Pokémon of Myth
The Pokémon of Myth (Japanese: 神話のポケモン mythical Pokémon), also known as mythical Pokémon (distinct from Mythical Pokémon), are a group of three Legendary Pokémon from the Sinnoh region: Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. The trio has also been called the creation trio, the deity trio, and the dragon trio by fans. They are the game mascots of three Generation IV Sinnoh games Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, and two of them are the mascots of the remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
All three members of the trio have two distinct formes. Their primary forme, which for Giratina is called its Altered Forme, is a forme the trio assumes when outside their home dimension, so is the forme that humans are most familiar with. The Origin Forme, on the other hand, is considered to be their true forme at their full power, which they transform into through the use of a special item. Giratina also transforms into its Origin Forme when it is in the Distortion World.
All three Pokémon are Dragon-type Pokémon, with Dragon as their secondary type. They all have a base stat total of 680, divided among the stats as 150-120-120-100-100-90, in different orders. All three share the standard Ability Pressure and the Hidden Ability Telepathy—however, Giratina's Origin Forme exclusively has Levitate.
Terminology
These Pokémon are primarily referred to as mythical Pokémon (Japanese: 神話のポケモン mythical Pokémon), with a lowercase "M". This term is distinct from Mythical Pokémon (Japanese: 幻のポケモン Illusory Pokémon), with an uppercase "M", in all languages other than English. Notably, "mythical Pokémon" was first used in Generation IV, before the term "Mythical Pokémon" was introduced in Western languages in Generation V. In some contexts, presumably to prevent confusion with Mythical Pokémon, they are referred to as Pokémon of myth instead.
In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl only, Dialga and Palkia are described as "mythical Pokémon" in all languages except Italian. In the Italian versions of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, this term is simply replaced with the Italian term for "Legendary Pokémon"; in the Italian versions of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the Italian version of this term ("Pokémon mitologico") was used, like in other languages.
In Pokémon HOME for Nintendo Switch, the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Research Task "Pokémon of Myth" uses the term for "mythical Pokémon" as its title in all languages other than English and French. In English, the term was presumably localized differently to prevent confusion with Mythical Pokémon (spelled with a capital "M"); the French title of the mission ("Pokémon des mythes") appears to be based on the English localization.
The term "mythical Pokémon" is also used to describe Kyogre in its HeartGold and SoulSilver Pokédex entry in Japanese, English, and Korean. In Spanish, the term is replaced by "Legendary Pokémon"; in all other languages, the text is restructured to instead refer to legends in general.
The term "mythical Pokémon" is also used to refer to Arceus in Pokémon Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus in many languages. In Type: Null's Shield Pokédex entry, Arceus is referred to by this term in all languages except English, German, and Chinese: In English it is instead referred to as the "Pokémon of myth"; in German the sentence is restructured to refer to it as a Pokémon from an old legend. In the description of Task 27: "The Deified Pokémon" in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the term "mythical Pokémon" is used to refer to Arceus in Japanese, German, Italian, and Korean—in English and Spanish the text is restructured to refer to it as a "Pokémon spoken of in ancient myths" or a Pokémon of legends; in French it is referred to as a Legendary Pokémon instead.
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus's Eternal Battle Reverie, the challenge to battle against Dialga and Palkia is called "Space and time" (Japanese: 時空 Spacetime) while the challenge to battle against Giratina is called "The banished Pokémon" (Japanese: 暴れ者 Aggressor). The challenge to battle against the Origin Formes of all three of these Pokémon is called "Primordial chaos" (Japanese: 根源 Origin). If Primordial chaos is chosen earlier on, only Dialga and Palkia's Origin Formes will appear.
History
According to the legends of Sinnoh, Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina were simultaneously created by Arceus when the universe began at the Temple of Sinnoh. At the time they were born in their Origin Formes. Dialga and Palkia were given control over an element of reality (time and space respectively) while Giratina was banished to the Distortion World for its violent nature. The lake guardians were then created to help control and calm Dialga or Palkia should they be enraged.
During the ancient times of Hisui, the Celestica worshiped Arceus and the trio, with statues in their honor. The statues were made based on their primary formes when the trio first appeared to the humans living there; however, Giratina's statue was destroyed after its banishment, and people tried to cover up its existence. Years later, both Dialga and Palkia were seen by the respective leaders of both the Diamond and Pearl Clans, believing this was the "almighty Sinnoh"—the former residents, the Celestica, worshiped Dialga and Palkia instead of Arceus. However, both clans accused the other of worshiping a false god, which lead to a bitter quarrel until both sides lacked enough manpower, leading to an uneasy truce.
