Legendary Pokémon are known for being rare and hard to catch. There are currently 81 legendary Pokémon – if you include mythical Pokémon and Ultra Beasts – so if you are looking to catch ’em all, you’ll definitely need some help along the way.
Generally, in many of the Pokémon games, including Sword and Shield, you will encounter several legendaries on your adventures around Galar. However, if you are playing Pokémon GO, you’ll need to complete Special Research tasks, battle in five-star raids, and defeat Team Rocket Leader Giovanni for a chance at catching these powerful Pokémon.
Each main series game usually has an exclusive legendary, which means you have to trade your favourites between games. Pokémon Sword and Shield’s latest expansion, The Crown Tundra, has mixed up the formula and made every single legendary (including Ultra Beasts and excluding mythical Pokémon) available to catch by completing Dynamax Adventures.
With so many ways of obtaining legendaries across Pokémon titles, we’re here to make things a little easier. So, here are all the available legendary Pokémon in Sword and Shield, its two DLCs, and Pokémon GO.
Pokémon Sword and Shield legendary Pokémon
Zacian and Zamazenta
Zacian and Zamazenta are the cover legendaries for Pokémon Sword and Shield. Zacian is the legendary featured in Sword and Zamazenta is the Shield legendary. When you first begin your journey to become champion, you’ll encounter the legendary specific to the title you have chosen. Unfortunately, you’re unable to catch them in this first encounter. When you become Champion of Galar you will be able to complete a sidequest that allows you to battle and catch one of these powerful Pokémon.
Once you have defeated Leon in the Champion Cup you will return to your home in Postwick. Once you have received the Master Ball from Professor Magnolia, exit your house and enter the Slumbering Weald through the gate on the left. Venture all the way to the end of the Slumbering Weald and you will find odd brothers, Shielbert and Sordward. These brothers claim they are descendants of Galar’s first kings and demand that you battle them.
When you have defeated either Shielbert or Sordward, the brothers begin Dynamaxing Pokémon across Galar. Return to the Wedgehurst Pokémon Lab and speak to Sonia about where the Dynamax Pokémon are appearing, she will tell you to travel to the seven gyms to defeat a Dyanmax Pokémon at each location. Once you have defeated the seven Pokémon, head to Hammerlocke Stadium.
You will first encounter the legendary Pokémon from the version of the game you don’t have. You need to knock this Pokémon out before you have a chance to catch your own legendary. Remember, you cannot catch the legendary from the other version so don’t waste your Pokéballs. Feel free to use the Master Ball gifted to you by Professor Magnolia on your own title’s legendary, or whittle down its health before throwing a ball of your choice.
Zacian base stats
| Caught at level 70 | Type: Fairy / Steel | Ability: Intrepid Sword |
| HP: 92 | Sp attack: 80 | Attack: 170 |
| Sp defence: 115 | Defence: 115 | Speed: 148 |
Zamazenta base stats
| Caught at level 70 | Type: Fighting / Steel | Dauntless Shield |
| HP: 92 | Sp attack: 80 | Attack: 130 |
| Sp defence: 145 | Defence: 145 | Speed: 128 |
Eternatus
You encounter Eternatus during the main story at the Energy Plant in Hammerloke before the Champion final match against Leon. Once you have lowered Eternatus’ health to zero you will be forced to catch it.
Eternatus base stats
| Caught at level 60 | Type: Poison / Dragon | Ability: Pressure |
| HP: 140 | Sp attack: 145 | Attack: 85 |
| Sp defence: 95 | Defence: 95 | Speed: 130 |
Type: Null and Silvaly
To obtain Silvaly you must first receive Type: Null from a woman inside the battle tower after becoming champion of Galar. Type: Null will evolve into Silvaly when levelled up with high happiness.
Type: Null base stats
| Received at level 50 | Type: Normal | Ability: Battle Armor |
| HP: 95 | Sp attack: 95 | Attack: 95 |
| Sp defence: 95 | Defence: 95 | Speed: 59 |
Silvaly base stats
| Level N/A | Type: Normal | Ability: RKS System |
| HP: 95 | Sp attack: 95 | Attack: 95 |
| Sp defence: 95 | Defence: 95 | Speed: 95 |
The Isle of Armor legendary Pokémon
Kubfu and Urshifu
You will obtain Kubfu from Mustard as you progress through The Isle of Armor DLC. Kubfu will evolve into Urshifu Single Strike Style or Urshifu Rapid Strike Style depending on which tower you take on as you progress through the DLC.
