Legendary Pokémon: Difference between revisions

{{redirect|Legend|the Badge given by [[Iris]] or [[Drayden]]|Badge#Legend Badge|Badge → Legend Badge}}

{{Featured|September 5, 2007}}

'''Legendary Pokémon''' (Japanese: '''{{tt|伝説|でんせつ}}のポケモン''' ''Legendary Pokémon'') are a group of incredibly rare and often very powerful {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}, generally featured prominently in the legends and myths of the Pokémon world.

The [[gender]] of most Legendary Pokémon is unknown (though there are nine notable exceptions: {{p|Latios}}, {{p|Latias}}, {{p|Heatran}}, {{p|Cresselia}}, {{p|Tornadus}}, {{p|Thundurus}}, {{p|Landorus}}, {{p|Kubfu}}, and {{p|Urshifu}}). In the [[core series]] games, no Legendary Pokémon can [[Pokémon breeding|breed]] or hatch from an {{pkmn|Egg}}. With the exception of {{p|Type: Null}}, {{p|Cosmog}}, and {{p|Kubfu}}, and their respective evolutionary families, Legendary Pokémon cannot [[Evolution|evolve]], although many are able to [[List of Pokémon with form differences|change form]] and are part of a [[Legendary duo|duo]] or [[Legendary trio|trio]].

====Statistical average====

====Multiple Legendary Pokémon====

* The existence of [[regional form]]s with the [[Legendary birds]] {{p|Articuno}}, {{p|Zapdos}}, and {{p|Moltres}} implies that a trio separate from [[Kanto]] existed in an isolated peripheral population (in this case [[Galar]]) and hence formed a new species.

** The Pokédex says about {{p|Entei}}: "''It is said that one is born every time a new volcano appears.''"

** The Pokédex says about {{p|Cobalion}}: "''From the moment it's born, this Pokémon radiates the air of a leader.''" implying its birth is a repetitive occurrence.

* In [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]] the Legendary birds are rare spawns, allowing the player to encounter and catch multiple of each in a single save file.

* Because {{p|Type: Null}} and {{p|Silvally}} are synthetic species, it was possible for humans to create multiple individuals.

* In [[The Isle of Armor]], the player receives a {{p|Kubfu}}, while [[Mustard]] also has one. Mustard's Kubfu will evolve into an {{p|Urshifu}} of the form corresponding to the [[Towers of Two Fists|tower]] not chosen by the player.

* Most Legendary Pokémon can be encountered multiple times in [[Dynamax Adventures]] in the Crown Tundra. However, the player can only catch one of each.

* Sometimes, multiple Legendary Pokémon seem to be present by comparing multiple games that happen at [[Core series#Timeline|the same time]].

====Legendary birds====

{{main|Legendary birds}}

The three Legendary birds, also known as the Winged Mirages, are the resident [[Legendary trio]] of the [[Kanto]] region. Each of them is based on a mythical bird, and each is associated with a [[Season (mechanic)|season]] (though none of the three is associated with autumn).

In [[The Crown Tundra]], each bird gains a [[Regional form|Galarian form]].

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====Legendary beasts====

{{main|Legendary beasts}}

Like the Legendary birds of the previous generation, a second trio of similar types was introduced in the neighboring [[Johto]] region. These Legendary beasts, so named because their features are based on many different creatures, both real and mythical, as well as mythological deities, were trapped in the [[Burned Tower|Brass Tower]] when it was struck by lightning and burned to the ground, resulting in their death. The trio was revived by the power of {{p|Ho-Oh}} and now [[roaming Pokémon|roam across the land]] because of their great power. It is unknown whether the three were already a Suicune, Raikou, and Entei when they died, or whether they were simply three non-Legendary Pokémon, and Ho-Oh reincarnated them as the first Legendary beasts. In the case of the latter, it is possible that these three would be the original three beasts, who created multiple descendants. For example, a new Entei is said to be born whenever a new volcano is formed.

====Tower duo====

{{main|Tower duo}}

The first [[game mascot]]s that were also Legendary Pokémon, {{p|Lugia}} and {{p|Ho-Oh}} are a pair of Legendary birds which formerly resided in [[Ecruteak City]] atop tall towers, leading to their designation. However, when the [[Burned Tower|Brass Tower]], the home of Lugia, was struck by lightning and burned to the ground, they both flew away, Lugia resolving to make its new home in the [[Whirl Islands]] and Ho-Oh to search the world for a pure-hearted Trainer. The two are thought to be as closely related as they are polar opposites, being based on the eastern legends of the {{wp|Fènghuáng}} and {{wp|Ryūjin}}.

