Mythical Pokémon – A Guide to Legends of Pokémon World

The Pokémon world is full of fascinating creatures, but among them, there’s an elite group distinguished by their rarity, power, and significance in the universe’s mythology. These are Mythical and Legendary Pokémon—creatures steeped in legend, often possessing unimaginable power and playing key roles in the history of the Pokémon world. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at these unique Pokémon, their classification, how to obtain them, and some interesting facts about them.

The Difference Between Legendary and Mythical Pokémon

While in Western terminology, all rare and powerful Pokémon were long referred to as “Legendary,” in the Japanese version, from the very beginning, there was a clear division into two categories:

• Legendary (Japanese: 伝説のポケモン, Densetsu no Pokémon)—extremely rare and powerful creatures that can be caught in the main game.
• Mythical Pokémon (Japanese: 幻のポケモン, Maboroshi no Pokemon, literally “Illusory Pokémon”) are unique species that were originally only available through special distribution events and could not be caught in normal gameplay.

This classification was officially introduced in English versions only in Generation V, although the term “Rare Pokémon” was previously used to translate the Japanese term for Mythical Pokémon.

Legendary Pokémon

Legendary Pokémon are extremely powerful and rare creatures that are often tied to the mythology and legends of the Pokémon world. They typically appear only once in each game and have high base stats. Here are the most important groups of Legendary Pokémon:

Legendary Birds (Generation I)

• Articuno – Ice/Flying-type
• Zapdos – Electric/Flying-type
• Moltres – Fire/Flying-type

These three Pokémon, also known as the “bird trio,” were the first Legendary Pokémon introduced in the series. In the original games, they could be found in different locations: Articuno in the Seafoam Islands, Zapdos in the Power Plant, and Moltres in Victory Road.

Legendary Beasts (Generation II)

• Raikou – Electric-type
• Entei – Fire-type
• Suicune – Water-type

According to legend, these three Pokémon perished in the Brass Tower fire in Ecruteak City but were revived by Ho-Oh. They represent, respectively, the lightning that struck the tower, the fire that burned it, and the rain that extinguished the fire.

Tower Duo (Generation II)

• Ho-Oh – Fire/Flying-type
• Lugia – Psychic/Flying-type

These two powerful Pokémon are the mascots of Pokémon Gold and Silver. Ho-Oh resided in the Bell Tower in Ecruteak City, while Lugia resided in the Brass Tower before its destruction.

Regis (Generation III)

• Regirock – Rock-type
• Regice – Ice-type
• Registeel – Steel-type
• Regigigas (Generation IV) – Normal-type
• Regieleki and Regidrago (Generation VIII) – Electric and Dragon-type

A group known as “golems” or “titans,” created by Regigigas. According to legend, Regigigas moved the continents to their current positions and then created three Pokémon in his image: Regirock from clay, Regice from ice, and Registeel from magma.

Weather Trio (Generation III)

• Kyogre – Water-type
• Groudon – Ground-type
• Rayquaza – Dragon/Flying-type

They are responsible for shaping the world. Kyogre created the oceans, Groudon shaped the land, and Rayquaza rules the sky. According to legend, thousands of years ago, Kyogre and Groudon engaged in a fierce battle for natural energy, which was only ended by Rayquaza’s intervention.

Eon Duo (Generation III)

• Latios – Dragon/Psychic-type
• Latias – Dragon/Psychic-type

Brother and sister who can change their appearance to resemble humans. They are known for their intelligence and ability to communicate telepathically.

Lake Guardians (Generation IV)

• Uxie – Psychic-type
• Mesprit – Psychic-type
• Azelf – Psychic-type

A trio created by Arceus, representing knowledge (Uxie), emotion (Mesprit), and willpower (Azelf). According to legend, they are capable of controlling and calming Dialga and Palkia if they become enraged.

Creation Trio / Pokémon of Myth (Generation IV)

• Dialga – Steel/Dragon-type, master of time
• Palkia – Water/Dragon-type, master of space
• Giratina – Ghost/Dragon-type, master of antimatter

They were created by Arceus at the beginning of the universe. Dialga controls time, Palkia controls space, and Giratina was banished to the Distortion World for his violent nature. It’s worth noting that in the Japanese version of the games, they are referred to as “神話のポケモン” (Shinwa no Pokemon, “Mythical Pokémon” with a lowercase letter), a term distinct from the official Mythical Pokémon.