If you want Urshifu Single Strike Style, head for the Tower of Darkness and defeat every trainer inside. If you prefer Urshifu Rapid Strike Style, fight your way to the top of the Tower of Water. The game suggests you level your Kubfu to level 70 before starting, but getting it to around level 75 first means you will breeze through every encounter.
Kubfu base stats
| Received at level 10 | Type: Fighting | Ability: Inner Focus |
| HP: 60 | Sp attack: 53 | Attack: 90 |
| Sp defence: 50 | Defence: 60 | Speed: 72 |
Urshifu Single Strike Style base stats
| Level N/A | Type: Fighting / Dark | Ability: Unseen Fist |
| HP: 100 | Sp attack: 63 | Attack: 130 |
| Sp defence: 60 | Defence: 100 | Speed: 97 |
Urshifu Rapid Strike Style base stats
| Level N/A | Type: Fighting / Water | Ability: Unseen Fist |
| HP: 100 | Sp attack: 63 | Attack: 130 |
| Sp defence: 60 | Defence: 100 | Speed: 97 |
The Crown Tundra legendary Pokémon
Calyrex
Calryex is encountered after completing the Legendary Clue 1 side quest given to you by Peony in Freezington. You’ll battle Calyrex mounted atop either Glastrier or Spectrier at the Crown Shrine. When you have caught the duo you can separate them by using the Reins of Unity which are obtained during the questline.
Calyrex base stats
| Caught at level 80 | Type: Psychic / Grass | Ability: Unnerve |
| HP: 100 | Sp attack: 80 | Attack: 80 |
| Sp defence: 80 | Defence: 80 | Speed: 80 |
Calyrex Ice Rider base stats
| Caught at level 80 | Type: Psychic / Ice | Ability: Unnerve Chilling Neigh |
| HP: 100 | Sp attack: 85 | Attack: 165 |
| Sp defence: 130 | Defence: 150 | Speed: 50 |
Calyrex Shadow Rider base stats
| Caught at level 80 | Type: Psychic / Ghost | Ability: Unnerve Grim Neigh |
| HP: 100 | Sp attack: 165 | Attack: 85 |
| Sp defence: 100 | Defence: 80 | Speed: 150 |
Glastrier
Glastrier is encountered after completing the Legendary Clue 1 side quest given to you by Peony in Freezington. You’ll battle Calyrex at the Crown Shrine mounted atop Glastrier if you plant your Carrot Seeds in the frozen soil at Snowside Slope. When you have caught the duo you can separate them by using the Reins of Unity which are obtained during the questline.
Glastrier base stats
| Caught at level 75 | Type: Ice | Ability: Chilling Neigh |
| HP: 100 | Sp attack: 65 | Attack: 145 |
| Sp defence: 110 | Defence: 130 | Speed: 30 |
Spectrier
Spectrier is encountered after completing the Legendary Clue 1 side quest given to you by Peony in Freezington. You’ll battle Calyrex at the Crown Shrine mounted atop Spectrier if you plant your Carrot Seeds in the haunted soil at the Old Cemetery. When you have caught the duo you can separate them by using the Reins of Unity which are obtained during the questline.
Spectrier base stats
| Caught at level 75 | Type: Ghost | Ability: Grim Neigh |
| HP: 100 | Sp attack: 145 | Attack: 65 |
| Sp defence: 80 | Defence: 60 | Speed: 130 |
Galarian Articuno, Galarian Zapdos, and Galarian Moltres
We have three amazing, in-depth guides on how to encounter and catch Galarian Articuno, Galarian Zapdos, and Galarian Moltres.
The Regis
The Crown Tundra has all original Regis, plus two brand new additions to fill up your Pokédex even further. If you need help catching Regirock, Regice, Registeel, Regigigas, Regieleki, and Regidrago, take a look at our Crown Tundra Regis guide.
The Swords of Justice
You may have noticed footprints scattered across the frozen landscape of the Crown Tundra. Well, these prints will lead you to Virizion, Cobalion, and Terrakion and then on to the mythical Pokémon, Keldeo. If you are having trouble finding all the prints, check out our Crown Tundra footprints guide, then head over to our Keldeo guide to complete the quest.
Dynamax Adventure legendaries
Most of the legendary Pokémon in The Crown Tundra are encountered at the end of Dynamax Adventures. If you manage to get to the end of the adventure and beat the legendary, they have a 100% catch rate so you can use any ball you think looks best. We’ve created a Dynamx Adventures guide that includes the best way to get a coveted shiny legendary.
