Legendary Pokémon Locations and Catching Strategies

Congratulations, Trainer! You've conquered the Pokémon League and are now ready to face the ultimate challenge: capturing the legendary Pokémon of the Unova region. This detailed guide will walk you through the precise locations and effective strategies for adding these powerful creatures to your team.

Reshiram (Pokémon Black) / Zekrom (Pokémon White)

Your journey to capture the legendary Dragon of Truth (Reshiram) or Ideals (Zekrom) is intertwined with the main story. You will encounter your respective legendary during the climax of the Team Plasma storyline.

Location: N's Castle, after defeating the Elite Four and before facing N.
Prerequisites: You must have defeated the Elite Four.
Strategy:
1. Preparation: Before entering N's Castle, ensure your team is well-prepared. Bring a Pokémon with a status-inflicting move (e.g., Sleep Powder, Thunder Wave) and a Pokémon that can safely lower the legendary's HP without knocking it out. False Swipe is ideal for this.
2. Encounter: After defeating the Elite Four, you will proceed to N's Castle. During the confrontation with N, your legendary will appear.
3. Battle: The legendary will be at Level 50. Its stats are formidable, so focus on reducing its HP to critical levels (red zone).
4. Status Conditions: Inflict a status condition like Sleep or Paralysis to significantly increase your catch rate.
5. Poké Balls: While a Master Ball is provided to you by N (though you don't have to use it here), consider using Ultra Balls or Dusk Balls if battling at night or in a cave-like environment within the castle. Timer Balls become more effective as the battle progresses.
6. If you fail: Don't panic! If you accidentally knock out Reshiram/Zekrom, it will reappear at Dragonspiral Tower after you defeat the Elite Four again. This gives you another chance to catch it.

Kyurem

The Boundary Pokémon, Kyurem, awaits in the chilling depths of the Giant Chasm. This powerful Dragon/Ice type is a formidable opponent.

Location: Giant Chasm.
1. Accessing Giant Chasm: Fly to Lacunosa Town. Head east out of town onto Route 13. Follow Route 13 south until you reach the entrance to the Giant Chasm.
2. Navigating the Chasm: Once inside, navigate through the forest area until you reach the central crater. A blizzard will suddenly appear.
3. Finding Kyurem: Proceed into the cave entrance that appears in the center of the crater. Kyurem will be waiting at the end of this cave.
Prerequisites: You must have defeated the Elite Four and caught Reshiram/Zekrom.
Strategy:
1. Team Composition: Bring a strong Fire or Fighting-type Pokémon to deal super-effective damage, but be careful not to knock it out. A Pokémon with False Swipe is highly recommended.
2. Status Infliction: Sleep or Paralysis are your best friends here. Kyurem is Level 75, so it will hit hard.
3. HP Reduction: Lower Kyurem's HP into the red zone.
4. Poké Balls: Dusk Balls are excellent here due to the cave environment. Timer Balls are also very effective if the battle drags on. Have a good supply of Ultra Balls.
5. Saving: Save your game before entering the cave where Kyurem resides. This allows you to reset if you accidentally knock it out.

Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion (Swords of Justice)

These three legendary Pokémon roam Unova, protecting their fellow Pokémon. They can be caught in any order once accessible.

Cobalion

Location: Mistralton Cave.
1. Accessing Mistralton Cave: Fly to Mistralton City. Head north onto Route 7. You'll find the cave entrance on the western side of the route.
2. Navigating the Cave: You'll need a Pokémon with Surf and Strength to navigate Mistralton Cave. Follow the path until you reach the deepest chamber, where you'll find Cobalion.
Prerequisites: You must have defeated the Elite Four.
Strategy:
1. Level: Cobalion is Level 42.
2. Weaknesses: Fighting, Ground, Fire.
3. Catching: Use a Pokémon with False Swipe to lower its HP safely. Inflict a status condition like Sleep or Paralysis. Dusk Balls are effective inside the cave.

