Tag: legendary pokémon

Hello Bill, I apologize for the improper letter formation, my device is screwing with it. But, to the point. Where do you do your research for legendary Pokemon like Palkia and Groudon? I have always enjoyed reading the myths and fables of every culture there is, but for most of the Legendary Pokemon, my library is barren. Thank you for your time!

Excellent question, @veemonup, and the answer is, simply, I have a lot of sources. In some cases, such as with Groudon and Hoennian legendaries, I may actually visit sites related to them, accompanied by experts, in order to gather information for myself. Sometimes, it’s better to see the sites in order to understand a legendary’s power, its element, or the vaguest notion of how it lived. Other times, it’s simply better to visit such sites in order to take in local culture and gain a better understanding first-hand of the lore surrounding them.

In other cases, I may travel to regions in order to locate texts related to legendaries (as with the Sinnohan legendaries, whose sacred texts have been collected and stored in the highly venerable Canalave Library), or I may simply dig for scans or transcribed texts online.

Finally, the other option is simply consulting a network of experts, such as Cynthia, Steven, Professor Sycamore, and so forth. Oftentimes, their research is just as comprehensive and invaluable as anything I can find on my own. Perhaps even more so, as they’ve got more years of experience and exposure to those legends than I do, and thus, they’re more capable of interpreting texts.

(Alternatively, in some cases, it’s better to consult the experts than anything else. Take Johtonian legends, for example. While I recommend visiting our shrines and while our texts are highly enlightening if you can read Old Johtonian, it’s just an all-around better experience if you ask a kimono girl.)

Of course, I’m aware that these methods aren’t exactly feasible for anyone with limited time, money, or mobility, and for that, I apologize. I can recommend the second, though—particularly the part concerning finding scans or transcribed texts online. Many libraries in which the old or sacred texts are housed have actually carefully scanned them in order to make them available online (usually because the texts themselves are culturally important but too fragile to display or share with the public). It would be worth it to start there, then use search engines to find more. For example, try visiting canalavelibrary.org if you’re interested in Palkia, then try searching for professors’ websites or other academically recommended text depositories.

Good luck!

What really happens if you do successfully capture a legendary Pokémon? Somehow I got my hands on a Lugia from a trade yesterday. Also, should I even keep it in the first place? Please help!!

Well, seeing as we’re all still alive, it’s very likely it likes you. This would be a very, very different story if it didn’t.

Nonetheless, regarding your second question … please put the god of the sea back in the Whirl Islands where the other trainer found it. Just because it likes you doesn’t mean it gets to shirk its duty of ensuring that typhoons don’t destroy us all.

Thank you.

Bill why is it that pokémon such as Rotom and Spiritomb are not considered legendary pokémon but the Cosmog line are? I used to think that a pre-requisite for legendary pokémon was not evolving, but you can’t say that there can be only one because two different Cosmogs have been identified. Is there even an official way of figuring it out?

Actual rarity and power levels, anonymous. While it’s true that it’s incredibly difficult to find spiritomb and rotom in the wild, neither are so rare that they’re considered mythical or actual cryptids. In fact, spiritomb alone is actually quite common, assuming you can find a an odd keystone (which is uncomfortably common in the highly spiritual Sinnoh).

Likewise, neither pokémon possess abilities on the same level as true legends or even mythical pokémon. While, yes, cosmog and cosmoem technically possess power levels much less potent than rotom or spiritomb on the battlefield, both members of that line possess unique, reality-warping abilities off the battlefield—abilities that rotom and spiritomb and other particularly rare species can only dream of possessing. And then, of course, there’s the fact that cosmog’s final evolutions possess power levels that are far more potent than that of most other pokémon species, so that, in combination with cosmog’s natural abilities, simply sets it apart from other pokémon.

In short, it’s not so much rarity alone, anonymous, but rather rarity and what a pokémon can do that form the litmus test of what is and isn’t a legendary.

When I was a child I got caught in a storm. I was lost and muddy and didn’t know how to get home and a lightning bolt struck a tree next to me and it was set ablaze. Before it fell on me raikou picked me up and threw me on its back… it took me home and saved my life that day. How can I see it again to thank it?

