As any avidPokémoncollector knows, catching them all is WAY easier said than done. Though services likePokémon HOMEand the Global Trading System (GTS) make the process substantially easier, many Legendary Pokémon elude many trainers' grasps.
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The rarest of these, both in and out of game, are Mythical Pokémon, said to be some of the strongest and hard-earned creatures out there. Almost exclusively reserved for distributing during special events, they have been around ever since the game’s inception in 1996. But due to their general appearance, lore, or simply the sheer number of distributions in the franchise’s twenty-four years, not all are as rare as their status would have players believe.
10Meltan
This small Steel type, named the Hex Nut Pokémon, first appeared just before the release ofPokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!andLet’s Go, Eevee!While its evolution Melmetal is a rare and impressive Pokémon, Meltan itself is too unassuming and abundant to be seriously considered “Mythical”. Their numbers inPokémon GOduring their debut also decreased their rarity among trainers. InPokémon SwordandShield, however, the only way to obtain one currently is to transfer one throughPokémon HOME. This, at least, lends some credence to its Mythical status.
9Genesect
Genesect is a Bug-Steel type Pokémon that Team Plasma created inPokémon BlackandWhite. The Paleozoic Pokémon isn’t so much Mythical as it is ancient; scientists brought this fossil back to life and suited it with mechanical partsto become a powerful hunter. While the Pokémon hasn’t been distributed often, a team of five exists in the Pokémon anime and in the movieGenesect and the Legend Awakened. The leader of this group is even a shiny Genesect, making its presence even less impressive as a Mythical Pokémon.
8Magearna
Can a manmade Pokémon really be considered “Mythical”? While this Steel-Fairy type is special in the sense that it has an artificial soul created by a scientist 500 years ago, nothing else really stands out. That seems to be the curse of machine-like Pokémon, doesn’t it?
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Players can get a special Magearna by placing all 890 Pokémon from Bulbasaur to Eternatus inPokémon HOME. Alternatively, if an old copy of the Generation 7 games is handy, one can also scan a QR code online to receive it there.
7Diancie
Debuting inPokémon XandY, the Jewel Pokémon appeared in several online events over the course of a year. While it remains unobtainable in the current generation, it might not even be that big of a loss. This “Mythical” Pokémon is simply a mutated Carbink,according to its Pokedex entry. Isn’t the whole concept of Pokémon evolution based on them undergoing mutations? Why not make this Pokémon an evolution of Carbink, then? Whatever the explanation, the fact remains that Diancie’s Mythical status is fairly subject.
6Shaymin
Whether in Land or Sky Forme, the Gratitude Pokémon’s cuteness can’t be denied. Unfortunately, cuteness does not equal rarity. This Mythical Pokémon has had a plethora of releases since its release in Generation 5, and several Shaymin appeared throughout the Pokémon anime. Plus, its Land Forme design doesn’t stem from any real-life myth or legend like many other rare Pokémon; it’s just a grassy hedgehog, further betraying its Mythical classification! At the very least, players can be thankful for its help in cleaning up the environment.
5Darkrai
When working with a vague concept like “dreams” and “nightmares”,potential designs for Pokémon seem limitless. So while Darkrai’s design certainly lines up with its nightmare theming, it doesn’t make a compelling case for a Mythical Pokémon. The Dark type made several appearances in the anime, and it also went through thirteen separate distributions.
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One notable aspect about Darkrai is that it serves as a foil to a Legendary Pokémon, that being Cresselia. But if that’s the case, shouldn’t Darkrai be a Legendary, too?
4Celebi
Whether in spite of or due to its ability to travel across time, Celebi’s appearances happen fairly frequently in comparison to the other Mythical Pokémon. Not only have several appeared across the anime and movies, but a large number of distributions occurred since its appearance inPokémon GoldandSilver. Its most recent event release wasalongside the newest Legendary Pokémon, Zarude. But because of its time-travel capabilities, the real question becomes: are these Celebi actually the same one, just in different points in time? Actually, maybe it’s better to leave that can of worms alone.
3Manaphy
Although Manaphy stands out asthe only Mythical Pokémon capable of breeding, it doesn’t really leave much of an impression beyond that. Around 80% of the Seafaring Pokémon’s body contains water, essentially making it a sentient sack of saltwater.
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The design itself doesn’t inspire the imagination, either, being reminiscent of a sea angel or jellyfish. Even its signature move, Heart Swap, ended up losing its signature status after Magearna’s release! As heartbreaking as it is to admit, breeding really does seem to be the only thing special about this Pokémon.
2Jirachi
For a Pokémon that only wakes up one week out of every thousand years, Jirachis are rather common. Because of Jirachi’s ties to stars and making wishes, Japanese trainers receive one every so often during Tanabata (Also known as the Star Festival). Outside of the holiday,a ton of distribution events exist for this Mythical Pokémon. Jirachi hasn’t made an appearance in the current generation as of yet. A Pokédex entry for it exists, however, so it may just be a matter of time before a new event rouses it from its slumber.
1Mew
Unfortunately,this beloved catlike Mythical Pokémontakes the cake. Supposedly the ancestor to all Pokémon, so few exist that only a handful of sightings have occurred. However, the list of event distributions for players begs to differ. As of writing, Mew has been distributed a whopping total of 42 different times through events! Its most recent event came alongside the release of the Pokéball Plus accessory, which contains the Psychic cat creature. All things considered, players would be hard-pressed to find somebody whodoesn’thave at least one Mew tucked away in their PC.
