Over the course of seven generations of Pokémon, the series has produced dozens of Legendary beasts – Pokémon with powers and abilities unlike any other. But which are the best? What makes one Legendary Pokémon better than another? Throughout this article, we will discuss each creature’s backstory, their characteristics, and strengths, as well as their overall popularity among the community to determine the order of this definitive ranking of the best Legendary Pokémon.
It should be noted for the more hardcore fans that we have included Mythical Pokémon, which are a related subset of extremely rare Pokémon that have been distinguished since the franchise’s fifth generation. But seeing as how the community largely still views these creatures as Legendary Pokémon, we thought we would too.
This countdown features some of the most iconic characters from the franchise, spanning the generations from the beginning to the most recent titles. So, would you like to find out if your favorite Legendary Pokémon made the list?
Updated by Sam Hutchinson on September 3rd, 2020: While this list is already comprehensive in its coverage of the best legendary Pokémon, it is incredibly difficult to narrow down any list of Pokémon, especially legendary Pokémon. Therefore, it seems about time that this list is updated to include even more of the most iconic, powerful, and useful Pokémon.
Lunala
The counterpart to Solgaleo and cover legendary of the Sun and Moon era, Lunala is a ghost/psychic type with a powerful special attack stat that makes it incredibly powerful in Pokémon battles.
In addition to being a very powerful Pokémon, Lunala is also one of the most well-designed Pokémon of the past few generations, being the favorite of many fans.
Latias/ Latios
Both of these Pokémon have to be included as one can’t really have one without the other. The pair are both psychic/ flying type Pokémon, with each balancing the other out in terms of their in-game stats.
During the Omega Ruby/ Alpha Sapphire release, the pair even received their own mega evolution, making them very viable in battle indeed.
Tapu Koko
Another entry in this list from the Sun and Moon era, Tapu Koko is the guardian of the Melemele Island and is an electric/fairy type Pokémon. Tapu Koko has high speed and can hit hard in both special and physical attacks.
The high speed and high attack stats of this Pokémon make it a favorite for people to use in battle, with the Pokémon being able to hit hard and potentially faint another’s Pokémon.
Jirachi
A steel/psychic type, Jirachi is one of the most adorable and annoying Pokémon on this list. In battle, a choice scarf combined with Jirachi’s Serene Grace ability means that any secondary effects of its moves are twice as likely to occur. So, if Jirachi has the Iron Head attack, the Pokémon has a 60% chance of flinching the opponent.
Another reason why this Pokémon is brilliant is its Pokédex entry. This Pokémon is capable of granting wishes, making it one of the most desirable Pokémon out there.
Landorus
While far from the most adorable Pokémon on this list, the big lad that is Landorus is one of the most popular and varied Pokémon in terms of its use in battle. Depending on the form chosen, this Pokémon can either be used to lower an opponent's attack with its Intimidate ability, set up rocks, or just sweep through an opponent with its high attack stat.
Despite the fact that it isn’t one of the cutest Pokémon, it is still well designed and takes inspiration from the genies of myth.
Zapdos
As a member of the original 150, Zapdos remains a part of ‘90s nostalgia for many fans. Not to mention, Zapdos serves as the mascot for Pokémon Go squad, Team Instinct. Along with Articuno and Moltres, Zapdos represents one-third of Kanto’s Legendary bird trio.
The mere flap of its wings is powerful enough to create thunderstorms and Zapdos grows even stronger if it is struck by lightning. Zapdos’ electric energy also creates streams and currents according to Pokémon scholar, Professor Oak. Together with Articuno and Moltres, these three ancient bird Pokémon are closely tied to ocean guardian, Lugia. It is said (according to Pokémon the Movie 2000), that when the three Legendary birds of Kanto are disturbed, Lugia will then emerge.
Zapdos has appeared in several anime episodes and was, of course, featured in the aforementioned picture, Pokémon the Movie 2000.
Ho-Oh
If Lugia is the guardian of the ocean, then Ho-Oh is the guardian of the skies. This colorful bird has the amazing ability to resurrect the dead, a power this Pokémon utilized to resurrect the Legendary dog trio of Johto – Raikou, Entei, and Suicune respectively.
According to legends, Ho-Oh lived in Ecruteak City’s Tin Tower before its sister, The Brass Tower, was mysteriously burnt to the ground. During this period, Ho-Oh gave new life to the Raikou, Entei, and Suicune, and the four beasts disappeared.
Unlike other Legendary Pokémon on this list, Ho-Oh has made very few appearances in franchise movies or even anime episodes. However, Ho-Oh did famously appear at the very end of the television series' opening episode, leading to numerous fan theories about Ash and his unchanging age. If you do ever manage to catch a glimpse of this creature, count yourself lucky as various Pokédex entries claim that the mere sight of this Pokémon might be enough to grant a trainer an “eternal happiness.”
Deoxys
Deoxys is easily one of the more mysterious creatures on this list. Making its first appearance in the franchise’s third generation, this Legendary beast features four Formes – each of which based around a specific stat such as speed, attack, etc.
Formed by a mutated virus in space, Deoxys is one of the first discovered alien Pokémon. This creature is said to be extremely intelligent. Its brain is rumored to reside in the beast’s chest which is capable of producing laser beams. Additionally, Deoxys maintains the ability to regenerate any part of its body as well as create complete clones of itself.
Like several other Legendary Pokémon on this list, Deoxys is the star of its very own feature film (Destiny Deoxys). Other than that, however, Deoxys has been rather elusive in the anime but did appear in The Pokémon Company’s YouTube series, Pokémon Generations.
Giratina
Like Deoxys, Giratina features several different Formes; each of these forms allows Giratina the ability to control different aspects of time and space. Before the franchise’s fourth generation, Pokémon were generally based on animals, plants, or Earthly elements. However, things became a bit more exotic with the rise of Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina – also known as the creation trio.
Dialga is said to control time while Palkia reigns over space. Giratina, on the other hand, maintains control over antimatter and an alternate dimension known as the Distortion World.
As proven in the franchise’s eleventh film, Giratina is the most powerful of the creation trio, as well as the most dangerous potentially. Outside of starring in its own film, however, Giratina has remained relatively quiet but has appeared in Pokémon Generations as well as other franchise movies.
Solgaleo
Other than at the time of its inception, Pokémon has arguably never been more popular or talked about then it was in the second half of 2016. Thanks to the viral mobile app, Pokémon Go, the franchise was more popular than it had been in over a decade. And due to raised awareness in the property, Nintendo 3DS titles, Pokémon Sun & Moon, became two of the fastest selling titles in franchise history; one of the first introduced characters from this new generation being Solgaleo.
As its name might imply, this Legendary Pokémon is a lion that derives its power from the sun. It also has the ability to create “Ultra Wormholes” and travel to “Ultra Space.” Being one of the newest members of the Legendary Pokémon family, Solgaleo has yet to make its mark in films or the anime, but we expect to see more from this creature relatively soon.
