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Master Wild Zone 2 in Pokemon Legends Z-A with our complete guide. Find all 6 Pokemon including the tricky nighttime-only Staryu, plus time-changing tips and catching strategies.
So you’ve made it to Wild Zone 2 in Pokemon Legends Z-A and you’re ready to fill out that Pokedex? Smart move. This area might look straightforward at first glance, but there’s a sneaky catch that trips up a lot of trainers—one of these Pokemon only appears at night, and if you don’t know how to change the time of day, you’ll be scratching your head wondering where it went.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know to achieve that satisfying 100% completion for Wild Zone 2.
Wild Zone 2 contains six different Pokemon species to catch:
Five of these can be found wandering around during daylight hours, but Staryu is the exception that’ll have you second-guessing yourself. Don’t worry—I’ll show you exactly how to handle it.
Where to find it: Check the western side of Wild Zone 2, specifically underneath the northwestern gate. Kakuna likes to cling to tree trunks, so scan those wooden surfaces carefully.
Pro tip: Kakuna evolves into Beedrill at just level 10, making it one of the quickest evolutions you can grab early on. If you’re building your team and need a Bug-type with some bite, this is a solid choice. Check out our best early Pokemon to catch guide for more team-building ideas.
Where to find it: Head to the middle section where the cliffs rise up. Patrat can sometimes fall down to your level when it gets aggressive (convenient!), but for a more reliable spawn, take the northeastern bridge and turn right.
Why catch it: Patrat evolves into Watchog, which has decent Normal-type coverage. It’s not the flashiest Pokemon, but it’s dependable for early-game coverage.
Where to find it: The grassy central area where the bridges converge is your target zone. Binacle tends to hang out right in the middle of this intersection.
Interesting fact: Binacle is a dual Rock/Water type, which gives it some unique resistances. It’s one of those Pokemon that looks weird but can actually hold its own in battle with the right movepool.
Where to find it: Here’s where things get interesting. Staryu only appears in Wild Zone 2 during nighttime. Head through the northwestern gate and look in the water—you’ll spot the star-shaped Pokemon swimming around.
The catch: You won’t be able to manually change the time of day right away. You’ll need to progress through the story first.
This is crucial information that the game doesn’t explain well:
This mechanic is essential for completing your Pokedex, since several Pokemon across different Wild Zones are time-sensitive. If you’re trying to increase happiness for certain Pokemon, spending time at benches can also help with that.
Don’t skip this: Make it a habit to revisit Wild Zones at different times of day. You’d be surprised how many Pokemon you’ll miss if you only explore during daylight hours.
Where to find it: Anywhere there’s water in Wild Zone 2, you’ll find Magikarp. They’re swimming around the rivers throughout the zone.
The payoff: Yes, Magikarp is famously useless with just Splash and Tackle early on. But evolve it to Gyarados at level 20, and you’ve got yourself a powerhouse. It’s worth the grind, trust me. If you need Kanto starters to round out your team, check that guide too.
Where to find it: Near the southern gate, specifically by the bridge in that area. Budew can be a little skittish, so you’ll want to use stealth.
Catching strategy:
Evolution note: Budew evolves into Roselia with high friendship during the day, then Roselia can evolve into Roserade with a Shiny Stone. If you’re working on friendship evolutions, our happiness guide has all the tips you need.
Save your progress before hunting: Some Pokemon can be aggressive and knock you out if you’re not careful. Save at the camp before starting your search.
Bring plenty of Poke Balls: You’re catching six different species here, and some might break out multiple times. Stock up before heading in.
Use the environment: Tall grass, rocks, and water features can help you sneak up on Pokemon or avoid aggressive ones while you’re hunting for specific targets.
Check your Pokedex: The in-game Pokedex will show you silhouettes of Pokemon you haven’t caught yet in each area, helping you track which ones you’re still missing.
Explore thoroughly: Wild Zone 2 has multiple elevation levels and hidden corners. Don’t just rush through the main paths—those cliffs and water areas hide some of the Pokemon you need.
Once you’ve completed Wild Zone 2, you’ll want to continue building your collection. If you’re curious about all Eeveelutions and how to get them, or wondering if you can leave Lumiose City to explore more areas, we’ve got guides for that.
Also worth checking: our guides on Colorful Screws, Clear Purple Sludge, and Alpha Pokemon if you’re diving deep into crafting and catching mechanics.
Wild Zone 2 is one of those early areas that seems simple until you realize you’re missing something. That Staryu catch is the real test—it forces you to learn the time-changing mechanic early, which will serve you well throughout the rest of the game.
The variety here is actually pretty solid for an early Wild Zone: you’ve got potential team members (Beedrill, Gyarados), Pokedex fillers, and even some Pokemon that’ll be useful for specific type coverage later on.
Most important takeaway? Always explore Wild Zones at both day and night once you unlock time changing. It’s the difference between a 83% complete Pokedex and a truly finished one.
Now get out there and catch ’em all!
For more Pokemon Legends Z-A information and updates, visit the official Pokemon Legends website or check out the game on the Nintendo Store.