Legendary Pokémon In Pokémon Sun And Moon: The Ultimate Guide
Have you ever wondered what makes Legendary Pokémon so special in Pokémon Sun and Moon? These powerful creatures aren't just rare finds—they're the cornerstone of Alola's mythology and the key to understanding the region's rich lore. Whether you're a seasoned trainer or just starting your journey, discovering these magnificent beings is an experience that transforms your gameplay.
Legendary Pokémon have always held a special place in the Pokémon universe, but in Pokémon Sun and Moon, they take on new significance. The Alola region introduces us to a fresh generation of Legendary Pokémon, each tied to the islands' unique culture and ecosystem. From the guardian deities that protect each island to the cosmic entities that shape the very fabric of reality, these Pokémon are more than just powerful battle companions—they're integral to the story and the world itself.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore every Legendary Pokémon available in Pokémon Sun and Moon, including how to obtain them, their unique abilities, and their role in Alolan mythology. Whether you're looking to complete your Pokédex or simply want to understand the lore better, this article will be your ultimate resource for all things Legendary in the Alola region.
The Legendary Pokémon of Alola
The Guardian Deities
The Alola region is protected by four Legendary Pokémon known as the guardian deities, each responsible for one of the four main islands. These Pokémon aren't just powerful—they're worshipped by the local people and play a crucial role in Alolan culture.
Tapu Koko is the guardian of Melemele Island, where your journey begins. This Electric/Fairy-type Pokémon is known for its speed and electric abilities. It's the first guardian deity you'll encounter, appearing at various points throughout your adventure to test your skills. Tapu Koko's ability, Electric Surge, creates an Electric Terrain when it enters battle, boosting the power of Electric-type moves and preventing Pokémon from falling asleep.
Tapu Lele watches over Akala Island with its Psychic/Fairy typing. This colorful Pokémon is associated with healing and can be found at the end of the Vast Poni Canyon. Its ability, Psychic Surge, creates a Psychic Terrain that boosts Psychic-type moves and protects against priority attacks. Tapu Lele's presence is said to bring joy and healing to those who encounter it.
Tapu Bulu is the guardian of Ula'ula Island, a Grass/Fairy-type that controls vegetation and can summon powerful storms. Found in the Haina Desert, Tapu Bulu's Grassy Surge creates a Grassy Terrain that heals Pokémon and boosts Grass-type moves. This guardian is known for its calm demeanor but can be fiercely protective when its island is threatened.
Tapu Fini protects Poni Island as a Water/Fairy-type. Located in the ruins of Poni, this guardian's Misty Surge creates a Misty Terrain that protects Pokémon from status conditions. Tapu Fini is associated with purity and is said to have the power to see the past and future.
The Box Legendaries: Solgaleo and Lunala
The cover stars of Pokémon Sun and Moon, Solgaleo and Lunala, represent the sun and moon respectively. These Legendary Pokémon are not just mascots—they're central to the game's plot and mythology.
Solgaleo, available in Pokémon Sun, is a Psychic/Steel-type known as the "beast that devours the sun." This majestic lion-like Pokémon has the highest HP stat of all Steel-types and possesses the unique ability Full Metal Body, which prevents its stats from being lowered by the effects of an opponent's moves or abilities. Solgaleo's signature move, Sunsteel Strike, ignores the target's ability and deals massive damage.
Lunala, exclusive to Pokémon Moon, is a Psychic/Ghost-type called the "beast that calls the moon." With the highest Special Attack stat among Ghost-types, Lunala features the ability Shadow Shield, which reduces damage taken when at full HP—similar to Marvel Scale but for defense. Its signature move, Moongeist Beam, also ignores abilities and can devastate opponents.
Both Pokémon have a special transformation called Radiant Sun Phase (Solgaleo) or Full Moon Phase (Lunala) when they enter battle with their power fully unleashed. These forms enhance their already impressive abilities and make them formidable opponents in any battle.
The Ultra Beasts
While not technically Legendary Pokémon, the Ultra Beasts are powerful creatures from another dimension that play a significant role in Pokémon Sun and Moon's post-game content. These Pokémon have unique designs and abilities that set them apart from traditional Pokémon.
Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Celesteela, Kartana, and Guzzlord each have distinct characteristics and typings. They're encountered through the Ultra Beast missions given by the International Police and represent a major threat to the Alola region. Their codenames (UB-01 through UB-07) reflect their order of discovery and classification.
The Ultra Beasts introduce a new gameplay mechanic where they can be caught multiple times, unlike traditional Legendaries. This allows players to obtain multiple copies for competitive battling or to trade with others. Their unique abilities and movepools make them valuable additions to any team, even if they don't quite fit the traditional Legendary mold.
How to Obtain Legendary Pokémon
Story-Related Legendaries
Several Legendary Pokémon are obtained naturally through the main story of Pokémon Sun and Moon. As you progress through the game, you'll encounter the guardian deities at various points, with the final battles against them occurring after becoming Champion.
The main story also guides you through encounters with Solgaleo or Lunala, depending on your version. These encounters are pivotal to the plot and cannot be missed. After the main story, you'll have the opportunity to catch these Pokémon in their respective worlds—the Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon worlds accessible through the Altar of the Sunne/Moone.
Post-Game Legendary Encounters
After completing the main story, several Legendary Pokémon become available through various methods:
Cosmog evolves into either Solgaleo or Lunala depending on your game version. This cute, cloud-like Pokémon can be obtained from the Lake of the Sunne/Moone after becoming Champion. It evolves into Cosmoem at level 43, then into its final form at level 53.
The guardian deities can be challenged again at their respective ruins after the main story. Each Tapu Pokémon is at level 60 and requires strategic battling to catch. They're all weak to Poison and Steel-type moves, making Pokémon like Magnezone or Toxapex excellent choices for these encounters.
Ultra Beast Missions
The International Police, led by Looker, provide missions to capture Ultra Beasts throughout the post-game. These missions take you across Alola to track down and battle these powerful creatures:
- Nihilego can be found in Diglett's Tunnel on Melemele Island
- Buzzwole (Sun) or Pheromosa (Moon) appears in the Lush Jungle on Akala Island
- Xurkitree emerges from the Hokulani Observatory on Ula'ula Island
- Celesteela (Sun) or Kartana (Moon) is located at the Haina Desert on Ula'ula Island
- Guzzlord appears in the deepest part of the Ultra Wormhole after the main story
These encounters are at level 50 and provide valuable experience and rewards upon completion.
Legendary Pokémon in Competitive Play
Battle Strategies and Team Building
Legendary Pokémon from Pokémon Sun and Moon have made significant impacts in competitive play. Their unique abilities and typings offer strategic advantages that can turn the tide of battle.
Solgaleo excels as a physical attacker with its high HP and attack stats. Its Steel typing provides numerous resistances, while Full Metal Body protects against common stat-lowering strategies. In doubles, Solgaleo can support teammates with moves like Wide Guard or Stealth Rock.
Lunala functions as a powerful special attacker and wall. Its Ghost typing provides immunities to Normal and Fighting moves, while Shadow Shield allows it to survive super-effective hits when at full HP. Lunala's access to moves like Moonlight for recovery and Calm Mind for stat boosting makes it a versatile choice for competitive teams.
The guardian deities each bring unique utility to competitive play. Tapu Koko is particularly popular for its speed and ability to set Electric Terrain, boosting allies like Charizard or Incineroar. Tapu Lele provides Psychic Terrain, protecting against priority moves and boosting allies like Latios or Alakazam.
Competitive Viability and Tier Placement
In the competitive Pokémon ecosystem, these Legendaries have found homes in various tiers. Solgaleo and Lunala often compete in the Ubers tier due to their impressive stats and abilities. Their presence has shaped the metagame, forcing players to prepare specific counters or team compositions.
The guardian deities typically reside in the OU (Overused) tier, where they're considered strong but not broken. Tapu Koko has been particularly influential, sometimes even being suspected for tier placement changes due to its impact on the meta. Tapu Lele provides valuable support but faces competition from other Psychic-types.
Ultra Beasts have varied placements depending on their specific characteristics. Nihilego finds use in OU as a special attacker, while Buzzwole and Pheromosa have seen success in different tiers based on their unique stat distributions and abilities.
