If you’re looking to add the powerful Ghost/Fire-type Lampent to your Pokemon Legends Z-A team, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of obtaining Litwick, evolving it into Lampent, and ultimately transforming it into the formidable Chandelure. Whether you’re playing through the main story or tackling post-game content, we’ve got you covered with detailed locations, evolution methods, and strategic tips that most guides overlook.
Understanding the Litwick Evolution Line
Before diving into locations and methods, let’s understand what makes this evolution line so special. The Litwick family consists of three unique Pokemon, each with its own strengths and strategic value:
- Litwick (Dex #189): The adorable candle Pokemon that starts your journey
- Lampent (Dex #190): The middle evolution with balanced stats and great typing
- Chandelure (Dex #191): The final form boasting an impressive 145 Special Attack
What makes this line particularly valuable in Pokemon Legends Z-A is their unique Ghost/Fire typing, which provides excellent offensive coverage and useful resistances. Plus, with the introduction of Mega Evolution in this game, Chandelure becomes even more formidable with access to its Mega Stone.
How to Find and Catch Litwick: The Starting Point?
Your journey to obtaining Lampent begins with finding its pre-evolution, Litwick. Unlike many Pokemon that can be found in multiple locations, Litwick has a very specific habitat in Pokemon Legends Z-A.
Lumiose Sewers: Litwick’s Exclusive Home
Litwick can only be found in the Lumiose Sewers, an area that becomes accessible during Main Mission 19: Reaching Rank D. During this mission, you’ll need to find Gwynn of the Fist of Justice, and the path will lead you to unlock the sewer entrance by freezing a water fountain using a Pokemon that knows Ice Beam.
Pro Tip: Before entering the sewers, make sure you have a Pokemon with Ice Beam in your party. This will save you time and prevent backtracking.
Accessing the Sewers Post-Mission
After completing Main Mission 19, you might think the sewers are closed off forever—but that’s not the case! You can return to the Lumiose Sewers by triggering Side Mission 057: The Camerupt Entrepreneur. Here’s exactly how to do it:
- Head to Blue Sector 3 in Lumiose City
- Look for Herup, the Camerupt trainer, standing in front of the sewer entrance
- Talk to him to trigger the side mission
- Once the mission starts, Herup will leave, permanently opening the sewer entrance
Strategic Insight: Many players miss this side mission and think they’ve lost their chance to catch Litwick. Don’t make this mistake! The Camerupt Entrepreneur mission is your key to returning to the sewers anytime you want.
Navigating the Sewers for Litwick
Once inside the Lumiose Sewers, Litwick can be found in specific areas. Based on community reports and gameplay testing:
- Litwick appears most frequently in the upper-left room of the sewer system
- They tend to spawn near steam vents and dark corners
- Spawn rates increase during in-game nighttime
- Look for their distinctive purple flame in the darkness
Catching Strategy: Litwick is relatively fragile, so use weaker Poke Balls to avoid knocking it out. Great Balls work well, and if you’re playing at night, Dusk Balls can increase your catch rate significantly.
Evolving Litwick into Lampent: The Level-Up Method
Once you’ve caught your Litwick, evolving it into Lampent is straightforward but requires some patience. Litwick evolves into Lampent at level 41, which means you’ll need to invest some time in training.
Efficient Leveling Strategies
Leveling up Litwick from its base level (usually around level 15-20 when caught) to level 41 can take time if you don’t know the right methods. Here are the most efficient ways to level up Litwick quickly:
1. Wild Zone Grinding
- Take Litwick to Wild Zone 17 (where you can also catch wild Lampent)
- Battle against Pokemon that Litwick has type advantages against (Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Ghost, Psychic)
- Use the Exp. Share feature if available
2. Trainer Battles
- Seek out trainers with Pokemon weak to Fire or Ghost moves
- Canari’s Quiz challenges often provide good experience
- Promotion Matches offer substantial experience rewards
3. Candy Usage
- Use Rare Candies if you have them saved up
- Experience Candies from raids can be very effective
- Save your highest-level candies for the final stretch from level 35-41
Pro Tip: Litwick learns some valuable moves before evolution, including Shadow Ball at level 32 and Flame Wheel at level 38. Make sure it learns these before evolving, as they’ll be crucial for Lampent’s effectiveness in battle.
Alternative Method: Catching Wild Lampent
If you don’t want to go through the trouble of leveling up Litwick, you can catch Lampent directly in the wild. This method becomes available later in the game but can save you significant time.
Wild Zone 17: Lampent’s Natural Habitat
Lampent can be found in Wild Zone 17, but there’s a catch—you can only access this area after completing Main Mission 24: Reaching Rank C. This makes it a mid-to-late game option for most players.
Important Details:
- Lampent only appears at night in Wild Zone 17
- They tend to spawn near abandoned buildings and dark areas
- Wild Lampent are typically around level 35-45
- They can appear as Alpha Pokemon after completing the Wild Zone
Time-Saving Tip: If you’re playing during in-game daytime, you can use the game’s time-skipping feature (if available) or simply save your game and change your system’s time to force nighttime conditions.
