Why Ralts Is a Top-Tier Catch in Legends Z-A
If you’re a longtime Pokemon fan, you already know: Ralts is special. This Psychic/Fairy-type has been a competitive staple since Generation 3, and in Pokemon Legends Z-A, it’s even more valuable thanks to the Mega Evolution system. Both of its final evolutions—Gardevoir and Gallade—received Mega forms, making Ralts one of the most versatile Pokemon you can add to your team.
But here’s the thing: Ralts doesn’t spawn in any of the game’s Wild Zones. You won’t stumble across it while exploring Wild Zone 8 or Wild Zone 4. Instead, it hides in specific courtyard locations scattered throughout Lumiose City—and if you don’t know where to look, you might miss it entirely.
The good news? Once you understand Ralts’ spawn pattern, catching one becomes straightforward. Even better, there’s currently a limited-time Mystery Gift that hands you a Ralts with a Mega Stone already attached. Let’s break down both methods.
Where to Find Ralts: Courtyard Locations
Understanding Ralts’ Habitat
According to its Pokedex entry, Ralts prefers grassy areas and is frequently spotted in courtyards. This means you’ll need to explore Lumiose City’s residential sectors—specifically areas with grass patches and open spaces. The game won’t tell you this explicitly, so many players miss Ralts entirely on their first playthrough.
Best Early-Game Location: Vert Sector 4
Your most accessible Ralts spawn point is Vert Sector 4, which becomes available relatively early in your adventure. Here’s how to get there:
- Head to the Vernal Pokemon Center (located up the road from the Hair Salon and Stone Emporium)
- Look for a nearby Holovator that accesses the rooftops
- Ride the Holovator up, then carefully drop down into the grassy courtyard below
- You’ll land in a space filled with wild Bunnelby (check our Big Ol’ Bunnelby guide if you need one)
- Ralts spawns somewhere in this courtyard—it’s smaller and easier to miss than the Bunnelby
Pro tip: Ralts can be shy and may hide behind taller grass or other Pokemon. If you don’t see it immediately, walk around the entire courtyard perimeter. It will spawn here, but sometimes it takes a minute to appear on screen.
Alternative Location: Magenta Sector 7
If Vert Sector 4 isn’t working out (or if you’re hunting for multiple Ralts), try Magenta Sector 7. This courtyard has a similar grassy layout and also spawns Ralts regularly. The downside is that it’s slightly harder to reach depending on your current story progression and fast travel unlocks.
Both locations have day and night spawns, so you don’t need to worry about changing the time specifically for Ralts hunting.
Free Mystery Gift Ralts (Limited Time!)
Here’s something you definitely don’t want to miss: Pokemon Legends Z-A is currently offering a free Ralts via Mystery Gift, and it comes with a huge bonus.
How to Claim Your Free Ralts
- Open your in-game menu
- Select Link Play
- Choose Mystery Gift
- Select “Get via Internet”
- Accept the Ralts delivery
What Makes This Ralts Special?
The Mystery Gift Ralts isn’t just a regular catch—it’s holding Gardevoirite, the Mega Stone needed to transform Gardevoir into Mega Gardevoir. This saves you from hunting down the stone later in the game, which can be a hassle depending on your story progression.
Important Deadline
This Mystery Gift expires on February 28, 2026. If you’re reading this before that date, claim it immediately. Even if you don’t plan to use Ralts right away, having a backup with a free Mega Stone is never a bad idea. For more on Mega Evolutions and which forms are worth prioritizing, check our Mega Evolution tier list.
Catching Ralts: Tips and Strategies
Ralts isn’t particularly difficult to catch, but its low spawn rate and tendency to hide in tall grass can make the encounter itself frustrating. Here’s how to maximize your chances:
Best Approach Method
- Crouch and sneak – Ralts has decent perception and will flee if it spots you charging in
- Save before attempting – Manual save, then reload if Ralts breaks free or runs
- Use Great Balls or better – Regular Pokeballs work, but higher-tier balls reduce reset attempts
- Back strike if possible – Hitting Ralts from behind significantly boosts capture rates
Type Advantages
If you end up in battle with Ralts (or if you knock it out by accident), remember it’s weak to:
- Ghost
- Steel
- Poison
Avoid using these move types unless you’re deliberately trying to weaken it for capture. For more catching strategies, our status conditions guide covers how to use sleep and paralysis effectively.
How to Evolve Ralts: Complete Evolution Path
Ralts has one of the more interesting evolution trees in Pokemon Legends Z-A because it branches into two completely different final forms depending on gender and items used.
Stage 1: Ralts → Kirlia (Level 20)
This part is straightforward and works the same for both male and female Ralts:
- Level your Ralts to level 20
- Open your menu after gaining enough experience
- Select the evolution option when it appears
- Ralts evolves into Kirlia automatically
Kirlia maintains the Psychic/Fairy typing and gets a nice stat boost across the board. But the real decision comes at the next evolution stage.
Stage 2: The Split Decision
This is where things get interesting. Kirlia has two possible final evolutions, and your choice depends on Kirlia’s gender and whether you have a specific evolution item.
Option A: Kirlia → Gardevoir (Level 30)
- Works for: Both male and female Kirlia
- Requirement: Simply reach level 30
- Type: Psychic/Fairy
- Mega Evolution: Yes (requires Gardevoirite)
Gardevoir is the classic choice and arguably the more popular of the two. Its Special Attack stat is exceptionally high, making it a devastating special sweeper. Mega Gardevoir takes this even further, becoming one of the strongest special attackers in the game.
