Generation VIII of Pokémon gave us several games. Pokémon Sword and Shield were the main games, receiving an Expansion Pass that expanded the game into the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLCs. After that, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl were released. These are remakes (or demakes depending on who you ask) of Generation IV’s Diamond and Pearl. The final game was Pokémon Legends: Arceus, a standalone game set in Hisui, which is what Sinnoh was called hundreds of years before the Generation IV games. 

There was a lot of innovation this generation. There were Dynamaxed Pokémon which gave us new forms and giant battles. The gym battles were like stadium events, making Pokémon battles into a spectator sport. Legends: Arceus gave us the ability to catch Pokémon outside of battle and to be beaten up and defeated by Pokémon. Like, the player character can be attacked. It’s awesome.

Along with all that, came new Legendary Pokémon. Galar gives us Arthurian style legends and Legendaries. There are new additions to old Legendary groups. Let’s see what other exciting adventures await in Galar!

Galar Legendary Pokémon | Sword & Shield

Without the Expansion Pass, these three are the only Legendary Pokémon you can find in Galar. Zacian, Zamazenta, and Eternatus have a really complex history together. All three of them played very important roles in the Darkest Day, which took place 3,000 years before the events of the game. 

The Darkest Day occurred when Eternatus, having crash landed on the planet from space, tried to absorb Galar’s energy to keep itself alive. However, this caused Pokémon all across the country to Dynamax or Gigantamax without warning. This almost led to the end of the region. Thankfully, Zacian and Zamazenta were around to stop Eternatus. 

There were two kids who helped with the battle and were crowned kings of Galar after. Over time, legends diverted from each other. One says that there was only one kid who used a sword and shield to defeat Eternatus, the other saying it was two. Zacian and Zamazenta were written out of the story altogether.

Zacian | #888

Lore

Zacian is one half of the Legendary Heroes of Galar. Zacian and Zamazenta are said to keep Galar safe from outside threats and sleep in the Slumbering Weald when they aren’t needed. During the Darkest Day, Zacian used its sword to help defeat Eternatus. It’s believed to be the older sibling to Zamazenta. 

In the modern day, Zacian (Pokémon Sword) helps the player defeat Eternatus after Chairman Rose summons it to refill Galar’s Dynamax energy. It has a second form called Crowned Sword. It’s said that Zacian can fell a Gigantamaxed Pokémon with a single swing when in this form. 

Given that Galar is based on England, the legends of Galar are based on the legends of King Arthur. Zacian is seen as Excalibur, Arthur’s sword of legend. There are tons of parallels between the Arthur story and the Legendary Heroes.

Location

Zacian can be found at the Tower Summit of Hammerlock Stadium in Pokémon Sword. After returning to the summit after battling Eternatus, the player can battle Zacian and catch it. This is pretty much impossible to miss as it is part of the story.

Stats

Zacian is a Fairy type in its Hero of Many Battles form and Fairy/Steel in its Crowned Sword form. As can be assumed, Zacian has a high Attack stat at 130 which increases to 170 when in the Crowned Sword form. It’s also incredibly fast with a Speed stat of 138.

The Fairy type gives it immunity to Dragon and gives it very few weaknesses. Once it gains the Fairy/Steel typing, the whole game changes. With a total of nine resistances, two immunities, and only two weaknesses, Zacian is a surprisingly defensive Pokémon. Zacian is definitely worth a spot on your team.

Zamazenta | #889

Lore

Zamazenta is one half of the Legendary Heroes of Galar. Zacian and Zamazenta are said to keep Galar safe from outside threats and sleep in the Slumbering Weald when they aren’t needed. During the Darkest Day, Zamazenta used its shield to help defeat Eternatus. It’s believed to be the younger sibling to Zacian. 

In the modern day, Zamazenta helped take down Eternatus after Chairman Rose summoned it to refill Galar’s Dynamax energy. Zamazenta has a second form called Crowned Shield. The shield it creates is so strong that it can block Dynamax Pokémon’s attacks.

Zamazenta could be based on King Arthur’s shield or could be a representation of the Knights of the Roundtable. The Knights protected Britain and Arthur, so the shield analogy works well there.

