Statistical averages
Base stat comparison
Base stat comparison when Mega Evolved
Individual characteristics
Dragonite
Being the first pseudo-legendary, Dragonite has straightforward and well-rounded stats. It has a traditionally high Attack and above average stats otherwise.
Tyranitar
With a focus on power and durability, Tyranitar sacrifices Speed to have tremendous bulk and skill. It has the Sand Stream Ability to always conjure up a sandstorm, which takes advantage of its Rock typing to further increase its high Special Defense.
- Mega Tyranitar has the highest base Defense, with 150.
- Lowest base Speed (when not Mega Evolved), with 61.
- When a sandstorm is raging, Mega Tyranitar's Special Defense becomes the highest of all pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
- Only pseudo-legendary Pokémon that is not the main Pokémon of a major boss at the end of the game it was introduced in. However, Tyranitar was used by Blue in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions, but only in his rematch.
Salamence
Due to having the same typing as Dragonite, Salamence differs itself by being entirely focused on attacking prowess. Its stats are high in Attack, Special Attack, and Speed, while comparatively low in both Defense stats.
- Shortest pseudo-legendary Pokémon, at 4'11" (1.5 m).
Metagross
Metagross has a large number of characteristics which are different from the other pseudo-legendary Pokémon. This is possibly due to how it does not appear to be based on an animal; rather, it is a robotic life form. In fact, it is the only pseudo-legendary Pokémon that cannot learn any Dragon-type moves.
Stats-wise, like Tyranitar, Metagross focuses on power and durability, utilizing the most defensive type, Steel, to complement its very high attack, high defenses, and relatively low speed.
- Only genderless pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
- Only pseudo-legendary Pokémon whose first stage of evolution, Beldum, cannot be caught in the wild in its debut generation (one is received from Steven Stone instead).
- Heaviest pseudo-legendary Pokémon, at 1212.5 lbs. (550.0 kg).
- Highest base Defense, at 130.
- Only pseudo-legendary Pokémon that does not share at least one type with another pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
- Only pseudo-legendary Pokémon to not have a weakness to Fairy-type moves.
- Only pseudo-legendary Pokémon whose English name is the same as its Japanese name.
- Metagross and its pre-evolutions have a catch rate of 3 whereas all the other pseudo-legendary Pokémon families have a catch rate of 45.
Garchomp
Focusing on versatility, Garchomp has high speed, high HP, and high attack with a versatile selection of moves to use. It complements these attributes with its Ground typing, which is among the best offensive types in the game.
- Only pseudo-legendary Pokémon to have gender differences.
- Has the fewest resistances.
- Highest base HP, with 108.
- Mega Garchomp has the highest base Attack, with 170.
- Lowest base Special Attack (when not Mega Evolved), with 80.
Hydreigon
Hydreigon's stats give it a number of unique characteristics from the other pseudo-legendary Pokémon. It has the highest base Special Attack of all the pseudo-legendary Pokémon. It is also the only pseudo-legendary Pokémon that does not have a base stat under 90.
Its well rounded stats mirror Dragonite with Hydreigon also having a high attacking stat (Special Attack in this case), and above average stats in other categories.
- Has the highest base Special Attack, with 125.
- Hydreigon and its evolutionary relatives are the only pseudo-legendary Pokémon line that do not have a Hidden Ability in any of their forms.
Goodra
Unlike the other pseudo-legendary Pokémon, Goodra is mainly specially defensive, and its Attack and Special Attack are very similar. It has the lowest base Attack of all the pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
- Only pseudo-legendary Pokémon with a single type.
- Highest base Special Defense, with 150.
- Lowest base Defense, with 70.
Kommo-o
Kommo-o has mostly well-rounded stats and is slightly more defensive than offensive.
Dragapult
Dragapult is more offensive than defensive, boasting extremely high Speed as well as high Attack and Special Attack, but sacrifices defense, having lower Defense and Special Defense than other pseudo-legendary Pokémon. It focuses distinctly on the ability to move quickly, thanks to its exceptional Speed stat.
- Tallest pseudo-legendary Pokémon, at 9'10" (3.0 m).
- Lightest pseudo-legendary Pokémon, at 110.2 lbs. (50.0 kg).
- Lowest base Special Defense, with 75.
- Highest base Speed, with 142.
Other
- Tyranitar and Kommo-o are the only pseudo-legendary Pokémon that have a unique type combination.
- Goodra and Kommo-o are the only pseudo-legendary Pokémon that do not have a type immunity by default.
- Salamence and Metagross have the highest base Attack of all non-Mega-Evolved pseudo-legendary Pokémon, with 135.
- Garchomp, Kommo-o, and Dragapult and their evolutionary relatives are the only pseudo-legendary Pokémon lines that do not have a base friendship of 35.
Users
These Pokémon are often used in-game by the members of the Elite Four and Champions.
- Dragonite is used by Lance, the final Elite Four member in Generation I, FireRed and LeafGreen, and Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!; it is used again by Lance as the Champion in Generation II and HeartGold and SoulSilver. In HeartGold and SoulSilver, Lance uses a Dragonite, but when he is battled again, he replaces two of his three Dragonite with the two other Dragon-type pseudo-legendary Pokémon, Salamence and Garchomp. He also uses it in the Pokémon World Tournament in Black 2 and White 2.
- Tyranitar is also used by Lance in Pokémon Stadium 2 (both Round 1 and 2), as well as by Blue, the Champion, but only in the second round of the Elite Four in FireRed and LeafGreen and in the Fighting Dojo in HeartGold and SoulSilver.
- Salamence is used by Drake, the final Elite Four member in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. Lance uses one in rematches in HeartGold and SoulSilver and in the Pokémon World Tournament in Black 2 and White 2. Iris, the Champion in Black 2 and White 2, uses Salamence in her Challenge Mode rematches.
- Metagross is used by Steven Stone, the Champion in Ruby and Sapphire, and ex-Champion in Emerald. It is also used by Caitlin during her rematch and Challenge Mode initial battle.
- Garchomp is used by Cynthia, the Champion in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum; she also uses it in the Pokémon World Tournament in Black 2 and White 2. Lance uses one in rematches in HeartGold and SoulSilver.
- Hydreigon is used by Ghetsis, who serves as the final boss in Black and White, as well as Iris, the Champion in Black 2 and White 2. Lance uses one in the Pokémon World Tournament in Black 2 and White 2.
- Goodra is used by Diantha, the Champion in Pokémon X and Y. Raihan also uses a Goodra in the Champion Cup rematches as well as in the Galarian Star Tournament in Sword and Shield.
- In the player's Title Defense battles in Pokémon Sun and Moon, Kommo-o, Garchomp, and Dragonite are used by Ryuki and Metagross is used by Molayne. Mustard, a former Champion in Galar, uses a Kommo-o in Sword and Shield.
- Dragapult is used by Leon, the Champion in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
As Shadow Pokémon
In story mode of Pokémon Colosseum, Shadow Metagross is used by Nascour and Shadow Tyranitar is used by Evice; it is notable that the two Cipher leaders have positions comparable to those of the final Elite Four member and Champion, respectively. Pokémon XD complemented the list of pseudo-legendary Pokémon as of Generation III by featuring Shadow Salamence (used by Eldes) and Shadow Dragonite (used by Miror B.). Another commonality is that all four pseudo-legendary Pokémon have Shadow Rush as one of their Shadow moves.