A symbol in the Pokémon games since it’s burst onto the scene in generation 2, Lugia has been high in on the desired list for years. The surprising thing about Lugia is the amount of information about it that’s out there. With movies made around the Pokémon, it’s also made a fair few appearances in the anime.
When either too much or too little information is out there, facts are missed. Some key pieces get lost in the abundance of lore provided. Unless fans are willing to do a deep dive into the facts, the best parts about the legendary bird could be missed.
10 Pokémon Go’s Hardest Catch
Many players have found themselves in the frustrating position of stumbling across a rare Pokémon and fumbling on the capture. Luckily, this is why the Master Ball was created, just for situations like this.
The Flying/Psychic-type has a capture rate of 2%, the lowest in the entire game. This is followed up by the other legendary Pokémon who hang out around the 3% zone. Players will have to beat a legendary raid before they even get the chance, making failure even more frustrating.
9 Star Of The Show
Getting a game cover is usually a pretty good indication of a fan favorite. Considering the amount of lore and stories based around the legendary beast, Lugia comes in as one of the most iconic.
Appearing on the covers of Pokémon Silver, SoulSilver, and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness makes it the most prolific of the poster Pokémon. It’s also been the star or recurring character in many of the movies, making Lugia the series star.
8 Type Confusion
While Lugia isn’t officially a Water-type Pokémon, so much of its persona and backstory are based around the ocean. A rare occurrence considering the type of most Pokémon is what so much of their character is based on.
It seems Lugia’s Psychic qualities are reduced to its telekinetic powers, leaving room for its natural habitat to dictate its move set. With moves like Rain Dance and Hydro Pump in its repertoire, it’s hard to believe it doesn’t fall into the aquatic bunch.
7 King Of The Shadow Pokémon
In the events of Gale of Darkness, players find the criminal organization Cipher back up to their old-world domination tricks. This time placing their hopes in the giant wings of a shadow Lugia.
While Lugia isn’t considered the most powerful of the legendary Pokémon in the main game, in the Orre region it rules the roost. Supposedly being immune to purification, it leaves some massive footsteps to follow in for the rest of the shadow gang.
6 Off The Charts Defense
Flying-type Pokémon, while effective in certain conditions and incredibly helpful for travel, aren’t known for their combat stats. Speed is the only thing they top the boards with, giving them the opportunity for the first shot without the power to back it up.
Lugia, on the other hand, has its fair share of type weaknesses. Making it a liability for the amount of attack power it has. To balance this out, despite its Flying-type nature, Lugia has one of the highest Special Defense stats available.
5 Self Aware Of Its Power
One of the smartest Pokémon in the game, being able to talk to humans through telekinesis is just one of its many talents. Lugia is so self-aware that instead of using its massive power on a whim like the other tanks, it buries itself at the bottom of the ocean as not to cause damage.
This is what puts it in the best position to claim its title as guardian of the ocean. Spending most of its days in the deep blue, it protects the rest of the world from the storms it could create with a flap of its wings.
4 Leader Of The Originals
The original legendary birds were presented to fans as an independent group in generation 1. Little did we know that wasn’t the entire picture, every group needs a leader, and the most powerful bird fills that spot.
While Ho-Oh reigns over the three legendary dogs, Lugia is the commander of the original bird trio. Pokémon: The Movie 2000 was the original source for this, showing the characters using Lugia’s song to calm the legendary birds and bring peace to the land.
3 Baby Lugia
The only legendary Pokémon that has been known to have offspring makes Lugia a true one of a kind in the series. While we’ve seen countless Pokémon species with their babies, legendary Pokémon are usually assumed to be one of a kind.
In episode 220 of the anime, Ash and the team encounter a kid who has befriended a baby Lugia. Team Rocket proceeds to try and capture it in hopes of luring out the parent, not a smart plan knowing the raw power of the beast. This could be a hint to the other legendary Pokémon being able to produce their own successors.
2 Bird In Dragon’s Clothing
With the aesthetic alone it’s hard to believe Lugia isn’t a Dragon-type. With massive wings and powerful tail, it seems only right to include the goliath in the bunch. Especially with the array of Pokémon in the gang that doesn’t look the part (we’re looking at you Appletun).
It adds more confusion when it learns Dragon-type moves off the bat, with Dragon Rush and Dragon Pulse being learned at level 15 in their respective generations they were introduced in. At the end of the day, Lugia is just an incredible looking bird Pokémon with all the right looks.
1 Guardian Of The Seas
Being a legendary is usually enough to land Pokémon in the hall of fame, yet Lugia always seems to up the ante. Not settling for being all-powerful, Lugia and Ho-Oh seem to genuinely want the best for the world. Protecting the sky and sea, the duo bring a sense of duty to the series.
Containing its own power, it hibernates deep beneath the sea. Putting itself in a position to control the currents and overlook the goings-on under the waves. Lucky for the sailors of the world, it doesn’t have the temper of a Garchomp.
NEXT: Pokémon: Every Galar Starter Pokémon Evolution, Ranked