Here is the full list of legendaries and Ultra Beasts found in Dynamax Adventures:
- Mewtwo
- Raikou
- Entei
- Suicune
- Lugia
- Ho-Oh
- Latias
- Latios
- Groudon
- Kyogre
- Rayquaza
- Azelf
- Mesprit
- Uxie
- Dialga
- Palkia
- Giratina
- Cresselia
- Heatran
- Tornadus
- Thundurus
- Landorus
- Reshiram
- Zekrom
- Kyurem
- Xerneas
- Yveltal
- Zygarde
- Tapu Koko
- Tapu Lele
- Tapu Bulu
- Tapu Fini
- Cosmog
- Cosmoem
- Solgaleo
- Lunala
- Necrozma
- Nihilego
- Buzzwole
- Pheromosa
- Xurkitree
- Celesteela
- Kartana
- Guzzlord
- Necrozma
- Stakataka
- Blacephalon
Pokémon GO legendaries
You can encounter legendary Pokémon in numerous ways while playing Pokémon GO. Some are available via five-star and EX raids, others require you to complete Special Research and defeat Team Rocket leader, Giovanni. We have compiled all the legendary Pokémon currently and previously available in Pokémon GO.
Legendary Pokémon previously available in five-star and EX raids
- Articuno
- Zapdos
- Moltres
- Mewtwo (normal and armored)
- Raikou
- Entei
- Suicune
- Lugia
- Ho-Oh
- Regirock
- Regice
- Registeel
- Kyogre
- Groudon
- Rayquaza
- Latias
- Latios
- Deoxys
- Dialga
- Palkia
- Heatran
- Regigigas
- Giratina (Altered Forme and Origin Forme)
- Cresselia
- Darkrai
- Cobalion
- Terrakion
- Virizion
- Tornadus
- Thundurus
- Reshiram
- Zekrom
- Kyurem
- Landorus
Special research legendary Pokémon
A Mythical Discovery: completing this Special Research will give you the chance to encounter and catch the mythical Pokémon Mew.
A Ripple in Time: completing this Special Research will give you the chance to encounter and catch the mythical Pokémon Celebi.
Let’s Go, Meltan: completing this Special Research will give you the chance to encounter and catch the mythical Pokémon Meltan.
A Thousand-Year Slumber: completing this Special Research will give you the chance to encounter and catch the mythical Pokémon Jirachi.
Investigate a Mysterious Energy: completing this Special Research will give you the chance to encounter and catch the mythical Pokémon Victini.
Finished Timed research tasks
A Colossal Discovery: this paid Special Research ran from 11:00 – 19:00 November 2, 2019. Completing the research gave you the chance to encounter and catch Regigigas.
A Drive to Investigate: this paid Special Research ran from March 20, 2020, 08:00 – March 26, 2020, 10:00. Completing the research gave you the chance to encounter and catch Genesect.
Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto: this research ran from May 1, 2020, 13:00 – May 8, 2020, 13:00. Completing the research gave you the chance to encounter and catch Mewtwo with Psystrike.
Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto: this research ran from May 8, 2020, 13:00 – May 15, 2020, 13:00. Completing the research gave you the chance to encounter and catch Ho-Oh with Earthquake.
Throwback Challenge 2020: Hoenn: this research ran from May 15, 2020, 13:00 – May 22, 2020, 13:00. Completing the research gave you the chance to encounter and catch Groudon with Fire Punch.
Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh: this research ran from May 22, 2020, 13:00 – May 29, 2020, 13:00. Completing the research gave you the chance to encounter and catch Cresselia with Grass Knot.
Throwback Challenge Champion 2020: this research ran from June 3, 2020, 13:00 – June 8, 2020, 13:00. Completing the research gave you the chance to encounter and catch Genesect.
Shadow Legendary Pokémon
Once you have tracked down and beaten the elusive Giovanni, you will be able to catch the shadow Pokémon he used against you in battle. If you are having trouble defeating the formidable foe, check out the best Pokémon in Pokémon GO.
Shadow Mewtwo: available now
Shadow Articuno: introduced in November 2019, not currently available.
Shadow Moltres: introduced in December 2019, not currently available.
Shadow Zapdos: introduced in January 2020, not currently available.
Shadow Raikou: introduced in February 2020, not currently available.
Shadow Entei: introduced in March 2020, not currently available.
Shadow Suicune: introduced July 2020, not currently available.
Now you are completely up to date with everything legendary Pokémon-related. If you need some help using these powerful Pokémon to their full potential, take a look at our Pokémon type chart.