Side Mission 27, “Restored from a Fossil,” is the point in Pokémon Legends: Z-A where fossil Pokémon enter the picture in a big way. On the second floor of the Pokémon Research Lab in Lumiose City, the researcher Reg asks you to bring him a fossil, hands you ₽20,000, and sends you shopping.
The apparent dilemma: Jaw Fossil or Sail Fossil. In practice, the stakes are lower than they look, but the two options do play differently and matter for a couple of later missions.
Jaw Fossil vs. Sail Fossil: what each one gives you
At the Stone Emporium on Vernal Avenue, you’ll find three fossils on the shelf once this part of the game is available: Jaw Fossil, Sail Fossil, and Old Amber. For Side Mission 27, Reg’s money covers exactly one of the Kalos fossils.
| Fossil | Price | Resulting Pokémon | Type | Evolves Into | Evolution Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaw Fossil | ₽20,000 | Tyrunt (Lv. 20) | Rock / Dragon | Tyrantrum | Level 39+ in the day |
| Sail Fossil | ₽20,000 | Amaura (Lv. 20) | Rock / Ice | Aurorus | Level 39+ at night |
| Old Amber | ₽30,000 | Aerodactyl (Lv. 20) | Rock / Flying | — | No evolution (can Mega Evolve with Aerodactylite) |
Hand any of these to Reg in the lab, and he’ll convert it into its matching fossil Pokémon for free. For the mission, using the Jaw or Sail Fossil completes the request and lets you keep the revived Pokémon; Old Amber can be restored at the same time, but doesn’t count for Side Mission 27 on its own.
How much the choice matters
The Jaw vs. Sail decision is mostly about which Pokémon you want first, not which one you want at all.
- You only get one Kalos fossil “for free” from Reg’s ₽20,000.
- You can buy more Jaw and Sail Fossils later with your own money from the same shop.
- Old Amber is always available at the Stone Emporium for ₽30,000 if you want Aerodactyl.
Once the mission is done, Reg will restore any additional fossils you bring him at no cost. There is no lockout: both Tyrunt and Amaura, and Aerodactyl from Old Amber, are all permanently obtainable as long as you can afford the fossils.
Typing and practical differences between Tyrunt and Amaura
On paper, both fossil lines occupy a similar lane: they’re rare Rock-types that evolve at level 39 and can fill a mid-game slot on your team. Their typings and the way they survive in battle are where they diverge.
| Line | Final Form | Typing | Defensive Profile | Typical Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaw Fossil line | Tyrantrum | Rock / Dragon | No 4x weaknesses, several resistances | Physical attacker that can take neutral hits more comfortably |
| Sail Fossil line | Aurorus | Rock / Ice | Multiple shared weaknesses, including 4x to common types | More fragile but offers Ice coverage and utility |
Rock/Dragon is the sturdier defensive combination. Tyrantrum doesn’t suffer from those brutal 4x weaknesses that Rock/Ice piles up, and the extra resistances make it easier to keep on the field against random trainers and in Wild Zones.
Amaura and Aurorus, by contrast, lean into Ice coverage and the usual tradeoffs that come with it. They can answer certain threats very effectively, but you have to play around more dangerous matchups because of that Rock/Ice typing.
For most players focusing on comfort during the story, the Jaw Fossil is the more forgiving pick. If you like Aurorus’ design, want extra Ice coverage, or plan to build around it, there’s nothing wrong with taking the Sail Fossil instead and grabbing a Jaw Fossil later.
Side missions that depend on each fossil line
Both fossil evolutions matter for later optional content.
| Side mission | Required Pokémon | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| “Tyrantrum's Furious Jaws!” | Tyrantrum | Revive a Jaw Fossil, then level Tyrunt to 39+ in the day. |
| “Show the Power of Aurorus!” | Aurorus | Revive a Sail Fossil, then level Amaura to 39+ at night. |
If you care about clearing every side mission, you will eventually need both Tyrantrum and Aurorus registered and ready. That’s another reason the Jaw vs. Sail choice is about timing and short-term party composition, not long-term access.
How to unlock and complete “Restored from a Fossil”
The mission itself slots into the middle of the main story and doubles as your tutorial for fossil revival.
| Step | What to do | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Progress the story | Reach Main Mission 10 and unlock Missions 11, 12, and 13. | After defeating Vinnie and meeting your friends about the Rogue Mega Pokémon, the side mission becomes available. |
| 2. Talk to Reg | Visit the Pokémon Research Lab in the Vert District. | On 2F, speak with Reg in the laboratory; he gives you ₽20,000 and asks you to buy a Jaw or Sail Fossil. |
| 3. Go to Stone Emporium | Head to the fossil shop on Vernal Avenue. | The Stone Emporium is on the west side of Vernal Avenue. You can walk from the lab or fast travel to the Vernal Pokémon Center. |
| 4. Buy your fossil | Purchase a Jaw Fossil or Sail Fossil for ₽20,000. | Reg’s money covers one; you can also spend your own funds on the other fossil and Old Amber if you have extra cash. |
| 5. Return to the lab | Give the fossil to Reg on 2F. | Select the fossil from your bag; Reg revives it into Tyrunt (Jaw) or Amaura (Sail) at level 20. |
| 6. Turn in the mission | Accept your rewards and keep the Pokémon. | You receive ₽2,500, 10 Kelpsy Berries, and a Hard Stone, and you unlock ongoing fossil revival with Reg. |
Rewards and why they matter
Completing “Restored from a Fossil” gives you more than the Pokémon itself.
- Hard Stone ×1 – a held item that boosts Rock-type moves, a natural fit for your new fossil Pokémon.
- Kelpsy Berry ×10 – useful for managing EVs or simply as extra berries in your inventory.
- ₽2,500 – a partial refund that softens the cost of the fossil you bought.
- Ongoing fossil revival – from this point on, any Jaw Fossil, Sail Fossil, or Old Amber you buy can be turned into a Pokémon by Reg for free.
Because Reg doesn’t charge anything for restoration, the limiting factor from here forward is money for additional fossils at the Stone Emporium. Jaw and Sail Fossils are ₽20,000 each, Old Amber sits at ₽30,000, and you can buy as many as you can afford.
So which fossil should you pick first?
If you want a simple rule:
- Pick the Jaw Fossil if you want a sturdier Rock-type line with better defensive typing for the main story and plan to use it in battles.
- Pick the Sail Fossil if you’re more interested in Aurorus, Ice coverage, or its look, and you’re comfortable with a more fragile defensive profile.
Either way, you can buy the other fossil later, evolve both into Tyrantrum and Aurorus for their dedicated side missions, and add Aerodactyl to your roster with Old Amber when your wallet allows it. The mission frames the choice like a fork in the road; in practice, it’s closer to picking which fossil Pokémon joins your team first.
