Pokemon Sword & Shield gained a lot from the release of the Crown Tundra DLC, but the largest impact it made was undoubtedly in the online Battle Stadium. Both casual and competitive trainers were given a massive roster of new and quondam legendary Pokemon through Dynamax Adventures, the new story, and transfers through Pokemon Home.

This has massively altered the metagame, with nearly every team needing to consider what legendaries are worth including. Alternately, many trainers may just need to know what they're going to run into, as sure legendaries take started running rampant across the online battle scene.

Updated July 11, 2021 past Thomas Bowen: Earlier this year, Pokemon Sword & Shield saw a Ranked Battle Season with restricted and banned legendaries being allowed back into the fold. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, this made some of the legal legendaries that had previously dominated the meta feel rather underwhelming. Yet, this major metagame shift likewise concluded up providing us with a whole new prepare of powerful legendaries to consider in our attempts to build a counterbalanced and powerful team. Every bit a result, choosing the best legendary Pokemon in Sword and Shield has never been more difficult.

eighteen Latios

Pokemon Go style Latios flying in the sky
Type Dragon
Psychic
Base Stats HP 80
Attack 90
Defense eighty
Sp. Assail 130
Sp. Defense 110
Speed 110
Total 600
Ability Levitate
Best Nature Naive
Held Item Latiosite / Selection Specs
Instance Moveset Draco Shooting star
Earthquake
Psychic
Roost

Both Latios and Latias have had their niches in competitive contesting since their introduction in Generation III. They are virtually identical in that they have the Dragon-Psychic dual typing, besides equally Levitate.

Latios takes this spot over its carmine sibling for its more focused stat spread. Both take the same HP, Attack, Defence force, and Speed, just Latios has 130 Special Attack and 110 Special Defense. Latias' is vice versa which gives Latios more than utilize as a special aggressor. STAB Draco Falling star and Psychic work keen for information technology, along with either a Life Orb or Selection Specs to maximize its offensive potential further.

17 Urshifu

Type Fighting
Night
Base Stats HP 100
Attack 130
Defense 100
Sp. Attack 63
Sp. Defense sixty
Speed 97
Total 550
Ability Unseen Fist
Best Nature Jolly
Held Particular Choice Band
Example Moveset Close Combat
Sucker Punch
U-turn
Wicked Blow

The Island of Armor mascot has held its place as i of the most interesting Fighting-type Pokemon. Its power, Unseen Fist, allows Urshifu to assault through Protect and other such moves as long as they make contact. Its signature movement is different depending on the form with the Single-Strike form's beingness the Dark-blazon Wicked Accident and the Rapid-Strike course'south beingness the Water-type Surging Strikes. However, both of these moves are guaranteed critical hits.

It takes very specific opponents and situations to accept down an Urshifu in battle, so when set up and built correctly, it can exist a team's all-time sweeper.

sixteen Tapu Koko

Type Electrical
Fairy
Base Stats HP lxx
Assail 115
Defense 85
Sp. Assault 95
Sp. Defense force 75
Speed 130
Total 570
Abilities Electric Surge
Telepathy
Best Nature Timid
Held Item Heavy-Duty Boots
Example Moveset Dazzling Gleam
Roost
Thunderbolt
U-plow

Some other speedy Electric-type, it'due south not as lightning-fast as Regieleki, but information technology provides better utility with its much more than balanced stat spread. It's got corking attacking power on both the physical and special ends to keep with its 130 Speed. The secondary Fairy-typing gives it an actress STAB and amnesty to the powerful Dragon-type.

