Pseudo-legendary Pokémon!

Started by Pendraflare January 16th, 2015 11:32 AM
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Favorite pseudo-legendary Pokémon?

Pendraflare

Age 32
Male
Pennsylvania
Seen July 30th, 2021
Posted March 29th, 2021
6,263 posts
9.8 Years
Every generation has brought us what's known as a "pseudo-legendary Pokémon", a Pokémon stemming off of a three stage evolution line that comes with 600 base stats, most of which are Dragon-types. You can expect to see these specimen used by Champions, and they're generally very powerful even in competitive, despite their drawbacks.

Generation I brought us Dragonite, the Dragon/Flying-type that's cheery but vicious at the same time. Lance, the final Elite Four member, uses it, but that's only foreshadowing his return in Johto, where he throws a whopping three at you. It gives a very high Attack stat, and Generation V gave it Multiscale, an ability that all but guarantees a turn of setup for it.

Generation II gave us Tyranitar, a Rock/Dark-type that was not seen much in-game, but when it came to the competitive scene it always blew up with its amazing stats all across the board except Speed. Come the advance of abilities and its ability, Sand Stream, allows it to summon a sandstorm to the battle that, prior to Generation VI, lasted infinitely, but now that buff is no more although it still has lots to use. It's come with several different sets in every generation that it can go with, and Generation VI gave it a Mega Evolution.

Generation III gave us not one, but two pseudo-legendaries, one in the form of Salamence, the menacing Dragon/Flying-type that stems from Bagon and allows it to fulfill its lifelong dream of wanting to fly. Another one that can go mixed and provides several resistances along with two very worthwhile abilities, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire granted it with a very deadly Mega Evolution, one so powerful that it got the boot to the Uber tier by Smogon.

The other is Metagross, a four-legged Steel/Psychic-type used by the Champion of (Omega) Ruby and (Alpha) Sapphire, Steven. As one with massive Attack and Defense stats, it took a hit this generation with Meteor Mash taking a small dip in power, and gaining two weaknesses in Dark and Ghost, but it was gifted with a Mega Evolution that comes with the ability Tough Claws, which is a built-in Life Orb for moves that make contact. This allows it to hit pretty darn hard with most of its attacks, especially since its Speed got a nice boost.

Generation IV bestowed upon us none other than Garchomp, the infamous Ground/Dragon-type that i'm sure we all remember Cynthia ripping through most of us with. Very high Attack, and Speed that just inches above Salamence, and you can see why Garchomp was feared so greatly back in the day. And as of Generation V, it gets an ability that makes one hesitant to hit it with physical attacks. It was banned to the Uber tier by Smogon in both Generations IV and V, and it didn't get the boot in Generation VI, but it can still do a lot of damage if you're not prepared! It also got a Mega Evolution that trades a bit of Speed for some Special Attack, but many have deemed it underwhelming.

Then we come to Generation V's monster, the fearsome, scheming Dark/Dragon Hydreigon. Anyone who remembers battling Ghetsis in BW probably remembers this thing. Packing a big 125 base Special Attack stat, which is a bit weaker than the Attack stats of its brethren but still capable of hitting hard, when it was introduced it was considered one of the hardest Pokémon to take on. Sadly, Generation VI gave us the Fairy-type, which wasn't nice to it at all and gives it a glaring 4x weakness. Despite that, there is still a lot to like about Hydreigon, as its wide move selections backing its high Special Attack are not to be taken lightly.

Lastly, we have the Generation VI ball of jelly that was the Dragon-type Goodra. Instead of being a pure offensive Pokémon like its brethren, Goodra instead focuses on having a gigantic Special Defense stat, which is almost up there with the likes of Ho-Oh and Lugia. It only comes with 110 base Special Attack and a bit lower Attack, but it has been regarded as a very high caliber special wall in today's metagame.

