Mythical Pokémon: Difference between revisions

Historically, in the core series Pokémon games, Mythical Pokémon were exclusively available via event distributions; in the modern day, several Mythical Pokémon can also be obtained during normal gameplay.

For example, several games have promoted that every Legendary Pokémon can be obtained in a particular set of games, even though not all Mythical Pokémon can be. In pre-release material for {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}, it was advertised that all Legendary Pokémon could be obtained between [[Pokémon X and Y|Pokémon X, Y]], Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.<ref>[[Media:CoroCoro November 2014 Mythical Places.jpg|November 2014 CoroCoro Comic]] ([[n:Mega Beedrill, Mega Pidgeot revealed|Bulbanews]])</ref> In promotional material for ''[[The Crown Tundra]]'' expansion of {{g|Sword and Shield}}, it was advertised that after its release all Legendary Pokémon could be obtained in Pokémon Sword and Shield.<ref>[https://swordshield.pokemon.com/en-us/expansionpass/features/#legendary-pokemon | New features added in The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra | Pokémon Sword and Shield Official Website]</ref>

Mythical Pokémon are regarded as among the rarest in [[Pokémon world]] mythology. Some are seemingly unknown to most people, while others are thought of as stuff of legends. They typically receive minimal exposure during normal gameplay, usually alluded to in vague hints. They are then revealed to players months or years after the debut of their respective [[generation]]. Upon being revealed, they are celebrated across the numerous media, often starring in {{pkmn|movie}}s and being featured prominently in {{pkmn|merchandise}}.

When they are first revealed, Mythical Pokémon cannot be obtained in the [[core series]] games in the course of normal gameplay. They can typically only be obtained by [[Mystery Gift]] (either directly, or using an [[event item]]). Mystery Gift distributions of Mythical Pokémon are often held on special occasions, such as screenings of Pokémon movies, events in retail stores, online distributions, etc. Some Mythical Pokémon can be obtained via [[Spin-off Pokémon games|spin-off games]] that feature special connectivity.

All Mythical Pokémon are [[gender unknown]]. Almost all Mythical Pokémon cannot [[Evolution|evolve]], with the sole exception of {{p|Meltan}}. Almost all Mythical Pokémon cannot {{pkmn|breeding|breed}}, except {{p|Manaphy}} and {{p|Phione}} can be bred with {{p|Ditto}} to produce Phione {{pkmn|Egg}}s.

Originally, Mythical Pokémon were exclusively available via event distributions, or other special means such as spin-off games. Over time however, several Mythical Pokémon have become available within the core series games themselves during the course of regular gameplay. In [[Generation VIII]] in particular, several Mythical Pokémon are obtainable in-game by having save files from other Pokémon games on the [[Nintendo Switch]].

* {{p|Keldeo}}, in {{g|Sword and Shield}}'s [[The Crown Tundra]] {{FB|Pokémon Sword and Shield|Expansion Pass}}

* {{p|Mew}}, in {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}} (if save data from [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]] is detected)

Despite the first Mythical Pokémon, Mew, being added to the original games right before release, the concept of "illusory monsters" (Mythical Monsters) already existed in [[Satoshi Tajiri]]'s pitch for [[Capsule Monsters]]. They were said to be hard to encounter, hard to catch or be impossible to catch if the player missed their chance. For example, there would be a "Green Dragon" that could only be found rarely in a specific area of a dungeon, and it would have taken around two hours to find and catch.<ref name="ref1">[http://www.glitterberri.com/pokemon-red-blue/early-concept-art/2/ GlitterBerri's Game Translations » Early Concept Art]</ref>

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Sometimes, the player is able to acquire multiple Mythical Pokémon of the same species by trading or transferring them from multiple games, or by attending multiple real-life distributions. There are other instances of multiple Mythical Pokémon:

 

Designed by [[Shigeki Morimoto]], it was initially unavailable and unknown to players, before being revealed by [[Satoshi Tajiri]] in the spring of 1996 in an issue of [[CoroCoro]]. Initially, a lottery was held to distribute the Pokémon experimentally to a limited number of players, and a {{OBP|Mew|Wizards Promo 47|promotional card}} was included in the January issue of CoroCoro. Supposed [[Easter egg#Truck|methods]] of obtaining Mew, passed on through word-of-mouth, contributed to the success of the Pokémon series. Its success was mirrored in the west with the eventual release of {{game|Red and Blue|s}}, making Mew a prominent character of the first generation, co-starring in the first animated movie, ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]''.

