Legendary & Mythical Pokémon in Sun & Moon Every Trainer Needs on Their Team (2024)

Like most main Pokémon games, Pokémon Sun & Moon introduces a plethora of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon for players to catch and raise. Though all Ultra Beasts are similar to Legendary Pokémon, they're a separate classification in that they never belonged in Alola in the first place. All three Mythical Pokémon could only be legitimately acquired through special events that have long since passed. Each Legendary Pokémon is relevant to the game pair's plot in one way or another.

Though Type: Null and Silvally are similar to Legendary Pokémon, they were created by the Aether Foundation as part of their beast killer project. Cosmog and Cosmoem are excluded, despite eventually evolving into Solgaleo or Lunala, because they're not noteworthy on their own. Meltan and Melmetal are excluded because they're only available in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! & Eevee! from the Pokémon GO mobile game.

10 Necrozma Is Deficient as a Legendary Without Solgaleo or Lunala

When Fused, It’s Far More Formidable

On its own, Necrozma is mediocre compared to its peers with stats that are tailored toward bulky or mixed attacker builds. It has a signature move in Pokémon Sun & Moon — Prismatic Laser, which is just a Psychic-type Hyper Beam. Necrozma's Prism Armor Ability — any super-effective damage taken is reduced by 25% — is similar to Solid Rock, but can't be bypassed by moves or Abilities.

Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon allow Necrozma to assimilate Solgaleo or Lunala to achieve two much stronger forms — Dawn Wings and Dusk Mane. Regardless of its form, it also gains a much better signature move — Photon Geyser, which inflicts physical or special damage depending on which offensive stat is higher. Exclusively to Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, a Dusk Mane or Dawn Wings Necrozma can hold Ultranecrozium Z, which grants the incredible Light That Burns the Sky Z-Move. Upon using it, Necrozma transforms into its Ultra Burst form, which is downright absurd.

9 Zeraora’s Plasma Fists Let It Heal From Normal-Type Attacks

It Changes Incoming Normal-Type Attacks Into Electric-Type

Zeraora was first available in Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon through the Fula City Zeraora event. Its exceptional base Speed outpaces most Pokémon, and it has an exclusive move — Plasma Fists. This attack changes all Normal-type attacks used after it into Electric-type attacks for the rest of the turn, which Zeraora can heal from with its Volt Absorb Ability. This tactic may allow it to make up for its middling defenses, plus it's a strong attack in its own right.

In addition to the typical physical sweeper build, Zeraora can also run Bulk Up and mixed sweeper builds. The former patches its slightly weaker base Defense, while the latter gives it access to Grass Knot as a coverage move. Other useful moves include Close Combat, Fire Punch, Volt Switch, Taunt, Knock Off, Fake Out, and Acrobatics.

8 Tapu Bulu’s Grass Restores HP Gradually

Grassy Terrain Also Strengthens Grass-Type Attacks

Tapu Bulu is most known for its Grassy Surge Ability, which summons Grassy Terrain upon hitting the field. Originally, it was exclusive to Tapu Bulu, but the Grookey evolutionary tree gained it as a Hidden Ability from onward. Grassy Terrain's natural recovery along with several resistances to key types gives Tapu Bulu some artificial bulk. However, it's the only Tapu with a 4x type weakness: Poison.

A strong base Attack and access to Swords Dance make Tapu Bulu a powerful wall breaker. It can even run Life Orb with little risk, as Grassy Terrain and Horn Leech can restore far more HP than they lose. Strangely, Tapu Bulu can't learn Play Rough, or any physical Fairy-type attack for that matter, so it may struggle with opposing Dragon-types that resist its Grass-type attacks.

7 Tapu Fini’s Mist Offers Status Protection

Misty Terrain Also Weaken Dragon-Type Attacks

Tapu Fini's Misty Surge is the most useful terrain Ability defensively — it summons Misty Terrain to render itself impervious to non-volatile status effects. Galarian Weezing gained this as a Hidden Ability in Pokémon Sword & Shield onward. Unlike other terrains, Misty Terrain doesn't strengthen its associated attack type's damage output. That makes it the best recipient for the Tapu-exclusive move — Nature's Madness, which cuts its target's current HP in half.

