What are Legendary Pokemon?
The thrill of spotting a shimmering aura in the distance. The frantic tapping on your screen as you hurl Premier Balls. That moment of pure exhilaration when you finally see “Gotcha!” – you’ve caught a Legendary Pokemon! These incredibly rare and powerful creatures are the ultimate prize in Pokemon GO, and they represent the pinnacle of the game for many trainers. This guide is your comprehensive roadmap to understanding, finding, and catching these elusive Pokemon, offering tips, strategies, and insights to maximize your chances of success.
At their core, Legendary Pokemon are extraordinary creatures that are deeply embedded in the lore of the Pokemon universe. They are often tied to myths, legends, and the very fabric of the Pokemon world. These aren’t just strong Pokemon; they are unique in their power, their backstory, and their rarity. In Pokemon GO, they are the ultimate goals for many trainers, representing a significant accomplishment.
The game is constantly evolving, and new Legendary Pokemon are released regularly. Some of the most popular and iconic include the legendary birds: Articuno, Moltres, and Zapdos. Then there are the powerful Mewtwo, a clone of the mythical Mew, or the mythical trio like Regirock, Regice and Registeel. These Pokemon are typically available through challenging Raid Battles or special events. Catching one is a badge of honor, a testament to your skill and dedication as a trainer.
It’s important to distinguish between Legendary Pokemon and Mythical Pokemon. Mythical Pokemon, like Mew or Celebi, are often obtained through Special Research tasks or limited-time events. While they’re also exceptionally rare, they follow a slightly different acquisition path than most Legendary Pokemon.
How to Catch Legendary Pokemon
The primary method for acquiring Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon GO is through Raid Battles. These are collaborative, multi-player battles that pit you and other trainers against a powerful Raid Boss.
Raid Battles are broken down into tiers, and Legendary Pokemon typically appear in the highest tiers. To find a Raid Battle, you’ll need to locate a Gym. Gyms are real-world locations that you can find in the game, and they act as battle arenas. When a Raid Battle is active, a large egg appears on top of the Gym, indicating that a Raid Boss is present. The color of the egg hints at the type of Pokemon you might encounter.
To participate in a Raid Battle, you’ll need a Raid Pass. You receive one free Raid Pass each day by spinning a Photo Disc at a Gym. You can also purchase Premium Raid Passes from the in-game shop.
Once you’ve joined a Raid Battle, you’ll team up with other trainers to take on the Raid Boss. The battles are timed, so it is crucial to defeat the boss within the time limit. As a team, you will choose a team of six Pokemon to use against the Raid Boss.
Before entering the battle, consider choosing the right team. Select Pokemon with types that are super effective against the Raid Boss. This will help deal maximum damage quickly. Pokemon that resist the attacks of the Raid Boss are another good option. The Pokemon you choose can make all the difference between winning and losing.
During the battle, mastering the art of dodging is essential. Learn to time your dodges to avoid the Raid Boss’s powerful attacks. Timing and accuracy is everything.
Once the Raid Boss is defeated, you’ll be granted a chance to catch the Legendary Pokemon using Premier Balls. You’ll earn Premier Balls based on your performance in the battle and how many damage you and your allies did.
The catch rate for Legendary Pokemon is lower than for other Pokemon, so make every ball count! The more Premier Balls you have, the greater your chances of success. Curveballs and Excellent throws can drastically increase your chances. Consider using the curveball technique, where you spin the Poke Ball before throwing it. Aim for Excellent throws, where you land the ball inside the smallest circle possible, for an increased catch rate. Also, make sure you know the moveset of the Legendary so you can time throws during its attack animations, rather than when its defenses are high.
Special Research tasks and limited-time events are sometimes your path to catching a Legendary Pokemon. These tasks might involve completing specific challenges, walking a certain distance, or battling other trainers. Often, these events are coordinated with the release of a new Legendary Pokemon, giving trainers a chance to encounter it in a different way.
Strategies for Legendary Raids
Building the right team is critical to success. Familiarize yourself with type effectiveness charts. These charts show which Pokemon types are strong against others. Using a Pokemon that has an advantage over the Raid Boss will let you deal more damage. Resources, such as online calculators and websites, will help you determine the best Pokemon and the ideal movesets to use.
Weather conditions play a significant role. The weather can provide a boost to certain types of Pokemon attacks. You might be able to deal more damage if you take weather conditions into account.
Communication and coordination with other trainers will help. This is critical to maximize the efficiency of the raid. Work together to choose Pokemon types that balance each other.