Its learnset is quite deep, besides, with STAB attacking moves similar Thunderbolt and Dazzling Gleam, pivoting moves like U-Turn and STAB Volt Switch, and other utility moves like Roost and Defog. Tapu Koko proves to be arguably the best of all the Alolan Guardians competitively.

fifteen Galarian Articuno

Articuno using Freezing Glare in the Crown Tundra of Pokemon Sword & Shield
Type Psychic
Flying
Base of operations Stats HP ninety
Attack 85
Defence force 85
Sp. Assault 125
Sp. Defense 100
Speed 95
Total 580
Power Competitive
All-time Nature Timid
Held Item Heavy-Duty Boots
Case Moveset Time to come Sight
Hurricane
Recover
U-plough

Of all the new and best legendaries in Sword and Shield, Galarian Articuno may be the most underrated addition to the roster. Its ability Competitive lives up to its name by doubling its Special Attack in response to any stat decreases, something extremely common cheers to various Max Moves and the overpowered Intimidate ability.

This is aslope a great suite of Flying and Psychic-type moves, supporting your team through Tailwind while bashing with the unique Freezing Glare and powerful Hurricane. It doesn't have as much range or uniqueness compared to the other Galarian birds, but it's absolutely including as your go-to Psychic-blazon teammate.

fourteen Heatran

Heatran surrounded by a Magma Storm in the Pokemon Anime
Blazon Fire
Steel
Base of operations Stats HP 91
Set on 90
Defense 106
Sp. Set on 130
Sp. Defense force 106
Speed 77
Total 600
Abilities Flame Body
Wink Burn down
Best Nature At-home
Held Particular Leftovers
Instance Moveset World Power
Magma Storm
Taunt
Toxic

Heatran was enough mutual in Pokemon Diamond & Pearl'south online metagame, and it continues to remain dominant among the legendaries in Sword & Shield. This Fire and Steel-type is well-nigh i-of-a-kind in its type combination, and it makes for a menace thanks to powerful moves similar Lava Feather, Steel Beam, and even Ancient Power.

Its power and long list of weaknesses helps information technology remain balanced, but information technology makes up for these flaws through an overpowered Special Assault stat and weirdly loftier defenses. Information technology'll shatter against almost Footing-type moves, but otherwise Heatran is very much worth the risk.

13 Spectrier

Spectrier walking into a castle in Pokemon Sword & Shield
Blazon Ghost
Base of operations Stats HP 100
Assault 65
Defense sixty
Sp. Attack 145
Sp. Defence force 80
Speed 130
Total 580
Ability Grim Neigh
Best Nature Timid
Held Detail Leftovers
Example Moveset Hex
Nasty Plot
Substitute
Will-O-Wisp

The Ghost-type steed of Calyrex isn't every bit famous as its Crown Tundra sibling, Glastrier, but it'southward of import to mention how constructive Spectrier is in its own right. Information technology has a wicked Speed stat that'southward matched with a more than impressive Special Attack stat than most other Ghost-types, just it's often overlooked due to some poor set on types.

Equally a result, it works much better as a support member, decreasing your foe's Special Assail stat with Snarl and lowering their Speed with Bulldoze. Once Spectrier's stat decreases aren't going to help you, only nail them with Shadow Ball until your horse needs to rest.

12 Terrakion

Terrakian from the Pokemon Anime stomping on an enemy far below
Blazon Rock
Fighting
Base Stats HP 91
Attack 129
Defence 90
Sp. Assail 72
Sp. Defence force 90
Speed 108
Total 580
Ability Justified
Best Nature Jolly
Held Item Life Orb
Example Moveset Close Combat
Earthquake
Stone Edge
Swords Dance

Rock-blazon Pokemon prove upwards quite rarely in competitive Pokemon, primarily due to their abyssmal Speed stats. This is non the case for Terrakion, an alarmingly fast member of Unova's Swords of Justice with an intense combination of Speed, Assail, and various concrete attacks to expose any opponent's weakness.

It's hands the most normally-used Sword of Justice thanks to its aggressive nature, and it merely gets stronger when hit by Night-type moves thanks to its unusual Justified ability. If you want something that'll ram through your opponents with zero hesitation, you could practice plenty worse than Terrakion.

