Groups of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon

There are several groups of closely related Legendary or Mythical Pokémon. Depending on the number of Pokémon in these groups, they are often referred to by fans as Legendary duos,[1] Legendary trios,[2] or even Legendary quartets and Legendary quintets—or generically, Legendary groups.

Several of these groups have a close relationship with another Legendary or Mythical Pokémon who may be considered their leader or creator. There are also other Legendary and Mythical Pokémon that are closely associated with a Legendary group, but are not considered a leader or member of that group. Additionally, some Legendary Pokémon are closely related but not officially or commonly recognized to be part of their own distinct group.

The members of a given group often, but not always, share a type, Ability, or base stat total.

List of groups

Legendary duos

The eon duo in Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias

A Legendary duo is a pair of closely related Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, either representing teamwork or opposition.

In the games, Legendary duos are often found after the player enters the Hall of Fame but they usually are not as important to the main storyline as the trios are. Duos or their component parts are featured in several of the movies as keepers of peace.

Sometimes, pairs of Legendary Pokémon once only presented as duos are revealed to actually be Legendary trios in a subsequent game or games of the same generation. However, even within trios, the dynamic between two of the members is often very close to that of a duo: Kyogre and Groudon, Dialga and Palkia, Reshiram and Zekrom, Xerneas and Yveltal, and Solgaleo and Lunala are all examples of this.

Legendary duos

Mewtwo

Mew
Mew duo

Lugia

Ho-Oh
Tower duo

Latias

Latios
Eon duo

Cresselia

Darkrai
Lunar duo

Phione

Manaphy
Sea guardians

Zacian

Zamazenta
Legendary heroes

Koraidon

Miraidon
Paradox duo

Legendary trios

The Tao trio in Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice

A Legendary trio is a term used to describe a group of three closely-related Legendary Pokémon. Legendary trios can be subdivided into two tiers: normal trios and Special trios. Sublegendary trios, which are always the first Legendary Pokémon that appear in any Pokédex order, are allowed into the many Battle Towers and other battle facilities. They are also the only Pokémon with base stat totals of 580, besides the Swords of Justice. Special trios, whose name comes from the fact that all of them are Special Pokémon, are not allowed in the Battle Tower and are found closer to the end of the Pokédex in the generation of their release.

Before the introduction of new members to some Legendary groups, the forces of nature and legendary giants used to be Legendary trios. The Swords of Justice are also sometimes treated as a trio when Keldeo is excluded.

The term fell into official usage with the Shiny Legendary beasts' Wonder Cards.

Legendary trios

Articuno

Zapdos

Moltres

Galarian
Articuno

Galarian
Zapdos

Galarian
Moltres
Legendary birds

Raikou

Entei

Suicune
Legendary beasts

Kyogre

Groudon

Rayquaza
Super-ancient Pokémon

Uxie

Mesprit

Azelf
Lake guardians

Dialga

Palkia

Giratina
Pokémon of myth

Reshiram

Zekrom

Kyurem
Tao trio

Xerneas

Yveltal

Zygarde
Aura trio

Solgaleo

Lunala

Necrozma
Light trio

Okidogi

Munkidori

Fezandipiti
Loyal Three

Legendary quartets

The guardian deities in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

A Legendary quartet is a term used to describe a group of four closely related Legendary Pokémon. Legendary quartets are mainly sub-Legendary, Keldeo being the only exception. Legendary quartets are usually the first Legendary Pokémon that appear in any Pokédex order and are allowed into the many Battle Towers and other battle facilities. The only exception is Keldeo due to being a Mythical Pokémon. They tend not to have leading story roles and are mainly optional captures.

Legendary quartets

Cobalion

Terrakion

Virizion

Keldeo
Swords of Justice

Tornadus

Thundurus

Landorus

Enamorus
Forces of nature

Tapu Koko

Tapu Lele

Tapu Bulu

Tapu Fini
Guardian deities

Wo-Chien

Chien-Pao

Ting-Lu

Chi-Yu
Treasures of ruin

Legendary quintets

The legendary giants in Pokémon Journeys: The Series

A Legendary quintet is a term used to describe a group of five closely related Legendary Pokémon. So far, the only Legendary quintet is a Legendary trio that has received new members several generations after their debut.