What would your favorite pseudo-legendary Pokémon be, and why is that? Any that you don't like as much as others? Have you used any of them on in-game teams before? Competitively? If you could make a pseudo-legendary for a future generation, how would you add on to it? Discuss.
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KorpiklaaniVodka

KID BUU PAWAA

Age 24
Male
Eastern Europe
Seen September 26th, 2016
Posted September 26th, 2016
3,318 posts
9.9 Years
Dragonite and Tyranitar for me as they feel like they are actually pseudo-legendaries. Garchomp comes in a close second, though.
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Nah

Age 30
she/her, they/them
Seen 6 Hours Ago
Posted 14 Hours Ago
15,640 posts
9.5 Years
I voted for Metagross, Garchomp, and Hydreigon. Garchomp was something I fell in love with when I saw one for the first time in DPPt (ie, when Cynthia is giving you a beatdown). Hydreigon has a cool typing despite the 4x Fairy weakness, with a badass cry and good stats. Metagross was one that I didn't care for at first, but came to like in time. I like it's shiny form and it's mega evolution is pretty sweet.
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alisaie

they/them
Seen March 14th, 2023
Posted February 3rd, 2022
13,598 posts
14.8 Years
Goodra, hands down. I've always liked but never been super fond of the psuedo-legendaries (I like Dragonair more then Dragonite, Flygon over Salamence, etc) but then Goodra came along and I feel in love with it instantly. ♥

Hiatus

Seen 1 Day Ago
Posted July 24th, 2021
12,283 posts
10.8 Years
I love the concept of pseudo-legendary had come up with as fans; the terms itself gives these Pokémon a lot more value than average, at least in my eyes, and in most cases, they do deserve it, as they are usually good-looking in terms of appearance and more-than-average battling capabilities.

Of them all, I would say one of my most favorites would be Volcarona. Although it's not listed on the poll, I believe some of us still consider it to be pseudo-legend due to reasons I had stated, including myself, haha. Not only does its design look nice and easy to the eye, but it also has ability to perform pretty well when participating in matches.

Volcarona is bug-fire, which is a very unique type combination (we've never had anything like it prior to generation five). Alongside, it has a decent ability attached to itself (Flame Body, which has chance of burning opponent every time they strike with physical hits), as well as access to some great moves in its arsenal, such as Quiver Dance (raises its overall stats quite heavily), Bug Buzz, Flamethrower, and so forth. I've used this Pokémon many times in the past, and thankfully, it has never managed to disappoint.
Male
Bangladesh.Though I think you're not familiar with it.
Seen September 2nd, 2020
Posted November 29th, 2015
70 posts
9.6 Years
My vote goes for Salamance and Garchomp.I mean,they are sooo powerful and two of the few very cool Pokemon.And for the worst,I vote for Goodra,its horrible.
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Circuit

Wiring your Circuits

Age 27
Male
Berlin
Seen January 6th, 2021
Posted July 29th, 2020
4,815 posts
15.2 Years
Salamence is my baby of the Pokémon world. Salamence has been my most trusted companion in any game I can get one in. A short while ago, I competed in a small tournament for Gen IV Pokémon. Well, I couldn't catch one in HG/SS and my D/P/Pt had already been stolen at this point. But I still had Sapphire. I got one with the right nature, and it became the most dominating part of my team. Dragon Dance + Outrage ended with me dominating the entire competition. From that I got a shiny Salamence with a Special Attack preference (compared to my Attack preferring tournament Salamence) So, for that reason, Salamence will always be one of my favourite Pokémon.

faf

Queen of Dragons

Female
In the treasure trove
Seen 3 Weeks Ago
Posted January 29th, 2023
1,917 posts
8.8 Years
Favourite is Hydreigon. When I first saw it, I knew I wanted to buy a Gen 5 game like right away and raise one of my own. I love its concept of being a three headed dark dragon (heads for hands is just amazing) and its movepool is so vast. As said, Gen 6 brought the Fairy type and Hydreigon felt overwhelmed, despite this I still love it and it's my second favourite Pokemon too! And yes, I have/still do use Hydreigon in both competitive play (mostly in monotype) and in game.

Least favourite is Dragonite. I mean it's not bad and ugly but I prefer the others more. I have used it somewhat competitively and it's pretty good. It's something I would use again if I need to.