Eventually, Giratina sought vengeance against Arceus and opened space-time rifts on top of Mount Coronet. These rifts drove Dialga and Palkia berserk and caused havoc across Hisui. It even brought some humans from the future into the past. One of these humans helped resolve the incident with help of Lake Guardians, and bring an end to conflict with the Diamond and Pearl Clan. The same human also bested Giratina and convinced it to protect the world instead of destroy it.
Each member of the trio has control over a different element of reality. Dialga controls time and Palkia controls space. Giratina has control over antimatter and the Distortion World, where time does not flow and space is unstable.
Similar movesets
The following are the Pokémon of Myth's level-up movesets from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
| Lv. |   Dialga Steel Dragon |
  Palkia Water Dragon |
  Giratina Ghost Dragon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scary Face | Shadow Sneak | |
| Metal Claw | Water Pulse | Defog | |
| 7 | Dragon Breath | ||
| 8 | Dragon Breath | ||
| 14 | Ancient Power | ||
| 16 | Ancient Power | ||
| 21 | Hex | ||
| 24 | Slash | ||
| 28 | Slash | ||
| 32 | Flash Cannon | Aqua Ring | |
| 35 | Scary Face | ||
| 40 | Dragon Claw | ||
| 42 | Shadow Claw | ||
| 48 | Aura Sphere | ||
| 49 | Pain Split | ||
| 56 | Power Gem | Aura Sphere | |
| 63 | Dragon Claw | ||
| 64 | Metal Burst | Aqua Tail | |
| 70 | Earth Power | ||
| 72 | Earth Power | ||
| 77 | Shadow Force | ||
| 80 | Iron Tail | Spacial Rend | |
| 84 | Destiny Bond | ||
| 88 | Roar of Time | Hydro Pump | |
| Moves in bold are STAB. Moves in italics do no damage. | |||
Base stat comparison
| Pokémon | Dialga |
Palkia |
Giratina | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP |
|
|
| |||
| Attack |
|
|
| |||
| Defense |
|
|
| |||
| Sp. Atk |
|
|
| |||
| Sp. Def |
|
|
| |||
| Speed |
|
|
| |||
| Total | 680 | 680 | 680 |
Origin Formes
| Pokémon | Dialga |
Palkia |
Giratina | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP |
|
|
| |||
| Attack |
|
|
| |||
| Defense |
|
|
| |||
| Sp. Atk |
|
|
| |||
| Sp. Def |
|
|
| |||
| Speed |
|
|
| |||
| Total | 680 | 680 | 680 |
In the games
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, either DialgaD or PalkiaP appears atop the Spear Pillar, and after entering the Hall of Fame, the player can find Giratina hidden at the end of a puzzle in Turnback Cave.
Pokémon Platinum
In Pokémon Platinum, both Dialga and Palkia appear in dimensional rifts atop the Spear Pillar after entering the Hall of Fame. Giratina appears in its Origin Forme in the Distortion World when first encountered, but if it is defeated or fled from, it will appear in Turnback Cave in its Altered Forme, after entering the Hall of Fame.
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
One of the three Pokémon can be obtained in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver if the player has a level 100, fateful encounter event Arceus by itself in their party. The player must go to the Sinjoh Ruins and speak with Cynthia, and, after some time, Arceus will create a member of the Pokémon of Myth which will be at level 1 and have a basic moveset.
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, either DialgaAS or PalkiaOR will appear in the Dimensional Rift near Dewford Town depending on the version when the player has Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf in their party when soaring in the sky. Giratina will appear in same Dimensional Rift if Dialga and Palkia are in the player's party.
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, all three members of the Pokémon of Myth can be encountered in the Ultra Space Wilds through Ultra Warp Ride. DialgaUS can be encountered in the Rocky World through a green warp hole. PalkiaUM can be encountered in the Cave World through a yellow warp hole. Giratina can be encountered in the Cave World through a yellow warp hole, as long as both Dialga and Palkia are in the player's party.
