Pseudo-Legendaries are superstars in the Pokémon world. Fearsome, impressive, and inspiring, they rise above all others on reputation alone. They reach their final evolution at absurdly high levels and pose a considerable challenge to find and train. Thanks to their overwhelming power, Pseudo-Legendaries are in a category of their own and truly deserve it.
In the games, Pseudos are the aces of several Pokémon League Champions. Lance, Steven, Cynthia, Iris, Diantha, and Leon all have a Pseudo-Legendary, cementing these creatures as the cream of the crop. Still, there's always a ranking in Pokémon, and some Pseudos are definitely more impressive than others.
10 Goodra
Goodra isn't a terrible Pokémon whatsoever, but it is somewhat forgettable, to the point that many fans believe Noivern is Kalos's Pseudo-Legendary. The problem lies in Goodra's unimpressive design. Out of all Pseudo-Legendaries, this gooey slug-like creature is by far the least impressive, visually speaking.
It's a shame because Goodra's inspiration is pretty cool. It seems to come from the Lou Carcolh, a mythical beast from French folklore described as an elongated and slimy snake. Goodra, like all other Pseudos, has a 600 Stat Total that favors Special Defense. Its Hisuian form, introduced in Legends: Arceus, is much better, increasing this silly creature's reputation.
9 Kommo-o
The sunny and colorful Alola region has many memorable Pokémon; unfortunately, Kommo-o isn't one of those. Its design is striking, taking inspiration from dinosaurs and sound-based elements, like cymbals and castanets. Kommo-o also resembles a monk, and its tail recalls a monk's staff or khakkhara.
Kommo-o has a unique type combination that sounds intriguing on paper. However, upon closer examination, there might be a reason why no other Pokémon has it. Kommo-o's Dragon/Fighting combo results in five weaknesses, including a quad vulnerability to Fairy. It does have seven resistances, which balances things out. Its Physical and Special stats are all 100 or more, although its 75 HP makes it kind of frail.
8 Tyranitar
In more ways than one, Tyranitar is the Pokémon version of Godzilla. It only takes one look to know that Tyranitar is a kaiju, and it has the temper of one, too. This creature is destructive, insolent, prideful, territorial, and violent. It might even challenge its Trainer and is always looking for a fight.
Tyranitar is a Physical beast with decent Special stats but abysmal Speed. As Mega Tyranitar, its Physical attributes go off the charts, and its Special Defense also increases significantly, although its Speed remains awful. What brings this fearsome creature down is its inconvenient type combination. Rock and Dark result in a whopping seven weaknesses, including a four-time vulnerability to Fighting.
7 Hydreigon
Hydreigon's design might arguably be the best out of all Pseudo-Legendaries. It is instantly memorable, imposing, and even terrifying. Inspired by a combination of amazing mythological creatures, including the Yamata no Orochi and the Lemaean Hydra, Hydreigon lives up to its secondary Dark-type.
Hydreigon's reputation as the Brutal Pokémon was well-earned during Generation V. However, nothing lasts forever, and the Fairy-type's arrival was its undoing. Nowadays, Hydreigon is four times weak to Fairy, which, coupled with its unimpressive Special Defense, means a simple Draining Kiss can OHKO it.
6 Baxcalibur
The most recent addition to the Pseudo Legendary pantheon is Scarlet & Violet's Baxcalibur. Like Tyranitar, Baxcalibur is a kaiju-like Pokémon seemingly based on the famous dinosaur fossils discovered throughout Spain. Its name comes from Excalibur, although it's puzzling that such a famous British legend appears in games based on Spain and the Iberian Peninsula.
Baxcalibur is a dual Dragon/Ice-type, meaning it has five weaknesses and three resistances. It has less than balanced Stat Totals, with remarkably high HP and Physical Attack that come at the expense of every other stat, making it a high-risk-high-reward Pokémon on the battlefield.
5 Dragapult
Dragapult is the latest addition to the Pseudo-Legendary pool. It first appeared in the Generation VIII games Pokémon Sword & Shield. Dragapult is one of the strongest Ghost-type Pokémon with an ambitious and inspired concept. In Pokémon lore, it is the ghost of an extinct prehistoric aquatic creature whose behavior remains mysterious. Dragapult's design incorporates elements from the extinct Diplocaulus amphibian, a B-2 Spirit, and catapults.
Despite the two immunities that its secondary Ghost-type provides, it still has five weaknesses. Its ridiculously high Speed and above-average Attack stats can help overcome its deficiencies, though.
4 Salamence
Salamence sits comfortably in the middle on any Pseudo-Legendary ranking. It has one of the most straightforward designs, taking its European dragon inspiration a tad too literally. Its Dragon/Flying-type combo means it has four weaknesses, including a four-time vulnerability to Ice. However, it makes up for those liabilities with one immunity and five resistances.
Stat-wise, Salamence is an offensive beast. It hits hard and fast and has decent Defenses and HP. As Mega Salamence, its Physical Defense skyrockets, turning it into an even more dangerous threat. Its design also changes, with Mega Salamence becoming similar to a fighting jet.
3 Dragonite
Nothing beats the original; in Dragonite's case, it's almost true. This gentle giant is the first-ever Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon introduced nearly 25 years ago. As the founder of the Pseudos, it has above-average and well-rounded stats. Its Physical Attack is the most impressive, while Speed leaves something to be desired.
Dragonite is one of the best dual-type Dragon Pokémon but still has weaknesses, including a four times vulnerability to Ice. It, however, has one immunity and five resistances, giving it a nice balance. Unlike other Pseudos, who only appear once or twice now and then, Dragonite has played prominent roles in the anime several times. Most recently, this orange goofball returned to the heights of its Gen I popularity thanks to its place as one of Ash's strongest current Pokémon. In a recent episode, Ash's Dragonite wowed everyone by defeating Korrina's Mega Lucario.
2 Metagross
Generation III introduced two Pseudo-Legendaries, Salamence and Metagross. Over time, the latter emerged as the most recognizable and beloved of the two. Metagross is one of only two Pseudos not to have the Dragon-type, the other being Tyranitar. However, unlike the kaiju Pokémon, Metagross doesn't even look like a dragon, making it the most unique-looking Pseudo.
A dual-type Steel/Psychic Pokémon, Metagross is the result of two Metang fusing together. As such, it has four brains, making it one of the brightest creatures in the franchise. Metagross has exceptional Physical stats that come at the expense of HP and Speed; its Mega Evolution receives a boost in the former but not the latter. Thanks to its convenient Steel typing, Metagross's four weaknesses get compensated with immunity to Poison and a staggering nine resistances, making this creature the most impressive out of all Pseudos.
1 Garchomp
Garchomp seems to be the lovechild between a shark and a wyvern. Its design also incorporates elements of jet aircrafts, and its Mega recalls the Grim Reaper's scythes. Garchomp is a dual Dragon/Ground-type four times weak to Ice with additional vulnerabilities to Fairy and Dragon.
Stat-wise, Garchomp has outstanding Physical Attack, Speed, and HP. Both Special attributes are underwhelming, though. Upon Mega Evolving, its Physical and Special Attacks skyrocket at the expense of its Speed. Fans like and respect Garchomp thanks to its role as Cynthia's ace in the original Pokémon Diamond, Pearl & Platinum.