Virizion

Location: Pinwheel Forest (East Side).
1. Accessing Pinwheel Forest: Fly to Nacrene City. Head east onto Route 3 and then north into Pinwheel Forest.
2. Finding Virizion: Navigate through the eastern side of Pinwheel Forest. Virizion will be visible in a clearing.
Prerequisites: You must have caught Cobalion first.
Strategy:
1. Level: Virizion is Level 42.
2. Weaknesses: Flying, Poison, Bug, Fire, Ice.
3. Catching: Similar to Cobalion, use False Swipe and status conditions. Ultra Balls or Dusk Balls (if it's night) are good choices.

Terrakion

Location: Victory Road.
1. Accessing Victory Road: Fly to the Pokémon League and enter Victory Road.
2. Finding Terrakion: Navigate through Victory Road. Terrakion will be found in a specific cave chamber. You'll need Surf and Strength to reach it.
Prerequisites: You must have caught Cobalion and Virizion first.
Strategy:
1. Level: Terrakion is Level 42.
2. Weaknesses: Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, Grass, Psychic, Fairy (Gen VI+). In Black/White, focus on Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, Grass, Psychic.
3. Catching: False Swipe and status effects are key. Dusk Balls are highly effective within Victory Road's caves.

Landorus (Requires both Tornadus and Thundurus)

The final member of the Forces of Nature, Landorus, can only be encountered once you have both Tornadus (Black) and Thundurus (White) in your party.

Location: Abundant Shrine.
1. Accessing Abundant Shrine: Fly to Lentimas Town. Head south onto Route 14. You'll need a Pokémon with Waterfall to reach the shrine.
2. Encountering Landorus: With both Tornadus and Thundurus in your party, approach the shrine at the top of the waterfall. Landorus will appear.
Prerequisites: You must have caught Tornadus (Pokémon Black) and Thundurus (Pokémon White) and have both in your party. This means trading with a player who has the opposite version.
Strategy:
1. Level: Landorus is Level 70.
2. Weaknesses: Water, Ice.
3. Catching: Lower its HP with False Swipe. Inflict Sleep or Paralysis. Ultra Balls are generally effective, but Timer Balls will improve as the battle progresses.
4. Saving: Save before approaching the shrine.

Tornadus (Pokémon Black) / Thundurus (Pokémon White) - Roaming Legendaries

These two genies are the first roaming legendary Pokémon you'll encounter in Unova, appearing only after you've defeated the Elite Four.

Location: Roaming Unova.
1. Trigger: After defeating the Elite Four, visit the old lady in the house on Route 7. She will tell you about a strange cloud, triggering the encounter.
2. Tracking: Their location will be marked on the map in your Pokégear. They move between routes randomly.
3. Encountering: You will randomly encounter them in the tall grass on various routes. They will flee on the first turn.
Prerequisites: Defeat the Elite Four.
Strategy:
1. Level: Both are Level 40.
2. Weaknesses:
  - Tornadus (Flying): Electric, Ice, Rock.
  - Thundurus (Electric/Flying): Ice, Rock.
3. The Roaming Challenge:
  - Mean Look/Arena Trap/Shadow Tag: The most effective strategy is to lead with a Pokémon that has an ability like Arena Trap (e.g., Trapinch, Diglett) or Shadow Tag (e.g., Gothitelle line) or a move like Mean Look or Block (e.g., Crobat, Wobbuffet). This prevents them from fleeing.
  - Quick Ball: Throw a Quick Ball at the very start of the battle. This has a high chance of catching them on the first turn.
  - False Swipe & Status: Once trapped, use False Swipe to reduce their HP to 1, and then inflict Sleep or Paralysis.
  - Poké Balls: Dusk Balls (if night) or Ultra Balls are your best bet after the initial Quick Ball attempt.
  - Saving: Save frequently, especially before entering tall grass on routes where they are currently located.