Location

Zamazenta can be found at the Tower Summit of Hammerlock Stadium in Pokémon Shield. After returning to the summit after battling Eternatus, the player can battle Zamazenta and catch it. This is pretty much impossible to miss as it is part of the story.

Stats

Zamazenta is a Fighting type Pokémon and becomes a Fighting/Steel type when it changes into the Crowned Shield form. It is the more defensive of the duo, with 130 Defense and 115 Special Defense. Both stats climb to 145 after changing into Crowned Shield form. The Crowned Shield form also has a huge number of resistances, but falls short with more weaknesses than Zacian.

If you had a choice between the two, Zacian is the better option. It also looks cooler and I will die on that hill.

Eternatus | #890

Lore

Eternatus is the big bad of Pokémon Sword & Shield. It is believed that it crashed to earth from an asteroid 20,000 years ago. Eternatus began to absorb the energy of the Galar region until it had to release it, causing the Darkest Day 3,000 years before the start of the game. Zacian and Zamazenta, along with two young kids, took down Eternatus. 

After its defeat, Eternatus began to leak Dynamax energy all throughout Galar. It could be safely harvested to allow Pokémon to Dynamax and Gigantamax. However, the amount of Dynamax energy was starting to dwindle. Chairman Rose awakened it to try refilling the energy throughout the region. This caused a second Darkest Day and Pokémon began to Dynamax without warning. Zacian, Zamazenta, and the player defeat Eternatus… Until it Eternamaxes.

Yes, Eternatus has a second form. It becomes Eternamax Eternatus with boosted stats and a special Max Raid battle. It is the only Pokémon that can Eternamax and the player can never access this mode after it is caught.

Location

Eternatus can be found at the Tower Summit of Hammerlock Stadium. It serves as the penultimate boss battle of the main game. It is almost impossible to not catch due to the Max Raid battle.

Stats

Eternatus is a Poison/Dragon type Pokémon and, let’s be honest, you have to have it on your team. It just looks cool as hell. Outside of that, it has a 690 total Base stat, the only Pokémon to have one that high. It has high HP (140), Special Attack (145), and Speed (130). Those three alone make it a great addition to your team.

Even though you can never Eternamax your Eternatus, we have to talk about its stats because the stat breakdown is absolutely bonkers. HP at 255, Attack at 115, Defense and Special Defense at 250, Special Attack at 125, and Speed at 130. The total Base stat is a whopping 1,125. No wonder it was causing such a problem!

Galar Legendary Pokémon | Isle of Armor

The Isle of Armor Expansion Pass was the first phase of the pass. The plot centered around the titular island and the martial arts dojo that is there. You are sent on a series of trials to obtain the “secret armor” of the dojo which is the Pokémon Kubfu. After obtaining Kubfu, the player can go to one of two towers on the island: Tower of Waters or Tower of Darkness. After completing the tower of their choice, the player is given a scroll. The scroll decides which version of Urshifu the Kubfu will become.

The Isle of Armor also has a whole host of Pokémon that were not in the main part of the Galar region. Along with that, there are new Gigantamax forms, new moves, and a collect-a-thon quest for different regional variants. Although Kubfu and Urshifu are the only new legendaries added, it’s definitely worth picking up and playing!

Kubfu | #891

Lore

Kubfu cares about one thing and one thing only: Those gains. Bro is spending all day every day training his mind and body to attain peak fitness. Kubfu cares about those gains so much that it even has a unique organ to store its fighting energy. That’s nuts. 

In game, the player can get Kubfu by completing the three trials of the Master Dojo. After receiving one, the player can evolve it using one of two scrolls: Scroll of Darkness or Scroll of Water. The scrolls can be found in the respective towers of the island. Each scroll determines the fighting style it has after is evolves into Urshifu (more on that later).

Location

Kubfu can be obtained on the Isle of Armor. You must pass the three trials of the Master Dojo before Master Mustard will deem you worthy enough to have one.

Stats

Unsurprisingly, Kubfu is a physical Pokémon. It has high Attack and Speed stats (90, 72). Its Defense and HP are at 60, which isn’t too bad either. Ultimately, it doesn’t have a whole lot two write home about. Let’s see if Urshifu can be more viable!