Swords of Justice (Generation V)

• Cobalion – Steel/Fighting-type
• Terrakion – Rock/Fighting-type
• Virizion – Grass/Fighting-type
• Keldeo (Mythical) – Water/Fighting-type

A group of Pokémon inspired by the Three Musketeers who protect other creatures from humans. Keldeo, although related to this trio, is classified as Mythical.

Forces of Nature (Generation V)

• Tornadus – Flying-type
• Thundurus – Electric/Flying-type
• Landorus – Ground/Flying-type

Enamorus (Generation VIII) – Fairy/Flying-type

A trio (later a quartet) representing the forces of nature: wind, thunder, and earth. Enamorus, added in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, represents love and fertility.

Tao Trio (Generation V)

• Reshiram – Dragon/Fire-type
• Zekrom – Dragon/Electric-type
• Kyurem – Dragon/Ice-type

A trio representing the concepts of truth (Reshiram), ideals (Zekrom), and the void (Kyurem). According to legend, they were once a single Pokémon that separated after a conflict between brother rulers.

Aura Trio (Generation VI)

• Xerneas – Fairy-type
• Yveltal – Dark/Flying-type
• Zygarde – Dragon/Ground-type

A trio representing life (Xerneas), death (Yveltal), and order (Zygarde). Xerneas can give life, Yveltal takes it, and Zygarde maintains the balance between them.

Guardian Deities (Generation VII)

• Tapu Koko – Electric/Fairy-type
• Tapu Lele – Psychic/Fairy-type
• Tapu Bulu – Grass/Fairy-type
• Tapu Fini – Water/Fairy-type

The four guardian deities of the Alola Islands, inspired by Hawaiian gods.

Light Trio (Generation VII)

• Solgaleo – Psychic/Steel-type
• Lunala – Psychic/Ghost-type
• Necrozma – Psychic-type

A trio associated with light. Solgaleo represents the sun, Lunala the moon, and Necrozma (known as “Blinding”) is the source of light in the Alola region.

Hero Duo (Generation VIII)

• Zacian – Fairy/Steel-type
• Zamazenta – Fighting/Steel-type

A duo known as the “heroes of many battles” who saved the Galar region from the cataclysm known as Darkest Day.

Mythical Pokémon

This is a special category of rare Pokémon that were originally available only through official distribution events. They are often even rarer than Legendaries and hold special significance in the mythology of the universe. Here’s a list of them all:

Generation I

• Mew – Mythical Psychic-type Pokémon, ancestor of all creatures

Generation II

• Celebi – Mythical second-generation Psychic/Grass-type Pokémon, known as the “Guardian of the Forest” and the “Time Traveler”

Generation III

• Jirachi – Steel/Psychic-type, known for its ability to grant wishes
• Deoxys – Psychic-type, an alien that can change its form

Generation IV

• Phione – Water-type, descendant of Manaphy and Ditto
• Manaphy – Water-type, known as the “Prince of the Sea”
• Darkrai – Dark-type, causing nightmares
• Shaymin – Grass-type, capable of purifying polluted air
• Arceus – Normal-type, creator of the universe

Generation V

• Victini – type Psychic/Fire-type, bringing victory
• Keldeo – Water/Fighting-type, associated with the Swords of Justice
• Meloetta – Normal/Psychic-type, master of music and dance
• Genesect – Bug/Steel-type, ancient Pokémon modified by Team Plasma

Generation VI

• Diancie – Rock/Fairy-type, capable of creating diamonds
• Hoopa – Psychic/Ghost-type, capable of transporting objects through dimensions
• Volcanion – Fire/Water-type, generating steam

Generation VII

• Magearna – Steel/Fairy-type, artificial Pokémon created 500 years ago
• Marshadow – Fighting/Ghost, traveling through shadows
• Zeraora – Electric-type, moving at lightning speed
• Meltan and Melmetal – Steel-type Pokémon, associated with metal Mercury

Generation VIII

• Zarude – Dark/Grass-type, known as the “King of the Jungle”

