Legendary and Mythical Pokemon are groups of rare and magnificently powerful beasts that exist on a whole different level than ordinary pocket monsters.
In the Poke-verse, these bad boys are the cream of the crop – they are the oldest ‘mons in the business with skyrocketing stats, hottest designs, and the best skills – literally, the things of myth and legend.
This list encompasses Legendary as well as Mythical Pokemon, from the core series games, anime, and manga. The new additions from Gen 8 have thrown off all previous rankings.
I haven’t based my list plainly on base stat totals though, the ranking, otherwise, would have been pretty straightforward. My ranking is based on a combination of lore, canon, ability, strength, moves, and well, the definitive badass factor that cannot be denied.
20Calyrex and Jirachi
Starting off my top 20, is the Generation 3 Jirachi, and the Generation 8 Calyrex. Calyrex is one of the newer additions to The Crown Tundra – the second addition in the Sword and Shield Expansion Pass, following The Isle of Armor.
It is a Psychic-Grass type Legendary Pokemon, considered the first ruler Pokemon according to lore.
It can fuse, like Kyurem, with other Legendary Pokemon, specifically with the horses Spectrier or Glastrier, to form either Ice Rider or Shadow Rider Calyrex, using the key item, Reins of Unity.
Jirachi has been a favorite ever since it was introduced as a Mythical Pokemon in Ruby and Sapphire. Jirachi is a Steel-Psychic type, and according to Pokedex, can make any wish come true. It has powers of paralysis and, well, is cute as hell.
19Mega Latios and Mega Latias
Latios and Latias are two halves of the Eon Duo. They are both Dragon-Psychic Legendary Twin Pokemon, appearing in Hoenn during Generation 3. Latios is male while Latias is female.
Latios only opens his heart to a trainer with a compassionate spirit and can fly faster than a jet. Latias can change her appearance by refracting the light that falls on her feathers. Both appeared in the anime as well, and received Mega Evolution in Gen 6, in the 18th Pokemon movie.
Both are intelligent creatures, with the ability to understand human speech. Where they lack in raw strength, they make up with mental and physical agility.
18Celebi
Celebi is essentially a time-traveling forest deity. It is a Psychic-Grass type Mythical Pokemon, introduced in Gen 2.
Celebi is neither big and aggressive, nor powerful in terms of battle. In fact, along with Mew, Celebi is the only Pokemon that officially is unattainable in any main series games.
It is also the only Pokemon other than Dialga who can move through timelines. Celebi is immortal and can cure and revive itself and other plants.
17Deoxys
Deoxys is a DNA Pokemon, i.e., an alien Pokemon with a mutated molecular composition. It is most popular for its ability to change and adapt its form.
Deoxys has 4 forms: Normal, Attack, Defense, and Speed. The Deoxys in Speed Forme has one of the highest speed stats in the games.
It is a Psychic type Mythical Pokemon, and one half of the Pokemon Illusion of Hoenn, along with Jirachi, introduced in Gen 3.
It can travel to other planets and shoot laser beams from its chest. Deoxys can also regenerate its limbs and make clones of itself, although the copies are weaker than the original.
16 Zekrom and Reshiram
Zekrom and Reshiram make two-thirds of the Tao Trio. They are powerful dragons based on the concept of yin and yang in Taoism. These Legendaries were introduced in Gen 5, with Zekrom being the mascot for Pokemon White and Reshiram for Pokemon Black.
Zekrom embodies mechanism while Reshiram personifies dynamism.
Zekrom is a Dragon-Electric type Pokemon and displays the exclusive ability of Teravolt, that allows it to use moves on Pokemon regardless of their abilities. Zekrom can generate thunderstorm with its mechanical tail.
Reshiram is of the Dragon-Fire typing and can set the world aflame with its tail. Reshiram’s Pokedex entry says that people who are consumed by greed and ignore truth will have their kingdoms burned to the ground by Reshiram.
15Xerneas and Yveltal
These two Gen 6 Legendary Pokemon make up two-thirds of the Aura Trio originating in the Kalos region. Xerneas is a Fairy type representing creation, while Yveltal is a Dark-Flying type Pokemon, the sign of destruction.
Both have the same base stats, but different signature moves that can be used in battle. Xerneas uses Geomancy, which increases its offence and defense by a full 2 stages. Yveltal uses Oblivion Wing, which allows it to absorb the target player’s HP.
Xerneas is fundamentally a peaceful creature while Yveltal is predictable the angry fighter. Together, they are the mascots of Generation 6, Pokemon XY (the hint is in their initials).
14Complete Form Zygarde
Zygarde is a Dragon-Ground type Legendary introduced in Gen 6. It completes the Aura Trio, along with Xerneas and Yveltal. It is said to be the leader of the group, the symbol of balance in the ecosystem.
Zygarde is the only Pokemon to have 5 forms. The 10%, 50%, and 100% forms are based on Norse mythological creatures.
