at a weekend market, would be a fun way to encourage players to really scour their surroundings as they play, not to mention all the Alcremie forms it will add.
Pokémon Regional Variant Candidate #7: Fidough and Dachsbun
Croissant and baguette dogs—need I say more? Unless Game Freak is saving a Dachsbun regional variant for a future return to Unova where it becomes a literal hot dog dog, I don’t see why these good boys would be left out of Legends: Z-A. In fact, why not have both? The more bread, the merrier.
Pokémon Regional Variant Candidate #6: Meganium and Emboar
Johto and Unova already had some starters chosen for Legends: Arceus, but they still have a fine selection to pull from. Generations two and five don’t have access to any gimmick mechanics such as Mega Evolutions, Z-Moves, or Gigantamax forms, making them prime options for regional variants instead. The extra benefit of regional variants is that, as a standard form difference, they typically won’t be lost from generation to generation, like how Mega Evolution was out of commission from 2019 to 2025.
Meganium and Emboar are especially in need of some special treatment, Emboar to change up its Fire/Fighting typing, and Meganium to give it more viability overall. If the starters in Legends: Z-A follow the “RPG classes” theme from X and Y, a cleric-inspired Grass and Fairy Meganium and a warrior or hero Fire and Steel-shielded Emboar could become a reality. This also leaves plenty of options open for the game’s Water starter.
Pokémon Regional Variant Candidate #5: Gothita, Gothorita, and Gothitelle
After more than ten years, it’s about time Gothita and its evolutions finally received some new dresses. Kalosian Gothita, Gothorita, and Gothitelle could dress in the style of French nobility, adding a new flair to the evolutionary line. Instead of hoping for a Mega Evolution, which would only affect Gothitelle, a regional variant could apply to all three Pokémon, leading to some creative results.
Pokémon Regional Variant Candidate #4: Maushold
Just picture it: Maushold, but with little swords and little hats. Maushold already comes with three- and four-mouse variants built-in, perfect for a musketeer theme. Pokémon Legends: Z-A would no doubt be made that much more exciting—and cute—with the addition of a “Mausquetaire.”
Pokémon Regional Variant Candidate #3: Druddigon
Druddigon is another example of a Pokémon that is conceptually interesting but in practice, somewhat lacking. Druddigon already has some gargoyle vibes that would be perfect to draw out even more in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. If there’s any cathedral setting in the game, Kalosian Druddigon would make for a fantastic encounter there.
Pokémon Regional Variant Candidate #2: Greavard and Houndstone
Beneath Paris are extensive catacombs filled with the remains of millions of people. No such area existed in Pokémon X and Y, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for Legends: Z-A to include such a place. If the upcoming title gives players access to Lumiose City’s underground—just as people can take tours in Paris’s catacombs—there should be some appropriately spooky Pokémon to live there. An alternate Greavard to act as a light source and an even more skeletal “Houndsbone” would be perfect for a hypothetical catacomb area.
Pokémon Regional Variant Candidate #1: Pidove, Tranquill, and Unfezant
France is home to both pigeons and pheasants, and I can think of no Pokémon better suited to receiving a regional variant than Pidove and its evolutions. Kalosian Pidove can remain similar to its Unovan counterpart, albeit with a different coloration. Alternatively, it could go full-on fancy and fluffy like a French Mondain.
The main focus, however, is Unfezant, and its possibilities are endless. Its main drawback is a stat spread meant for physical attacks, but a move pool of mostly special attacks. Kalosian Unfezant can rectify this in all sorts of ways. It could have a rearranged stat spread, altered move pool, changed type, different Ability, or any combination of the above. Unfezant may finally become more viable, all while fitting perfectly into Legends: Z-A’s setting.