In {{game|Crystal}}, if the player has the [[GS Ball]] [[Key Item]], they can encounter a wild Celebi in [[Ilex Forest]]. In the original [[Game Boy Color]] release of Pokémon Crystal, this item was distributed via [[Mobile System GB]] in Japan (it was not available outside of Japan). In the [[Nintendo 3DS]] [[Virtual Console]] release, the player can obtain the GS Ball in normal gameplay in [[Goldenrod City]] after entering the [[Hall of Fame]], making this the second time a Mythical Pokémon can be encountered in normal gameplay (after {{p|Deoxys}} in {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}). The Celebi can be {{shiny}}, but the Virtual Console release will no longer be available after the 3DS Nintendo eShop is discontinued in March 2023.

{{p|Deoxys}} is a {{type|Psychic}} Mythical Pokémon. It mutated from a space virus when exposed to a laser beam. It is able to change its form, altering its appearance and traits. The crystal on its chest acts as its brain, as well as a defense mechanism.

Contrary to its classification in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, [http://www.pokemoncenter.com/info/Pokemon_Characters PokémonCenter.com] as well as the [[Scholastic]] book ''[[Official Guide to Legendary and Mythical Pokémon]]'' call Deoxys a Legendary Pokémon rather than a Mythical Pokémon.

Four Mythical Pokémon were introduced in [[Generation IV]] (five including {{p|Phione}}).

{{p|Manaphy}} is a {{type|Water}} Mythical Pokémon, and {{p|Phione}} is a {{type|Water}} Pokémon. Manaphy are born on cold seafloors, also swimming great distances to return to their birthplace, and are born with a wondrous power to bond with any kind of Pokémon. Phione live in warm seas, using the inflation sac on their heads to search for food and to drift in packs, always returning to the place of their birth. Together, these two Pokémon species make up a Mythical duo of a parent and child.

Manaphy and Phione have the unique ability among Mythical Pokémon to [[Pokémon breeding|breed]] with {{p|Ditto}} in captivity to produce Phione. Phione cannot, however, [[evolution|evolve]] into Manaphy. {{g|Legends: Arceus}} is the only game in which Phione can be caught; in all other games, the only legitimate way to obtain one in-game is to breed a Manaphy or another Phione. Phione is the weaker of the two Pokémon, having 80 distributed into each stat instead of 100. It is impossible to get a Manaphy Egg through this method.

Phione's status as a Mythical Pokémon is disputed, with even official sources contradicting one another. Further information can be found [[Phione (Pokémon)#Mythical status|here]].

Manaphy and three Phione are available in {{g|Legends: Arceus}} from {{DL|Task|Requests|request}} 66 The Sea's Legend. Manaphy is unique, but after the request is completed, there is a small chance for more Phione to appear. Of the Mythical Pokémon to be available within a game without an event, they are the only ones to be available before the [[credits]] without the need of another Pokémon game, although in order to find them, the player is expected to use [[Sinnoh myths#The Sea's Legend|information]] from {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}.

Darkrai is heavily connected with the {{status|sleep}} [[status condition]], as reflected by its [[signature Ability]], {{a|Bad Dreams}}, and its [[signature move]] {{m|Dark Void}}. It also learns related moves, such as {{m|Nightmare}}. From [[Generation VII]] onward, Dark Void fails if used by any other Pokémon.

