How to Catch Legendary Pokemon

This page explains how to catch each of the Legendary Pokemon in the games Pokemon Sword and Shield. Read on for tips and strategies for catching Zacian, Zamazenta, and Eternatus, as well as new Legendaries Kubfu and Urshifu in the Isle of Armor.

Legendary Pokemon Guides
How to Get All Legendaries	Crown Tundra Legendaries	Shiny Hunting Guide

List of Legendary Pokemon and How to Catch Them

Legendary Pokemon Available in the Base Game

The following Legendary Pokemon can be found in Pokemon Sword and Shield with no need for DLC or events. Unlike previous games in the series, there's no set of three Legendaries akin to the Legendary Birds or Legendary Dogs, marking the lowest in-game Legendary count of any generation.

Pokemon	Type	How to Catch
Eternatus		Before the Champion Eternatus - Locations and Learnable Moves
Zacian	(Normal Form) (Crowned Sword Form)	After finishing the Story Zacian - Locations and Learnable Moves Only catchable in Pokemon Sword
Zamazenta	(Normal Form) (Crowned Shield Form)	After finishing the Story Zamazenta - Locations and Learnable Moves Only catchable in Pokemon Shield

Legendary Pokemon Available only via Events

Zarude, the first Mythical Pokemon announced this generation, is obtainable starting August 7th only via the Japan release of Pokemon the Movie: Coco. We're expecting more events in other countries coming soon to make Zarude more easily available.

Pokemon	Type	How to Catch
Zarude		Pokemon The Movie: Coco Ticket Preorder How to Get Zarude

New Legendary Pokemon in The Isle of Armor

The Isle of Armor DLC features a brand-new set of Legendary Pokemon, Kubfu and Urshifu, one of the very few evolution chains among Legendaries.

Pokemon	Type	How to Catch
Kubfu		Complete three trials at the Master Dojo How to Get Kubfu Location: Fields of Honor
Urshifu Single-Strike Style		(Evolves from Kubfu) Go through the Tower of Darkness with Kubfu How to Get Urshifu Location: Challenge Road
Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style		(Evolves from Kubfu) Go through the Tower of Waters with Kubfu How to Get Urshifu Location: Challenge Beach

Returning Legendary Pokemon in The Crown Tundra

The Crown Tundra expansion, availble on the Expansion Pass DLC, was revealed to contain all Legendary Pokemon from previous games. New Galarian forms of Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres were also announced.

Nat. No.	Galar No.	Pokemon	Type
151	NatDex 151	Mew
146	NatDex 146-1	Moltres
145	NatDex 145-1	Zapdos
144	NatDex 144-1	Articuno
150	NatDex 150	Mewtwo
145.1	NatDex 145	Galarian Zapdos
144.1	NatDex 144	Galarian Articuno
146.1	NatDex 146	Galarian Moltres
250	NatDex 250	Ho-oh
249	NatDex 249	Lugia
243	NatDex 243	Raikou
245	NatDex 245	Suicune
244	NatDex 244	Entei
251	NatDex 251	Celebi
384	NatDex 384	Rayquaza
382	NatDex 382	Kyogre
383	NatDex 383	Groudon
378	NatDex 378	Regice
377	NatDex 377	Regirock
379	NatDex 379	Registeel
380	NatDex 380	Latias
381	NatDex 381	Latios
385	NatDex 385	Jirachi
487	NatDex 487	Giratina (Origin Forme)
486	NatDex 486	Regigigas
484	NatDex 484	Palkia
483	NatDex 483	Dialga
481	NatDex 481	Mesprit
480	NatDex 480	Uxie
482	NatDex 482	Azelf
488	NatDex 488	Cresselia
485	NatDex 485	Heatran
487	NatDex 487	Giratina
641	NatDex 641	Tornadus (Therian Forme)
642	NatDex 642	Thundurus (Therian Forme)
645	NatDex 645	Landorus (Therian Forme)
649	NatDex 649	Genesect
494	NatDex 494	Victini
647	?	Keldeo (Resolute Form)
640	NatDex 640	Virizion
643	NatDex 643	Reshiram
647	NatDex 647	Keldeo
645	NatDex 645	Landorus
641	NatDex 641	Tornadus
642	NatDex 642	Thundurus
644	NatDex 644	Zekrom
646	NatDex 646	Kyurem
638	NatDex 638	Cobalion
639	NatDex 639	Terrakion
718.2	NatDex 718	Zygarde (Complete Forme)
718.1	NatDex 718	Zygarde (10% Forme)
721	NatDex 721	Volcanion
719	NatDex 719	Diancie
718	NatDex 718	Zygarde
717	NatDex 717	Yveltal
716	NatDex 716	Xerneas
789	NatDex 789	Cosmog
788	NatDex 788	Tapu Fini
790	NatDex 790	Cosmoem
787	NatDex 787	Tapu Bulu
786	NatDex 786	Tapu Lele
785	NatDex 785	Tapu Koko
800	NatDex 800	Necrozma
792	NatDex 792	Lunala
802	NatDex 802	Marshadow
791	NatDex 791	Solgaleo
807	NatDex 807	Zeraora
808	NatDex 808	Meltan
809	NatDex 809	Melmetal
801	NatDex 801	Magearna