Urshifu | #892

Lore

Urshifu can have two different forms, depending on its evolution item. If Kubfu reads the Scroll of Water, it becomes Rapid Strike Style Urshifu. This version of Urshifu is more defensive and observant. It will hang back, dodging attacks to look for an opening to attack. Its fighting style flows fast, almost like water.

If Kubfu reads the Scroll of Darkness, it becomes Single Strike Style Urshifu. As the name suggests, it aims to knock out an opponent with a single strike. It can be easily angered while using this style.

Both forms are based on different forms of martial arts. Rapid Strike Style, with its emphasis flowing movements and dodging, is based on Taijiquan. Its stance is the “golden rooster stands on one leg” posture from that art. Single Strike Style’s aggressive and overwhelming attack is Bajiquan. This martial art uses fast, strong, and precise strikes during battle.

Location

Urshifu can be obtained by evolving Kubfu. If it is evolved at the Tower of Water, it becomes Rapid Strike Style Urshifu. If it is evolved at the Tower of Darkness, it becomes Single Strike Style Urshifu.

Stats

Much like Kubfu, Urshifu is a physical Pokémon. It has a really high Attack stat at 130. Rapid Strike Style Urshifu is Fighting/Water and Single Strike is Fighting/Dark. Single Strike gives it a Psychic immunity, but Rapid Strike has a whole host of resistances. Ultimately, the evolution you choose depends on preference. Either one would be a decent addition to your team.

Galar Legendary Pokémon | Crown Tundra

The Crown Tundra was the second half of the Expansion Pass and it is jam packed with legendaries, old and new. The story consists of four separate adventures, each focusing on different legendary Pokémon. The first, “The Sacred Bonds of Sovereign and Steed,” tells the story of Calyrex trying to find his horse. This results in the player catching Calyrex and Glastrier or Spectrier. 

The next two aren’t really story driven, but are more about collecting legendaries. The second adventure is “The Terrible Titans… Lurking Locked Away.” In this adventure, the player has to find the Regis from Hoenn (Regice, Registeel, and Regirock). Once they are caught, Regieleki or Regidrago can be found at the Split-Decision Ruins. The third adventure is “A Legendary Tree of a Legendary Three” where players have to encounter the Galarian forms of the Kanto Legendary Birds (Galarian Articuno, Galarian Zapdos, and Galarian Moltres). They become wandering legendaries that can be found all around Galar.

The final adventure is “They Came From the Ultra Beyond." The player is tasked with finding and catching a Necrozma at the Max Lair. The Max Lair is a really cool addition to the game as you are able to find and catch tons of legendary Pokémon from all the different regions.

Regieleki | #894

Lore

Regieleki, like the other Hoenn Giants, was created by Regigigas. It harnessed the power of electricity to create this beast. Humans used to worship it until they feared how powerful it was and sealed it away. They put the blue bands on its body to minimize its electrical powers. According to the Pokédex, it can power all of Galar using the electricity stored inside it. 

All the Legendary Giants are based on different ages of humanity. Regieleki is the representation of the Modern Age, given our need for electricity to run our world. It also kind of looks like a lightbulb.

Location

Regieleki can be found in the Split-Decision Ruins in the Crown Tundra area of Galar. Players have to choose between this and Regidrago.

Stats

Regieleki is a pure Electric type Pokémon with the ability Transistor. This ability can multiply the Attack or Special Attack stat by 1.5x when using an Electric attack. Transistor is a great ability for Regieleki, considering all the attacks it can learn are either Electric or Normal type. On top of that, the Electric typing gives it only one weakness, Ground. The stats are also pretty incredible. It has a whopping Speed stat of 200 and both Attack and Special Attack stats are 100 each. 

This is definitely a worthy addition to a team, but is it better than Regidrago?

Regidrago | #895

Lore

Regidrago was created by Regigigas using crystallized dragon energy, whatever that is. However, Regigigas ran out of crystals before finishing it, so the humans of the region locked it away in the Split-Decision Ruins. They feared how powerful it would be if Regigigas ever completed it. According to the Pokédex, it is said that Regidrago has the power of every dragon Pokémon out there. It can even convert its life force into power to attack.

