Which Pokémon Are ‘Pseudo-Legendary’ - and Why (2024)

Identifyinga LegendaryPokémon from a non-Legendary one is generally easy enough, but the term Pseudo-Legendary often gets thrown around without people being sure what it means. There are multiple lines of extremely rare and powerful Pokémon out there that are often compared to each generation's Legendary set. However, the term is often over-used, with relatively commonPokémon like Growlithe and Arcanine being designated with the Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon moniker.

The classification has been cheapened the more broadly it is used, so it's vital to discuss what counts as a Pseudo-Legendary. There is no debate as to which Pokémon count as a Legendary, and hopefully, this explanation can eliminate any confusion as to what a Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon is.

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What is a Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon?

The fan term Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon originated to describe a subset of supremely powerfulPokémon in the game series that fell into a certain set of categories. Every Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon has a three-stage evolution line -- not counting babyPokémon or Mega Evolutions. To reach level 100 in the games, they need to accumulate 1,250,000 experience points and have base stats that add up to 600 points before Mega Evolutions. Some fans have eliminated the experience point system in determining who is a Pseudo-Legendary, but, as it turns out, it makes no difference.

Currently, nine Pokémon evolutionary lines fit into the Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon qualifications:Dragonite's Line, Tyranitar's, Salamence's, Metagross's,Garchomp's, Hydreigon's, Goodra's, Kommo-o's and Dragapult's Lines. ThePokémon fan community sometimes mistakenly counts Slaking, Flygon, Aggron, Volcarona and Haxorus as Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon, but they fail to fulfill the required elements.

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What Role Do Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon Play in the Anime and Games?

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Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon play a distinct role throughout all of thePokémon anime and games. The anime will frequently showcase the Pseudo-Legendaries as incredibly rarePokémon that belong to powerful trainers. The first appearance of Dragonite in thePokémon episode "Mystery at the Lighthouse" showcases a gigantic Dragonite, treated like a Legendary, unknownPokémon. However, with subsequent appearances, they become more grounded.

In the games, there isat least one member of the Elite Four-- or someone in thefinal battle -- who will have at least one Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon in their team. Lance, a member of the Kanto Elite Four and the Johto Champion, arguably has the most. While Dragonite is his most iconicPokémon, he later gains Salamence and Garchomp inPokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. In the anime exclusive Orange Islands arc, the Champion Drake -- a great and immense trainer -- sees his Dragonite defeated by Ash's Pikachu.

Arguably the only exception to this isPokémon Black and White, where the villainous Ghetis has a Hydreigon, despite not being an Elite Four member. Interestingly enough, Ghetis is the only villain in the core Pokémon games to use a Pseudo-Legendary. However, Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness features the Ciphers, who use multiple Pseudo-Legendaries as ShadowPokémon. On top of that, in thePokémon anime, Mewtwo uses a Dragonite as a messenger.

Ash and friends end up capturing multiple Pseudo-Legendaries over their adventures. Iris, much like her in-game counterpart, captures a Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon. However, while Black 2 and White 2 Iris has a Hydreigon and Salamence, her anime version has a Dragonite. Ash himself captures a Dragonite and evolves a Goodra. This is curious because the game equivalent of Ash -- Red -- has zero Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon.

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Are Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon Special?

There are many Pseudo-Legendary appearances acrossPokémon's multiple canons, but looking at their most important roles tells you something: Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon are special. They are symbols of authority. Trainers who capture them have either progressed far enough to find them in the wild or trained them hard enough to evolve them.

Still, what role do Pseudo-Legendaries serve in the world ofPokémon inherently? Ultimately, they're a species of rare, powerfulPokémon. Possessing one doesn't indicate you are all-powerful -- after all, Ash's Pikachu beat a Dragonite early on. However, it shows that you're a competent trainer who could get a Pseudo-LegendaryPokémon on your side.

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