Groups of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon

The subject of this article has no official name.
The name currently in use is a fan designator; see below for more information.

A Legendary group is a term used to describe a group of closely related Legendary or Mythical Pokémon. Legendary duo and Legendary trio are terms that have been used to refer to pairs and groups of three Legendary or Mythical Pokémon. The sea guardians, consisting of two Mythical Pokémon, are referred to as a Mythical duo. Less commonly, Legendary quartet and Legendary quintet have been used to refer to groups of four and five, respectively.

Several Legendary groups also have a close relationship with another Legendary or Mythical Pokémon who may be considered their leader or creator. There are also other Legendary and Mythical Pokémon that are closely associated with a Legendary group, but are not considered a leader or member of that group. Additionally, there are some Legendary Pokémon that are closely related but not officially or commonly recognized to be part of their own distinct group.

Members of Legendary groups often, but not always, share at least one type, Ability, or base stat total.

Terminology

Legendary duo

From Generation VII onwards, "Legendary duo" has been officially used on the Pokémon.com website.

In particular, this term was used at one point referring to Primal Groudon and Lunala together, in the context of their use in Double Battles:

"Up next we have the winning restricted pairing from the 2019 Pokémon World Championships, Primal Groudon and Lunala. [...] Opponents will be better prepared for this pairing with the knowledge of how the team operates, meaning it’s only going to get more difficult for this Legendary duo to continue with its recent success."^[1]

Another example:

"In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, the story centered heavily around the Legendary Pokémon Solgaleo and Lunala. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, a new story unfolds featuring Necrozma alongside the Legendary duo."^[2]

Legendary trio

From Generation IV onwards, "Legendary trio" (originally as legendary trio in lowercase) has been officially used on the Pokémon.com website:

"Catch up with the legendary trio of Entei (4/132), Raikou (16/132), and Suicune (19/132)!" (referring to Diamond & Pearl—Secret Wonders from the Pokémon Trading Card Game)
"The Legendary trio of Raikou, Entei, and Suicune are majestic, ferocious, and really hard to catch." (referring to the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console version of Pokémon Gold and Silver)^[3]
"Each of these battles has a five-minute time limit, so you'll need to be efficient as you take on this Legendary trio." (referring to Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!)^[4]

Other terms

Some terms have been used by fans but are not known to be officially used: "Legendary group", "Legendary leader", "Legendary quartet", and "Legendary quintet".

List of Legendary groups

Legendary duos

The eon duo in the anime

A Legendary duo is a pair of closely related Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, either representing teamwork or opposition.

In the games, Legendary duos are often found after the player enters the Hall of Fame but they usually are not as important to the main storyline as the trios are. Duos or their component parts are featured in several of the movies as keepers of peace.

Sometimes, pairs of Legendary Pokémon once only presented as duos are revealed to actually be Legendary trios in a subsequent game or games of the same generation. However, even within trios, the dynamic between two of the members is often very close to that of a duo: Kyogre and Groudon, Dialga and Palkia, Reshiram and Zekrom, Xerneas and Yveltal, and Solgaleo and Lunala are all examples of this.

Legendary duos
Mewtwo	Mew
Mew duo
Lugia	Ho-Oh
Tower duo
Latias	Latios
Eon duo
Cresselia	Darkrai
Lunar duo
Phione	Manaphy
Sea guardians
Zacian	Zamazenta
Hero duo
Koraidon	Miraidon
Paradox duo

Legendary trios

The Tao trio in the anime

A Legendary trio is a term used to describe a group of three closely-related Legendary Pokémon. Legendary trios can be subdivided into two tiers: normal trios and Special trios. Sublegendary trios, which are always the first Legendary Pokémon that appear in any Pokédex order, are allowed into the many Battle Towers and other battle facilities. They are also the only Pokémon with base stat totals of 580, besides the Swords of Justice. Special trios, whose name comes from the fact that all of them are Special Pokémon, are not allowed in the Battle Tower and are found closer to the end of the Pokédex in the generation of their release.

Before the introduction of new members to some Legendary groups, the Forces of Nature and legendary giants used to be Legendary trios. The Swords of Justice are also sometimes treated as a trio when Keldeo is excluded.

The term fell into official usage with the Shiny Legendary beasts' Wonder Cards.

