Few things in Pokemon Go generate as much buzz as the arrival of a Legendary Pokemon. These incredibly powerful and rare creatures represent the pinnacle of a Trainer’s collection and offer a significant advantage in battles. For dedicated players, acquiring a full roster of Legendary Pokemon is a major goal, but the path to catching these elusive creatures is often challenging and requires strategy. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and tactics necessary to find, battle, and catch Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon Go.
What are Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon Go?
In the vast world of Pokemon, Legendary Pokemon stand apart as beings of immense power and captivating lore. These Pokemon are exceptionally rare, often possessing unique abilities and playing pivotal roles in the mythology of the Pokemon universe. Unlike common Pokemon that Trainers encounter frequently, Legendary Pokemon are shrouded in mystery and their appearances are often linked to significant events or special circumstances.
Key characteristics define these exceptional Pokemon. They boast incredibly high Combat Power (CP) and stats, making them formidable opponents in battles and valuable additions to any Trainer’s team. Their availability is strictly limited, often appearing only during specific time-limited events or as rewards for completing challenging research tasks. In many cases, their appearances are deeply connected to the game’s narrative, adding to their allure and making them highly sought after.
Consider some of the most coveted Legendary Pokemon: Mewtwo, the genetically engineered powerhouse; Rayquaza, the majestic dragon of the skies; Kyogre, the embodiment of the ocean’s fury; and Groudon, the titan of the land. These Pokemon represent the pinnacle of power and prestige within the Pokemon Go universe, and acquiring them is a testament to a Trainer’s dedication and skill. The challenge of finding these pokemon is not for the faint of heart.
How to Encounter Legendary Pokemon
Finding Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon Go requires a multi-faceted approach, as these creatures are not simply wandering around waiting to be caught. Here are the primary methods you’ll need to master:
Legendary Raids
Legendary Raids are the most common and reliable way to encounter these powerful Pokemon. These challenging battles take place at Gyms and feature Legendary Pokemon as the Raid Boss. To participate, you’ll need a Raid Pass, which can be obtained daily by spinning a Photo Disc at a Gym or purchased from the in-game store. Remote Raid Passes allow you to join raids remotely, expanding your reach and enabling you to participate in battles even if you’re not physically near a Gym.
Finding and joining Legendary Raids requires vigilance and coordination. Keep an eye on the in-game map for Gyms with an egg icon, indicating an upcoming raid. As the timer counts down, the egg will hatch, revealing the identity of the Raid Boss. Many players use social media groups, Discord servers, and other online communities to coordinate raids and share information about raid locations. Teamwork is absolutely essential in order to successfully battle the raids.
Special Research
Occasionally, Niantic introduces Special Research tasks that reward players with encounters with Legendary Pokemon. These research quests typically involve completing a series of objectives, such as catching specific types of Pokemon, spinning PokeStops, or winning battles. While these research tasks can be time-consuming, they offer a guaranteed opportunity to encounter and potentially catch a Legendary Pokemon, making them well worth the effort.
Go Battle League Rewards
Reaching higher ranks in the Go Battle League can lead to encounters with Legendary Pokemon as reward encounters. This method offers the chance to encounter the Pokemon that is currently in raids, providing an extra opportunity for trainers who enjoy the competitive scene. Reaching higher ranks takes dedication and skill. Mastering different move sets is key.
Events
Pokemon Go events often feature Legendary Pokemon in various ways. These events may increase the spawn rates of specific Legendary Pokemon in raids, offer unique research tasks that lead to Legendary encounters, or introduce entirely new Legendary Pokemon to the game. Staying informed about upcoming events is crucial for maximizing your chances of encountering these rare creatures. Be sure to check the in-game news section and the official Pokemon Go social media channels.
Battling Legendary Pokemon in Raids
Battling Legendary Pokemon in Raids is a challenging endeavor that requires careful planning and execution. Success hinges on effective teamwork, strategic team composition, and skillful execution in battle.
Teamwork is Key
Legendary Raids are designed to be tackled by multiple players working together. Coordinating with other Trainers is crucial for maximizing your chances of victory. Communicate with your team members to discuss team compositions, strategize attack patterns, and ensure that everyone is contributing effectively. Even if you don’t know the other players, using the built-in chat feature to coordinate can be helpful.
Type Matchups
Understanding type matchups is paramount when selecting your team for a Legendary Raid. Each Pokemon type has strengths and weaknesses against other types, and exploiting these vulnerabilities can significantly increase your damage output. For example, a Fire-type Pokemon is strong against Grass-type Pokemon but weak against Water-type Pokemon. Before entering a raid, research the Raid Boss’s type and select Pokemon that have advantageous type matchups.