Generation IX

• Gimmighoul and Gholdengo – Ghost/Steel-type, associated with gold
• Walking Wake – Water/Dragon-type, paradoxical form of Suicune
• Iron Leaves – Grass/Psychic-type, paradoxical form of Virizion

How to Obtain Legendary and Mythical Pokémon

Legendary Pokémon

Legendary Pokémon are usually available in the main game, though they often require certain conditions to be met:

• Static Encounters – Most Legendary Pokémon appear in specific locations in the game as single, unique encounters.
• Raids – In newer games, especially Pokémon GO, they appear as raid bosses.
• Special Quests – Some Legendaries are available after completing special tasks or quests.
• Exclusive Versions – Some are only available in specific versions of the game (e.g., Zacian in Sword, Zamazenta in Shield).

Catching Legendary Pokémon is usually difficult due to their low base catch chance. It’s recommended to use special Poké Balls, such as the Ultra Ball, Dusk Ball, or Premier Ball, depending on the situation.

Mythical Pokémon

Mythical Pokémon were traditionally only available through special distribution events:

• Official Events – Nintendo organizes special events during which players can receive a code to download a Mythical Pokémon.
• In-Store Distributions – Some Mythical Pokémon were distributed in stores such as GameStop.
• Special In-Game Quests – In newer games, some Mythical Pokémon are available after completing special quests (e.g., Keldeo in The Crown Tundra DLC for Sword/Shield).
• Field Research in Pokémon GO – Some Mythical Pokémon, like Mew and Celebi, are available through special research quests.

Over time, some Mythical Pokémon have become easier to obtain. For example:

1. Deoxys, originally a Mythical Pokémon, became available through regular gameplay in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
2. Celebi can be caught in the Virtual Console version of Pokémon Crystal, but is only available in the Japanese version of the Game Boy game.
3. Keldeo is available in the Crown Tundra DLC for Pokémon Sword and Shield.
4. Mew, Jirachi, and Arceus are available in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl if you have save data from other games.

Fun Facts about Legendary and Mythical Pokémon

1. Arceus is considered the most powerful Pokémon in the entire series, as the creator of the universe. It can change its type using special Plates.
2. Mew contains the DNA of all creatures and can learn any move that can be learned through TMs or HMs.
3. Mewtwo was created by scientists from Mew DNA, making it one of the few artificial Legendary creatures.
4. Rayquaza was the first to Mega Evolve without holding a Mega Stone.
5. Shiny Legendary Pokémon are extremely rare. In older games, some (e.g., Zekrom and Reshiram in Black/White) were locked from being Shiny. Only in later games did all of them have this form.
6. Deoxys is the only Pokémon to change its classification from Mythical to Legendary. This happened in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, where it can be caught during normal gameplay.
7. Phione has a unique status – although officially classified as a Mythical Pokémon, some question this classification because it can be bred (by breeding Manaphy with Ditto), which is unusual for a Mythical Pokémon.
8. The Legendary Bird trio (Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres) received regional forms in the Galar region, changing their types to Psychic/Flying, Fighting/Flying, and Dark/Flying.
9. The Legendary Beast trio (Raikou, Entei, and Suicune) roam the map in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, making them among the most difficult Legendary Pokémon to catch.
10. Giratina has two forms: Altered Forme (used in the real world) and Origin Forme (used in the Distortion World). In the games, to maintain Origin Forme outside of Distortion World, Giratina must hold the Griseous Orb.
11. Kyogre and Groudon can undergo Primal Reversion, an ancient form of Mega Evolution, when holding the Blue Orb and Red Orb, respectively.
12. Zygarde comes in several forms: 10% Forme (resembling a dog), 50% Forme (standard), and Complete Forme (100%, used only in emergencies). It is composed of cells and cores scattered throughout the Kalos region.
13. Necrozma can fuse with Solgaleo or Lunala to form Dusk Mane Necrozma or Dawn Wings Necrozma. After acquiring Ultranecrozium Z, it can transform into Ultra Necrozma.
14. Melmetal is the only Mythical Pokémon that evolves. Meltan evolves into Melmetal after collecting 400 Meltan Candy in Pokémon GO.
15. Arceus can create life with its 1,000 arms (though it is depicted with fewer limbs in the games). It created Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina, as well as the Lake Guardians (Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf).