You remember the hype. Back in late 2016, when the Alola region first opened up its tropical borders, everyone was obsessed with the departure from the standard gym formula. But the real draw? It was always the legends. Specifically, the legendary pokemon pokemon moon players had to track down across those four distinct islands. Honestly, if you played Moon instead of Sun, you were signing up for a specific kind of vibe—a nocturnal, moonlit aesthetic that changed how the entire world felt.
People often get confused about what counts as a "legendary" in this generation. Between the box art stars, the island guardians, and the bizarre interdimensional Ultra Beasts, the line gets a bit blurry. But if we're being technical, the roster is actually pretty tight. You’ve got Lunala, the massive bat-like deity that basically defines the game’s identity. Then you’ve got the Tapus, who are more like local neighborhood watch leaders with a lot of attitude and very high base stats.
The Lunala Paradox and the Cosmog Grind
Most players think they just get handed their mascot. That’s partially true. In Pokemon Moon, the story revolves heavily around "Nebby," that stubborn little Cosmog that absolutely refuses to stay in Lillie’s bag. It’s a slow burn. You spend hours watching this puff of cosmic gas do nothing until it finally evolves into Cosmoem, and then, at the Altar of the Moone on Poni Island, it becomes Lunala.
Lunala is a beast. Period. It’s a Psychic/Ghost type with a signature ability called Shadow Shield. If you’re playing competitively or even just trying to sweep the Elite Four, that ability is a lifesaver. It reduces the damage you take from hits when your HP is full. Basically, it’s a built-in Multiscale. Its signature move, Moongeist Beam, is even cooler because it ignores the opponent's abilities. Sturdy? Doesn't matter. Disguise? Gone.
But here’s the thing many people missed: you can actually get a second Cosmog. Yeah, seriously. After you become the Champion, you need to have Lunala in your party and head back to the Altar of the Moone during the day (which is night in the game world). A portal opens. You go through, find the Lake of the Moone, and a second Cosmog just... appears. You can’t evolve it into Solgaleo in your version, but it’s the ultimate trade bait.
Why the Tapus are the Real End-Game Bosses
If Lunala is the heart of the story, the Tapus are the backbone of the gameplay. There are four of them: Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini. They each represent one of the islands—Melemele, Akala, Ula’ula, and Poni. Catching them is a total pain in the neck if you aren't prepared. They have notoriously low catch rates, and they love to use moves that whittle down their own PP, leading to them Struggling to death before you can click "Bag."
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Tapu Koko is the one everyone knows because you fight it right after the credits roll. It’s fast. It’s Electric/Fairy. It sets up Electric Terrain immediately. In the 2017 VGC (Video Game Championships) meta, these guys were everywhere. Tapu Lele, specifically, dominated because Psychic Terrain blocked priority moves like Extreme Speed or Fake Out. If you were trying to play seriously, these weren't just trophies; they were requirements.
Hunting them requires a very specific setup. You need a "catcher" Pokemon. Usually, something like Smeargle or Parasect with False Swipe and Spore. But wait—Tapu Koko is Electric, and if it’s on Electric Terrain, it can’t be put to sleep. You have to wait out the terrain or use a different status like Paralysis. It’s these little tactical layers that made legendary pokemon pokemon moon hunts more interesting than just lobbing Ultra Balls until something stuck.
The Ultra Beast Confusion
Are Ultra Beasts legendary? It’s a debate that has raged in the fandom for years. Game Freak and The Pokemon Company usually treat them as a separate category, but for all intents and purposes, they function like legendaries. They have high base stat totals, unique abilities (Beast Boost), and limited encounters. In Moon, you get exclusive access to Pheromosa and Celesteela.
