How to catch Larvitar in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

There are some Pokémon that you simply have to catch if they're available in a game. Whether it's because of nostalgia, their typing, or the overall power the mon possesses, these Pokémon are always fan-favorites if they can be caught. One of those Pokémon is Larvitar, which eventually evolves into Tyranitar, one of the most iconic creatures in the entire Pokédex. Fortunately, Larvitar can be caught extremely early on in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, but only if you know where to look.

Below, we'll show you the step-by-step process to catch Larvitar in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Unlike many of the early-mid game Pokémon in Lumiose City, Larvitar only has one concrete location on the map. You can access this location right after the tutorial ends, so you can have it on your team before your first ZA Royale match.

However, Larvitar's location is quite difficult to reach, and you'll likely never randomly stumble upon the small dinosaur without a thorough guide on where to go. You can find that guide in the steps below, which results in the (somewhat) easy capture of Larvitar.

To get started in the quest for Larvitar, you'll need to head to the west side of Wild Zone 2. Specifically, you want to stand in front of "Vert Sector 2," which is a green garden on the northwest side of Wild Zone 2 and the Vert Plaza.

At the location where our arrow is on the map screenshot above, face Vert Sector 2, and you'll be in front of a staircase. Head up the right side of the stairs and continue into Vert Sector 2. Inside the grassy area, veer right until you see a ladder that goes up a building. Go up the ladder and then turn left once you're on the rooftop.

Keep heading over the roofs until you eventually see some boxes that lead you to a gap in between your current building and the building in front of you. Here's where the quest gets a little difficult.

To successfully make it over to the other building, you need to get across the gap. If you're at the part in Pokémon Legends: Z-A where you have the Roto-Glide, which doesn't happen until Mission 16, then you can easily use that to get across. However, if you don't have that device yet, you have to use the roll mechanic.

You need to get as far back on the boxes on the first roof as possible, walk, and then start sprinting, and then hit the roll button (Y) just as you fall off the boxes. With good timing and momentum, your character will catch onto the other side of the roof and mantle up. This will likely take you a few tries, at least.

Once you're over the gap and on the next building, head straight and then go left when you see new rooftops. Approach a vent on the left side of the new roof and hide behind it. In the grass in front of the vent will be a Larvitar, which gets quickly spooked by you if you make any sudden movements.

You'll want to save your game here, as catching Larvitar isn't guaranteed even if you knock it out. You can save by pressing X then ZR. Once you've saved, battle the Larvitar, a Rock and Ground type, and throw your best Poké Ball at it once all of its HP is gone. With any luck, you'll catch Larvitar, and you can leave the area. However, Larvitar has an abysmally low catch rate, so it will likely take several tries to get it into the ball.

And that's all there is to catching Larvitar in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Once you know where to go and how to get there, the catching process really comes down to luck.

Now that you've conquered Larvitar and you're on your way to a Tyranitar, make sure to check out our other guides on how to clear the purple slime in Lumiose City and how to trade with your friends in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.