Pokémon Sword and Shield
In Pokémon Sword and Shield, all three members of the Pokémon of Myth can be encountered in Dynamax Adventures. Dialga is exclusive to Sword, Palkia is exclusive to Shield, and Giratina can be caught in both versions.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, either DialgaBD or PalkiaSP will be encountered in Spear Pillar. Giratina can be encounter in the Turnback Cave. In Ramanas Park, a Level 100 Shadow Giratina Origin Forme can be fought at the Distortion Room. The Distortion Room is unlocked after capturing the Legendary giants and Giratina. One Distortion Slate is needed to unlock it; this Giratina cannot be captured, however. Defeating it gives the player access to the Griseous Orb.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Dialga and Palkia are encountered in the Temple of Sinnoh during Missions 18: Atop Mount Coronet and 19: The Counterpart, depending upon which clan the player chooses, while Giratina is encountered in Turnback Cave during Request 91: "On the Trail of Giratina" (and before, at the Temple of Sinnoh, not available for capture).
In the anime
Main series
Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl movie trilogy
- Main article: Dialga (movie)
- Main article: Palkia (movie)
- Main article: Giratina (movie)
Dialga and Palkia debuted in The Rise of Darkrai. In this movie, their two worlds, the Temporal World and the Spatial World, collided, leading the two to mistakenly believe that they were intentionally invading each other's territory. As such, the two began to violently clash, causing large distortions between time and space in Alamos Town. However, Palkia sustained an injury when one of the pearls on its arm was cracked. Palkia then took refuge in Alamos Town and wound up transferring the town to the Spatial World. Dialga then appeared before it once Darkrai forced Palkia to reveal itself. The two then violently continued fighting in the town. Darkrai also intervened in their fight to protect the town, and Dialga and Palkia continued to fight with Darkrai involved, causing massive destruction around Alamos Town. However, Ash and Dawn soon activated the song Oración on the Space-Time Towers, which calmed Dialga and Palkia, prompting them to end their fight. Palkia then restored Alamos Town to its original state and left right after Dialga.
The same Dialga appeared again in Giratina and the Sky Warrior, along with Giratina. In this movie, it was revealed that the fighting between Dialga and Palkia in the previous movie caused many toxic clouds to appear in Giratina's Reverse World. Giratina, furious at the two for defiling its home, sought revenge on Dialga, attacking it violently near a lake and drawing it into the Reverse World. As the two battled, Dialga attempted to escape, but Giratina constantly kept pulling it in. However, the vortex caused by Giratina abducting Dialga ended up pulling a fearful Shaymin into the Reverse World on accident. In fear of the situation, Shaymin ended up using Seed Flare, which opened up a portal, and Dialga escaped by locking Giratina into a time loop.
Giratina, seeking to regain its ability to traverse between the Pokémon world and the Reverse World, went after Shaymin. However, Shaymin was under the impression that Giratina wanted to eat it and thus was terrified of it. When Zero appeared, Shaymin forcibly opened up a portal using Seed Flare, in which Giratina broke free from the time loop and regained the ability to traverse between the two worlds. Zero, in his goal to take control of the Reverse World, used a special machine to absorb Giratina's powers, which almost killed Giratina until Newton Graceland hacked the database. Giratina then struggled to stay alive until Shaymin used Aromatherapy to restore it to a healthy state. Giratina then helped Ash and Shaymin defeat Zero, and when Shaymin opened a portal to help everyone escape, Giratina restrained Zero's ship and caused it to malfunction. It then helped Ash out of the Reverse World, but then flew away, which Newton Graceland suspected must have meant that Dialga was nearby.
Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina all reappeared in Arceus and the Jewel of Life. When a harsh distortion appeared and almost got Pikachu and Piplup abducted into the vortex, Sheena appeared on the scene and used her mysterious power to summon Dialga, who arrived and saved Pikachu and Piplup, then destroyed the vortex with Roar of Time. However, its presence drew in Giratina, who was still enraged at Dialga; it appeared from the lake and violently attacked Dialga. Sheena tried to communicate with it, but its rage ended up making the process difficult. However, Ash appeared and called out to Giratina; when it recognized Ash, it calmed down. Then, Sheena communicated with Giratina, telling it that it misunderstood Dialga and it should not battle it. Giratina then returned to the Reverse World in peace. However, another distortion appeared and Dialga ended up being trapped in the vortex. Luckily enough, Palkia appeared and used Spacial Rend to destroy this vortex, then bent space around Dialga to get it out of the vortex safely. Sheena then thanked Dialga and Palkia, and the two left in peace.
