Black 2 and White 2 are weird. In a good way. Most sequels in this franchise are just "third versions" with a fresh coat of paint, but the Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 legendaries represent a shift in how Game Freak handled the heavy hitters. You weren't just catching a god-tier monster because it was on the box; you were interacting with a broken, fused remnant of Unova’s history. It’s gritty. It’s complex.
Honestly, the sheer volume of legendaries packed into these games is staggering. It’s almost like the developers knew they were moving on to the 3DS and wanted to leave every door open on the way out. You have the box mascots, sure, but then you have the leftovers from Sinnoh, the roaming genies, and the legendary birds. It’s a lot to keep track of.
The Fusion Nightmare: Kyurem, Zekrom, and Reshiram
The heart of the game is Kyurem. In the original Black and White, Kyurem was just a "hollow" shell living in a hole in the ground. It felt unfinished. That was the point. According to Unova lore, when the original dragon split into Reshiram and Zekrom, Kyurem was what was left over—the literal scraps.
In the sequels, Team Plasma stops playing around. They use the DNA Splicers. This is where the Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 legendaries get complicated. By fusing Kyurem with either Reshiram (White Kyurem) or Zekrom (Black Kyurem), you get these powerhouse forms with base stat totals of 700. That was unheard of for anything that wasn't Arceus back in 2012.
Black Kyurem is a physical monster. It hits like a freight train with Freeze Shock, though it’s always suffered from a lack of physical Ice-type moves that don't require a charge turn. White Kyurem is the special attacker's dream. It uses Ice Burn. Both of them represent the first time we saw "Fusion" as a core mechanic, years before Necrozma tried to do the same thing in Alola.
Catching the Swords of Justice (Without the Event Bloat)
Most people remember Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion from the first games, but their placement in the sequels is way more organic. You literally run into Cobalion on Route 13. It just stands there. It’s waiting for you.
There is a certain weight to how these three are presented. They aren't hiding in deep, convoluted dungeons this time. They are actively watching the player. Virizion is chilling on Route 11, and Terrakion is hanging out on Route 22. It feels less like a treasure hunt and more like a test of worthiness.
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Then there’s Keldeo. Keldeo is the "fourth" Musketeer, but it’s still locked behind events or the Serebii-reported distributions. If you managed to get one, taking it to the Pledge Grove near Floccesy Town triggers its Resolute Form. It doesn't actually change its stats—which is a bit of a letdown—but it does let it learn Secret Sword. It’s a small detail, but for completionists, it’s the "true" end to that side story.
The Return of the Sinnoh Myths and the Lake Guardians
If you thought you were done with the Sinnoh region, the Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 legendaries roster has a surprise for you. After you beat the Elite Four, the game opens up in a massive way. You can find Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf scattered across Unova.
- Uxie: Found outside Nacrene Museum.
- Mesprit: Found at the top of Celestial Tower.
- Azelf: Found on Route 23.
They aren't just there for filler. They provide a bridge between the DS generations. It’s also one of the few ways to get these Psychic-types without booting up a copy of Diamond or Pearl.
But the real prize for many was Cresselia. You have to get the Lunar Wing from the Strange House—a location that is legitimately creepy and feels more like a Resident Evil room than a Pokemon map. Once you have it, Cresselia appears on Marvelous Bridge. She’s still one of the best defensive walls in the meta, even a decade later.
Heatran, Latios, and the Version Exclusives
This is where the "sequel" energy really kicks in. The game is packed with high-level encounters that make the post-game feel infinite.
Heatran is tucked away in Reversal Mountain. You need the Magma Stone, which is hidden in a corner of the desert that most people walk right past. It’s a level 68 encounter. That’s a serious fight if you aren't prepared. Heatran’s Flash Fire ability and unique Steel/Fire typing made it a staple in the VGC (Video Game Championships) scene for years.
