While some high-powered Pokémon are granted to players through gameplay, such as “box art” legendaries, others are much harder to get your hands on. Trade evolutions and version exclusives are easy enough to tackle if you’ve got a friend, and linking your game to Pokémon HOME can reunite you with old friends, Mythical Pokémon are a different breed entirely.
Early on in the Pokémon franchise’s history, there was very little distinction between Mythical and Legendary Pokémon outside of Japan, especially since the earliest Mythicals were only obtainable in Japan. Nowadays, the easy way to distinguish a Mythical Pokémon is if it was only obtainable through special events, or via save data rewards.
10/10 Diancie
Diancie is from Gen VI, and is rumored to be a mutation of the Pokémon Carbink. Regardless of if this is true or not, it does share the Rock/Fairy typing and some basic design principles. The pink crystal formations on its body are diamonds.
It was originally obtainable through a variety of online events for both X and Y, and Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. If you acquired it in either of those games, it is compatible with Gen VII and Gen VIII mainline games, but you’ll have to utilize Pokémon Bank or Pokémon HOME.
9/10 Meloetta
While in its Aria Forme, Meloetta is Normal/Psychic-Type, and in its Pirouette Forme it’s Normal/Fighting-Type. Using the move Relic Song will allow it to change between the two forms. In Aria Forme, its Special stats are highest, with that changing to Attack and Speed being highest in Pirouette Forme.
Meloetta was last obtainable in a mainline game in 2018 during the World Championships Meloetta event. Since then, it has appeared in Pokémon GO where it is catchable through one of the professor’s various quest lines.
8/10 Volcanion
Volcanion has Fire/Water-typing and the Water Absorb ability, which makes fighting it a nightmare. Thankfully, it’s Mythical which means you normally won’t be facing it in a fight. Unless of course, you have a friend who really likes to mess with you.
Its Special Attack is its highest stat, which is great for its typing, and Speed is its lowest, which makes sense based on its design. It was introduced in Gen VI, exclusively in Japan at first. However, in 2022 a worldwide online event made available in the Generation VIII mainline games.
7/10 Mew
The original Mythical, Mew was first available via a special lottery in Japan. Obtaining Mew was a popular premise for urban legends surrounding the original Pokémon games, although aside from rare glitches it never appeared in the games outside of events.
It was originally designed by Morimoto himself and was based on the design of Mewtwo, not the other way around. The big differences in design are said to be due to the space limitations of the original platform of the Red and Blue games.
6/10 Deoxys
Deoxys is a Psychic-Type introduced in Gen III with FireRed and LeafGreen and the Event item Aurora Ticket, which would allow players to travel to Birth Island. This same mechanic was utilized in Pokémon Emerald as well.
It has three additional forms from its Normal Forme, with each prioritizing either Attack stats, Defense stats, or Speed. While it is not available in Sword and Shield, it is compatible with Brillian Diamond and Shining Pearl if you already have one from a previous game.
5/10 Jirachi
Also from Gen III is Jirachi, which has a Steel and Psychic dual-typing. Legend states that this Pokémon only wakes up every thousand years when it spends seven days granting the wishes written on its head tags.
Like Mew, it has 100 in each stat, which makes it quite impressive. Its adorable and unique design is incredibly charming, making it a popular event legendary. Most recently, it was available in Gen VIII’s mainline games via an online event, and in the Diamond and Pearl remakes as a save data bonus.
4/10 Shaymin
Another multi-form Mythical is Shaymin from Gen IV. This cutie pie looks like spring incarnate, and has every adorable quality of a hedgehog. When exposed to a special flower, it can transform into its Sky Forme, where it gains the additional Flying-Type and a more deer-like appearance.
It has received a variety of event distribution since first introduced. Recently, it has been obtainable through an event in the Diamond and Pearl remakes, and as a save data reward in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
3/10 Victini
#000 in the Unovan Pokédex is Victini, a Mythical with Fire and Psychic dual-typing. It has a rabbit-like appearance, and as one of the small-sized Mythical Pokémon, it is perfect for holding up like a naughty cat.
It was originally made available through an even item called The Liberty Pass, which allowed players to enter Liberty Garden where they would fight Team Plasma members and could obtain Victini. Most recently, Victini was available in the Sword and Shield games through a worldwide event.
2/10 Zeraora
Zeraora was first introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon, and this Electric-Type has definitely been a favorite since. While bipedal, it stays out of the humanoid design valley and packs quite the punch in battle.
In the Sword and Shield games, for a limited time players could encounter Zeraora during Max Raid battles, and if one million players defeated it in battle, they would get a Shiny Zeraora through Pokémon HOME.
1/10 Marshadow
A name has never fit a Pokémon as well as Marshadow’s name fits it. It looks like the ghost of every marshmallow that fell into the campfire. Even though it has the fierce Ghost/Fighting dual typing, it looks an awful lot like a lost toddler.
Like many Mythical Pokémon, Marshadow was first introduced into the games in Japan through an exclusive event but was most recently available in online events worldwide. While it doesn’t have a secondary form, like other Mythical Pokémon, it does have a transformation called “Zenith Marshadow.”
