Fossil Pokémon are back in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Recent prelaunch materials and footage have shown the ancient species in play again, bringing the long-running “revive from a fossil” mechanic back into focus. What’s clear right now: a small set of classics are in, trailers have already shown part of the lineup on screen, and the exact revival method hasn’t been detailed prior to release.

What counts as a Fossil Pokémon

Fossil Pokémon are species from ancient eras that are traditionally obtained by restoring specific items like Old Amber, the Jaw Fossil, or the Sail Fossil. In past games, you’d find a fossil, bring it to a lab, and receive a living Pokémon. Legends: Z-A is bringing those species back into the roster; the game has not yet outlined the in-game steps for restoration.

Confirmed and likely Fossil Pokémon in Legends: Z-A

Two lines are already visible in official footage, and a compact set of five is expected at launch based on early game data shared ahead of release. Here’s the current snapshot of each species, their traditional fossil source, type, and how solid their status looks for Legends: Z-A.

Pokémon Fossil item or evolution Type Status in Legends: Z-A
Aerodactyl Old Amber Rock · Flying Confirmed species
Amaura Sail Fossil Rock · Ice Shown in trailers
Aurorus Evolves from Amaura Rock · Ice Shown in trailers
Tyrunt Jaw Fossil Rock · Dragon Likely (prelaunch data)
Tyrantrum Evolves from Tyrunt Rock · Dragon Likely (prelaunch data)

Notes:

  • Amaura and Aurorus have appeared in recent footage, including an on-screen battle clip of Aurorus.
  • Aerodactyl is included among the species lists circulated ahead of launch.
  • Tyrunt and Tyrantrum round out the expected five. They have not been prominently shown on screen prior to release.

How many Fossil Pokémon to expect at launch

Prelaunch materials point to a small initial set of five: Aerodactyl, Amaura, Aurorus, Tyrunt, and Tyrantrum. That’s a narrower group than some past regional Pokédexes and reflects the city-scale focus of Legends: Z-A. More additions are possible later, but nothing beyond this core set is confirmed before launch.

What’s still unknown (revival method, locations, and timing)

Key details are intentionally being held for the game itself:

  • The exact process to restore or obtain Fossil Pokémon in Z-A has not been announced.
  • Whether fossils are discovered through exploration, gated behind quests or ranks, or handled by a dedicated facility remains to be seen.
  • Spawn locations, repeatability, and any version differences have not been detailed prelaunch.

Expect in-game tutorials or questlines to explain the procedure once you reach the relevant point in the story.

Why these five make sense for Lumiose City

Legends: Z-A is centered entirely in and around Lumiose City, with an emphasis on urban zones and controlled wild areas. The two Kalos fossil lines (Amaura/Aurorus and Tyrunt/Tyrantrum) fit that setting cleanly, and Aerodactyl is a long-running fossil staple that often appears when the mechanic returns.

Quick reference: fossils and typings

Fossil item Restored species Typing
Old Amber Aerodactyl Rock · Flying
Jaw Fossil Tyrunt → Tyrantrum Rock · Dragon
Sail Fossil Amaura → Aurorus Rock · Ice
Tip: if the game follows tradition, fossils themselves are distinct items tied to specific species lines. Evolutions then proceed normally by level-up once the base form is obtained.

What you can actually plan for now

  • Roster planning: If you want type coverage from day one, Rock/Ice (Amaura line), Rock/Dragon (Tyrunt line), and Rock/Flying (Aerodactyl) cover very different matchup needs.
  • Team roles: Aerodactyl typically fills a fast utility or offensive slot; Tyrantrum leans into physical power; Aurorus brings strong special options with Ice coverage.
  • Evolution timing: Expect standard level-up evolutions for Amaura → Aurorus and Tyrunt → Tyrantrum once initial fossils are obtained, as in prior games.

These practical considerations don’t depend on the exact revival steps and help you map out early-to mid-game party compositions.

FAQ

Are Fossil Pokémon fully confirmed as a feature?
Yes. Fossil species appear again in Legends: Z-A, with Amaura and Aurorus shown on screen prelaunch.

Which Fossil Pokémon are confirmed on screen?
Amaura and Aurorus have visible trailer moments. Aerodactyl is also included in the available species lists ahead of release.

Is there any sign of brand-new Fossil species?
No prelaunch material has confirmed new fossil lines. The expected set focuses on Aerodactyl and the two Kalos lines.

How do I revive fossils in Z-A?
The game has not detailed the steps prior to launch. Look for quest prompts or lab interactions as you progress.

The short version: plan around five fossil picks, count on Amaura/Aurorus being in, and expect the restoration steps to surface naturally as you advance the story. Once the game is live, the exact method and locations will be clear — and if more fossil species are added later, they’ll slot into the same structure with their traditional items and evolutions.