In its 100% form, Zygarde, is said to be like the humanoid creature Hel, who is the ruler of the Norse underworld. It becomes stronger than its Aura Trio counterparts in this complete avatar, with a mighty total base stat of 708.
13Crown Shield Zamazenta and Crown Sword Zacian
Zacian and Zamazenta are Warrior Pokemon, ancient heroes of the Galar region, two halves of the Hero Duo introduced in Generation 8. They worked alongside a human king to save the region from Eternatus, on the calamitous Darkest Day.
When Zacian holds the Rusted Sword in battle, it turns in its Crown Sword form, adding a whole new Pokemon typing to its original form – from Fairy, it becomes Fairy-Steel. Similarly, Zamazenta gains the Steel typing when it holds The Rusted Shield, becoming the Fighting-Steel Crowned Shield Zamazenta.
They are the mascot for Gen 8 and have only made a brief appearance in the anime as of now. I can’t wait to see how to they animate the Eternatus vs. the Hero Duo during the Darkest Day in Pokemon Master Journeys.
12Black/White Kyurem
Kyurem is a Dragon-Ice type Legendary, a combination of its Tao Trio counterparts, Zekrom and Reshiram.
The Tao dragons are said to be 3 parts of the Original Dragon; when Kyurem merges with either Zekrom (making Black Kyurem), or Reshiram (making White Kyurem), it essentially becomes two-thirds of the Original Dragon, making it one of the strongest Dragon types Pokemon in history.
White Kyurem specializes in special attack and can use Electric type moves because of Zekrom. Black Kyurem, everyone’s favorite Kyurem, is focused on offence and physical attack. It can use Fire type moves due to Reshiram.
Theoretically, if Kyurem, fuses with both Zekrom and Reshiram, it could attain the ultimate form – Perfect Kyurem, becoming the Original Dragon.
11Lugia
Lugia is the Psychic-Flying Legendary Pokemon and the Version Mascot for the Gen 2 Pokemon Silver. It makes one half of the Tower Duo, along with Ho-oh.
Lugia is the guardian of the seas and the Trio Master of the Legendary Birds (Zapdos, Articuno, and Moltres). It can cause storms by simply unfurling its wings and rests in the deep seas to avoid causing calamity.
In the games, Lugia is an absolute beast. It can heal itself and take major hits like a tank. The only reason it’s one lower than Ho-oh is because Ho-oh’s Regenerator ability is marginally cooler than Lugia’s Multiscale ability.
10Ho-oh
If you’re a Pokemon anime fan, you probably remember seeing the beautiful rainbow-creating phoenix appearing at the end of the very first episode. Yep, that was the Legendary Fire-Flying type Ho-oh, guardian of the skies, and the Version Mascot for the Gen 2 Pokemon Gold.
It foreshadows Ash’s adventurous journey and showed that he had a heart of gold, since it only appears to pure-hearted trainers.
Ho-oh can revive any Pokemon from the dead. It resurrects the Legendary Beasts (the dog trio of Raikou, Entei, and Suicine) and is thus known as the Trio Master of the Legendary Beasts.
Although Ho-oh doesn’t have full control over its Regenerator ability, it has good special attacks and devasting fire moves like Sacred Fire. It completes the Tower Duo along with Lugia.
9Primal Kyogre
Kyogre, the Generation 3 Water type Legendary, is one part of the Ancient Weather Trio and is the personification of the sea. Hoenn legends claim that it was Kyogre that first created the ocean by calling upon rain.
Kyogre was already massively powerful before it acquired its Primal Reversion in Omega Ruby. Primal Kyogre has the best Special Attack and Special Defense stats among all the Water types, and is also the heaviest, and arguably strongest Water type Pokemon.
Although it is huge and bulky, Kyogre can also take to the skies. It has a type advantage over its rival Groudon, and is also known as the Sea Basin Pokemon, which doesn’t come as a surprise given that it is basically a gigantic whale that can control the tides.
8Primal Groudon
Groudon is a member of the Weather Trio along with Rayquaza and its nemesis Kyogre. The reason Groudon, a Ground type Legendary, is higher on my list than Kyogre despite its type disadvantage, is because Groudon, in its Primal form, gains a Fire typing.
Groudon is the master of the ground, expander of continents, the creator of land itself. It literally slumbers in magma and causes volcanoes to erupt upon awakening.
Groudon can evaporate seas with its raging heat. It has one of the highest stats of any Ground or Fire type Pokemon, and is also the heaviest among them.
7Ultra Necrozma
Necrozma is a Psychic type Legendary Pokemon introduced in Generation 7 and has quickly become a fan-favorite because of its epic stats. It is the primary antagonist and mascot of Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon.
Necrozma is a member of the Light Trio, along with Solgaleo and Lunala. It has 3 forms in addition to its Normal Prism Forme and gains a new typing when it transforms.
Dusk Mane Necrozma has a Psychic-Steel typing, Dawn Wings Necrozma a Psychic-Ghost typing, and Ultra Necrozma, its strongest forme, has a Psychic-Dragon typing. Its total stats are a blazin’ 754, the fourth highest in terms of BST.
