A Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon in the Pokémon series is a creature with abnormally high stats, rivaling even Legendary creatures through a combination of strength and typings. These are often rare Pokémon who take time to fully evolve, with those final forms being contenders for the most powerful pocket monsters in their associated games. A good Pseudo-Legendary can be the backbone of your team, but some are more reliable than others.
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By definition, Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon have a combined stat total of 600 or more, and are always the third-stage evolution of an existing Pokémon, not a solitary Legendary or Mythical beast. More often than not, these Pokémon tend to reach their strongest form at higher levels compared to other Pokémon, with some requiring a lengthy grind to get. Many Pseudo-Legendary initial forms are found in rare locations too, requiring players to be careful with their choice for the amount of investment it takes to unlock their full potential.
5. Dragonite
The first ever Pseudo-Legendary in Pokémon was Dragonite, the Dragon/Flying-type from Kanto that evolved from the extremely rare Dratini found in the Safari Zone. Dragonite was easily one of the hardest Pokémon to get in the original games, but his strength has carried over to multiple Generations after its appearance. With characters like Lance using two Dragonite as the Champion of Gen 2’s Elite Four, it goes to show just how reliable Dragonite can be in battle.
Although Dragonite is not as strong in later games, titles like Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, HeartGold, or SoulSilver are far easier with this Pokémon on your side. Unlike Dragapult or Hydreigon, two other Pseudo-Legendaries who evolve at Level 60 or higher, Dragonite evolves from Dragonair at Level 55, making it easier to train. Dragonite has the unique quality of having a high amount of HP, giving it considerable bulk that helps it stand out, with a new Mega Evolution in Legends: Z-A that takes it to even greater heights.
4. Metagross
Metagross is a Pseudo-Legendary from Gen 3 that is notoriously hard to get, as the only Beldum it evolves from is given to you at the start of the postgame. However, no matter how hard this Pokémon is to get, its unique Steel/Psychic-type combination provides it with balanced attack and defense that always gets the job done. The number of resistances it gains from its Steel-type alone gives Metagross very few bad match-ups, making it incredibly versatile.
In games where abilities are present, Metagross can prevent itself from taking stat losses through its Clear Body trait. This prevents it from losing the massive Attack or Defense stats at its disposal, making other Pokémon unable to weaken it for an easier K.O. The unbroken, stalwart nature of Metagross is something you don’t see among the other Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon on this list, easy creating a consistent team member you should always consider having when you can.
3. Salamence
The Dragon/Flying-type Salamence is defined by its sheer power and speed, which easily outclass other Pokémon by a wide margin, even those of other Pseudo-Legendary creatures. With Intimidate, Salamence can lower the Attack of opposing creatures, making it hard for them to defeat it unless they have an Ice-type at the ready. With one of the strongest Mega Evolutions of all time, Salamence is a must-have in games like Pokémon Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire.
Much like Dragonite, Salamence evolves earlier than other Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon, at Level 50. The abundance of early form Bagon makes this dragon easier to obtain, at least in the games it is featured in. Salamence can also learn a wide variety of moves, such as the Fire-type Flamethrower or Ground-type Earthquake. Salamence is ultimately flexible, with nearly identical Attack and Special Attack stats along with above-average HP and Speed that make it a jack-of-all-trades for nearly any situation.
2. Tyranitar
If pure power is what you’re looking for, there’s no Pokémon better than Tyranitar. This Rock/Dark-type is a walking tank, with the innate ability to whip up an environmental Sandstorm whenever it enters a battle. This hazard both damages enemy Pokemon, but also boosts Tyranitar’s Special Defense, making it an absurd wall to endure nearly any rival attacks. Despite having many weaknesses from its types, this benefit helps it shine.
A wide arsenal of great moves of nearly every type combined with astronomical attacking stats make Tyranitar a one-hit K.O. machine in almost every game it’s in. With an earlier evolution at Level 55, a Mega form that somehow boosts its strength even more, and a high amount of adaptability, Tyranitar is always a good Pokémon to have at your side.
1. Garchomp
Fans of Gen 4 Pokémon games can tell you how many times a Garchomp has saved their team from complete defeat more times than they can count. This Dragon/Ground-type was the ace Pokémon of Champion Cynthia’s team for a reason, mainly for its great typing and stats. Among Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon, Garchomp is the easiest to get early too, with its first form Gible available early in the Sinnoh region games, and evolving to its strongest self only at Level 48.
Garchomp has it all from a statistic point of view, sporting among the highest HP, Attack, and Speed numbers out of any Pokémon. With extra attacking power to moves like Dragon Rush, Outrage, or Earthquake, Garchomp is not just a tank, but a tank-buster as well. To make matters even more ridiculous, Garchomp has arguably the best Mega Evolution among Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon as well, making its potential higher than others.
The best Pokémon are ones that are versatile and incredibly good at doubling down upon what makes them strong in the first place. Garchomp does this in spades, easily making it the Pseudo-Legendary you want on your team the most in Pokémon games that give you the opportunity.
What Pseudo-Legendary Pokemon do you always want to have your back? Leave a comment below or join the conversation in the ComicBook Forum!
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