Before Game Freak decided that there needed to be several thousand legendary Pokémon added to every single entry in the franchise,PokémonGold and Silverhad a very small roster of legendaries that were available to obtain. Today, we’re going to be taking a look back at these iconic games, and looking at where you’ll need to go in order to locate all of these special Pokémon.
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There’s quite a bit to get into with this list, so let’s get into it. We’re going to be starting this one off with an honorable mention of sorts.
Updated June 19th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: There have been so many amazing Legendary Pokemon seen throughout the series, with even more coming as players anxiously await the release of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. But those that decide to revisit some of the past adventures still have some great choices for some pretty amazing Legendary types. A good example are theLegendary Pokemon from Pokemon Silver & Gold. Players that want to get their hands on their elusive creatures will need to travel to certain parts of the map. To better showcase where to find theseLegendary Pokemon in Pokemon Silver & Gold, as well as what types of stats they sport, the following guide has been updated with more information.
6Honorable Mention: Celebi
Of course, mythical onion fairy Pokémon Celebi was only available as an event Pokémon long ago, so the only way to obtain this Pokémon now is through the use of cheats. As there is no legal way to obtain Celebi, there really isn’t much to say with this one. Your best bet is to use a GameShark, or the much simpler method of using a time machine to travel back to obtain an official event version of this Pokémon.
Even inPokémon Crystal,Celebi wasn’t ever catchable in the States, only in Japan through the GS Ball. This event was unlocked at the Shrine found inIlex Forest. Celebi also had a big role in the Generation Four remake titlesPokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, where you got to travel through time to find out some very interesting lore. The virtual console releases ofGold and Silverdid allow you to obtain a Celebi in the Generation Seven games, which was certainly a nice little treat for players. Still, a legit Celebi inGold and Silveris unobtainable nowadays.
Celebi’s Stats
5Lugia
Oddly enough, Lugia and the other box legendary Ho-Oh can both be obtained in each version of the game, just at different points in the story depending on your version. If you’re playingSilverversion, you’re going to be encountering Lugia much earlier in the story than Ho-Oh, before the Elite Four. After defeating Team Rocket in Goldenrod City — or just talking to an old man if you happen to be playingGoldversion — you’ll be given the Silver Wing item. With the Silver Wing in hand, you’ll be able to travel to the Whirl Islands. After making it through the caverns, you’ll find one at level 40, or 70 if you’re playingGold.
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The Pokémon is obviously a tough one to catch, so make sure that you save before starting the battle. If you are playing theSilverversion of the game, Lugia will have access to its signature move Aeroblast, which makes it that much more special to have. Of course, it certainly still isn’t a Pokémon to sneeze at in itsGoldincarnation either. This thing could end you instantly with a tidal wave. Be nice.
Lugia’s Stats
4Ho-Oh
Ho-Oh is the box legendary for theGoldversion of the game, and the inverse of Lugia in regards to when you’ll be catching it. In order to catch this bird, you’ll need access to the Rainbow Wing, which you’ll get as we described above, from beating Team Rocket or literally just speaking to a man, depending on your version. After obtaining the wing, you’ll gain access to the Tin Tower, where you’ll face off against this Pokémon at level 40 (or 70 inSilver).InPokémon Gold,Ho-Oh will have access to the move Sacred Fire, which will be super useful when the time comes to face off against the Elite Four. TheSilverversionbird won’t have access to the move, but is still very useful on any team.
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3Entei
The only other set of Pokémon that can be found inGold and Silverare the three legendarydogs. In order to have your chance at facing off against them, you need to go to the basement of the Burnt Tower and awaken them. Once you do so, the madness really begins.
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The Pokémon are roaming legendaries, which means that you’ll encounter them randomly throughout the Johto Region. You won’t get many chances to encounter them, so when you do, make it count. Entei is a Fire-type that has a very okay movepool inGold and Silver, which is somewhat of a disappointment. Still, don’t miss out on a chance to capture this boy. He’s worth it. He also looks very soft. Like, if you had one in the Pokémon world, he could just be used as the equivalent of a down comforter.
Entei’s Stats
2Raikou
Raikou is the second of this trio, and is another roaming legendary after he is found at the Burnt Tower. The tricky thing about these roaming Pokémon is that they will attempt to flee on the first turn of battle after you find them, so every encounter that you have with them is absolutely crucial. When it comes to Raikou, thiselectric-typePokémon is a speedy one. It’s a special attacking Pokémon, which means that it has access to fantastic moves like Thunder. All in all, if you’re only catching one, Raikou is a better choice than Entei.
Raikou’s Stats
1Suicune
Of course, the final trio member is Suicune, future box art legendary forPokémon Crystalversion. When looking for Suicune and the other two roamers, your best chance of catching them is of course through the use of trapping and status moves, along with Master Balls and Fast Balls. These will give you the best chance of taking home your favorite of the bunch.
Suicune is a Water-type Pokémon, which has access to all of the great moves that are available to that type, like Surf. Use this in tandem with its fantastic stats, and you’ve got a great Pokémon on your hands. Suicune is obviously the most majestic of the bunch — just look at that flowing mane. As such, it might not be a bad idea to use your Master Ball on this Pokémon. It’s a much harder catch than the likes of Lugia and Ho-Oh due to its roaming nature.
Suicune’s Stats
Owning A Piece Of Mewtwo
Although it’s not possible for players to catch Mewtwo in Pokemon Gold & Silver (at least not through conventional means), the Pokemon does still make a somewhat strange appearance during the game. If players manage to make it all the way to the Cerulean Cave, they’ll be able to pick up something called the Berserk Gene. This item was going to be held by wild Mewtwo, but the creatures never showed up in the game. Instead, players can simply pick one up and allow their Pokemon to hold it.
By holding the Berserk Gene, a Pokemon will see its Attack Power boosted but will also be inflicted with confusion, carrying the possibility that it will hurt itself.