Pheromosa is a glass cannon. It’s a Bug/Fighting type that looks like a high-fashion cockroach and moves faster than almost anything in the game. It hits like a truck but dies if someone sneezes on it. Celesteela, on the other hand, is a literal moon rocket. It’s a Steel/Flying type that is incredibly heavy, making its Heavy Slam move absolutely devastating. Honestly, Celesteela is one of the most annoying Pokemon to face in battle because it’s so tanky and has such a versatile movepool.
The post-game quest to hunt these down, led by Looker and Anabel, is probably the most "detective-noir" Pokemon has ever felt. It’s gritty, weird, and a bit repetitive, but it’s the only way to fill that Alola Pokedex.
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Necrozma: The Creepy Crawler of Ten Carat Hill
Then there’s Necrozma. In the base Moon game, Necrozma is kind of an afterthought compared to how it was handled in the Ultra sequels. You find it in Ten Carat Hill after finishing the Ultra Beast missions. It’s just... there. Waiting in the tall grass.
It’s a pure Psychic type at this stage, and it’s honestly a bit of a letdown until you realize its potential for future games. Back then, it was just this mysterious, dark prism-like entity that felt out of place. Catching it felt like a secret, even though it was a scripted part of the completionist path.
Marshadow and the Event Wall
We can’t talk about legendary pokemon pokemon moon without mentioning the "Mythicals." Marshadow is the standout here. It’s a Fighting/Ghost type with a unique Z-Move called Seven-Star Soul-Stealing Strike. The problem? You couldn't catch it in the wild. It was an event-only distribution.
This is the part of Pokemon that still bugs a lot of people. If you missed the GameStop code or the online distribution window, your Pokedex stayed incomplete. Marshadow is incredibly cool because it hides in shadows and mimics the movements of others, but for the average player jumping into the game years later, it’s a ghost in more ways than one. Same goes for Magearna, though luckily, the QR code for Magearna actually still works in most regions if you scan it after beating the Elite Four.
Technical Stats and Battle Viability
For the nerds out there (and I say that with love), the base stat totals (BST) of these legendaries are what make them worth the effort.
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- Lunala: 680 BST. High Special Attack and HP.
- The Tapus: All sit at 570 BST.
- The Ultra Beasts: Vary, but usually around 570 BST.
In the context of the Alola region, these numbers are massive. But it’s the typing that matters. Psychic/Ghost is a double-edged sword. You get two immunities (Normal and Fighting), but you take 4x damage from Ghost and Dark moves. One Sucker Punch from a Kangaskhan and your legendary moon bat is in big trouble.
Practical Steps for Modern Hunters
If you’re booting up a save file in 2026 or whenever you find yourself back in Alola, there’s a right way to do this. Don't just run into the tall grass.
- Synchronize is your best friend. Bring a Pokemon with the Synchronize ability (like Abra) in the first slot of your party. Make sure it has the Nature you want (Timid for Lunala, Jolly or Adamant for others). This gives you a 50% chance (in Gen 7) of the legendary having that same Nature.
- Stock up on Timer Balls. These fights take forever. By turn 10, Timer Balls become more effective than Ultra Balls.
- The Master Ball. Save it. Seriously. Don't use it on Lunala; she has a relatively high catch rate because the game wants you to have her for the story. Save it for a shiny hunt or a particularly frustrating Tapu Bulu.
- Check the QR Scanner. You can still get Magearna. Just look up the "Magearna QR code" online, scan it in-game, and pick it up at the antique shop in Hau'oli City.
The Alola legendaries represent a turning point in the series. They felt more integrated into the lore than the random "legendary birds" of the past. They were protectors, invaders, and family members. Whether you're trying to complete a Living Dex or just want to see the end of Lillie's story, these encounters are the peak of the 3DS era of Pokemon.
The mechanics might feel a bit dated now that we have the open worlds of Paldea, but there’s a soul in Pokemon Moon that’s hard to replicate. Catching Lunala under the pixelated moonlight is still a top-tier gaming memory for anyone who grew up with a 3DS in their hands.
Go to Poni Island. Prepare your False Swipers. The moon is rising.