Legendary quintets

Regirock

Regice

Registeel

Regieleki

Regidrago
Legendary giants

Other relationships

Legendary leaders

Some Legendary or Mythical Pokémon are known to oversee or overpower one or more groups of Legendary Pokémon. For Legendary trios, this Pokémon has often been referred to by fans as a trio master, though some Legendary trios with leaders have since expanded into larger groups.

The leader Pokémon and its corresponding group may be related in different ways. For example, Lugia is often considered the leader of the legendary birds; it is the only one who can quell their fighting when Lawrence III captures one of them in the second movie, The Power of One.

Sometimes a particular member of a group oversees the other members, serving as what some fans have called an internal master. For example, Rayquaza is the leader of the super-ancient Pokémon; it stopped the other two members' fighting in Pokémon Emerald. Another example is mentioned in the Generation V games; Landorus punishes Thundurus and Tornadus for causing storms as a result of their fighting.

In the games, these Pokémon often require that their subordinates be caught before being encountered.

Lugia and the legendary birds
Lugia and the legendary birds

In The Power of One, Lugia is the only one who can end the legendary birds' conflict and save the world, which was in chaos due to the never-ending territorial battle between the three birds.

Leader

Lugia
Group

Articuno

Zapdos

Moltres
Ho-Oh and the Legendary beasts
Ho-Oh and the Legendary beasts

150 years ago, the three beasts perished in a fire in the Brass Tower, but Ho-Oh appeared as the sun rose, granting the trio new life, now representing the three forces that transformed the now Burned Tower, the lightning, the fire, and the rain respectively.

Leader

Ho-Oh
Group

Raikou

Entei

Suicune
Regigigas and the legendary giants
Regigigas and the original three legendary giants

Regigigas will be awakened when the legendary giants are brought to its residence or the Giant's Bed. In the past, it built statues made of clay, ice, and magma. It has also created two additional ones made from both electric and dragon elemental energies. These statues turned out to be the five giants that were sealed hundreds of years ago just like their creator.

Leader

Regigigas
Group

Regirock

Regice

Registeel

Regieleki

Regidrago
Rayquaza of the super-ancient Pokémon
Rayquaza arriving to quell the battle between Kyogre and Groudon

Due to it ending Kyogre and Groudon's battles throughout the ages, Rayquaza is often seen as the leader amongst the super-ancient Pokémon, being powerful enough in its base form to overpower both of them. In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Rayquaza can Mega Evolve to quell the anger of Kyogre and Groudon when they under go Primal Reversion.

Leader

Rayquaza
Group

Kyogre

Groudon
Arceus, the three Pokémon of myth, and the lake guardians
Arceus and the three Pokémon of myth
Arceus and the lake guardians

According to legend, Arceus created a of Pokémon of myth after creating the universe, with Dialga and Palkia representing matter, and Giratina representing anti-matter. Arceus also created the lake guardians, which each represent different aspects of spirit. The lake guardians check balance with the three Pokémon of myth. Arceus, known as the Original One, was named "almighty Sinnoh" by the ancient Sinnoh people, before the Diamond and Pearl Clans had used the name to refer to Palkia and Dialga instead. Arceus was also shown to be capable of using the Legendary trio's powers at will, manipulating time, space, and anti-matter, even including their signature moves, Roar of Time, Spacial Rend and Shadow Force, as seen in its boss fight.

Leader
Arceus
Arceus
Groups
Dialga
Dialga
Palkia
Palkia
Giratina
Giratina
Uxie
Uxie
Mesprit
Mesprit
Azelf
Azelf
Cobalion of the Swords of Justice
Cobalion and the other Swords of Justice reciting their oath

Cobalion radiates the air of a leader since birth, allowing its glare to make even unruly Pokémon to obey it. In Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice, it is portrayed as the leader of the Swords of Justice, leading them with determination and a strong will.