Best Pokemon to Use
Specific Pokemon excel in Legendary Raids due to their high stats, powerful movesets, and favorable type matchups. Some consistently strong choices include:
- Fighting types: Lucario, Machamp, Conkeldurr
- Dark types: Darkrai, Tyranitar, Hydreigon
- Psychic types: Mewtwo, Espeon, Alakazam
- Fairy types: Gardevoir, Togekiss, Sylveon
- Electric types: Raikou, Electivire, Magnezone
- Ice types: Mamoswine, Weavile, Glaceon
Choosing the right Pokemon can make a huge difference in your ability to deal damage and contribute to the raid.
Dodging Attacks
Dodging charged attacks is essential for surviving longer in Legendary Raids. When the Raid Boss is about to unleash a charged attack, a warning signal will appear on the screen. Swipe left or right to dodge the attack and minimize the damage you take. Mastering the timing of dodges can significantly increase your survivability and allow you to deal more damage over the course of the battle.
Using Charged Attacks Effectively
Charged attacks are powerful moves that can deal significant damage to the Raid Boss. However, they require energy to charge up, so it’s important to use them strategically. Consider the Raid Boss’s weaknesses and choose charged attacks that exploit those vulnerabilities. Time your charged attacks to maximize their impact and avoid wasting energy.
Catching Legendary Pokemon
Once you’ve successfully defeated a Legendary Pokemon in a Raid, you’ll have the opportunity to catch it. This is often the most nerve-wracking part of the process, as you’ll only have a limited number of Premier Balls to work with. Here’s how to maximize your chances of success:
Golden Razz Berries
Golden Razz Berries are the most effective way to increase your catch rate. These special berries significantly increase the likelihood that the Pokemon will stay in the ball. Use them liberally, especially when you’re running low on Premier Balls.
Curveball Throws
Curveball throws increase your catch rate compared to straight throws. Practice throwing curveballs consistently to improve your accuracy. To throw a curveball, spin the Poke Ball before releasing it.
Excellent Throws
Excellent throws offer the highest catch rate bonus. Aim for the center of the target circle and release the ball when the circle is at its smallest. This requires practice and precision, but the reward is well worth the effort.
Circle Locking Technique
The circle locking technique is a strategy that can significantly improve your accuracy. As the target circle gets smaller, set the circle size that you are comfortable aiming at and then hold the ball until the Pokemon attacks. When it does, throw the ball so that it hits at the desired ring size.
Patience and Persistence
Catching Legendary Pokemon can be frustrating, as they often break out of the ball multiple times. Don’t get discouraged. Be patient, use the techniques described above, and keep trying. Eventually, you’ll succeed in adding that Legendary Pokemon to your collection.
The Best Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon Go
Certain Legendary Pokemon stand above the rest in terms of their overall utility, battle prowess, and versatility. Mewtwo is a powerhouse with exceptional psychic damage output, making it valuable in both raids and PvP battles. Rayquaza is a top-tier Dragon-type attacker, capable of dealing massive damage in raids against Dragon-weak opponents. Kyogre is the undisputed king of Water-type attackers, dominating raid battles against Fire-type and Rock-type bosses. Groudon is a formidable Ground-type attacker, excelling in raids against Electric-type and Rock-type bosses. These Legendary Pokemon are highly sought after for their exceptional performance in various aspects of the game.
Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Your Legendary Encounters
To further enhance your chances of encountering and catching Legendary Pokemon, consider these additional tips and tricks:
Stay Updated on Events
Keep a close eye on the official Pokemon Go news and announcements to stay informed about upcoming events that feature Legendary Pokemon. Plan your gameplay around these events to maximize your opportunities to participate in Legendary Raids and complete Special Research tasks.
Join a Local Community
Joining a local Pokemon Go community can provide valuable support and information. Coordinate with other players to organize raids, share tips and strategies, and stay up-to-date on the latest news and events.
Use Resources and Tools
Utilize online resources and tools to assist you in your Legendary Pokemon endeavors. Websites and apps like Poke Genie, Raid Finder and Discord communities can help with raid coordination, type matchups, and other essential information.
Conclusion
Catching Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon Go is a challenging but rewarding experience. By understanding the methods for encountering these rare creatures, mastering the techniques for battling them in raids, and employing the strategies for maximizing your catch rate, you can significantly increase your chances of adding these powerful Pokemon to your collection. So, stay informed, coordinate with your fellow trainers, and keep your eyes peeled for those elusive Legendary Raid eggs. Good luck, and may your Premier Balls be ever in your favor! The pursuit of Legendary Pokemon is a thrilling and ongoing adventure in the world of Pokemon Go, and the satisfaction of finally catching one is an unparalleled feeling. Keep training, keep battling, and keep catching!