If you claimed the Mystery Gift Ralts, you already have Gardevoirite, so this path is immediately accessible once you unlock Mega Evolution mechanics through story progression.
Option B: Kirlia → Gallade (Dawn Stone)
- Works for: Male Kirlia ONLY
- Requirement: Use a Dawn Stone (any level after evolving into Kirlia)
- Type: Psychic/Fighting
- Mega Evolution: Yes (requires Galladite)
Gallade offers a completely different playstyle. Instead of special attacks, it focuses on physical moves and has excellent Attack and Defense stats. The Psychic/Fighting typing is also more unique and provides better coverage against certain opponents.
Critical note: Dawn Stones only work on male Kirlia. If you try using one on a female, nothing will happen. If you specifically want Gallade, make sure you’re training a male Ralts from the start.
Which Evolution Should You Choose?
Honestly? Both are excellent, and your decision should come down to team composition:
Choose Gardevoir if:
- You need a special attacker
- Your team lacks Fairy-type coverage
- You already have the Gardevoirite from Mystery Gift
- You prefer ranged, magical combat styles
Choose Gallade if:
- You need a physical attacker
- Your team lacks Fighting-type moves
- You want better physical defense
- You prefer close-combat strategies
For more team-building insights, check out our guide on best early Pokemon to catch to see what pairs well with either evolution.
Finding Dawn Stones and Mega Stones
If you decide you want Gallade, you’ll need to track down a Dawn Stone. These evolution items are scattered throughout Lumiose City, often hidden in less obvious locations or rewarded through side missions.
Similarly, if you’re going the Gardevoir route without using the Mystery Gift, you’ll need to find Gardevoirite later in the game. Most Mega Stones become available after progressing through main story missions, typically after unlocking higher Z-A Royale ranks.
Our Mega Evolution tier list includes information on when and where various Mega Stones become accessible.
Ralts in Competitive Play
Let’s talk about why Ralts is worth the effort beyond just Pokedex completion:
Gardevoir’s Strengths
- Trace ability – Copies opponent’s ability, incredibly versatile
- Moonblast and Psychic – Two powerful STAB moves with perfect accuracy
- Mega form – Gains Pixilate ability, turning Normal moves into Fairy with damage boost
- Special tank – High Special Defense means it can take hits from other special attackers
Gallade’s Strengths
- Close Combat – One of the strongest Fighting moves in the game
- Psycho Cut – High critical hit ratio with STAB bonus
- Mega form – Inner Focus prevents flinching, making it an unstoppable force
- Physical wall – Excellent Defense stat lets it survive hits that would KO most Psychic-types
Both Pokemon also benefit from high base stats across the board, making them reliable in almost any battle situation. They’re especially useful against the tougher challenges in late-game content.
Tips for Training Your Ralts
Ralts starts out fairly weak—its early-level stats are not impressive. But with some patience, it becomes a powerhouse. Here are some training tips:
Early Levels (1-20)
- Focus on battles against weaker opponents to build experience safely
- Avoid Fighting and Dark-type opponents (Ralts is weak to both)
- Use support moves like Confusion and Disarming Voice for consistent damage
- Consider keeping Ralts in the back of your party and swapping it in for finishing blows
Mid Levels (20-30)
- Once it evolves into Kirlia, training becomes much easier
- Start tackling tougher opponents to speed up leveling
- Focus on Special Attack-boosting items if going Gardevoir route
- Focus on Attack-boosting items if planning to evolve into Gallade
Happiness Matters
Higher happiness levels improve performance in battles. Make sure you’re regularly interacting with your Ralts/Kirlia to maximize its potential.
Other Psychic-Type Alternatives
While Ralts is fantastic, it’s not your only option for Psychic-type coverage. If you’re having trouble finding it or want to compare alternatives:
- Abra line – Check our Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam guide
- Espeon – Available through Eevee evolution (see our Eeveelutions guide)
That said, Ralts’ Fairy secondary typing and access to two distinct evolution paths give it more flexibility than most other Psychic-types in the game.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using Dawn Stone on Female Kirlia
This is the #1 mistake players make. Double-check your Kirlia’s gender before using a Dawn Stone. If it’s female, the stone won’t work, and you’ll waste a valuable evolution item.
Forgetting the Mystery Gift
With a deadline of February 28, 2026, it’s easy to forget to claim the free Ralts if you’re not playing regularly. Set a reminder if needed—that free Gardevoirite is worth it.
Over-Leveling Before Evolving
Some players assume they should wait to evolve Ralts for some strategic reason. There’s no benefit to delaying evolution (unlike in some older Pokemon games), so evolve as soon as you hit the level requirements.
Neglecting Type Coverage
Both Gardevoir and Gallade have specific weaknesses. Make sure your team has Pokemon that cover Ghost, Steel, and Poison threats. Our worst Pokemon to avoid tier list can help you identify weak links in your roster.
Ending Notes
Ralts might require a bit of detective work to find, but it’s absolutely worth adding to your team in Pokemon Legends Z-A. Whether you’re drawn to Gardevoir’s magical prowess or Gallade’s physical dominance, you’re getting a Pokemon that can carry you through the entire game and remain competitive in post-game content.
The limited-time Mystery Gift makes this an especially opportune moment to grab Ralts—getting a free Mega Stone is a huge time-saver that lets you focus on other aspects of team building. Just remember to claim it before February 28, 2026!
So head to those courtyards, practice your sneaking technique, and add this psychic powerhouse to your roster. Between its dual evolution paths and powerful Mega forms, Ralts offers more strategic flexibility than almost any other Pokemon in Lumiose City.
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