Leader
Cobalion
Cobalion
Group
Terrakion
Terrakion
Virizion
Virizion
Keldeo
Keldeo
Landorus and Enamorus of the forces of nature
Landorus leading Tornadus and Thundurus

Landorus punished Thundurus and Tornadus for bringing mass destruction with their thunder and wind storms. As such, it is sometimes viewed as the leader of the three. It cannot be battled until both of the latter are brought to the Abundant Shrine. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Enamorus appears after all three have had their Pokédex research completed. While Landorus is said to bestow harvest, Enamorus is said to bring life.

Landorus and Enamorus are both described as gods, as well as both having titles: Landorus is known as the Guardian of the Fields and Enamorus is known as the Herald of Spring. While Landorus is often considered the leader, Cogita describes Landorus, Thundurus and Tornadus as a group of three or trio, before mentioning Enamorus being fourth member.[3][4] Enamorus is usually mentioned in the same context, independently from the others.

Leader
Landorus
Landorus
Enamorus
Enamorus
Group
Tornadus
Tornadus
Thundurus
Thundurus
Zygarde of the Aura trio
Xerneas forces itself and Yveltal to slumber so Zygarde stops its rampage

Being the protector of the ecosystem, Zygarde keeps watch on the planet and on Xerneas and Yveltal so that the equilibrium of the planet and the cycle of life and death are kept in check. In its Complete Forme, it is said to exceed Xerneas and Yveltal in power, even capable of replacing their Abilities, Fairy Aura and Dark Aura respectively using its own, Aura Break. In Pokémon Adventures, when Zygarde awakens to stop Xerneas and Yveltal from using their powers, the only way to stop it is having the two Legendary Pokémon return to their slumber.

Leader
Zygarde
Zygarde
Group
Xerneas
Xerneas
Yveltal
Yveltal
Pecharunt and the Loyal Three
The Loyal Three shadowed by Pecharunt

Pecharunt had tamed and bound the Loyal Three with Binding Mochi and toxic chains, chaining them to its will with its toxins. This granted them their wishes for strength, intelligence, and beauty. Hundreds of years ago, Pecharunt led them to Oni Mountain's Dreaded Den to fight Ogerpon and its companion and steal their masks to please an old couple that Pecharunt lived with.[5]

Leader
Pecharunt
Pecharunt
Group
Okidogi
Okidogi
Munkidori
Munkidori
Fezandipiti
Fezandipiti

Legendary Pokémon associated with a group of Legendary Pokémon

On several occasions, certain Legendary or Mythical Pokémon have shared a history or close relationship with a group of Legendary Pokémon, often playing a pivotal role in their stories. However, these Legendary Pokémon are not considered members of the main group.

Kyurem and the Swords of Justice
Kyurem attacking Keldeo

In Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice, according to Keldeo, to become a member of the Swords of Justice, one must defeat Kyurem.

Adversary
Kyurem
Kyurem
Challengers
Cobalion
Cobalion
Terrakion
Terrakion
Virizion
Virizion
Keldeo
Keldeo
Meloetta and the forces of nature
Meloetta and the Abyssal Ruins

In Pokémon the Series: Black & White, Meloetta, as the former guardian of the Abyssal Ruins, guarded the Reveal Glass, a looking glass used to control the three forces of nature. When Meloetta's voice is in sync with the Reveal Glass, it is also capable of taking control of the trio by itself.

Controller
Meloetta
Meloetta
Controlled
Landorus
Landorus
Tornadus
Tornadus
Thundurus
Thundurus
Cosmog, Solgaleo, Lunala, and the guardian deities
The guardian deities watching over Cosmog

According to the Light of Alola, SolgaleoSUS/LunalaMUM had entered Alola and initiated a fight with the guardian deities, resulting in a loss for the tapu. Solgaleo/Lunala had offered the tapu the Tapunium Z in acknowledgement. The four tapu were given the duty of watching over the Pokémon's child, Cosmog, until they evolve and return to Ultra Space to repeat the endless cycle, making the Legendaries' relation a symbiotic relationship.