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Then you have the Eon duo. In Black 2, you get Latios. In White 2, you get Latias. They appear in the Dreamyard. It’s a chase sequence. It’s annoying, honestly. You have to follow them around the ruins until they finally corner themselves and fight. But getting a Latios with a Soul Dew (if you can find one) is basically a "win button" for the Battle Subway.
Regigigas and the Go-Rock Trap
Let’s talk about the Regis. This is probably the most frustrating part of the Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 legendaries hunt. To get Regigigas, you need Regirock, Regice, and Registeel.
Regirock is in the Underground Ruins. Easy enough. But Regice and Registeel are locked behind the "Unova Link" system.
Black 2 players get the Iron Key (Registeel).
White 2 players get the Iceberg Key (Regice).
To get the one you’re missing, you have to wirelessly connect with a friend who has the other version and "swap" keys. In 2026, with the Nintendo DS Wi-Fi long dead, this is a nightmare for solo players using original hardware. You basically need two consoles or a very specific set of DNS exploits to make this work now. Once you have all three in your party, you head to Twist Mountain, and the giant golem Regigigas awakens. It’s still hampered by Slow Start, but it’s a trophy worth having.
The Kami Trio: Landorus, Thundurus, and Tornadus
You can't talk about these games without mentioning the "Genies." In the original Black and White, they were roamers. They were a pain to catch. In the sequels, they aren't even in the base game's tall grass.
To get the Therian Formes (the animal-like versions) of Landorus, Thundurus, and Tornadus, you originally had to use the Pokemon Dream Radar on the 3DS. This was a separate motion-control game. You’d catch them there and beam them over to your B2W2 save file.
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Landorus-Therian (Lando-T) eventually became the single most used Pokemon in competitive history. Its Intimidate ability and Ground/Flying typing are just too good. If you're playing on an emulator or a flashcart today, you might need to use cheats just to trigger these encounters since the Dream Radar bridge is so clunky now.
Why the Hunt Still Matters
What makes the Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 legendaries special compared to modern games like Scarlet and Violet is the "how." In modern games, legendaries often just feel like icons on a map. You fly there, you press A, you throw a Quick Ball.
In B2W2, there’s a sense of place. To get to Kyurem, you have to navigate the Giant Chasm, witness the environmental storytelling of the crater, and deal with the Ghetsis confrontation. To get Heatran, you have to find a specific item in a different part of the world. It’s interconnected. It feels like you're an archeologist as much as a trainer.
The difficulty curve is also higher. These legendaries aren't level 20. They are level 65, 70, or even 80 in some cases. They will sweep your team if you haven't been grinding the PWT (Pokemon World Tournament).
Your Checklist for the Ultimate Legendary Run
If you are dusting off your DS or starting a new save on an emulator, here is how you should handle the endgame:
- Clear the Story: You can't get to the best stuff until Ghetsis is defeated and the credits roll.
- The DNA Splicers: Go back to the Giant Chasm. Kyurem is waiting. This is your primary target.
- The Keys: If you're on real hardware, find a buddy with the opposite version immediately. You cannot finish the Regi quest without that Unova Link.
- The Nature Preserve: This is the ultimate "flex." If you see every single Pokemon in the Unova Pokedex (you don't have to catch them, just see them), you get a Permit. This takes you to the Nature Preserve where a Shiny Haxorus is just sitting there. It’s not a legendary, but it’s rarer than one.
- Memory Link: If you played the first Black or White, use Memory Link. It adds dialogue and context to the legendary encounters that make the world feel lived-in.
The Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 legendaries are a massive undertaking. It’s easily 40+ hours of content just to see them all. But it’s the last time Pokemon felt truly dense with secrets. There’s no DLC to buy; it’s all just hidden in the cartridge, waiting for you to stumble into a cave or solve a riddle.
To make the most of your hunt, prioritize the Swords of Justice early—they are great for catching other legendaries because they can learn False Swipe. Then, focus on the Lake Trio to fill out your Pokedex quickly. If you're looking for competitive viability, reset your game until you get a Landorus or Heatran with a decent Nature (Jolly or Timid), as these two remain relevant in almost every format they are allowed in.