I’m afraid that according to Johtonian tradition, you shouldn’t seek out a legendary beast but rather allow it to come to you. This isn’t, of course, to say that you can’t; technology has evolved to the point where you can track practically any pokémon’s location through the pokédex, pokétch, or pokégear, provided you’ve seen those pokémon at least once. It’s just that it’s rather taboo to do so, and if you’re attempting to give thanks, I wouldn’t recommend it. Especially for a pokémon such as Raikou, which is known for its just disposition.

That having been said, many Johtonians use temples and shrines for this express purpose. If you aren’t a follower of the Johtonian belief, I would recommend visiting a temple; the sages there will help you learn the proper prayers to the legendary beasts. (It’s thought that certain prayers may be carried from areas of sacred ground to our wandering legendaries—or even the stationary but hidden ones—via an elaborate system of spirits. So even if you visit a temple that isn’t anywhere near where you first encountered Raikou, you may still be able to send your thanks through this system and be reasonably certain that the message would be received. Or at least, that’s what the sages will tell you. It’s actually more of a case of “it’s the thought that counts.”)

Alternatively, shrines—smaller, standalone structures, usually located in wooded areas—may be used to contact our kami, but these tend to be riskier. First and foremost, you need to leave an offering suitable for the legendary you wish to contact. As these are signs of respect towards beings more powerful than yourself, you quite obviously can’t leave just anything. Second, shrines are thought to be manned by spirits themselves, and sometimes, the spirits are mischievous and thus extremely dangerous. For example, there is a famous shrine located in the heart of Ilex Forest dedicated to Celebi. The entire forest itself is considered to be Celebi’s domain, and Celebi, a time-traveling legendary, is known to be rather capricious. Consequently, according to local legend, travelers who wander too deeply into the forest’s sacred grounds and travelers who leave the wrong kind of offering at the shrine have been known to disappear, never to be heard from again. Of course, whether or not you believe that is up to you, but all I can say is there is definitive proof that Celebi exists … so make of that what you will.

In any case, regardless of the risk, shrines tend to be the more direct route because you’re interacting directly with spirits. There are some shrines across Johto and Kanto dedicated specifically to the legendary beasts, but really, if you can find one devoted to Celebi, this will work just as well, so long as you make your intent clear and leave an offering for Celebi as well. (It’s said that Celebi is often happy to take offerings meant for one of the beasts to the beast in question, but it’s simply common courtesy to thank Celebi for doing so.)

Whatever your method for contacting the beasts, anonymous, just remember that what you’re dealing with is a regional legendary—one of the most important to a culture. As such, it’s imperative that you show the utmost respect towards Raikou as you thank it. Follow the sages’ advice to the letter or leave a generous offering, and never try to cross Raikou in the process—not even to catch it (unless it very clearly chooses you to be its trainer).

Good luck, anonymous!

What do you consider the top 10 scariest Pokémon in the world?

Well, if we start off from 10…

10. Lugia. You see, in Johto, parents used to tell children stories about Lugia—specifically that it would drag misbehaving children to its dark, cold lair beneath the Whirl Islands. In theory, this was supposed to keep children in line; in practice, it simply gave many of us nightmares.

9. Suicune. Technically all of the Johtonian legendary beasts because of their duty as judges for humanity, but Suicune is the least frightening. After all, while it, too, flies across the region to determine our worthiness and smite those who aren’t quite as worthy, it also purifies water, helps with crops, and is generally the most merciful of the three.

8. Entei. Like Suicune, Entei’s duty is also to wander the region and smite the unworthy in an attempt to purify Johto and prepare it for Ho-oh’s return. Likewise, it controls volcanoes, and it’s said that volcanic activity occurs whenever it roars. As both Kanto and Johto are highly volcanic regions, this of course is cause for worry alone, but at the very least, Entei is a very justice-minded pokémon and (according to legend, anyway) prefers to simply observe than exercise its power.

7. Raikou. As with the other two beasts, Raikou is also a judge of humanity, but unlike the other two, it freely uses its power against those who cross it. Some say it’s because its power is neither beneficial to humanity (like Suicune’s) or sourced from the earth itself (like Entei’s) but rather both destructive and contained wholly within its own body, allowing it to use it whenever it wishes. Regardless of the cause, Raikou’s Thunderbolts are about as potent as the Thunderbolts from a thousand pikachu, so it’s not a pokémon I would wish to cross myself.

