How to Catch a Legendary Pokémon

Last Updated: March 2, 2023

Are you getting frustrated because you just simply can`t catch those darn legendary Pokémon you want? There are slightly different strategy-options for different generations of the game. Most tips here work for every generation. This article works best for generation 4 and later (released in 2006 and thereafter).

The Legendary Pokémon are: Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Shaymin, Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Arceus, Cresselia, Darkrai, Manaphy, Phione, Regigigas, Regice, Regirock, Registeel, Latias, Latios, Kyogre, Groudon, Jirachi, Deoxys, Rayquaza, Ho-oh, Lugia, Celebi, Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Moltres, Zapdos, Articuno, Mew, Reshiram, Zekrom, Mewtwo, Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizon, Keldeo, Meloetta, Victini, Genesect, Yveltal, Xerneas, Zygarde, Diancie, Hoopa, Volcanion, Cosmog (who you get for free), Cosmoem (evolves from Cosmog), Solgaleo, Lunala, Necrozma, Magearna, (the next seven are Ultra Beasts) Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Kartana, Celesteela, Guzzlord, and Marshadow (currently not available). Some of these Pokémon are mythicals, and tend to be given out in special events, instead of being captured.

Steps

1
Learn whether it is a "Waiting", "Roaming", or "IA" (Item Activated) Pokémon. A waiting legend just sits and waits there for you (Dialga, Palkia, etc). Roaming legends have you find them, then they run away (Mesprit, Cresselia, Suicune, Raikou, Entei, etc). Item activated Pokémon requires an item from another game such as Wi-Fi connection, Mystery Gift, or hacking (use only as a last resort), for example Shaymin, Heatran, Arceus, Manaphy, Deoxys, etc).
- Item activated Pokémon are most likely considered a mythical, or a Pokémon who cannot be captured using only in-game methods, as they require another item. Also, a select few legendaries or mythicals are given out for free, but you don't need to catch these, so if you're looking for one of those, you will not need this article's assistance. You can always find out information like this on the Internet.
2
If it is a roaming legendary: use moves like Mean Look or an ability like Shadow Tag to ensure it can't escape! Shadow Tag and Mean Look can help out a lot! If you don't have a Pokémon with these moves, some legendaries will move to a new route every time you do, so switch between routes for a bit, and, if (like in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver) you can see where the legendary is, you can tell when the legendary is near, and then go search for it.

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3
Know what level the Pokémon is, and the abilities and moveset it has. This is very crucial information. Knowing what type the legend is, helps determine what you will need to heal yourself (Paralyze Heal, Awakening, Antidote, etc.) Knowing the level will tell you what Pokémon to bring. Too low a level, and you will be defeated. Too high, and you defeat the legend. Bring a Pokémon that won`t kill it, but can at least endure the battle (if you can, bring a level 100 Pokémon no matter what, so that once you weaken the legend with the other Pokémon you brought to actually battle it, you can put in the lv. 100 so when you try many times with Poké Balls, it can take the attacks of the legend). It is also a decent idea to bring a Pokémon to put your legend to sleep, as this improves your catch rates and gives you a few turns to heal, switch Pokémon, or throw Pokéballs.
4
Save right before going into the battle. You may not get a second chance to catch it, and if you saved before you defeated it, you can soft reset (L+R+Start+Select) and try again! It is very comforting to have this save, and continuous soft resets can score you a shiny, although the chances are absurdly low.
5
Use the right Poké Balls. It is generally a good idea to use at least Ultra Balls (catch rate: x2). Use Net Balls for water and bug Pokémon (catch rate: x3). You can use Dusk Balls at night (day- and night-times are different for the Pokémon games. You should look that up on the internet.) or in caves (catch rate: x3.5). If you want even higher catch rates you can use Timer Balls (the catch rate depends on the length of the fight: round 1-10: x1; round 11-20: x2; round 21-30: x3; round 31+: x4!). Don't use the Master Ball unless you absolutely need to, because they are extremely rare! An unused Master Ball is a cool trophy! (Every legendary CAN be caught in a Pokéball that isn't the Master Ball.)
6
When you catch the legendary Pokémon, save the game! It would be horrible to lose your prize!

Community Q&A

Question

What do I do if it is a shiny and I don't want to lose it?

Community Answer

It depends. If you are using an emulator, then save that state through the emulator and hope for the best. It you are legitimately playing it, then heavily use moves to put it to sleep or paralyze it, and lightly use moves that pack a punch.
Question

What is the best Pokeball to catch Marshadow with?

Caleb Darmofalski (MSP Student)

Community Answer

You can't find Marshadow in the wild. He can only be obtained from an event.

Warnings

Carefully consider what status ailment you want to inflict. Poison and Burn can make the legendary Pokémon faint. Freeze and Sleep are automatically cured after a few turns.

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Hacking can delete your save data, so be careful. Only pick up that GameShark or Action Replay if you are willing enough to take that risk. Hacking should always be your last choice. Beware! (even though it is very unlikely)

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In some games, trapping Raikou and Entei will cause them to use the move Roar, and a bug made them to disappear from the game. The strategy is, to either just use a Master Ball on them, or to use a Pokemon with either Shadow Tag or Arena Trap and use Taunt on them (the Pokemon must be faster than Entei and Raikou).

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