If I were to make a pseudo, I was thinking of a Ground/Fighting sand worm with muscular arms. The stats could be:
HP: 130
Att: 140
Def: 120
Sp. Atk: 65
Sp. Def: 120
Speed: 25

Ability could be Sand Force.
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Brendino

The Ruins of Alph
Seen 3 Days Ago
Posted April 6th, 2023
8,567 posts
13.4 Years
Even with Hydreigon's 4x weakness to Fairy now, it's still my favorite of the pseudo-legendary Pokemon, even if it's one of the newer ones. Something about its design and typing caught my eye when I first saw it, and it ended up being the only pseudo-legendary that I've used as one of the main staples of my team.

I didn't vote for Dragonite or Metagross, but I'll give them honourable mentions as well. Again, I don't really use the pseudo-legendaries, but I'd have no problem trying either of them on my team at some point.
Female
Sunnyshore Gym
Seen January 30th, 2016
Posted October 31st, 2015
135 posts
12.1 Years
I haven't used any of these guys except Dragonite, because none of the others really nabbed my attention like Dragonite did. I'm still hoping we see a mega evolution for it one day
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Fairy

blue

gucci

Male
United Kingdom
Seen September 26th, 2021
Posted August 7th, 2019
21,056 posts
15.3 Years
The only two Pseudo-legendary Pokémon I really like are Metagross and Salamence. I'm not really a user of these Pokémon, but design wise they'd win hands down for me.

skyburial

Orca Hype

Age 32
Male
Colorado
Seen April 17th, 2017
Posted March 15th, 2017
892 posts
8.6 Years
Garchomp has been my favorite Pokemon at large for the last year or so. Its design is super epic, and that only gets better with Mega Evolution. Not to mention, it's a powerhouse as well. I still use my first Garchomp (nicknamed Lunchmeat) for Elite 4 runs and have the video of its evolution from Gabite on Diamond.
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moon

they/them
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Posted 22 Hours Ago
37,443 posts
15.5 Years
Dragonite (and Dragonair even more) because of looks. I grew tired trying to raise Dratini in-game and always thought Dragonair seemed to have such weak defence that it was annoying. I don't even recall if that is correct now, haha.

Also Metagross for its design, typing and very idea. It is a Magneton done right, more or less. I'd want one on a team :3
paired with Ivysaur

Pendraflare

Age 32
Male
Pennsylvania
Seen July 30th, 2021
Posted March 29th, 2021
6,263 posts
9.8 Years
I gave my votes to Salamence, Metagross, Garchomp and Hydreigon. The first two are ones that i've liked for a while, Salamence since it comes from a Pokémon that in the long run fulfills its lifelong dream of wanting to fly. Metagross was a neat one having been designed as a four-legged cyborg, and Garchomp is a cool-looking landshark.

But Hydreigon is still definitely my favorite, and one i'd argue is in my top five favorite Pokémon to date. It has one of my favorite designs in the series, and 4x weakness or not it's still a really sick Pokémon for its being said to devour anything in its path. It's one that will always stand out to me. If my current avatar doesn't tell you...
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skyburial

Orca Hype

Age 32
Male
Colorado
Seen April 17th, 2017
Posted March 15th, 2017
892 posts
8.6 Years
But Hydreigon is still definitely my favorite, and one i'd argue is in my top five favorite Pokémon to date. It has one of my favorite designs in the series, and 4x weakness or not it's still a really sick Pokémon for its being said to devour anything in its path. It's one that will always stand out to me. If my current avatar doesn't tell you...
Gen V takes a lot of heat for its designs, mainly because of Vanilluxe and Garbador, but it had some of the coolest designs in the series.

Scolipede, Reshiram, Zoroark, Hydreigon, all of Kyurem's formes, the Therian-forme genies... I could go on.You gotta take the good with the bad because GF really got imaginative.
The Prism League is opening for its second season and looking for new members! 6v6 Multiformat battles on cartridge are the name of the game. We implore you to join if you enjoy competitive battling in any format.

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FC: 0061-2185-6938
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