Darkrai has appeared with an antagonistic role in {{g|Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness}} and {{g|Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky}}, specifically as an enemy of the Legendary Pokémon {{p|Cresselia}}. In {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}, and {{game|Platinum}}, the player must also cure {{tc|Sailor}} [[Eldritch]]'s son of a nightmare using a [[Lunar Feather|Lunar Wing]] from Cresselia. The two Pokémon's relationship is further cemented in the anime episode ''[[DP104|Sleepless in Pre-Battle!]]'', in which Cresselia is revealed to actively drive Darkrai away from [[Canalave City]]. Collectively, the two Pokémon are known by a fan designator, the [[lunar duo]].

Darkrai is available in {{g|Legends: Arceus}} from {{DL|Task|Requests|request}} 93 The Darksome Nightmare, if the player has a save file from {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}.

When exposed to the blooming [[Gracidea|Gracidea flower]] during the daytime, Shaymin becomes Sky Forme Shaymin. Sky Forme has altered stats from its original Land Forme and takes on the {{t|Flying}} type as a secondary type. Shaymin will revert to its Land Forme at night, while {{status|frozen}} or, before [[Generation VII]], when deposited into the [[Pokémon Storage System]].

Shaymin was officially revealed in February 2008 as a star of ''[[M11|Giratina and the Sky Warrior]]'', and in early June 2008, its Sky Forme was revealed. Shaymin was first made available to owners of Pokémon {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}} during the theatrical showing of the movie in Japan from July 19 to September 30, 2008. Other distributions were later made available, but a notable distribution occurred for North American and PAL players from September 28 to November 8, 2009, through the distribution of the {{OBP|List of Key Items|Generation IV|Key Item}} [[Oak's Letter]]. This item allowed players to access [[Seabreak Path]] and capture a Shaymin in [[Flower Paradise]]. In the remakes, {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}, Oak's Letter was distributed from February 27 to March 27, 2022.

Shaymin is available in {{g|Legends: Arceus}} from {{DL|Task|Requests|request}} 92 A Token of Gratitude, if the player has a save file from {{g|Sword and Shield}}.

Arceus is said to have created the regions of [[Sinnoh]] and [[Ransei]], and may have created the entire [[Pokémon universe]]. According to legend, Arceus also created two [[Legendary trio]]s. First, it created the [[creation trio]]: Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina, to balance time, space, and antimatter. Then, it created the [[lake guardians]]: {{p|Uxie}}, {{p|Mesprit}}, and {{p|Azelf}}, and created spirit, and has since been residing in the [[Hall of Origin]], which will connect to [[Spear Pillar]] when the Azure Flute is played there. As their creator, it is both trios' [[trio master]]. It is unique in this regard, as it is the only Mythical Pokémon to be the master of a Legendary trio, and the only Pokémon to be the master of two.

Arceus is often referenced in [[Sinnoh myths|Sinnoh's mythology]] as the "Original One". Both [[Canalave City]]'s [[Canalave Library|library]] and the [[Plate]]s scattered across Sinnoh describe Arceus' creation of the universe. It receives more exposure in-game than Mythical Pokémon traditionally find. It is the titular character of {{g|Legends: Arceus}}, and a major focus of the [[Generation V]] [[Spin-off Pokémon games|spin-off game]] {{g|Conquest}}.

Arceus' [[signature Ability]], {{a|Multitype}}, allows it to {{form|Arceus|change its form}} and [[type]] depending on which plate it [[held item|holds]]. This will also change the type of its [[signature move]], {{m|Judgment}}.

Arceus is obtained in {{g|Legends: Arceus}} during the final {{DL|Task|Missions|mission}} of the game, mission 28, The Deified Pokémon. Doing so also unlocks a [[save data bonus]] allowing the player to battle and catch another Arceus in {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}, which can be {{shiny}}.

{{p|Meloetta}} is a Mythical Pokémon with two different Formes: Aria Forme and Pirouette Forme. Aria Forme is {{2t|Normal|Psychic}}-type while Pirouette Forme is {{2t|Normal|Fighting}}-type. Legend says that it once played a song and danced so lightly, it filled people's hearts with joy. However, when sorrow darkened the world, it lost the melody. At the same time, its red shoes were lost somewhere. Using {{m|Relic Song}} changes its form.