Regidrago may represent the Middle Ages, given how many stories about dragons there are from that time period. It could also represent the Age of Reptiles or when dinosaurs roamed the earth. I personally prefer the latter.

Location

Regidrago can be found in the Split-Decision Ruins in the Crown Tundra area of Galar. Players have to choose between this and Regieleki.

Stats

Regidrago is a pure Dragon type Pokémon. It has the ability Dragon’s Maw which, like Regieleki’s Transistor, increases the Attack or Special Attack stat by 1.5x when using a Dragon type attack. Other than the HP stat (200), the rest are middle of the road. The Attack and Special Attack are 100 each and the Speed is only 80.

Overall, I would say Regieleki is the better choice here. Better stat allocation, great moveset, and so incredibly fast.

Glastrier | #896

Lore

Glastrier is thought to be based on the legend of Brian Boru and the Pooka. The High King of Ireland, Brian, had to use the hair from the back of a Pooka in order to create a bridle to tame it. After taming the beast, he prevented it from attacking any Christian in Ireland. The story of Calyrex and Glastrier/Spectrier echoes this almost beat for beat (hoof for hoof). Calyrex had to use hair from the back of one of the steeds to create the Reins of Unity in order to stay on the back of the bucking beast. 

Outside of legend, Glastrier is very arrogant. It refuses to let anyone ride it unless they are deemed worthy. After Calyrex mounts it, the combined Psychic and Ice abilities allow it to run for seven days, amplify Calyrex’s abilities to 30 miles, and channel temperatures of up to -508 degrees.

Location

Glastrier is found at the Crown Shrine in the Crown Tundra area of Galar. It can only be summoned with the Iceroot Carrot.

Stats

Glastrier is a pure Ice type with the ability Chilling Neigh. This unique ability increases the Glastrier’s Attack by one stage if it makes a Pokémon faint, even if it is an allied one. That’s cold! It has a really good stat layout with one major exception. High Attack (145), Defense (130), and Special Defense (110). 

Now, for being a horse, you would think it would be fast. That’s one of the best things about horses. You go really fast. Well, Glastrier wants to move at a trot, rather than a full gallop. Glastrier’s Speed stat is an absolutely pitiful 30. This, coupled with the weaknesses that Ice types have, make it really hard to recommend.

Spectrier | #897

Lore

Spectrier shares the same potential origin as Glastrier. Spectrier specifically looks to be based on an extinct breed of horse called the Old English Black. This breed is said to be the bloodline for Clydesdale and Shire horses. This can be seen pretty clearly in the design of Spectrier. 

Much like Glastrier, it is proud and refuses to let anyone other than Calyrex ride it. When Calyrex rides it, Spectrier can run a thousand miles in a day and its spectral power becomes massively buffed. It can create will-o’-the-wisps to steal the lifeforce of those who touch them.

Location

Spectrier is found at the Crown Shrine in the Crown Tundra area of Galar. It can only be summoned with the Shaderoot Carrot.

Stats

Spectrier is a pure Ghost type with the ability Grim Neigh. This is similar to Glastrier’s ability, except it increases Special Attack instead of Attack. The Ghost type gives it two immunities and resistances each. It has a much higher speed than Glastrier at 130 and a high Special Attack with 145. 

Spectrier is the clear choice here. The Ghost type is great, along with the high Speed. But the real reason to pick this one is looking at Shadow Rider Calyrex.

Calyrex | #898

Lore

Let’s get this out of the way right now. Calyrex looks really goofy. Big head, tiny arms, and the longest legs you’ve ever seen. Get all the laughs out now. Okay? Good.

Calyrex is a beast. It ruled over all of Galar using its incredible intelligence to communicate with humans and Pokémon alike. It can even take control of a human and use it as a puppet. Due to its role in bringing in bountiful harvests, it is known as, well, the King of Bountiful Harvests. It created the carrot seeds that are needed for the Iceroot or Shaderoot Carrots.