Though Tapu Fini is a defensive wall first, it's base Sp. Attack is just high enough to threaten an opposing Pokémon that's weak against its STAB attacks. Scald and Moonblast are the typical attacks, but the former can't burn a grounded target if Misty Terrain is in effect. Calm Mind can allow it to set up a sweep. Other useful moves include Defog, Taunt, Knock Off, Light Screen, Reflect, and possibly Haze.

6 Tapu Koko’s Electricity Prevents Anything From Sleeping

Electric Terrain Also Strengthens Electric-Type Attacks

Tapu Koko is the fastest of the Tapus — its Electric Terrain ensures that no Pokémon can sleep, even with Rest. Pincurchin gains this as a Hidden Ability from Pokémon Sword & Shield onward. Tapu Koko is an amazing pivot with both offensive stats, thanks to Volt Switch and U-turn. Other than that, its available moves are unusually inclined toward special attacking, considering that its base Attack is higher. In fact, it only has two effective physical non-STAB moves — Acrobatics and Iron Head.

It's also the only Tapu that can learn Roost, despite not having a Flying-type. An Ice-type Hidden Power is very popular in pivot builds, due to the potential for a fast "Boltbeam" combo, though this can't be done in Pokémon Sword & Shield. Another combo involves an Electric Seed — Tapu Koko's Electric Surge immediately triggers it to boost its Defense by one stage — and Calm Mind to patch up its defenses.

5 Tapu Lele’s Psychic Power Stops Priority Moves

Psychic Terrain Also Strengthens Psychic-Type Attacks

Of all the Tapus, Tapu Lele is the most terrifying one offensively. Not only does its Psychic Surge bolster its already strong Psychic to terrifying levels, but it prevents priority moves from affecting any grounded target. It's best used as a special sweeper in conjunction with a Choice Scarf or Specs. Its other STAB attack, Moonblast, is super-effective against opposing Dark-type Pokémon that are immune to Psychic. Other coverage moves include Thunderbolt, Energy Ball, Focus Blast, and Shadow Ball, though most players would teach it a Fire-type Hidden Power.

Tapu Lele does have useful support options, however. It's the only Tapu that can learn Aromatherapy, plus Taunt can shut down defensive opponents. Psyshock is a weaker substitute for Psychic, but it's Tapu Lele's quickest answer to special walls. Speaking of which, an Assault Vest can make it a special wall itself, while its Psychic/Psyshock will still be strengthened by Psychic Terrain.

4 Magearna Grows Stronger With Each Vanquished Pokémon

Soul-Heart Increases Its Sp. Attack for Each KO

Magearna's incredible typing and stats make it one of the strongest Pokémon in the seventh generation. Its exclusive Ability, Soul-Heart, boosts its Sp. Attack by one stage each time another Pokémon faints, including an ally. This Ability makes its exclusive move, Fleur Cannon, viable. Fleur Cannon is very powerful but drops Magearna's Sp. Attack by two stages each time it's used.

Magearna has access to many other strong special attacks — Flash Cannon, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Volt Switch, Aura Sphere, Energy Ball, Signal Beam, and Shadow Ball. It also has other options — Shift Gear and Trick Room can make up for its low base Speed, Heart Swap can shut down an opposing special attacker after it uses Fleur Cannon, Pain Split to potentially heal itself, Heal Bell to wipe off the party's status, and Explosion to go out with a bang.

3 Marshadow’s STAB Combination Was Unresisted in Its Debut

Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark Are Immune to Both Types One Generation Later

Before Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduced Hisuian Forms, the Ghost and Fighting-type attack combo had perfect neutral coverage against any Pokémon. Marshadow was the only Ghost/Fighting-type Pokémon until introduced Annihilape. Its signature move, Spectral Thief, steals the target's buffs before calculating damage, thus turning an opponent's buffing strategy against them. It also has an exclusive Z-Crystal to buff its Spectral Thief in the seventh generation — Marshadium Z, which transforms it into a 195 base power Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike.

Marshadow's weaker moves are potentially useful, thanks to its Technician Ability. Shadow Sneak becomes an effective revenge KO move against weaker targets, Rock Tomb becomes stronger than Rock Slide, and Thief might be worth using in place of Knock Off if it lacks an item. Even Hidden Power is potentially useful, despite Marshadow being a physical attacker, because it always has 60 base power in the seventh generation.

