We print 23 legendary and mythical Poké Balls: 22 from Generations 1 through 4, plus Zekrom from Generation 5. This guide lists every one by generation, explains which are legendary and which are mythical, and shows when a generation set saves you money over buying singles.
Legendary vs. mythical: what's the difference?
Both groups are rare, powerful Pokémon, but they're not the same thing. Mythical Pokémon were traditionally available only through special event distributions, while legendaries could be found in the main story of the games. The two were often lumped together as "legendary" in early English releases, and they've been treated as separate groups since Generation 5.
Of the balls we print, five are mythical: Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Darkrai and Arceus. Everything else in this guide is legendary. On our shelves both groups share the same price tier, so the difference matters more for collectors who like to sort their displays by it.
Generation 1: the birds, Mewtwo and Mew
- Articuno: legendary, Ice/Flying.
- Zapdos: legendary, Electric/Flying.
- Moltres: legendary, Fire/Flying.
- Mewtwo: legendary, Psychic.
- Mew: mythical, Psychic.
The three birds look striking side by side because their colors, icy blue, electric yellow and flame orange, are so different. Mewtwo and Mew make a natural pair too, since the story of Mewtwo's creation begins with Mew. For more from this region, see our guide to the Kanto Poké Ball collection.
Generation 2: the beasts, the tower duo and Celebi
- Raikou: legendary, Electric.
- Entei: legendary, Fire.
- Suicune: legendary, Water.
- Lugia: legendary, Psychic/Flying.
- Ho-Oh: legendary, Fire/Flying.
- Celebi: mythical, Psychic/Grass.
Raikou, Entei and Suicune are known as the legendary beasts, and they make a natural trio. Lugia and Ho-Oh were the mascots of the Silver and Gold games, so many collectors pair them. Celebi, the time-traveling mythical, rounds out the generation and adds a splash of green to a shelf that is otherwise mostly fire, water and lightning.
Generation 3: the eon duo, the weather trio and Jirachi
- Latias: legendary, Dragon/Psychic.
- Latios: legendary, Dragon/Psychic.
- Kyogre: legendary, Water.
- Groudon: legendary, Ground.
- Rayquaza: legendary, Dragon/Flying.
- Jirachi: mythical, Steel/Psychic.
Kyogre and Groudon, the ocean and the land, are often displayed with Rayquaza between them as the peacekeeper. Latias and Latios are a matched red-and-blue pair that looks best side by side. Jirachi, the mythical wish-maker, is small and bright, which makes it a good accent piece at the end of a row.
Generation 4: the creation trio, Darkrai and Arceus
- Dialga: legendary, Steel/Dragon.
- Palkia: legendary, Water/Dragon.
- Giratina: legendary, Ghost/Dragon.
- Darkrai: mythical, Dark.
- Arceus: mythical, Normal.
In the Sinnoh story, Dialga, Palkia and Giratina are linked to time, space and antimatter, and Arceus is the Pokémon said to have created them. That makes Gen 4 one of the most satisfying sets to display as a group. Darkrai, with its dark, shadowy design, gives the set a strong contrast piece.
Beyond Gen 4: Zekrom, and a note on Tinkaton
Zekrom, the Dragon/Electric legendary from Generation 5, is the one legendary we print from the later generations. It's sold as a single only and isn't part of any set. If you collect by type, it pairs well with the Dragon-types from earlier generations, such as Rayquaza, Dialga and Palkia.
You'll also see Tinkaton priced at $23.99. That's just its price tier. Tinkaton is a Fairy/Steel Pokémon from Generation 9 and is not a legendary.
Singles or a generation set?
Legendary and mythical balls are $23.99 each, compared with $17.99 for standard balls. Our legendary sets by generation group each generation together at a lower price than buying the same balls one by one:
| Set | Balls | Set price | Same balls as singles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 1 | 5 | $110.99 | $119.95 |
| Gen 2 | 6 | $132.99 | $143.94 |
| Gen 3 | 6 | $132.99 | $143.94 |
| Gen 4 | 5 | $110.99 | $119.95 |
| All Available | 22 | $474.99 | $527.78 |
If you only want one or two favorites, singles make more sense. Orders ship in 3–5 business days with $5.99 US shipping, and shipping is free on orders of $35 or more, so any two balls ship free. You can browse every set in our Poké Ball bundles collection.
Each ball is an N3D design that we print in multicolor PLA, about 2.75 in across with a working push-button click. With the character details, most stand 3–4 in tall. Our complete guide to every design in the N3D series covers the full range beyond the legendaries.
Legendary and mythical Poké Ball FAQ
Is Mew a legendary or a mythical Pokémon?
Mew is mythical. So are Celebi, Jirachi, Darkrai and Arceus. Mewtwo, the legendary birds and the rest of the balls in this guide, apart from Tinkaton, are legendary.
Is Zekrom included in the All Available set?
No. The All Available set covers the 22 legendary and mythical balls from Generations 1 to 4. Zekrom is sold as a single only.
Which set is the best place to start?
Pick the generation you grew up with. The Gen 1 and Gen 4 sets have five balls each at $110.99, and the Gen 2 and Gen 3 sets have six each at $132.99.
Whether you start with one favorite or go for all 23, every legendary and mythical ball we print is in one collection.
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N3D Poké Balls are fan-made collectibles designed by N3D and printed under our N3D commercial seller licence. One More Layer Prints is not affiliated with or endorsed by Nintendo, Game Freak, Creatures or The Pokémon Company.