Alpha Lampent Encounters
After you’ve caught all available Pokemon in Wild Zone 17 and earned the area’s crown, Alpha Lampent may spawn in place of regular Lampent. These Alpha variants are:
- Level 60+ with enhanced stats
- Much more challenging to catch
- Often have rare moves or hidden abilities
- Worth the effort for competitive players
Battle Strategy for Alpha Lampent: Alpha Lampent have significantly higher Special Attack, so be prepared for powerful Fire and Ghost moves. Bring Pokemon that resist these types (Dark, Water, Rock, Fire) and have access to status moves like Thunder Wave to make catching easier.
The Final Evolution: Lampent to Chandelure
Evolving Lampent into Chandelure is where many players get stuck, as it requires a specific evolution item rather than just leveling up. Here’s everything you need to know about obtaining and using a Dusk Stone.
Understanding the Dusk Stone Evolution
Unlike the previous evolution, Lampent evolves into Chandelure when exposed to a Dusk Stone. This evolution method has several important characteristics:
- No level requirement—you can evolve Lampent as soon as you obtain it
- Instant evolution—no waiting or additional conditions
- Permanent—once evolved, Chandelure cannot devolve
- Mega Evolution compatible—Chandelure can Mega Evolve later in the game
Pro Tip: Don’t evolve Lampent immediately if you want to learn specific moves first. Check Lampent’s move pool and ensure it has learned all the moves you want before using the Dusk Stone.
Dusk Stone Locations: Complete Guide
There are three primary methods to obtain Dusk Stones in Pokemon Legends Z-A. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown:
Method 1: Stone Emporium Purchase
The most straightforward method is buying Dusk Stones from the Stone Emporium in Lumiose City. However, this option has some important requirements:
- Cost: 3,000 Poke Dollars per Dusk Stone
- Availability: Only after completing the main story
- Location: Stone Emporium in central Lumiose City
- Stock: Unlimited supply (once unlocked)
Budget Tip: If you’re planning to evolve multiple Pokemon that require Dusk Stones (like Doublade into Aegislash), save your money and stock up when the Stone Emporium becomes available.
Method 2: Side Mission Reward
For players who prefer earning items through gameplay, Side Mission 83: Honedge’s Cutting Edge rewards you with a Dusk Stone upon completion. Here’s what you need to know:
- Unlock Requirement: Complete Main Mission 25: Reaching Rank C
- Mission Difficulty: Moderate
- Additional Rewards: Experience points, money, and possibly other evolution items
- Strategy: This mission typically involves battling multiple Steel-type Pokemon, so bring Fire, Fighting, or Ground types
Pro Tip: This side mission is worth completing even if you already have a Dusk Stone, as the experience and additional rewards can help with other aspects of the game.
Method 3: Hidden Dusk Stones in Lumiose City
The most challenging but rewarding method is finding the six Dusk Stones hidden throughout Lumiose City. These appear as glowing red Poke Balls in various locations. Based on community discoveries, here are the most common spawn points:
- Between Quasartico Inc. and Magenta Pokemon Center (northeast corner)
- Near Racine Construction (check alleys and construction sites)
- Around Restaurant Le Nah (patio and surrounding areas)
- Central Plaza fountain area (check during different times of day)
- Blue Sector alleyways (particularly near clothing stores)
- Near the Lumiose Museum (side entrances and garden areas)
Exploration Strategy: These hidden Dusk Stones respawn periodically, so if you don’t find them immediately, try returning after completing main missions or changing the in-game time.
Using the Dusk Stone: Step-by-Step
Once you have a Dusk Stone, evolving Lampent is simple. Here’s the exact process:
- Open your Satchel (inventory menu)
- Navigate to the “Items” tab
- Select the Dusk Stone
- Choose “Use Item”
- Select Lampent from your party
- Confirm the evolution
Important Note: Some players report issues where Lampent won’t evolve even with a Dusk Stone. If this happens, try:
- Taking the Dusk Stone away from Lampent
- Restarting the game
- Using the Dusk Stone from the main menu rather than in battle
Post-Game Options: Catching Wild Chandelure
For players who have completed the main story and want to skip the evolution process entirely, wild Chandelure can be caught in the post-game. This is an excellent option for competitive players or those who want multiple Chandelure with different natures.
Wild Zone 20: Alpha Chandelure Location
Chandelure can be caught as an Alpha Pokemon in Wild Zone 20, but this area is only accessible after completing Main Mission 38. Here are the key details:
- Location: Central area of Wild Zone 20
- Level: Typically level 64+
- Appearance: Red-eyed Alpha variant
- Spawn Conditions: Nighttime, clear weather
- Catch Rate: Very low—bring Ultra Balls and status moves
Battle Strategy: Alpha Chandelure is incredibly powerful with 145 base Special Attack. It will likely know moves like Fire Blast, Shadow Ball, and possibly Psychic. Bring Pokemon that can take hits and inflict status conditions.