Visitors
CosmogSolgaleoLunala
Cosmog, Solgaleo, and Lunala
Guardians
Tapu Koko
Tapu Koko
Tapu Lele
Tapu Lele
Tapu Bulu
Tapu Bulu
Tapu Fini
Tapu Fini
Necrozma and the guardian deities
Necrozma battling Tapu Koko

According to the Malie Library, a Necrozma had taken the form of Dusk ManeUS/Dawn WingsUM Necrozma and taken away Alola's and either Solgaleo'sUS or Lunala'sUM light. This pillager of light had fought against a youth along with the guardian deities using Z-Power and Sparkling Stones defeating Necrozma. This resulted in Alola's tradition of the island challenge.

Invader
Necrozma
Necrozma
Guardians
Tapu Koko
Tapu Koko
Tapu Lele
Tapu Lele
Tapu Bulu
Tapu Bulu
Tapu Fini
Tapu Fini
Eternatus and the legendary heroes
Confrontation between Eternamax Eternatus and the legendary heroes

Eternatus created the Darkest Day by absorbing Galar's energy, resulting in the emergence of the Dynamax phenomenon. The legendary heroes wield the power to fight Dynamaxed Pokémon using their signature moves, and save the region by defeating Eternamax Eternatus.

Invader
Eternatus
Eternatus
Guardians
Zacian
Zacian
Zamazenta
Zamazenta
Ogerpon and the Loyal Three
Battle between Ogerpon and the Loyal Three

After the Loyal Three gained strength from their toxic chains, they stole Ogerpon's masks, but became mistakenly recognized as heroes of Kitakami, and Ogerpon was seen as a villainous ogre. The trio held a strong grudge against Ogerpon after it slayed them, and Ogerpon appeared to fear and hate them for everything they'd done to it.

Avenger
Ogerpon
Ogerpon
Attackers
Okidogi
Okidogi
Munkidori
Munkidori
Fezandipiti
Fezandipiti

Undefined relationships

Some Legendary Pokémon are closely related but are not officially or commonly recognized as part of a distinct group with each other.

Ho-Oh and Marshadow
Marshadow observing the Rainbow Wing

In I Choose You!, Marshadow acts as a guide from the shadows who leads those chosen by Ho-Oh to be the Rainbow Hero. According to Bonji, if the Rainbow Wing touches the heart of evil and loses its color, Marshadow is responsible for sealing the Rainbow Wing away.

Hero's challenger Hero's guide

Ho-Oh

Marshadow
Deoxys and Rayquaza
Encounter between Deoxys and Mega Rayquaza

Deoxys and Rayquaza have had multiple hostile engagements between media, with the two often clashing with each other. In the movie, Destiny Deoxys, Deoxys had appeared within Rayquaza's territory, initiating a battle between the two, and the plot of the movie.

In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire's Delta Episode, the player was tasked in using Rayquaza to destroy Grand Meteor Delta, resulting in an emergence and conflict with a Deoxys who was found in the meteor's remains.

Guardian Visitor

Rayquaza

Deoxys
Arceus, Type: Null, and Silvally
The symbol of Arceus's ring shared with Type: Null's helmet

Research on Arceus from the Canalave Library was done by the Aether Foundation for their Beast killer project, leading to the creation of an artificial Pokémon named Type: Full. This Pokémon was given a special Type Change program called the RKS System, mimicking the powers of Arceus. The project was deemed a failure, the Pokémon was crygenically frozen with a helmet attatched to its head and renamed to Type: Null. Type: Null's helmet has a ring around its neck, resembling the golden wheel around Arceus' own body.

Type: Null's Evolution, Silvally has its RKS System fully intact, and functions identically to Arceus' Multitype, requiring a set of Memories instead of Plates to Type Change.

The original
Arceus
Arceus
Imitations
Type: Null
Type: Null
Silvally
Silvally
Calyrex, Glastrier, and Spectrier
Calyrex fused with Glastrier and Spectrier in art for the TCG

Calyrex, as an ancient king of Galar, can ride on Glastrier or Spectrier with the Reins of Unity, making them its steeds. Calyrex lost most of its power and could only regain its ability to ride its steeds by regaining people's faith in its existence.