====Legendary titans====

{{main|Legendary titans}}

This third former trio of Legendary Pokémon, based on the {{wp|golem}}s of Hebrew legend, is featured minimally in [[Hoenn]] legend. This Legendary trio, as well as its [[trio master|master]], {{p|Regigigas}}, is commonly considered to have the most complicated method of in-game availability, with puzzles made of [[braille]] in the Hoenn region being the keys to unlocking their mystery.

====Eon duo====

{{main|Eon duo}}

While {{p|Latias}} and {{p|Latios}} do not have a distinct legend behind them, they are incredibly rare, with only one of the two available in normal gameplay and the other available through an event.

In the anime, Latios and Latias were the stars of ''[[M05|Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias]]'', in which the two guarded the city of [[Alto Mare]]. With a strong connection to the [[Soul Dew]], the two were responsible for protecting it from {{OBP|Annie|M05}} and [[Oakley]], who wished to steal it. In the main series, {{si|Tobias}} used a Latios against Ash, as his second Pokémon in the first semi-final battle of the [[Lily of the Valley Conference]]. A [[Nurse Joy]] had a Latias when testing the Pewter Gym in [[DPS02]]. Both Latios and Latias appeared in ''[[M18|Hoopa and the Clash of Ages]]''; in this film, both of them were capable of Mega Evolution.

====Super-ancient Pokémon====

{{main|Super-ancient Pokémon}}

This trio of Super-ancient Pokémon, known by fans as the weather trio due to their [[weather]]-related [[Ability|Abilities]], serve as the [[game mascot]]s of {{3v|Ruby|Sapphire|Emerald}}, and are the first Legendary trio to all be game mascots. The trio represents the three major components of the Earth: the hydrosphere, the lithosphere, and the atmosphere. Said to have expanded the land and sea, {{p|Groudon}} and {{p|Kyogre}} are among the most powerful Legendary Pokémon, while {{p|Rayquaza}} prevents the two from quarreling.

====Lake guardians====

{{main|Lake guardians}}

The lake guardians, [[Sinnoh]]'s resident Legendary trio, represent the spirit of all consciousness, with {{p|Uxie}} embodying knowledge, {{p|Mesprit}} embodying emotion, and {{p|Azelf}} embodying willpower. According to legend, having been created by {{p|Arceus|the Original One}}, the trio have the power to tame the powerful dragons it also created.

In the anime, the lake guardians appeared, first in spirit form, in ''[[DP001|Following a Maiden's Voyage!]]'', ''[[DP078|Pruning a Passel of Pals]]'', and ''[[DP133|Uncrushing Defeat!]]'', to {{an|Dawn}}, {{Ash}}, and {{an|Brock}}. They were captured by [[J]], who had been hired by [[Team Galactic]], in ''[[DP151|The Needs of the Three!]]'', and were freed by Ash, Dawn, and Brock to stop the power of Dialga and Palkia in ''[[DP152|The Battle Finale of Legend!]]''.

====Creation trio====

{{main|Creation trio}}

The Legendary creators of the Pokémon universe, the creation trio consists of {{p|Dialga}} of time, {{p|Palkia}} of space, and {{p|Giratina}} of antimatter. Like the super-ancient Pokémon before them, they each serve as the mascots of [[Sinnoh]]'s trio of games, {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}.

In {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}} only, Dialga and Palkia were referenced as "mythical Pokémon" (Japanese: 神話のポケモン ''mythical Pokémon''); however, this pre-dates the term [[Mythical Pokémon]] (Japanese: 幻のポケモン ''Illusory Pokémon'') and has a different Japanese name.

====Cresselia====

[[File:488Cresselia.png|thumb|200px|Cresselia]]

{{p|Cresselia}} is a {{type|Psychic}} Pokémon who represents the {{wp|crescent moon}}, a sign of hope and good dreams.

Cresselia made her debut appearance in the anime in ''[[DP104|Sleepless in Pre-Battle!]]'', in which she fought briefly against a {{p|Darkrai}}.

====Heatran====

Heatran first appeared in the anime in ''[[M12|Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]'', under the control of [[Marcus]], and later appeared in ''[[DP169|Pokémon Ranger: Heatran Rescue!]]'' as part of a Pokémon Ranger rescue mission.

====Regigigas====

{{p|Regigigas}} is the master of the [[Legendary titans]], having created them in ancient times and was said to have moved the continents in place, pulling them by rope.