Mega Evolution: Chandelurite Location
Once you have Chandelure, you can unlock its Mega Evolution by obtaining the Chandelurite. Here’s how to get it:
- Location: Quasartico Mega Shard Exchange
- Cost: 360 Mega Shards
- Unlock Requirement: Complete Main Mission 20: A Request from the Rust Syndicate
- Effect: Mega Chandelure gains boosted Special Attack and Speed
Mega Shard Farming Tip: Mega Shards can be obtained from various post-game activities including raids, special trainer battles, and hidden item locations. Focus on activities that reward multiple shards at once to save time.
Competitive Insights: Making the Most of Your Lampent/Chandelure
Beyond just obtaining and evolving Lampent, understanding its competitive potential can help you decide how to train it. Here are some expert insights:
Nature Recommendations
Based on Lampent and Chandelure’s stats, here are the optimal natures:
- Modest Nature: (+Special Attack, -Attack) – Best for maximizing damage output
- Timid Nature: (+Speed, -Attack) – Ideal for outspeeding opponents
- Mild/Rash Nature: (+Special Attack, -Defense/Special Defense) – Good for story content but risky for competitive play
Pro Tip: If your Lampent has the wrong nature, you can use Mints to change its nature without affecting its stats. Mints can be purchased from certain vendors after completing specific side missions.
Move Set Recommendations
For competitive play, here are some optimal move sets:
Special Attacker Set:
- Shadow Ball (STAB)
- Flamethrower/Fire Blast (STAB)
- Energy Ball (Coverage)
- Calm Mind/Protect (Setup)
Utility Set:
- Will-O-Wisp (Status)
- Hex (STAB with status synergy)
- Protect
- Shadow Ball/Flamethrower
Hidden Ability Note: Lampent’s hidden ability is Infiltrator, which allows it to bypass substitutes and screens. This is highly valuable in competitive play, so consider breeding for it if possible.
EV Training Guide
Lampent and Chandelure benefit most from EV investment in:
- Special Attack: 252 EVs (maximize damage)
- Speed: 252 EVs (outspeed opponents)
- Special Defense: 4 EVs (slight bulk increase)
EV Training Locations:
- Special Attack: Battle against special attackers in Wild Zones
- Speed: Battle against fast Pokemon in early-game areas
- Use Power Items to accelerate EV training
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the fastest way to get Chandelure in Pokemon Legends Z-A?
A: The fastest method is catching a wild Lampent in Wild Zone 17 at night (unlocked after Main Mission 24), then using a Dusk Stone. This bypasses the need to level up Litwick from level 20 to 41.
Q: Can I find Litwick after the main story?
A: Yes! Litwick remains available in the Lumiose Sewers throughout the post-game. Simply access the sewers through Side Mission 057: The Camerupt Entrepreneur.
Q: Why won’t my Lampent evolve with the Dusk Stone?
A: This is a common issue. Try taking the Dusk Stone away from Lampent, restarting your game, and then using the Dusk Stone from the main menu rather than in battle.
Q: Is Chandelure good for competitive play?
A: Absolutely! Chandelure has an excellent 145 Special Attack stat and unique Ghost/Fire typing. With access to Mega Evolution and moves like Shadow Ball and Fire Blast, it’s a top-tier special attacker.
Q: Can I catch multiple Litwick or Lampent?
A: Yes! Both Litwick and Lampent respawn in their respective locations. You can catch as many as you want for breeding, trading, or building different sets.
Q: What’s the best time to hunt for Lampent?
A: Lampent only appears at night in Wild Zone 17. If you’re playing during daytime, you can change your system time or use in-game time-skipping methods.
Q: Do I need to complete the main story to get Chandelure?
A: No, you can obtain Chandelure before completing the main story by catching Litwick, evolving it to Lampent (level 41), and using a Dusk Stone. However, some Dusk Stone methods are only available post-game.
Q: Can Alpha Chandelure be caught?
A: Yes! Alpha Chandelure appears in Wild Zone 20 during the post-game. It’s a challenging catch but worth it for competitive players.
Q: What items should I use when catching Lampent?
A: For regular Lampent, Great Balls or Dusk Balls (at night) work well. For Alpha Lampent, bring Ultra Balls, Timer Balls, and status-inflicting moves like Thunder Wave.
Q: Is there a shiny form for Lampent?
A: Yes! Shiny Lampent has a blue flame instead of purple. The shiny rate is the same as other Pokemon, but you can increase your chances with methods like Masuda breeding or shiny charm.
Conclusion: Mastering the Litwick Evolution Line
Getting and evolving Lampent in Pokemon Legends Z-A might seem complex at first, but with this comprehensive guide, you’re well-equipped to add this powerful Ghost/Fire-type to your team. Whether you choose the traditional path of catching and training Litwick, the quicker route of catching wild Lampent, or the post-game option of hunting Alpha Chandelure, each method has its own advantages.
Remember that patience is key—whether you’re waiting for the right mission to unlock, hunting for Dusk Stones, or trying to catch that perfect Alpha Chandelure. The rewards are well worth it, as Chandelure proves to be one of the most versatile and powerful special attackers in the game.
As you continue your journey through Pokemon Legends Z-A, don’t forget to explore our other guides for more tips and strategies. Happy hunting, and may your Lampent evolution line bring you victory in battles across Lumiose City and beyond!