Although you may not be able to start Pokemon Legends: ZA with the Kalos starters you can still unlock them. Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie are all available in the game and can be added to your team relatively early on. So if you're thinking of swapping out your chosen starter for one from Gen 6, you're in luck.
Unfortunately, none of the Kalos starters will roam around early in the game, so you'll only be able to get one of each in the early game, and will be stuck with them until you can unlock the wild zones they spawn in.
Where to buy Chespin
When you start main quest 6you will suddenly have access to a handful of side quests, incl Side Quest 7: A Feisty Chespin. You can find Side Mission 7 between Rouge Sector 2 and Academie Etolie. There you will find an angry Chespin next to a car. Unlike the other two Kalos starter missions, this one won't require you to go anywhere else to complete it.
The side quest is simply that Chespin is looking for a fight and will make you fight multiple times. Once you hit it enough times, the person who started the side quest will encourage it to take a break and come with you, so it grows stronger, which will give you this Chespin. From there, you can fully evolve Chespin to unlock your very own Chesnaught.
Where to Catch Wild Chespin
Although Side Mission 7 is the earliest way to unlock Chespin, you will also be able to catch it when you unlock Wild Zone 17 also. There's no real reason to wait this late, especially considering how easy Side Mission 7 is to complete, unless you specifically want a Shiny or Alpha.
In Wild Zone 17 you can find Chespin during the day or night. That said, if you don't see any or accidentally defeat the ones you do see without catching them, leave and reset the area to continue searching. You may even spot an Alpha Chespin in this area if you've caught all the available Pokemon in this wild zone.
Where to buy Fennekin
In it center of magenta sector 2you will be able to find a woman named Blanche with a side quest related to Fennekin. She shouldn't be too hard to spot, given that Fennekin will cower right next to her. Interact with her to begin Side Quest 8: Get well, Fennekin.
This side quest is unlocked at the same time as the other two Kalo's starting side quests, during main mission 6so you'll be able to do that as soon as you start unlocking side quests as a whole.
The main objective of the quest will be to find a revitalizing twig for Fennekin, which quest markers guide you to. After completing the mission, you will be rewarded with some money, items and, of course, Fennekin. You can then fully evolve Fennekin to unlock Delphox.
Where to Catch Wild Fennekin
If you are unhappy with the Fennekin you got from Side Mission 8 or don't want to complete the Side Mission, then the only other way to get Fennekin is in Wild Zone 18. Here, wild Fennekin will spawn, sometimes even as an alpha, which you can capture until you have one you're happy with.
If you don't find any or accidentally let them all escape, you can always rest or fast travel to restore the area. They do play both night and dayso it shouldn't matter when you go to look for them.
Where to buy Froakie
If you're hoping to get your hands on a Greninja, especially since its Mega Evolution Stone is the first available through season one of online ranked battles, you're in luck. Like Fennekin and Chespin, Froakie can be found relatively early in the game. Specifically, you will be able to get your first by completing Side Quest 9: A Challenge from Froakie.
Don't forget to take advantage of Mints if you're not a fan of your Chespin, Fennekin or Froakie.
This quest can be found east of Jaune Sector 8 along North Boulevard. There will be one Racine Construction Workers stands here next to a construction platform, which has a Froakie sitting on it. The side quest will involve you completing three platform challenges in a limited timeand if you succeed, you will get the Froakie as a reward.
Where to Catch Wild Froakie
While Froakie is technically the last of the Kalos starters when it comes to side quests, the opposite is true when it comes to Wild Zones. Of course, none of that matters, as all three side quests and all three Wild Zones where they can be found are unlocked at the same time. That being said, if you're looking to catch a wild Froakie, you need to head to Wild Zone 16.
In Wild Zone 16 you will be able to find Froakie day or night. While the side quest is the optimal way to unlock Greninja early, the Wild Zone is the best way to hunt down a Shiny or Alpha Froakie, if you're interested in one. Either way, once you've completed all three side quests or visited all three Wild Zones, you've officially unlocked all three Kalos Starters in Pokemon Legends: ZA.