List of Pokemon Appearing in Expansion Pass DLC

How to Catch Legendary Pokemon

How to Catch Eternatus

Location: Hammerlocke Energy Plant - Tower Summit

Can be obtained before battling the Champion

Eternatus is the last battle before facing with the Champion, and it is encountered directly after battling the Chancellor, the mastermind of the story of Pokemon Sword and Shield. Because you will be able to obtain Eternatus with any Poke Ball, simply choose a ball you like, and be sure to have it with you for the encounter.

How to Catch Zacian

Location: Energy Plant - Tower Summit

Steps for Catching Zacian

Can be obtained after finishing the Story (Sword Exclusive)

Zacian can be obtained after completing the main Story. The quest to obtain Zacian as described above can be completed in about 3 hours. After defeating the Champion, the player will receive a Master Ball, so they will be able to obtain Zacian without fail.

How to Catch Zamazenta

Location: Energy Plant - Tower Summit

Steps for Catching Zamazenta

Can be obtained after finishing the Story (Shield Exclusive)

Just like Zacian, Zamazenta can only be obtained after defeating the Champion and returning to the Slumbering Weald.

Introduction to the Legendary Pokemon

The Pokemon absorbing all the energy of the Galar Region

Type

A strong Pokemon playing a decisive role in Max Raid Battles

Eternatus is at Level 60 when it joins the player's team, which combined with its high Special Attack makes it a must-have for Max Raid Battles. As the Pokemon with the highest Base Stats attainable before the end of the Story, Eternatus is a Pokemon you'll definitely want to have as a constant member of your team.

Eternatus's Stats, Abilities and Learnable Moves

The Pokemon with a shining sword to slice through anything, Zacian

Zacian attacks so gracefully that its movements can even captivate its opponents. It holds what appears to be a sword in its mouth.
Source: Official Site

Zacian eminates a gallant and refined aura suited to the knightly image of the sword, and as such fills the part as the mascot of Pokemon Sword. There is a high chance that Zacian will only appear in Pokemon Sword, so for those who want to capture Zacian, Pokemon Sword just might be the choice for you.

Becomes a Fairy/Steel-type

When given a Rusted Sword, Zacian will transform into its Crowned Sword Form, and become a Fairy/Steel dual-type Pokemon. With Fire and Ground as its only weaknesses, and a host of resistences provided by the Steel type, Zacian becomes a defensively powerful player.

Zacian's Stats, Abilities and Learnable Moves

The Pokemon with a glistening shield to reflect all attacks, Zamazenta

Zamazenta’s regal and majestic movements overwhelm any opponents that dare face it. Its body is covered in what seems to be a shield.
Source: Official Site

Zamazenta's body is completely covered in a giant shield. This truly is an appearance worthy to serve as the mascot of Pokemon Shield. Zamazenta is only available in Pokemon Shield, so for those who want to capture Zamazenta, Pokemon Shield would be the best option to purchase - assuming you don't have a friend who is willing to part with theirs!

Becomes a Fighting/Steel-type

When given a Rusted Shield, Zamazenta will transform into its Crowned Shield Form, and beocome a Fighting/Steel dual-type Pokemon. It gains a sizable stat boost in both Defense and Special Defense, making Zamazenta no easy feat to take down.

Zamazenta's Stats, Abilities and Learnable Moves

Related Links

Beginner Tips and Guides