11 Zapdos

Zapdos flying in a thunderstorm in the Pokemon anime
Type Electric
Flying
Base Stats HP 90
Assault 90
Defense 85
Sp. Attack 125
Sp. Defense force 85
Speed ninety
Total 580
Abilities Pressure
Static
All-time Nature Timid
Held Particular Heavy-Duty Boots
Example Moveset Defog
Discharge
Hurricane
Roost

Not only is Kanto's Zapdos i of the best legendaries in Sword and Shield, it may very well be i of the best legendaries in competitive Pokemon history. Its strengths are incredibly simple, having few weaknesses thanks to its Electrical and Flying-blazon combination and a slap-up mix of Speed and Special Attack.

Information technology even sees new tools in each game, having learned Heat Wave in recent generations and Rising Voltage in Galar. It just needs a quick stat boost from an item like a Life Orb, and it'll immediately have plenty ability to take on most of the strongest Pokemon in the entire series.

ten Registeel

Registeel standing above a trainer in the Pokemon anime
Type Steel
Base Stats HP lxxx
Assault 75
Defence force 150
Sp. Attack 75
Sp. Defense force 150
Speed 50
Full 580
Abilities Articulate Torso
Light Metal
Best Nature Careful
Held Item Leftovers
Example Moveset Heavy Slam
Seismic Toss
Stealth Rock
Toxic

The return of the Regi family has been a blessing for online play, as every original member is a powerful tank that'southward unlike whatever typical Pokemon. While Regirock can make a great physical aggressor and Regice provides a unique range of special attacks, the powerful Steel-type Registeel is the king of the old Regis thanks to its mixed defenses and new tools.

Registeel'due south greatest new move in Galar is Torso Press, which can bargain damage using the user'due south Defense stat rather than its Attack. Registeel'south criminal offence isn't terrible, but this can combo with Atomic number 26 Defense force to maximize defenses while supplying its own offensive heave. Add in moves similar Amnesia to give some Special Defense for Fire-type foes, and Registeel tin can exist indestructible.

nine Landorus

Landorus in its Therian Form in the Pokemon anime
Type Footing
Flying
Base of operations Stats HP 89
Attack 145
Defense 90
Sp. Attack 105
Sp. Defense fourscore
Speed 91
Total 600
Ability Intimidate
Best Nature Impish
Held Item Leftovers
Example Moveset Earthquake
Stealth Rock
Toxic
U-plough

Landorus'due south Therian Forme has always been quite dominant in competitive play, and it'due south piece of cake to see why in Galar'south online battles. The Intimidate Power is an first-class mode to eliminate the ability of concrete attackers, and its Basis and Flight-type combination provide a spectacular utility that no other Pokemon in Galar can lucifer.

Those playing against it, though, take many options of countering it. Many erstwhile abilities accept received nerfs in Pokemon Sword & Shield to prevent it from working, while others like Dragapult's Clear Body and Milotic's Competitive tin negate it or heighten your stats instead. Its power is there, but using Landorus requires a lot of circumspection so as not to backfire.

viii Cresselia

Cresselia looking at the moon at night in Pokemon Go
Blazon Psychic
Base Stats HP 120
Attack 70
Defence 120
Sp. Assail 75
Sp. Defense 130
Speed 85
Total 600
Ability Levitate
Best Nature Bold
Held Item Leftovers
Instance Moveset Moonblast
Moonlight
Psyshock
Toxic

Cresselia is similarly beefy to Registeel, having some solid all-around defenses despite a disappointing corporeality of speed and offense. Cresselia isn't by and large equally indestructible equally Registeel, but its utility is even greater thanks to a broad range of condition moves that it'll ever be able to utilize before fainting.

This includes battlefield effects like Trick Room, which usually demand ho-hum and defensive teams to apply best already. Other moves like Lunar Healing will make the user faint to fully heal an incoming Pokemon, pregnant Cresselia can give perfect intendance to your damaged team belatedly in the game.