In this movie, it was revealed that the harsh distortions in time and space, and the subsequent conflict between the Pokémon of Myth, were caused by the awakening of Arceus. When Arceus awoke and prepared to judge humanity as revenge for Damos' supposed betrayal eras ago, Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina all fought to protect humanity from Arceus, with Palkia bending space to restrain Arceus; and Dialga sending Ash, his friends, and Sheena back into time to alter the chain of events that caused Arceus's wrath. After history was changed and Arceus had restored Michina Town, the Pokémon of Myth parted ways with Ash and his friends, and returned to their respective dimensions.
Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl
Dialga and Palkia reappeared briefly in The Battle Finale of Legend!, where they were summoned by Cyrus using the power of the lake guardians and the Adamant and Lustrous Orbs. They were then controlled by the Red Chain to help Cyrus create his new universe. However, the lake guardians, along with their chosen three protectors, Ash, Dawn, and Brock, helped free them of the Red Chain's control. Dialga and Palkia then destroyed Cyrus's universe and went into a fit of rage. However, the trio and the lake guardians helped to quell their rage and the lake guardians sent the two back to their dimensions. It was unclear whether or not these are the same Dialga and Palkia that appeared in the movies.
Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina all reappeared again in Hoopa and the Clash of Ages, where they were summoned and hypnotized by the entity of the Hoopa Unbound Hoopa, along with Primal Kyogre, Primal Groudon, and Kyurem in order to terrorize Dahara City. They fought with Mega Latias, Mega Latios, and a Shiny Mega Rayquaza in the process. Eventually, after they were freed from Hoopa's control, they helped in holding off a dimensional wall from consuming a large number of citizens in Dahara City. Afterwards, they left the scene and returned to their dimensions.
Pokémon Generations
The Pokémon of Myth trio appeared in The New World. Cyrus first summoned Dialga and Palkia and controlled them with the Red Chain. After doing so, Giratina suddenly appeared from the Distortion World. Cyrus had Dialga and Palkia attack Giratina, but Giratina destroyed the Red Chains that were controlling them by using Shadow Ball. This freed them from Cyrus's control. Giratina then took Cyrus with it to the Distortion World and Cyrus ultimately decided to stay with Giratina.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
- Main article: Pokémon of Myth (Adventures)
At the end of the Diamond & Pearl arc, both Dialga and Palkia are summoned by Cyrus at the Spear Pillar so that they can be forced to fight each other to create a new world. After Cyrus's plans are thwarted, Giratina appears and drags Cyrus, Dialga, and Palkia into the Distortion World.
In the following chapter, Giratina serves as one of the main antagonists alongside Charon.
Chronologically, the first appearance of the trio was during the HeartGold & SoulSilver arc, where they were revived by Arceus to wreak havoc on humanity. After Arceus was calmed by Gold, Giratina escaped to the Distortion World while Dialga and Palkia went to the Spear Pillar.
Pokémon Diamond & Pearl Adventure!
In this manga, Dialga is more prominent than Palkia or Giratina. For Hareta, one of the goals of his journey is to meet Dialga. Dialga also is the one summoned by Cyrus at the Spear Pillar. After Hareta stopped him, Palkia appeared.
Later, Hareta battles with Giratina in the Distortion World.
Gallery
The Pokémon of Myth at the Spear Pillar in Platinum
At the Sinjoh Ruins with Arceus
Arceus creating a member of the trio
A member of the Pokémon of Myth being hatched
Trivia
- Beginning in Pokémon Platinum, Giratina has its own unique battle music. Where as Dialga and Palkia had always shared battle themes with one another.
- Giratina is the only member whose box art differs from its official art released with Diamond and Pearl.
- No two members have the same number of immunities. Palkia has none, Dialga has one, Giratina's Altered Forme has two, and Origin Forme Giratina has three because of Levitate.
- The primary types of each of the trio are the specialty types of three different Gyms of Sinnoh, the only region that has Gyms of those types all together.
- The Pokémon of Myth trio is the only Legendary trio:
- In which all members can be legitimately obtained at level 1.
- Composed of game mascots which all have the same base stat total.
- Before Circuit City shut down in 2009, they referred to the Pokémon of Myth as the "Legendary titans". Legendary titans has since been used as the official name of the group comprising Regirock, Regice, Registeel, Regieleki, and Regidrago, though they are more recently known as the Legendary giants.
In other languages
Pokémon of MythHOME / Mythical PokémonDPPtBDSP
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Legendary trios |
|---|
| Birds • Beasts • Super-ancient • Lake • Myth • Tao • Aura • Light • Loyal |