The king
Calyrex
Calyrex
The king's steeds
Glastrier
Glastrier
Spectrier
Spectrier
Ogerpon and Pecharunt
Ogerpon defeating Pecharunt

Long ago, Pecharunt reached Kitakami with its retainers, Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti. The four planned to steal a brilliant set of masks that belonged to a human man and Ogerpon as requested by Pecharunt's caretakers. After a struggle, they succeeded in stealing three of the masks, but left Ogerpon's companion seriously injured. When Ogerpon discovered what happened, it went after the four thieves, slaying the three retainers and defeating Pecharunt, leaving it unconscious for years. Hundreds of years later, Ogerpon still holds a grudge against Pecharunt.

Avenger Attacker

Ogerpon

Pecharunt

Trivia

  • Heatran and Terapagos are the only Legendary Pokémon to not be closely associated with another Legendary or Mythical Pokémon.
Legendary duos
Legendary trios
  • Some of the Legendary trios have unique distinctions:
    • The lake guardians are the only trio:
      • Whose members are all exactly the same type; however, many other trios share types within the group.
      • Whose members are incapable of learning any HMs.
      • With a base stat total of 580 to not have a base friendship of 35; in fact, they have the highest base friendship of all Legendary Pokémon, at 140, tying for the highest base friendship of all Pokémon with Lopunny and the evolutionary lines of Chansey and Clefairy.
    • The legendary birds are the only Legendary trio to have regional forms.
    • The light trio is the only Legendary trio to have an evolutionary line for two of its members.
    • The Pokémon of myth and the lake guardians are the only Legendary trios to share a Legendary leader, that being the Mythical Pokémon Arceus.
Groups of four or more Legendary Pokémon
  • Some of the Legendary groups of four or more have unique distinctions.
  • As of Generation IX, all Legendary quartets share at least one type.
    • The forces of nature are the only quartet where one of the members has only one type while the rest are dual-type.
Legendary leaders
  • There has yet to be a Legendary leader of a Legendary duo.
  • Arceus and Pecharunt are the only Legendary leaders that are Mythical Pokémon.
    • Arceus is the only one who is related to more than one Legendary trio.

References

  1. As of Generation VII, the term "Legendary duo" has been used officially on Pokémon.com. The term was used at one point to refer to Primal Groudon and Lunala together, in the context of their use in Double Battles: "Up next we have the winning restricted pairing from the 2019 Pokémon World Championships, Primal Groudon and Lunala. [...] Opponents will be better prepared for this pairing with the knowledge of how the team operates, meaning it’s only going to get more difficult for this Legendary duo to continue with its recent success." Latin America Internationals: Pokémon VGC Power Rankings - Pokémon.com. Another example: "In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, the story centered heavily around the Legendary Pokémon Solgaleo and Lunala. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, a new story unfolds featuring Necrozma alongside the Legendary duo." - NEW DETAILS ANNOUNCED FOR UPCOMING GAMES POKÉMON ULTRA SUN AND POKÉMON ULTRA MOON!
  2. As of Generation IV, the term "Legendary trio" (originally formatted as legendary trio) has been used officially on Pokémon.com. "Catch up with the legendary trio of Entei (4/132), Raikou (16/132), and Suicune (19/132)!" (referring to Diamond & PearlSecret Wonders from the Pokémon Trading Card Game) "The Legendary trio of Raikou, Entei, and Suicune are majestic, ferocious, and really hard to catch." (referring to the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console version of Pokémon Gold and Silver) - Ten Can’t Miss Activities in Johto and Beyond - Pokémon.com "Each of these battles has a five-minute time limit, so you'll need to be efficient as you take on this Legendary trio." (referring to Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!) - Postgame Adventures in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! - Pokémon.com
  3. "In more normal times, I would bid you let those three fly free as is their nature. But we are yet fresh from the tearing of the space-time rift. Until its aftereffects fade entirely, perhaps it’s better to keep our trio contained." - Cogita (Pokémon Legends: Arceus)
  4. "There is one more of that cohort." - Cogita (Pokémon Legends: Arceus)
  5. "The Untold Story of Pecharunt". The Official Pokémon YouTube channel. YouTube. January 15, 2024.

Related articles

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.