====Swords of Justice====

{{main|Swords of Justice}}

{{p|Cobalion}}, {{p|Terrakion}}, and {{p|Virizion}} are a trio of Legendary Pokémon based on the titular characters of the 1844 French novel ''{{wp|The Three Musketeers}}'', and partially on hooved mammals such as deer, antelopes, oxen, goats, and horses. According to legend, they protect Pokémon from having their habitats destroyed by humans and have been known to have attacked human castles during the Middle Ages. Like the Three Musketeers, they are considered a trio but have a fourth, younger member in the form of {{p|Keldeo}}, a Mythical Pokémon, whom the other three rescued and raised after its home was destroyed by fire. All four of them can use their horns like swords, and learn their former [[signature move]], {{m|Sacred Sword}}, at level 42 (43 for {{p|Keldeo}}, most likely a reference to it becoming part of the group later and therefore requiring more training to hone its sword skills).

They made their anime debut together, in the fifteenth Pokémon film ''[[M15|Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice]]'', where Keldeo was responsible for the freezing of the other three during a battle against {{OBP|Kyurem|M15}}, and sought help from {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}}. In the movie, Cobalion acts as the leader of the {{OBP|Swords of Justice|M15}}, protecting Pokémon and humans alike through the world.

====Forces of Nature====

{{main|Forces of Nature}}

In the anime, the Forces of Nature were sought by [[Team Rocket]] in Unova from ''[[BW056|The Lonely Deino!]]'' until they were able to awaken them on [[Milos Island]] in ''[[BW059|Stopping the Rage of Legends! Part 1]]'' and ''[[BW060|Part 2]]''. Tornadus and Thundurus fought on the island, while Ash and his friends awakened Landorus to put a stop to the fight (they all appeared in Incarnate Forme during these episodes). They debuted in Therian Forme in ''[[BW097|Unova's Survival Crisis!]]'', when Team Rocket once again attempted to capture them as the final goal of Operation Tempest. Together, they are said to have the power to control nature, which can be harnessed by one who possesses both {{an|Meloetta}} and the Reveal Glass.

====Tao trio====

{{main|Tao trio}}

{{p|Zekrom}} and {{p|Reshiram}} represent balance through the aspects of {{wp|Tao|Yin and Yang}}, respectively. Originally, they were a single dragon that helped found the Unova region's nation, but fighting between the [[Heroes of Truth and Ideals|two brothers]] who founded the nation split them into two halves. Despite this, the two Pokémon do not willingly fight each other.

Kyurem is the star of ''[[M15|Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice]]'' along with Keldeo, where it seems as a ferocious Pokémon, and can change forms without the DNA Splicers. It is also capable of this when it appears in ''[[M18|Hoopa and the Clash of Ages]]''.

===Generation VI===

====Aura trio====

{{main|Aura trio}}

The Legendary [[game mascot]]s of [[Pokémon X and Y]] are {{p|Xerneas}} and {{p|Yveltal}}, and they form the [[aura trio]] along with {{p|Zygarde}}. Xerneas and Yveltal represent life and destruction, respectively, while Zygarde is said to monitor the balance of the ecosystem and reveal its power when the ecosystem is disrupted. Xerneas has the power to share eternal life, while Yveltal absorbs the life force of everything around it. Xerneas sleeps in the form of a tree, while Yveltal sleeps in the form of a cocoon. Xerneas and Yveltal have the Abilities {{a|Fairy Aura}} and {{a|Dark Aura}}, respectively, while Zygarde's {{a|Aura Break}} reverses the effects of these Abilities.

In the anime, Type: Null debuted in ''[[SM037|Rising from the Ruins!]]'' under the nickname "Silvally" and owned by {{an|Gladion}}. It later evolved into Silvally in ''[[SM049|Mission: Total Recall!]]''.

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====Guardian deities====

{{main|Guardian deities}}

The guardian deities are {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} who protect the islands where they live. Each of the four main islands in Alola has a guardian deity: {{p|Tapu Koko}} on [[Melemele Island]], {{p|Tapu Lele}} on [[Akala Island]], {{p|Tapu Bulu}} on [[Ula'ula Island]], and {{p|Tapu Fini}} on [[Poni Island]]. The [[Island Kahuna]]s are each chosen by their island's guardian deity.

====Light trio====

{{main|Light trio}}

The Light trio is a group consisting of {{p|Solgaleo}}, {{p|Lunala}}, and {{p|Necrozma}} who resemble the [[Ultra Beast]]s and has given light to the Alola region when it was first created. According to legends, Solgaleo and Lunala appeared from an [[Ultra Wormhole]], the ancient kings of Alola bowing down to them and worshiped them. The Guardian Deities battled them and lost, gifting them the [[Tapunium Z]] after their defeat.

Necrozma was believed to have come from an [[Ultra Space|alternate dimension]] long ago. It has a major role in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, where as the "Blinding One", it once shared light across [[Alola]] and Ultra Space before an unknown injury caused Necrozma to lose its true form. This resulted in Necrozma becoming extremely vicious and constantly in pain, which made it steal light from other worlds or the Solgaleo and Lunala in order to sustain itself and regain the form it once had.