7 Azelf

Azelf floating over a blue sky in the Pokemon anime
Type Psychic
Base of operations Stats HP 75
Set on 125
Defence seventy
Sp. Attack 125
Sp. Defense 70
Speed 115
Total 580
Ability Levitate
Best Nature Timid
Held Item Life Orb
Example Moveset Energy Ball
Fire Blast
Nasty Plot
Psyshock

Another powerful legendary from Sinnoh comes in the form of Azelf, a fellow member of the Lake Guardian trio that besides includes Uxie and Mesprit. These two have some solid defensive stats, but are mostly outclassed by other legendary tanks similar Cresselia and Registeel. Instead, Azelf provides a more diverse offensive suite to your team than almost any other choice.

Azelf learns several moves of varying types, featuring Psychic and Ghost-type moves that fit its Psychic-type nature alongside many elemental attacks like Thunderbolt and Flamethrower. If yous need a physical fighter, Azelf tin also punch just as hard with its easily, learning moves similar Burn Punch and Rock Edge to catch your foes off guard.

half dozen Entei

Entei standing on a crystal cliff in the Pokemon anime
Blazon Fire
Base Stats HP 115
Assault 115
Defense 85
Sp. Attack ninety
Sp. Defense 75
Speed 100
Total 580
Abilities Inner Focus
Pressure
Best Nature Adamant
Held Item Selection Band
Example Moveset Extreme Speed
Flare Blitz
Sacred Burn
Stone Border

Entei has historically remained one of the least common of Johto's Legendary Beasts to announced in online play. Raikou's unsettling speed and Suicune's unique support moves like Roar and Tailwind make them usual frontrunners for teams, but Entei'southward taken much more merits over Galar afterward very piffling fourth dimension in the spotlight.

This is mostly because newer powerful items similar the Set on Belong and Weakness Policy give spectacular stat boosts to Entei. Without them, its stats are relatively boilerplate for nearly competitive Pokemon, merely these tin give simply plenty actress damage or defenses to make an astounding fighter and great target for your Dynamax power.

five Celesteela

Celesteela flying into the sky with rockets in the Pokemon anime
Blazon Steel
Flying
Base Stats HP 97
Attack 101
Defence force 103
Sp. Attack 107
Sp. Defence force 101
Speed 61
Total 570
Ability Creature Boost
Best Nature Sassy
Held Item Leftovers
Instance Moveset Heavy Slam
Flamethrower
Leech Seed
Protect

Virtually all of the Ultra Beasts are solid inclusions in your Boxing Stadium teams, mostly due to their high stats and unique Brute Heave ability to increase their stats when defeating opponents. Unfortunately, many are quite predictable, having very express strategies to succeed with and few ways to trick opponents.

This is what Celesteela excels at, as its only low stat is its Speed. With this great mix, and a wonderful Flying and Steel-type combination, it can fill nearly any role on your team. Special attackers will admire moves like Meteor Beam and Flamethrower, while physical attackers can enjoy ludicrous attacks like Rock Slide and Heavy Slam. Lastly, those who want an unbeatable tank can raise its defenses and teach it Leech Seed to cause an endless stream of self-healing.

4 Tapu Fini

Tapu Fini facing the camera in the Pokemon anime
Type Water
Fairy
Base Stats HP lxx
Assault 75
Defense force 115
Sp. Assault 95
Sp. Defense 130
Speed 85
Full 570
Abilities Misty Surge
Telepathy
Best Nature Timid
Held Item Choice Scarf
Example Moveset Hydro Pump
Moonblast
Taunt
Trick

Not most enough players ofttimes understand how powerful Terrain is in competitive battles. Much like atmospheric condition effects, Terrains nullify several effects while empowering many moves, with one of the strongest being Misty Terrain'south ability to prevent status ailments from hit any Pokemon standing on the footing.