Legendary trios
Articuno	Zapdos	Moltres
Galarian Articuno	Galarian Zapdos	Galarian Moltres
Legendary birds
Raikou	Entei	Suicune
Legendary beasts
Kyogre	Groudon	Rayquaza
Super-ancient Pokémon
Uxie	Mesprit	Azelf
Lake guardians
Dialga	Palkia	Giratina
Pokémon of Myth
Reshiram	Zekrom	Kyurem
Tao trio
Xerneas	Yveltal	Zygarde
Aura trio
Solgaleo	Lunala	Necrozma
Light trio
Okidogi	Munkidori	Fezandipiti
Loyal Three

Legendary quartets

The Guardian deities in the anime

A Legendary quartet is a term used to describe a group of four closely related Legendary Pokémon. Legendary quartets are mainly sub-Legendary, Keldeo being the only exception. Legendary quartets are usually the first Legendary Pokémon that appear in any Pokédex order and are allowed into the many Battle Towers and other battle facilities. The only exception is Keldeo due to being a Mythical Pokémon. They tend not to have leading story roles and are mainly optional captures.

Legendary quartets
Cobalion	Terrakion	Virizion	Keldeo
Swords of Justice
Tornadus	Thundurus	Landorus	Enamorus
Forces of Nature
Tapu Koko	Tapu Lele	Tapu Bulu	Tapu Fini
Guardian deities
Wo-Chien	Chien-Pao	Ting-Lu	Chi-Yu
Treasures of ruin

Legendary quintets

The legendary giants in the anime

A Legendary quintet is a term used to describe a group of five closely related Legendary Pokémon. Legendary quintets are mainly sub-Legendary groups. So far, the only Legendary quintet is a Legendary trio that has received new members several generations after their debut.

Legendary quintets
Regirock	Regice	Registeel	Regieleki	Regidrago
Legendary giants

Other relationships

Legendary leaders

Some Legendary or Mythical Pokémon are known to oversee one or more Legendary groups. For Legendary trios, this Pokémon has often been referred to by fans as a trio master, though some Legendary trios with leaders have since expanded into larger groups.

This Pokémon and its Legendary group may relate in different ways. For example, Lugia is often considered the leader of the legendary birds; it is the only one who can quell their fighting when Lawrence III captures one of them in the second movie, The Power of One.

Sometimes a particular member of a group oversees the other members, serving as what some fans have called an internal master. For example, Rayquaza is the leader of the super-ancient Pokémon; it stopped the other two members' fighting in Pokémon Emerald. Another example is mentioned in the Generation V games; Landorus punishes Thundurus and Tornadus for causing storms as a result of their fighting.

In the games, these Pokémon often require that their subordinates be caught before being encountered.

Lugia and the legendary birds

Lugia and the legendary birds

In The Power of One, Lugia is the only one who can end the legendary birds' conflict and save the world, which was in chaos due to the battle between the three birds.

Leader
Lugia
Group
Articuno	Zapdos	Moltres

Ho-Oh and the Legendary beasts

Ho-Oh and the Legendary beasts

After three Pokémon perished in a fire at the Brass Tower, Ho-Oh revived them as the Legendary beasts.

Leader
Ho-Oh
Group
Raikou	Entei	Suicune

Regigigas and the legendary giants

Regigigas and the three legendary giants

Regigigas will awaken when the three legendary giants are brought to its residence or the Giant's Bed. It is also said in Pokémon Platinum that it built statues made of clay, ice, and magma, these statues being the three original giants. It has also created two additional giants made from both electric and dragon elemental energies.

Leader
Regigigas
Group
Regirock	Regice	Registeel	Regieleki	Regidrago

Rayquaza of the super-ancient Pokémon

Rayquaza arriving to quell the battle between Kyogre and Groudon

Due to it ending Kyogre and Groudon's battles throughout the ages, Rayquaza is often seen as the leader amongst the super-ancient Pokémon, being powerful enough in its base form to overpower both of them even in their Primal forms.

Leader
Rayquaza
Group
Kyogre	Groudon

Arceus, the Pokémon of Myth, and the lake guardians

Arceus and the Pokémon of Myth

According to legend, Arceus created all three members of the Pokémon of Myth after creating the universe, with Dialga and Palkia representing matter, and Giratina representing anti-matter. Arceus also created the lake guardians, which each represent different aspects of spirit. The lake guardians check balance with the Pokémon of Myth. Arceus, known as the Original One, was named Almighty Sinnoh by the Celestica people, before the Diamond and Pearl Clans had used the name to refer to Palkia and Dialga instead. Arceus was also shown to be capable of using the Pokémon of Myth's powers at will, manipulating time, space, and anti-matter, even including their signature moves, Roar of Time, Spacial Rend and Shadow Force, as seen in its boss fight.

Leader
Arceus
Groups
Dialga	Palkia	Giratina
Uxie	Mesprit	Azelf

Cobalion of the Swords of Justice

Cobalion leading Terrakion and Virizion

In Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice and the Pokémon Adventures manga, Cobalion is shown to be the leader of the Swords of Justice, leading the group and commanding them with determination and strong will.

