Alpha Ralts is one of the earliest, most useful Alpha encounters in Pokémon Legends: Z‑A. It sits off the main paths, tucked behind Café Classe in Vert Sector 4, and it comes with a move Ralts doesn’t normally learn. Here’s the exact location, what unlocks the spawn, and how to catch it efficiently.

Alpha Ralts location (Vert Sector 4, behind Café Classe)

Alpha Ralts spawns in a walled courtyard in Vert Sector 4. You can’t walk in from street level—you have to reach the surrounding rooftops and drop down into the courtyard. The spot is directly behind Café Classe.

Because this is a vertical access point, plan on a short rooftop traversal: climb up nearby access points, circle the block, and look for a safe drop into the enclosed yard behind the café signage.

Alpha Ralts at a glance

Detail Info
Area Vert Sector 4 (behind Café Classe)
Access Rooftop drop-in only; enclosed courtyard
Level 22
Type Psychic/Fairy
Unique move Icy Wind (Alpha-only move for this species)
Spawn type Fixed Alpha in the city (outside Wild Zones)
Respawn Yes, after a period of time

Unlock Alpha Pokémon spawns

Alpha spawns begin appearing after you complete the “A Big Ol’ Bunnelby” side mission, which the story requires. Once that battle is done, Alphas start showing up across the Wild Zones and at some fixed locations inside Lumiose City. Every Wild Zone holds at least one or two guaranteed Alpha spawns, and a handful of city nooks—like this Vert Sector 4 courtyard—also house fixed Alpha encounters.

Reach the Vert Sector 4 drop-in quickly

  • Approach Vert Sector 4 and head for the block containing Café Classe.
  • Find a rooftop ascent (ladders, climbable structures, or linked platforms) and get onto the surrounding roofs.
  • Circle the block until you’re above the enclosed yard behind the café.
  • Drop into the courtyard to trigger the Alpha Ralts spawn.
Tip: If the Alpha isn’t present, give the area time to refresh or leave and return. Moving far enough away can reroll nearby overworld spawns.

How Alpha Ralts behaves (and why this one is worth the detour)

Alphas are larger-than-usual variants with glowing red eyes. Their base stats don’t change after capture, but each Alpha carries a move the species doesn’t typically have—here, Icy Wind on a level 22 Ralts. That makes this catch immediately useful for coverage before evolving into Kirlia and then Gardevoir or Gallade.

Catch strategy for Alpha Ralts

  • Open stealthy: crouch as you approach to avoid alerting it and reduce chaos in the courtyard.
  • Battle to red health: engage and chip it down; status effects like Sleep or Paralysis help a lot.
  • Use the real-time window: once it’s low, keep throwing Poké Balls—even consider recalling your Pokémon so you can toss balls continuously between attacks.
  • Keep moving: some Alpha attacks cover wide areas; dodge while lining up throws.
  • Don’t stray: if you wander too far, the Alpha can reset its state.
Note: It’s rarely a one-and-done capture. Bring enough balls to endure a few breaks out of the Poké Ball.

Respawns, rerolls, and farming

Fixed Alphas like this Ralts return after some time. Elsewhere in the city and Wild Zones, non-fixed spawns can sometimes roll into Alpha variants, and leaving the area or losing line of sight can refresh what appears. If you’re farming, rotate zones or work nearby objectives, then loop back to the courtyard.

Regular Ralts locations and evolutions

If you only need the line, standard Ralts can be found in Lumiose City’s grassy courtyards, including Vert Sector 4 and Magenta Sector 7. Ralts evolves into Kirlia at level 20. From Kirlia, evolve into Gardevoir at level 30, or into Gallade by using a Dawn Stone on a male Kirlia.

Can Alpha Ralts be shiny?

Yes—overworld Alpha Pokémon can be shiny, though the odds are low. The Shiny Charm improves your chances. Alphas tied to main or side missions are shiny-locked, but free-roaming city and Wild Zone Alphas are not. Expect to reset and revisit the courtyard many times if you’re targeting a Shiny Alpha Ralts.

If you’re early in the game, this rooftop detour is an efficient power play: you get a mid-teens-to-20s Ralts with an off-kit ice move in a controlled arena, and a reliable spot to revisit later for rolls at a better nature, marks, or even a shiny.