6. Celebi. Despite its cute appearance, Celebi is not a pokémon you would want to encounter. It’s notoriously capricious, and with its time-traveling ability, it’s been said that anyone who encounters it may disappear, perhaps lost through time. I don’t think I need to go into the repercussions of that anytime soon, no pun intended.

5. Dialga. On that note, Dialga is essentially like Celebi in that it has the power to control and travel through time. It’s just that Dialga is the embodiment of time itself, and with that much power, who knows what it’s capable of doing to any human in its presence?

4. Palkia. As Dialga’s partner, Palkia’s abilities are just as potent but tied completely to space. However, as such, Palkia’s powers aren’t well understood, even within its religious contexts. According to stories, Palkia has the power to transport anything across space in an instant, as well as alter the very fabric of reality itself. In this sense, Palkia may have the ability to erase anything it deems unworthy from existence itself (thereby removing it from its own domain of space), if not simply transport that nuisance across space to the very edge of the universe.

3. Azelf. Granted, all three of the Lake Guardians of Sinnoh are terrifying in their own rights (Mesprit can remove a human’s ability to feel emotion upon physical contact, and Uxie has the ability to completely erase the memories of anyone who looks into its eyes), but Azelf’s power is by far the most terrifying. According to Sinnohan belief, if a human being harms Azelf, even by accident (apparently aside from consensual battling), Azelf will remove that human’s will to do anything. Not just live, mind you, but literally do anything at all. Imagine suddenly being trapped in your body and not even minding.

2. Darkrai. My reasons for this are very much like Azelf’s. According to Sinnohan folklore, Darkrai has the ability to trap anyone within an unending nightmare. Thus, the victim is forced to spend the remainder of their lives dreaming horror after horror, all while their bodies in the physical plane waste away. Azelf is one thing; at least you don’t even care that you waste away. But with Darkrai, you’re aware of yourself. You may not be fully aware that you’re dreaming, but you know you want your torment to end. The worst part about it is that attempting to wake you through normal, conventional means (anything from shaking you to using a pokémon’s Dream Eater on you) won’t work according to that very same legend; the only way to wake you is to obtain a feather from the equally rare and difficult-to-find Cresselia.

1. Fearow. For … for reasons.

Is it unethical to name one of the Island Guardians “Tapu Butt?”

It depends on the tapu, anonymous. Tapu Bulu might not care, Tapu Fini might find it hilarious, and if you try to name either Tapu Koko or Tapu Lele this, I highly commend you for not dying in the process.

Granted, either way, it may be prudent to avoid mentioning to Alolan locals that you’ve named an island guardian Tapu Butt, but even then, I’m told that it really depends on which local you inform.

Alright so some noob trainer came to the Alola region and caught all of our island guardians. That’s cool and everything, I respect his bravery and strength but jesus christ there’s ultra beasts invading the region and no one can do anything so I’m hoping he sees this and I want to tell him to put them god damn back before we all die

There are Ultra Beasts in Alola right now?!

I’m contacting your older sister to get her to confiscate your passport, just so you know. —LH

Celebi

Celebi
The Time Travel Pokémon
Type: Psychic/Grass
Official Registration #: 251
Entry: Although those from mountainous East Johto, seafaring West Johto, and rural Central Johto are in disagreement as to which is more important between Lugia and Ho-oh, each Johtonian sect is in agreement that the other most important kami to our collective belief system is Celebi. According to general Johtonian belief, Celebi is the guardian of time, forests, and young pokémon, and its domain is specifically Ilex Forest. For this reason, not only is Ilex Forest sacred ground (and thus untouched, despite a major metro area bordering it to the north), but the region is also dotted with shrines dedicated to Celebi, the largest of which is located deep in Ilex itself. Additionally, there are a number of festivals throughout the year dedicated to Celebi, including one on New Year’s Day. This festival is called Shogatsu, which was the old word for the holiday in general but is, nowadays within Johto, used in reference to Celebi’s festival specifically. On Shogatsu, it’s customary to give thanks and ask for purification from Celebi in the form of offerings (of mochi, rice, or cards) left at any of its shrines throughout the region. 