Calyrex has two other forms depending on which steed it is riding. With Glastrier, it becomes Ice Rider Calyrex. When it rides Spectrier, it is Shadow Rider Calyrex. Legend says that one of those steeds tormented Galar’s residents until Calyrex tamed it. This allowed both of the Pokémon to unleash their full potentials.

Location

Calyrex can be caught at the Crown Shrine in the Crown Tundra area of Galar.

Stats

Calyrex has three sets of stats, one for each of its forms. To start, base Calyrex is pretty middle of the road. No, really, the HP stat is 100 and the rest are 80 each. Ice Rider form gives it a boost to Attack (165) and Defense (150) while nerfing Speed down to 50. Shadow Rider form is the opposite. Special Attack jumps to 165, Special Defense is 100, and Speed rockets to 150.

Base Calyrex is a Grass/Psychic type and becomes Psychic/Ice or Psychic/Ghost depending on the steed. When fused, it gains the ability As One. This combines Calyrex’s Unnerve ability with the ability of whichever steed you chose. It’s a really cool ability and shows how necessary each one is to the other.

After all of that, which form of Calyrex is better? Well, it’s hard to say. Ice Rider may be slow, but it is a physical tank with a decent type effectiveness chart. Shadow Rider is fast with some excellent special stats, but it quad-weak to Ghost and Dark types. Those can be a big deal breaker. In my playthrough, I chose Shadow Rider because it looked cooler.

Galar Legendary Pokémon | Hisui

Enamorus | #905

Lore

Although not in Galar, Enamorus is a Generation VIII Pokémon and deserves a spotlight. Enamorus is part of the Forces of Nature from Unova. She’s called the Love-Hate Pokémon for a good reason. In Hisui, the legends say that Enamorus is the Herald of Spring. When she flies in from the sea, she gives the land a fresh start with her love. 

When she’s in her Incarnate (humanoid) Forme, she’s generally even-tempered, even helpful. However, when she sees people disrespecting the earth, she changes shape into her Therian Forme. She unleashes devastating punishments to any that cross her. 

She can only be female.

Location

Enamorus can be found in the Scarlet Bog area of the Crimson Mirelands. She won’t appear until you catch the other three Forces of Nature (Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus) during Mission 94: Incarnate Forces of Hisui. The Pokédex entries for those three have to be complete before she appears.

Stats

Enamorus is a Fairy/Flying type Pokémon. She has the ability Cute Charm which has some really interesting effects. In battle, it has the chance to make an attacking Pokémon infatuated if it is the opposite gender. However, outside of battle, if your Pokémon with the ability is in the first slot, it can potentially force a random encounter to be the opposite gender from the Pokémon with the ability. This could be really helpful if you are searching for certain gender specific Pokémon to complete your Pokédex.

Otherwise, she’s a fast attacker of both kinds, but has a higher stat in Special Attack (135, compared to 115 Attack). Her Defense and Special Defense are low (70 & 80 respectively) when in Incarnate Forme. In Therian Forme, she sacrifices Speed (106 down to 46) for much bulkier Defense/Special Defense stats (110 & 100 respectively). As a side note, I think this is really clever, given that her Therian Forme looks like a turtle.

Overall, she’s a really good addition to a team. Her typing gives her two immunities (Ground, Dragon). The rest of her stats are pretty good. Also, that Cute Charm is a really great ability. Definitely recommend!

Galar Legendary Pokémon | Mythical Pokémon

Zarude | #893

Lore

Zarude is the only mythical Pokémon in Sword & Shield and both expansion passes. Zarude is a social beast, but extremely aggressive outside of their pack. They are smart and lethal. However, the vines that grow on and out of them help heal the jungles they live in. Once they fall off their body, the vines become nutrition for the soil, causing the jungle to grow bigger and stronger.

Location

As with most mythical Pokémon, Zarude is an event only distribution. 

Stats

Zarude is a Dark/Grass type Pokémon with high physical stats. Its Attack is 120 and Defense/Speed are 105. Due to its unique typing, it has quite a few weaknesses, but it makes up for that by being immune to Psychic and resistant to six different types. There are much better options to add to your team, but it can make for a good physical battler if needed.