Pokémon Guide
Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, by Generation
Legendary Pokémon are the rare, story-defining catches of each game, usually one or two per box art plus a handful of others. Mythicals are even rarer, often locked behind events. Here is the rundown by generation.
Play: Spot the Shiny →Generation I — Kanto
The original legendary birds, the lab-made Mewtwo, and its mythical counterpart Mew.
Articuno
Zapdos
Moltres
Mewtwo
MewMythicalGeneration II — Johto
The legendary beasts, the tower duo, and the time-traveling Celebi.
Raikou
Entei
Suicune
Lugia
Ho-Oh
CelebiMythicalGeneration III — Hoenn
The legendary titans, the Eon duo, the weather trio, and two mythicals.
Regirock
Regice
Registeel
Latias
Latios
Kyogre
Groudon
Rayquaza
JirachiMythical
DeoxysMythicalGeneration IV — Sinnoh
The lake guardians, the creation trio, and the Pokémon said to have made the universe.
Uxie
Mesprit
Azelf
Dialga
Palkia
Giratina
DarkraiMythical
ArceusMythicalGeneration V — Unova
The swords of justice, the forces of nature, and the Tao dragons.
Cobalion
Terrakion
Virizion
Reshiram
Zekrom
Kyurem
KeldeoMythical
GenesectMythicalGeneration VI — Kalos
The life-and-death duo, the order Pokémon, and three mythicals.
Xerneas
Yveltal
Zygarde
DiancieMythical
HoopaMythical
VolcanionMythicalGeneration VII — Alola
The island guardians, the cosmic trio, and two mythicals.
Tapu Koko
Tapu Lele
Tapu Bulu
Tapu Fini
Solgaleo
Lunala
Necrozma
MagearnaMythicalGeneration VIII — Galar
The hero wolves, the endless Eternatus, and the crown legendaries.
Zacian
Zamazenta
Eternatus
Urshifu
Glastrier
Spectrier
CalyrexGeneration IX — Paldea
The treasures of ruin, the box legendaries, and the loyal three.
Chien-Pao
Chi-Yu
Koraidon
Miraidon
Ogerpon
Terapagos
PecharuntMythicalLegendary vs mythical: what's the difference?
Legendary Pokémon are rare in-game catches tied to the main story, like the box-art mascots you battle near the end of the game. They are powerful, usually one of a kind, and obtainable through normal play.
Mythical Pokémon are a step rarer. They are almost always distributed through special events, codes, or tie-in promotions rather than found in the wild, which is why Mew, Celebi, and Arceus felt so legendary to a generation of players who never got one legitimately.
More guides
- Type chartAll 18 types, every strength, resistance, and immunity, with how dual-typing stacks.
- Gym leadersRegion-by-region rosters for every gym leader and Elite Four member, Kanto to Paldea.
- GenerationsAll nine generations: regions, games, new-species counts, and the mechanic each one added.
- StartersEvery Grass, Fire, and Water starter trio, their final forms, and which to pick.
- ShiniesWhat shinies are, the real odds across games, and every method used to hunt them.
- FusionsWhat fusions are, where the sprites come from, and how to identify the head and body.
- Fan game basicsA hobbyist's guide to building your own Pokémon-style fan project as a personal learning exercise.