Although it’s technically a religious festival, Kinjin, or residents of Goldenrod City, are a very hospitable sort and would be more than happy to accept foreigners into our celebrations. However, we also understand that many of you may not know all of our Shogatsu customs, which is why kimono girls are often seen performing demonstrations of Johtonian culture in the various Shogatsu street fairs held throughout Goldenrod City. Simply approach one and ask in Old Johtonian (that is, our language before Common became prevalent) to be shown how to give thanks, and the kimono girl will gladly teach you. For Unovans who might not know how to speak or write Old Johtonian, the author suggests something special for particularly respectful treatment. Simply present a prayer card with “助けてください私はアメリカ人です” written on it, and the kimono girl will be sure that your prayers will be sent to Celebi.

Tapu KoKo entry please!

Why stop at just Tapu Koko?

Tapu Koko
The Land Spirit Pokémon
Type: Electric/Fairy
Official Registration #: 785
Entry: The guardian spirit of Alola’s Melemele Island. Supposedly the bravest of the four Alolan guardians, Tapu Koko is known for observing islanders and bestowing blessings upon worthy trainers. These trainers are then encouraged to undertake the island challenge, a type of journey specific to Alola, geared towards the training and selection of each element’s next kahuna. While Tapu Koko tends to be the most active tapu in selecting such individuals, it is also known for being the most capricious when it comes to deciding which among them actually becomes a kahuna. For this reason, trainers on Alola may start out on a journey to become strong enough to represent their island and elemental specialties, but they could very well find their lives veering off into an entirely different direction thanks to one of Tapu Koko’s sudden change of heart. Not that the author is complaining about such a process, of course. We did get Molayne out of such an arrangement. As well as a wealth of fantasy YA novels that seem to keep the editor happy.

Once again, Bill, I don’t judge you for your literary tastes. —LH

Tapu Lele
The Land Spirit Pokémon
Type: Psychic/Fairy
Official Registration #: 786
Entry: The guardian spirit of Alola’s Akala Island. It is said that this legendary pokémon scatters glittering scales as it moves and that these scales have the ability to restore one’s health upon physical contact. The latter is highly useful because as with all adorable, pink pokémon described on this blog, Tapu Lele is also infamous for being fantastically cruel and sadistic, and it’s both telepathic and capable of warping the fabric of space to create a strange and highly dangerous pocket dimension around its immediate area. In other words, you will very likely need these scales as Tapu Lele uses its psychic abilities to thoroughly destroy you.

Tapu Bulu
The Land Spirit Pokémon
Type: Grass/Fairy
Official Registration #: 787
Entry: The guardian spirit of Alola’s Ula’ula Island. Supposedly, this pokémon is extraordinarily lazy. Rather than attack an opponent head-on, it simply wills the vegetation around it to grow and ensnare the challenger before it delivers a devastating, close-range blow itself. Honestly, though, the author is intrigued by the fact that some people of Alola consider this to be evidence of Tapu Bulu’s laziness. If anything, it’s a brilliant strategy, and given how much effort the author has put into trying to will plants to do his bidding, he can safely say Tapu Bulu’s battle strategy is really much harder than it looks.

Not a good harvest, Bill? —LH

Oh, the garden was perfectly fine this year. It’s a certain half-plant, half-toad starter with a penchant for eating my crops after I explicitly tell him not to that’s the problem. —Bill

Tapu Fini
The Land Spirit Pokémon
Type: Water/Fairy
Official Registration #: 788
Entry: The guardian spirit of Alola’s Poni Island. This mysterious island guardian is supposedly the most laid-back of the four tapu. Unlike the others, who either actively seek out humans to observe (Tapu Koko) or toy with (Tapu Lele) or who actively avoid human contact altogether (Tapu Bulu), Tapu Fini prefers allowing humanity to do whatever it likes and will often only reveal itself to the truly worthy as a result. This may seem like Tapu Fini is putting in extra effort to avoid being detected, but in actuality, given the fact that her shrine is located in the highly unrelenting environment that is Poni Island, the fact that it surrounds itself with a dense fog full of danger, and the fact that the aforementioned shrine is called Ruins of Hope for a reason, it may be safe to say that Tapu Fini allows the environment to do much of the work when it comes to protecting her—much more than Tapu Bulu does, anyway.