In the anime, Solgaleo and Lunala both debuted in ''[[SM044|A Dream Encounter!]]'', where the pair emerged from two [[Ultra Wormhole]] at [[Altar of the Sunne]] to create a {{p|Cosmog}}, which it then gave to the [[guardian deities]] to be placed in a location when it will be found by {{Ash}}. Ultra Necrozma debuted in ''[[SM074|Tough Guy Trials!]]'' in a book mentioned by [[Acerola]], which revealed how Ultra Necrozma, Solgaleo and Lunala brought light to [[Alola]] and how Ultra Necrozma earned the title of the "Blinding One".

===Generation VIII===

[[File:Hero duo.png|thumb|200px|{{p|Zacian}} and {{p|Zamazenta}}]]

{{p|Zacian}} and {{p|Zamazenta}} are Legendary Pokémon introduced in {{g|Sword and Shield}}. In ages past, these two Pokémon worked together to protect [[Galar]] from a calamity known as the [[Darkest Day]], defeating {{p|Eternatus}} before retreating to the [[Slumbering Weald]] to slumber. The two Pokémon were nearly forgotten by history until the truth behind the legend was discovered by [[Sonia]], with the help of {{ga|Victor}}/{{ga|Gloria}} and their [[rival]], [[Hop]]. The truth of the legend was eventually published in [[Sonia's Book|a book]], and became a point of contention from two brothers, [[Sordward]] and [[Shielbert]], who claim to be descendants for the old kings.

It has been confirmed that there exists multiple instances of Kubfu, as both the player and Mustard own one, as seen at the end of the Towers of Two Fists challenge.

<gallery>

Kubfu.png|{{p|Kubfu}}

Urshifu-Rapid Strike.png|{{p|Urshifu|Urshifu Rapid Strike Style}}

</gallery>

====Regieleki and Regidrago====

The Trio can be encountered at [[Dyna Tree Hill]] which triggers a cutscene which all three flee to the three different spots in [[Galar]]. Articuno can be found in the [[Crown Tundra]], Zapdos in the [[Wild Area]], and Moltres in the [[Isle of Armor]].

<gallery>

144Articuno-Galar.png|{{p|Articuno|Galarian Articuno}}

146Moltres-Galar.png|{{p|Moltres|Galarian Moltres}}

</gallery>

====Glastrier and Spectrier====

==Trivia==

<!--Don't add the remaining Gen VI and VII Pokémon as those that have not appeared in movies as they are too recent. Give it another generation or two. Generation III-V legendaries are also not notable since there are still a few that haven't had a movie, rather than just one.-->

* Every Special and Mythical Pokémon in the [[List of Pokémon by Alola Pokédex number (Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon)|Alola Pokédex]] is marked by a special golden background in its [[Pokédex]] page instead of a regular blue one; other Legendary Pokémon and Ultra Beasts are marked by a special green one.

* {{p|Heatran}}, {{p|Kubfu}}, and {{p|Urshifu}}  are the only Legendary Pokémon that can be either gender.

** Reshiram's theme employs a burning fire effect, Zekrom's theme employs a crackling thunder effect, and normal Kyurem's theme features an extra slapped bass part playing in the background.

* The Legendary birds are the Legendary Pokémon that have been available in the wild in the greatest number of core series games, each being able to be caught in seventeen core series games ([[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|Pokémon Red, Green]], [[Pokémon Blue Version (Japanese)|Blue]], {{v2|Yellow}}, [[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions|FireRed, LeafGreen]], {{v2|Platinum}}, [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions|HeartGold, SoulSilver]], [[Pokémon X and Y|X, Y]], [[Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon|Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon]], [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!|Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee!,]] [[Pokémon Sword and Shield|Sword, and Shield]]).

* Even though {{p|Unown}} is not a Legendary Pokémon, in ''[[M03|Spell of the Unown: Entei]]'', it is shown in [[Molly Hale]]'s book about Legendary Pokémon. Its power (in large numbers, at least) appears to match that of Legendary Pokémon, and within the canon of the movie, it is specifically referred to as a Legendary Pokémon.

* Even though {{p|Rotom}} is not a Legendary or [[Mythical Pokémon]], it is mentioned in the list of Sinnoh's Legendary and Mythical Pokémon from [[Charon]]'s notebook in the chapter ''[[PS430|Unplugging Rotom (Heat, Wash, Mow, Fan, Frost)]]'' from the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga.

==In other languages==

|vi=Pokémon huyền thoại

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==See also==