Necrozma is credited to be the creator of the Z-crystals and the Totem Pokemon. In its Ultra forme, Necrozma absorbs the light of either Solgaleo or Lunala and can use the exclusive Z-move Light That Burns the Sky.
It can burn the world with its lasers, and – wait for it – drain the light from the Sun, leaving Earth in darkness.
6Mega Mewtwo X and Y and Mew
Mew is the ancestor of all existing Pokemon. It is a Mythical Psychic type Pokemon that is said to contain the genetic composition of the entire species.
If Mew is the OG Mythical, Mewtwo is the OG Legendary. Mewtwo was created by Team Rocket scientists through cloning and splicing Mew’s DNA with the goal of making it the world’s strongest Pokemon. Well, it’s almost there.
I know it’s weird having both these guys at the same rank, but my list isn’t all about stats. Mewtwo had the highest stats in the games for the longest time, especially with its Mega Evolution into 2 forms – X and Y.
But Mew can de-evolve any Pokemon and actually use all known Pokemon moves, making him the true daddy of the Pokemon universe.
5Dialga and Palkia
Dialga and Palkia are two parts of the Creation Trio or the Crown Dragon Trio. Dialga has the Steel-Dragon typing and can manipulate time while Palkia has the Water-Dragon typing and controls space. They were both introduced in Generation 4.
According to Sinnoh legends, these ancient deities are responsible for the flow of the universe: Dialga’s heartbeats constitute the rhythm of time and Palkia breath stabilizes the space within the cosmos.
Stat-wise, Dialga and Palkia are both at a respectable 680, but like Mew, it’s their legend that gives them their high status.
4Giratina
Giratina completes the Creation Trio or the Great Trinity of the Pokemon universe. It is a Ghost-Dragon type Legendary that has 2 forms – Altered Forme and Origin Forme.
According to the lore, Arceus tasked Giratina to create the universe with the help of Dialga and Palkia. But Giratina, a being that could control matter (time and space, i.e., Dialga and Palkia) as well as antimatter, was too powerful to handle. Additionally, it was also hella aggressive, and was banished into the Distortion World.
I’d say Giratina is kind of like the Satan of ‘mon-verse, what with Arceus playing God and exiling him for being violent and disobedient. Giratina can move between dimensions and leave Pokemon stranded in another reality.
3Mega Rayquaza
Rayquaza is the master of the Weather Trio and the only one who can keep Kyogre and Groudon in line. Groudon and Kyogre’s calamitous feud threatened to destroy the planet, and it is only due to Rayquaza that the battle ended.
Rayquaza has lived millions of years in the ozone layer and can Mega Evolve through the power of meteorites that it consumes for sustenance.
Mega Rayquaza has the same base stat total as Mega Mewtwo – 780. It also has pretty unrivalled moves – like, its signature move, Air Lock, can not only prevent any weather ability from activating, but can end weather itself. It can blow away any attack, including ones that have a 100% accuracy.
2Eternamax Eternatus
Eternatus is one of the newer Legendaries introduced in Generation 8. It is of the Poison-Dragon typing.
In Sword and Shield, it was revealed that Eternatus might be the creator of the Dynamax phenomenon: it was previously inside a 20,000-year-old meteorite and its core absorbed the energy from the surrounding Galar region to stay active.
In its Eternamax form, its core gives off infinite amount of energy, warping spacetime itself.
Eternamax Eternatus has a whopping base total of 1125, the highest base stat of all Pokemon, beating both forms of Mewtwo and Mega Rayquaza. It is also the largest Pokemon in history.
What I can’t believe is that Goh actually managed to capture and seal it away in Pokemon Journeys. I hope it returns as an antagonist again.
1Arceus
Arceus is the strongest Pokemon of all. He’s literally the God of Pokemon and the creator of the Poke-verse. Arecus is a Normal type Mythical, but with its Multitype ability, it can change into any type at will. It’s the only Pokemon to have perfectly distributed stats, and no weaknesses.
Arceus, the Original One, is the best Legendary/Mythical Pokemon because he was born before the Pokemon universe even existed. Arceus doesn’t have any evolutions or power ups, but its base stat of 720 can defeat most monsters even with their Mega Evolutions.
As with Mew, Arceus is not (just) powerful because of its stats but because of its legend, because of its myth.
He is the Master of the Creation Trio and the Lake Guardians.Arceus can yawn away Giratina, Dialga, and Palkia, use telekinesis, and communicate via telepathy. So, although newer Legendaries have higher stats and more destructive moves, nothing can beat the Creator itself.
Honorary Mentions:
I’ve got to give a shout-out to a few strong Legendary and Mythical Pokemon that I had to leave out of this list.
First goes to the Thernian Nature Trio (Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus) that represents wind, lightning, and ground. Next, we have the Legendary Beasts (Raikou, Entei, and Suicine), and the Lake Guardians (Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf).
And last but not the least, we have the Guardian Deities (Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini) that guard the islands in the Alola region.
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