Leader
Cobalion
Group
Terrakion	Virizion	Keldeo

Landorus of the Forces of Nature

Landorus leading Tornadus and Thundurus

Landorus punished Thundurus and Tornadus for bringing mass destruction with their thunder and wind storms. As such, it is sometimes viewed as the leader of the three. It cannot be battled until both of the latter are brought to the Abundant Shrine, and it can bring out Enamorus when all three are together.

Leader
Landorus
Group
Tornadus	Thundurus	Enamorus

Zygarde of the Aura trio

Xerneas forces itself and Yveltal to slumber so Zygarde stops its rampage

Being the protector of the ecosystem, Zygarde keeps watch on the planet and on Xerneas and Yveltal so that the equilibrium of the planet and the cycle of life and death are kept in check. In its Complete Forme, it is said to exceed Xerneas and Yveltal in power, even capable of replacing their Abilities, Fairy Aura and Dark Aura respectively using its own, Aura Break.

Leader
Zygarde
Group
Xerneas	Yveltal

Pecharunt and the Loyal Three

The Loyal Three shadowed by Pecharunt

Pecharunt had tamed and bound the the Loyal Three with Binding Mochi and toxic chains, chaining them to its will with its toxins. This granted them their wishes for strength, intelligence, and beauty. Hundreds of years ago, Pecharunt led them to Oni Mountain's Dreaded Den to fight Ogerpon and its companion and steal their masks to please an old couple that Pecharunt lived with.^[5]

Leader
Pecharunt
Group
Okidogi	Munkidori	Fezandipiti

Legendary Pokémon associated with a Legendary group

On several occasions, certain Legendary or Mythical Pokémon have shared a history or close relationship with a Legendary group, often playing a pivotal role in their stories. However, these Legendary Pokémon are not considered official members of the main Legendary group.

Kyurem and the Swords of Justice

Kyurem attacking Keldeo

In Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice, according to Keldeo, to become a member of the Swords of Justice, one must defeat Kyurem.

Adversary
Kyurem
Challengers
Cobalion	Terrakion	Virizion	Keldeo

Meloetta and the Forces of Nature

Meloetta and the Abyssal Ruins

In the anime, Meloetta, as the former guardian of the Abyssal Ruins, guarded the Reveal Glass, a looking glass used to control the three Forces of Nature. When Meloetta's voice is in sync with the Reveal Glass, it is also capable of taking control of the trio by itself.

Controller
Meloetta
Controlled
Landorus	Tornadus	Thundurus

Cosmog, Solgaleo, Lunala, and the guardian deities

The guardian deities watching over Cosmog

According to the Light of Alola, Solgaleo^SUS/Lunala^MUM had entered Alola and initiated a fight with the guardian deities, resulting in a loss for the tapu. Solgaleo/Lunala had offered the tapu the Tapunium Z in acknowledgement. The four tapu were given the duty of watching over the Pokémon's child, Cosmog, until they evolve and return to Ultra Space to repeat the endless cycle, making the Legendaries' relation a symbiotic relationship.

Visitors
Cosmog, Solgaleo, and Lunala
Guardians
Tapu Koko	Tapu Lele	Tapu Bulu	Tapu Fini

Necrozma and the guardian deities

Necrozma battling Tapu Koko

According to the Malie Library, Necrozma had taken the form of Dusk Mane^US/Dawn Wings^UM Necrozma and taken away Alola's and either Solgaleo's^US or Lunala's^UM light. This pillager of light had fought against a young kid along with the guardian deities using Z-Power and Sparkling Stones defeating Necrozma. This resulted in Alola's tradition of the island challenge. As the pillager's goal is to steal Alola's light, shrouding it in darkness and the goal of the guardians is to protect it, this makes them eternal enemies along with the Ultra Beasts.

Invader
Necrozma
Guardians
Tapu Koko	Tapu Lele	Tapu Bulu	Tapu Fini

Eternatus and the Hero duo

Confrontation between Eternamax Eternatus and the Hero duo

Eternatus created the Darkest Day by absorbing Galar's energy, resulting in the emergence of the Dynamax phenomenon. The Hero duo wields the power to fight Dynamaxed Pokémon using their signature moves, and save the region by defeating Eternamax Eternatus. The dragon's goal is to take over Galar with its Darkest Day and the goal of the wolves is to protect it, th0us their opposing relationship.