2 Lunala’s Shadow Shield Halves Incoming Damage at Full HP

Shadow Shield Is Functionally Similar to Multiscale

Lunala is Pokémon Moon's mascot and one of two of Cosmog's final evolutions. Its Ability, Shadow Shield, cuts any direct damage it takes in half when it's at full HP, and cannot be bypassed by Mold Breaker. Lunala's signature move, Moongeist Beam, is a Ghost-type attack with 100 base power that bypasses most Abilities. Lunalium Z can turn it into Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom, which also bypasses most Abilities and has twice the base power.

Despite Lunala's formidable stats, its typing leaves it with two 4x weaknesses: Ghost and Dark. Also, a single entry hazard can break its Shadow Shield, though future generations introduce the Heavy-Duty Boots to address this. Though its stats are tailored as a bulky attacker, it can play a defensive role with Roost or Moonlight, along with many status-inflicting moves — Thunder Wave, Toxic, Will-O-Wisp, or even Hypnosis.

1 Solgaleo’s Full Metal Body Nullifies Stat Drops

Full Metal Body Is Functionally Similar to Clear Body and White Smoke

Solgaleo is Pokémon Sun's mascot and one of two of Cosmog's final evolutions. Its Ability, Full Metal Body, prevents an opponent from lowering its stats, and cannot be bypassed by Mold Breaker. Solgaleo's signature move, Sunsteel Strike, is a Steel-type attack with 100 base power that bypasses most Abilities. Solganium Z can turn it into Searing Sunraze Smash, which also bypasses most Abilities and has twice the base power.

Although Solgaleo's STAB attacks don't offer much coverage, it can learn several moves that make up for it — Flame Charge, Flare Blitz, Wild Charge, Earthquake, and Knock Off are good examples. Trick Room seems like an unusual option for Solgaleo, but it's certainly applicable against teams of Legendary Pokémon with a Speed-decreasing Nature and no Speed IVs. It can also set up dual screens with Light Clay, thanks to its many resistances.

• 

  Pokémon Sun

  Innovation is not often a word associated with the Pokemon franchise. However Sun brought about a drastic change to the game’s objective. Sun marked a huge shift in how the game is supposed to be played. The seventh generation takes place in the region of Alola. The first notable change is the geographic departure of towns and cities. Traditionally, the player would move in a linear path across several towns, collecting badges along the way. Alola is comprised of five islands. Furthermore, Game Freak removed the goal of collecting gym badges. Instead, the protagonist was tasked with completing island trials. These trials essentially acted as gym badges but it was refreshing to have them presented in this new form. Sun also excelled at adding several new gameplay features. Z-moves were introduced as incredibly powerful moves able to knock out opposing Pokémon with one hit. Although this one time per battle move was incredibly useful, many criticized the animation sequence for being too long.

  The new cast of Pokémon are interesting enough, but the real highlight is the large number of Legendary/Mythical Pokémon. The game featured two traditional legendary creatures but it also introduced a number of high-powered Pokémon called Ultra Beasts. These Pokémon are difficult to catch, but they perform extremely well in battle. Game Freak did not stop there; they also introduced region exclusive versions of past Pokémon for the first time. This presented a new design for fan favorite Pokémon such as Meowth and Raichu.

  Finally, the cherry on top of this Pokémon-themed cake is the arrival of Poké Ride. Poké Ride allowed the player to call on specially trained Pokémon to perform tasks such as flying, surfing and moving large boulders. This eliminated the need to keep a HM oriented Pokémon on your team. Pokémon known as Bibarels across the Pokémon universe breathed a collective sigh of relief.

  RPG

  Franchise

  Pokemon

  Platform(s)

  Nintendo 3DS

  Released

  November 18, 2016

  Developer(s)

  Game Freak

  Publisher(s)

  Nintendo

  Multiplayer

  Local Multiplayer

  Engine

  Proprietary Engine

  ESRB

  E for Everyone

• 

  Pokémon Moon

  RPG

  Franchise

  Pokemon

  Platform(s)

  Nintendo 3DS

  Released

  November 18, 2016

  Developer(s)

  Game Freak

  Publisher(s)

  Nintendo , The Pokemon Company

  Multiplayer

  Local Multiplayer , Online Co-Op

  Engine

  Proprietary Engine

  ESRB

  E for Everyone: Mild Cartoon Violence