Before the Raid Battle begins, learn to dodge the Raid Boss’s attacks. Timing your dodges will help you take less damage. This will also enable you to use charged attacks strategically to cause maximum damage during the battle.
Trading Legendary Pokemon
Trading is a key feature in Pokemon GO, and it can be a great way to acquire Legendary Pokemon that you haven’t caught yourself, or to get the best possible stats.
You can trade Legendary Pokemon with other trainers. There are a few things to consider. First, you’ll need to be within a certain distance of the other trainer to trade. Also, you can only trade Legendary Pokemon once per day for each trainer.
Legendary Pokemon trades require a special trade. These trades often cost more Stardust, the in-game currency. Consider the CP and IV stats of the Legendary Pokemon to determine if it is worth trading.
When trading, be aware that the Pokemon will sometimes have its CP adjusted. This depends on the level of the Pokemon and the level of the trainer.
The Lucky Trade mechanic can offer a chance to get a Legendary Pokemon with low Stardust costs to power up, as well as boosted IV stats. This may only happen occasionally, so capitalize on every chance to trade Legendaries!
List of Legendary Pokemon (by Generation and Current Availability)
Generation One (Kanto): Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo.
These iconic Legendary Birds and the powerful Mewtwo have been featured in various Raid events, Special Research, and promotional opportunities throughout Pokemon GO’s history. Mewtwo has also been featured in Shadow Raid battles.
Generation Two (Johto): Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi (Mythical)
The Legendary Beasts Raikou, Entei, and Suicune have appeared in Raids and Special Research tasks. Lugia and Ho-Oh, the Legendary Birds from Johto, regularly appear in Raid events.
Generation Three (Hoenn): Regirock, Regice, Registeel, Latias, Latios, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Deoxys (Mythical)
The Legendary Titans Regirock, Regice, and Registeel have all had their time in the spotlight. Latias and Latios have been featured in Raids and events. Kyogre and Groudon, known for their Primordial Reversion, are frequently featured in Raid Battles. Rayquaza, the Sky High Pokemon, frequently appears in raids. Deoxys, a Mythical Pokemon, has had unique research and raid mechanics.
Generation Four (Sinnoh): Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Dialga, Palkia, Heatran, Regigigas, Giratina, Cresselia, Darkrai (Mythical), Shaymin (Mythical)
Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf are region-specific Legendary Pokemon. Dialga and Palkia are associated with space and time. Heatran, Regigigas, Giratina, and Cresselia are all strong Raid Bosses. Darkrai and Shaymin are Mythical Pokémon and usually appear in Special Research.
Generation Five (Unova): Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus, Genesect (Mythical)
The Swords of Justice, Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion, have appeared in raids. Reshiram and Zekrom are frequently featured in raid events. Kyurem and its alternate forms of Black Kyurem and White Kyurem often appear in raids. Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus appear in different forms. Genesect is a Mythical Pokemon that often appears through Special Research.
Generation Six (Kalos): Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde.
Xerneas and Yveltal are often featured in raids, and their Shiny forms were released. Zygarde has had a long release, and can be encountered in various formes through Special Research and other special events.
Generation Seven (Alola): Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, Tapu Fini, Solgaleo, Lunala, Necrozma.
The Tapu guardians have been released over time. Solgaleo and Lunala were first introduced during a special event. Necrozma is a later addition that has had multiple forms released in Raids.
Generation Eight (Galar): Zacian, Zamazenta, Eternatus, The Galarian Birds (Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres), Regieleki, Regidrago, Glastrier, Spectrier, Calyrex.
The Legendary dogs are available in various forms. The Galarian Birds, a unique twist on classic legendaries, are available in Raids, usually after completing special research tasks. Regieleki and Regidrago are a later addition, alongside Glastrier, Spectrier and Calyrex.
Tips and Tricks
Pokemon GO is always updating, so stay informed to gain an advantage. Read news and updates from Pokemon GO’s official sources. Join communities on social media. Learn from other players.
When the weather boosts a certain type of Pokemon, use that to your advantage when choosing Pokemon. This can mean you’ll deal more damage.
When facing a difficult Legendary, try using online resources to help you. You can use websites that tell you the best movesets and counters. This can help you deal more damage to your opponent.
Always prioritize having a good team. This is essential. Make sure you have Pokemon of the right type.
Conclusion
Catching a Legendary Pokemon is a significant accomplishment in Pokemon GO. It shows your dedication to the game and mastery of the game mechanics. They also offer a great advantage in battles. This guide has provided you with a roadmap to catching these amazing Pokemon. Now, get out there, find those raids, build your teams, and keep trying! With some effort, you’ll add these rare and powerful creatures to your collection. Happy hunting, trainers!