Given this defensive boost, getting Misty Terrain in play can prevent many popular strategies from disabling your team, and Alola's Tapu Fini has an power called Misty Surge that can do just that upon inbound battle. That free utility already makes it a potent player in any team, only it too only functions as a potent special attacker, especially in Double Battles as it tin can hitting multiple foes using Muddy H2o and Dazzling Gleam.

iii Glastrier

Glastrier walking in the Crown Tundra in Pokemon Sword & Shield
Type Water ice
Base of operations Stats HP 100
Attack 145
Defense 130
Sp. Attack 65
Sp. Defense force 110
Speed 30
Total 580
Ability Chilling Neigh
Best Nature Adamant
Held Item Leftovers
Case Moveset High Horsepower
Icicle Crash
Substitute
Swords Dance

With and so many returns, the Crown Tundra has become a point of business for many players. Classic overpowered Pokemon and many unbeatable strategies have returned, making the metagame far less fresh than before Galar'south Pokedex was expanded. That having been said, many of the Crown Tundra'southward brand new legendaries take helped prevent battles from being stale, equally many are spectacular inclusions to nearly any team.

Ane of these includes Glastrier, the frozen steed of Calyrex encountered in the Crown Tundra'due south story. The Ghost-type Spectrier makes for a solid speedy special attacker, but Glastrier has likely made more of an touch thanks to its unique pure Ice-type body. Most Ice-type Pokemon tend to be Special Attackers, but Glastrier'due south ludicrous defence and physical attack stats help provide a physical tank that's unlike any other Pokemon in the game.

ii Galarian Moltres

Galarian Moltres using Fiery Wrath during a cutscene in Pokemon Sword & Shield
Type Dark
Flight
Base of operations Stats HP 90
Attack 85
Defense force ninety
Sp. Attack 100
Sp. Defense 125
Speed ninety
Total 580
Power Berserk
Best Nature Calm
Held Item Heavy-Duty Boots
Example Moveset Fiery Wrath
Nasty Plot
Residue
Sleep Talk

While Glastrier might be bringing something new to the table, the new Dark-type Galarian Moltres is more than powerful due to its ability to perfectly utilize contempo special attacker strategies. This Pokemon strives when using Dynamax, as it can use the Dark and Flying-type Max Moves to lower an opposing team'south Special Defense while raising its Speed.

If that wasn't enough, its large number of weaknesses assistance it employ the powerful new Weakness Policy item, which sharply raises its offensive stats when hit by Super Constructive moves. Its high defenses and boosted health hateful it'll near always survive these hits, and they'll oftentimes deal merely plenty damage to trigger its Berserk power to heighten its Special Assail even higher.

ane Regieleki

Regieleki using Thunder Cage in Pokemon Sword & Shield
Type Electric
Base Stats HP lxxx
Attack 100
Defense 50
Sp. Attack 100
Sp. Defence force fifty
Speed 200
Total 580
Ability Transistor
Best Nature Adamant
Held Item Life Orb
Example Moveset Assurance
Explosion
Rapid Spin
Wild Accuse

Information technology's impossible to describe Regieleki as anything but a menace in competitive battles. This Pokemon has the highest Speed stat of any Pokemon in the series, meaning it can use moves like Electro Ball with high power well-nigh every time to annihilate foes. Alternately, moves like Thunder Cage and Eerie Impulse can restrict foes and lower stats, and easily make up for Regieleki's shallow list of non-Electric attacks.

Amazingly, though, Regieleki has more options than merely a deadly assaulter. Since Regieleki'southward only weakness is Ground-type moves, its poor defensive stats don't even forbid it from surviving large hits if you need it to play more than defensively. Additionally, it tin piece of work but as well every bit a back up option by using moves like Reflect and Lite Screen to maximize your entire squad'due south defenses, while sticking to Electroweb as a primary attack to go along opponents perpetually slow.

Adjacent: Pokemon: Ranking The Most Underrated Galar Pokemon