Invader
Eternatus
Guardians
Zacian	Zamazenta

Ogerpon and the Loyal Three

Battle between Ogerpon and the Loyal Three

After the Loyal Three gained strength from their toxic chains, they stole Ogerpon's masks, but became mistakenly recognized as heroes of Kitakami, and Ogerpon was seen as a villainous ogre. The trio held a strong grudge against Ogerpon after it slayed them, and Ogerpon appeared to fear and hate them for everything they'd done to it. When Ogerpon is sent into battle against Pecharunt in the Mochi Mayhem epilogue, it will give a similar vicious reaction, as Pecharunt is responsible for the Loyal Three's toxic chains, and accompanied them when they stole Ogerpon's masks.

Avenger
Ogerpon
Attackers
Okidogi	Munkidori	Fezandipiti

Undefined relationships

Some Legendary Pokémon are closely related but are not officially or commonly recognized as part of a distinct group with each other.

Ho-Oh and Marshadow

In I Choose You!, Marshadow acts as a guide from the shadows who leads those chosen by Ho-Oh to be the Rainbow Hero.

The hero's challenger
Ho-Oh
The hero's guide
Marshadow

Deoxys and Rayquaza

Encounter between Deoxys and Mega Rayquaza

Deoxys is bitter enemies with Rayquaza, with the two often clashing with each other, as depicted in the movie Destiny Deoxys and the games Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

A dweller of the stratosphere
Rayquaza
A visitor from outer space
Deoxys

Arceus, Type: Null, and Silvally

After being deemed a failure upon its creation at the Aether Paradise, Type: Full's head was sealed with a helmet, and the Pokémon was renamed to Type: Null. Type: Null's evolution, Silvally and its Ability, RKS System, are based on Arceus and its Ability, Multitype, for the purpose of being an "Anti-UB Fighting life-form", named "beast killer". The ring around the collar of Type: Null's helmet resembles the golden wheel around Arceus' body.

The original
Arceus
Imitations
Type: Null	Silvally

Calyrex, Glastrier, and Spectrier

Calyrex fused with Glastrier and Spectrier in art for the TCG

Calyrex, as an ancient king of Galar, can ride on Glastrier or Spectrier with the Reins of Unity, making them its steeds. Calyrex lost most of its power and could only regain its ability to ride its steeds by regaining people's faith in its existence.

The ancient king
Calyrex
The king's steeds
Glastrier	Spectrier

Trivia

Heatran is the only Legendary Pokémon to not be associated with another Legendary or Mythical Pokémon.

Legendary duos

Some of the Legendary duos have unique distinctions:
- The tower duo is the only Legendary duo whose members are both considered Legendary leaders by fans.
- The lunar duo is the only Legendary duo whose members are not adjacent to each other in the Pokédex.
Both the tower duo and the eon duo were seen in the anime before their respective generations. Ho-Oh was seen in Pokémon - I Choose You! and Lugia was seen in The Power of One. Both Latias and Latios were seen in Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias.

Legendary trios

Some of the Legendary trios have unique distinctions:
- The lake guardians are the only trio:
  - Whose members are all exactly the same type; however, many other trios share types within the group.
  - Whose members are incapable of learning any HMs.
  - With a base stat total of 580 to not have a base friendship of 35; in fact, they have the highest base friendship of all Legendary Pokémon, at 140, tying for the highest base friendship of all Pokémon with Lopunny and the evolutionary families of Chansey and Clefairy.
- The legendary birds are the only Legendary trio to have regional forms.
- The light trio is the only Legendary trio to have an evolutionary line for two of its members.
- The Pokémon of Myth and the lake guardians are the only Legendary trios to share a Legendary leader, that being the Mythical Pokémon Arceus.
- The Legendary beasts are the only Legendary trio to have Paradox Pokémon counterparts.

Legendary groups of four or more

Some of the Legendary groups of four or more have unique distinctions.
- The Swords of Justice are the only Legendary quartet to have a Mythical Pokémon in their group.
- The Swords of Justice are the only Legendary quartet to have Paradox Pokémon counterparts, though one member is not present.
- The Forces of Nature are the only Legendary trio to later become a Legendary quartet.
- The Guardian deities are the only Legendary quartet to have exclusive Z-Moves and Z-Crystals.
- The legendary giants are the only Legendary group to have five members.
  - They are also the first Legendary group to gain more members in a later generation.
As of Generation IX, all Legendary quartets share at least one type.
- The Forces of Nature are the only quartet where one of the members has only one type while the rest are dual-type.

Legendary leaders

There has yet to be a Legendary leader of a Legendary duo.
Arceus and Pecharunt are the only Legendary leaders that are Mythical Pokémon.
- Arceus is the only one who is related to more than one Legendary trio.