Catching Legendaries

One of the main goals a Pokemon player wants to accomplish is to catch a legendary Pokemon. Although it may require some effort, and sometimes a lot of patience, catching a legendary is very possible.

The first thing you need to know is that there are two different types of legendaries. The first are Stationary, which means they stay in one place and you get only one chance to battle them. Some examples are Mewtwo, Palkia, Dialga, and Giratina. The second type is Wandering, which means they randomly wander around the map. These are harder to get, because many will flee after one turn, giving you only one chance to inflict damage or a status effect. Some examples are Latios, Latias, Cresselia, and Mespirit.

Here are some tips for catching Legendaries:

  • Get its HP bar in the red. The closer to 1 HP, the higher the chance of a successful capture. TM54 False Swipe is good for this; it cannot lower the target's HP below 1. False Swipe is avalible for purchase at the Veilstone Mart.
  • Use special Pokeballs. The best overall Pokeball for legendaries is the Ultra Ball, which has a 2x capture rate. In caves or at night the Dusk Ball has 4x capture rate. Net Balls have a 3x capture rate against Water- or Bug-type Pokemon. If it's the first turn, Quick Balls have a 4x capture rate; these are helpful for Wandering Legendaries. Finally, the Timer Ball has a 4x capture rate after 30 turns. These are great for Stationaries.
  • Give it a status ailment. Be careful of Poison and Burn; they can knock out the legendary before you can catch it. Sleep and Freezing are better than Paralysis because they totally immobilize the Pokémon and increase your chances of catching it, while Paralysis only slows it down and gives it a 25% chance of not attacking.

FireRed/LeafGreen


Articuno

Requirements:
  • A Pokemon that knows Strength
  • A Pokemon that knows Surf
Using a Pokemon that knows Surf, head to the Seafoam Islands (south of Fuschia and east of Cinnabar Island). When you see the island, go in the cave opening. Find the ladder and go down it, and do the same for the next two. You should be on Sublevel 4 now. Surf on the water and find the current; it will take you to Sublevel 5. When you see some steps, climb them and turn the corner until you find another ladder. DON'T GO DOWN IT. Pass it and go down the stairs until you see boulders. Push the one on the far right up two spaces, and the left one left and down once. Push the one above it a space to the left. Go back to the other one a push it two spaces to the left and into the hole. Push the last boulder into the hole and fall down with it. The water current was blocked by the rocks. Simply surf north until you reach the throne of ice. Now, save.

Articuno is Lv. 50 and knows Mist, Agility, Mind Reader, and Ice Beam.



Zapdos

Requirements:
  • A Pokemon that knows Surf
Head to the Pokemon Center near the Rock Tunnel and go to the nearest body of water. Follow the path until you reach the Power Plant. From the entrance, go straight to the top and turn downwards. Turn again and go straight. Then turn, go downwards, turn again until you see Zapdos. Save.

Zapdos is Lv. 50 knows Thunder Wave, Drill Peck, Agility, and Detect.



Moltres

Requirements:
  • A Pokemon that knows Strength
  • A Pokemon that knows Surf
  • A Pokemon that knows Rock Smash
  • Defeated Blaine
In R/B/Y, Moltres was in Victory Road. However it's now on Mt. Ember on One Island. After defeating Blaine, Bill will ask you if you wish to go to One Island. Say yes. Once you're there, surf north to the Ember Spa. Someone there will give you the Hidden Machine Rock Smash. You'll need it, so teach it to one of your Pokemon. Surf north from there and you'll be at Mt. Ember. Go left and move any boulders out of your way wt Strength. Go up the stairs, use Rock Smash on the rocks, and enter the cave straight ahead. Follow the path to the ladder. On the next level, pass the ladder you see and go right into the next room. Head south and you'll reach another room. Exit and climb the mountain to its peak. You'll see a lot of boulders. Move the rightmost boulder up a space, the left one left a space, go up and move the next one left. Push the last one up one and two spaces right. Save.

Moltres is Lv. 50 and knows Fire Spin, Agility, Endure, and Flamethrower.



Mewtwo

Requirements:
  • Defeat the Elite Four
  • A Pokemon that knows Surf
  • A Pokemon that knows Strength
Cerulean Cave is located above Cerulean City on Route 24. Go up Golden Bridge. Surf into the river until you reach the cave. Enter and surf into the river, passing all the stairs, until you reach the end of the path. Go onto the land and up the stairs, right, up, left, then down the steps, right, up more stairs, and up the ladder. Go left, down, right, down, right, down, then right. Then go all the way up (as far as you can go), then all the way left and go down the ladder. Go down the next set of ladders, and follow the path to Mewtwo.

Mewtwo is Lv. 70 and knows Mist, Future Sight, Psychic, and Psych Up.



Fourth-Gen legendaries coming soon!