Upon entering the cafe in [[Castelia City]] in the [[core series]] {{pkmn|games}}, a guitarist, who knows of the story, remembers Meloetta's melody. Upon playing it, Meloetta remembers the song that it had danced to.

{{p|Hoopa}} is a Mythical Pokémon that has two Formes. Hoopa Confined, the Mischief Pokémon, is a {{2t|Psychic|Ghost}}-type Pokémon, while Hoopa Unbound, the Djinn Pokémon, is a {{2t|Psychic|Dark}}-type Pokémon. It is said to be able to be able to use its gold rings to warp space in order to take things it likes and carry them away into alternate dimensions. It is also said to have carried away an entire castle in an attempt to steal all of its treasure according to some legends. Using an item known as a [[Prison Bottle]], Hoopa Confined can transform into Hoopa Unbound and remain so for three days, after which it transforms back to Hoopa Confined. It will also transform back if deposited in the PC. Hoopa Unbound was first introduced in {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}. {{m|Hyperspace Fury}} fails if used by any Pokémon other than Hoopa Unbound, such as if used by Hoopa Confined.

It was first revealed in the March 2016 issue of CoroCoro. It is available via a [[List of in-game event Pokémon (Sun and Moon)#Magearna QR Code|QR Code event in Sun, Moon]], [[List of in-game event Pokémon (Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon)#Magearna QR Code|Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon]], making it the only Mythical Pokémon available through an indefinitely active event.

It can utilize a unique Z-Crystal, the [[Marshadium Z]], which allows it to use the Z-Move [[Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike]]. This Z-Crystal came with a promotional Marshadow in Pokémon Sun and Moon but is also available in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon by showing Marshadow to a man in the Tide Song Hotel in Heahea City.

Zeraora was again made available for a limited time to celebrate the release of [[The Isle of Armor]] {{FB|Pokémon Sword and Shield|Expansion Pass}} for {{g|Sword and Shield}}. If one million players defeated Zeraora in [[Max Raid Battle]]s on the [[Isle of Armor]], players would get a commemorative {{Shiny}} Zeraora in {{g|HOME}}.  

{{p|Meltan}} is a {{type|Steel}} Mythical Pokémon introduced in [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]]. It first appeared in {{g|GO}} on September 21, 2018, by way of large numbers of {{p|Ditto}} disguised as Meltan. Meltan's identity was revealed on September 25, 2018. On October 24, 2018, it was revealed that Meltan can [[evolution|evolve]] into another Steel-type Mythical Pokémon, {{p|Melmetal}}.

* {{p|Lugia}} and {{p|Ho-Oh}} were treated similarly to Mythical Pokémon in the core [[Generation III]] games and Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. They cannot be obtained through normal gameplay in these games, nor are they required to complete any Pokédex. Lugia and Ho-Oh have been treated the same as other [[Legendary Pokémon]] in all games starting with {{g|HeartGold and SoulSilver}}.

* In the Japanese version of {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}, [[Professor Rowan]] refers to {{p|Uxie}}, {{p|Mesprit}}, and {{p|Azelf}} as Mythical Pokémon (Japanese: まぼろしのポケモン) at the [[Canalave Library]]. This was translated as "mirage Pokémon" in English. However, he also refers to them as a Legendary Pokémon later, at [[Lake Verity]].

* In {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}, [[Cyrus]] refers to {{p|Dialga}} and {{p|Palkia}} as "Mythical Pokémon" (Japanese: 神話のポケモン ''Mythical Pokémon''). However, this predates the use of the term Mythical Pokémon in English and has a different Japanese name. The same translation is used in {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}.

* The main series Pokémon game with the most obtainable, non-event, Mythical Pokémon is {{g|Legends: Arceus}}, with (initially) a total of 7 catchable Mythical Pokémon (with [[Phione]] being endlessly catchable) and 5 unique Mythical Pokémon species (including Phione).