The Lore and Mythology of Alola's Legendaries
Cultural Significance in Alola
The Legendary Pokémon of Alola aren't just powerful creatures—they're deeply embedded in the region's culture and mythology. The guardian deities represent the four cardinal directions and are associated with specific virtues and natural elements.
According to Alolan tradition, the guardian deities were gifts from the gods to protect the islands from harm. Each Tapu Pokémon has a special relationship with the island kahunas and is said to appear when the island is in danger. This mythology is reflected in the games through various story elements and the architecture of the ruins where these Pokémon are found.
The cosmic duo of Solgaleo and Lunala represents the eternal cycle of day and night, life and death. Alolan mythology tells of how these Pokémon opened portals to other worlds, allowing the Ultra Beasts to enter Alola. This cosmic connection explains the games' focus on dimensional travel and the Ultra Wormhole mechanic.
The Aether Foundation and Legendary Pokémon
The Aether Foundation, a central organization in Pokémon Sun and Moon's plot, has a complex relationship with Legendary Pokémon. Their research into Ultra Beasts and attempts to control powerful creatures drive much of the game's conflict.
The foundation's president, Lusamine, becomes obsessed with the Ultra Beasts and the power they represent. Her actions highlight themes of human ambition versus natural order, a common thread in Legendary Pokémon narratives. The Aether Paradise facility serves as a research center for studying these creatures, blurring the lines between protection and exploitation.
This storyline explores the ethical implications of human interaction with Legendary Pokémon, questioning whether these powerful beings should be controlled, studied, or left to their natural roles in the ecosystem. It's a mature theme that adds depth to the traditional Pokémon narrative.
Tips for Catching and Training Legendary Pokémon
Preparation and Strategy
Catching Legendary Pokémon requires careful preparation. For the guardian deities, bring Pokémon with moves that inflict status conditions like Sleep or Paralysis, as these increase catch rates. Pokémon with the ability Arena Trap or moves like Mean Look can prevent the Legendaries from fleeing.
Stock up on Ultra Balls and Timer Balls for extended encounters. For the guardian deities, consider bringing Pokémon around level 55-60 to ensure a fair fight. Moves that reduce HP without causing fainting, like False Swipe or Hold Back, are invaluable for safe capture attempts.
When facing Solgaleo, Lunala, or the Ultra Beasts, be prepared for challenging battles. These Pokémon are at higher levels and have powerful movesets. Consider bringing Pokémon with resistances to their types—Dark, Ghost, Fire, and Ground moves are particularly useful against various Legendaries.
Training and EV Optimization
Once caught, optimizing your Legendary Pokémon for battle is crucial. Each Legendary has different optimal EV spreads and natures depending on your intended use:
For Solgaleo, a Brave or Adamant nature with EVs in HP, Attack, and Defense creates a physical tank. Alternatively, a Careful nature with Special Defense investment can create a special wall.
Lunala benefits from a Modest or Timid nature with EVs in Special Attack and Speed for an offensive set, or Calm with Special Defense investment for a defensive role.
The guardian deities each have unique optimal builds. Tapu Koko excels with a Timid nature and maximum Speed investment, while Tapu Bulu can function well with an Adamant nature and HP investment for a bulkier set.
Consider the Icy Rock, Smooth Rock, Heat Rock, or Damp Rock items to extend weather effects if your Legendary Pokémon sets up weather-based strategies. Choice items can maximize offensive potential, while Leftovers or Assault Vest provide defensive utility.
Conclusion
Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Sun and Moon represent the pinnacle of Pokémon training and the rich mythology of the Alola region. From the guardian deities that protect each island to the cosmic entities that shape reality, these powerful creatures offer both challenging battles and deep narrative significance.
Whether you're catching them for your Pokédex, training them for competitive play, or simply appreciating their role in Alolan culture, these Legendary Pokémon provide some of the most memorable experiences in the game. Their unique abilities, compelling lore, and strategic value make them essential components of the Pokémon Sun and Moon experience.
As you continue your journey through Alola, remember that these Legendary Pokémon are more than just powerful battle companions—they're guardians of tradition, symbols of cosmic balance, and testaments to the incredible world-building that makes Pokémon such a beloved franchise. Which Legendary will you seek out next on your adventure through the Alola region?
