Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl: All Legendary Pokemon, Ranked By Stats

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl bring players back to the Sinnoh region for the first time since the original games were released. The original Sinnoh games introduced some iconic legendary Pokemon like Palkia, Dialga, and Cresselia. The legendary options in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are a bit different from the originals and the legendaries are obtained in a number of different ways.

For many players, having a legendary Pokemon on their team is a must. There are lots of legendary Pokemon in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and with so many options, it can be tough to decide which legendaries to go for. Many players have strong opinions on which legendary Pokemon is the best, but the stats don't lie.

Updated March 23, 2022, by Kirkland Fortner: Stats don't lie, and when choosing a team of Pokemon, they are extremely helpful in deciding which creatures do and do not belong. However, stats aren't everything. There are many aspects to consider when picking team members, and stats are just one of them. Players should also consider Pokemon typing, and how that influences the effectiveness of each creature. That said, we're going to add the Pokemon-type information for each of these entries and explain how that helps or hinders the quest.

19 Regirock, Regice, & Registeel

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Regirock, Registeel, Regice

The Regi-trio, Regirock, Regice, and Registeel, are notoriously stale legendary Pokemon. Though they have a stat total of 580, the distribution of these stats makes it hard for them to perform well in most battles. Each of the Regis has a Speed stat of 50, allowing them to easily be outpaced by even lower-tier opponents. Registeel's stats are the most well-rounded of the three, with its Speed stat being its only real setback, though the other two Regis are lacking major stat numbers in their Attack and Special Attack stats.

These legendary Pokemon can be obtained from Ramanas Park, where players will need a Discovery Slate. 3 Mysterious Shards or 1 Mysterious Shard L are required to obtain the Discovery Slate.

Regirock's Type and Stats

Regirock is a pure Rock-type. Rock as a type has rather poor defenses (5 weaknesses with only 4 resistances), but some good strengths to make up for it. The Regi-trio can hit 4 types for super effective damage, Ice, Flying, Fire, and Bug, and of those 4, Flying and Fire are especially valuable to hit. All Rock-types also get the advantage of the 50% Special Defense boost Sandstorm gives, which makes the type as a whole much more useful.

HP: 80
Attack: 100
Defense: 200
Special Attack: 50
Special Defense: 100
Speed: 50
Total: 580

Regice's Type and Stats

Pure Ice is an abysmal type. While it does have some good strengths in being able to hit Dragon, Ground, Flying, and Grass for super effective damage, only being able to resist itself is terrible, it makes the type very difficult to position well.

HP: 80
Attack: 50
Defense: 100
Special Attack: 100
Special Defense: 200
Speed: 50
Total: 580

Registeel's Type and Stats

Pure Steel is a rare and pretty useful type. It resists a whopping 10 types and has immunity to another, meaning it resists more than half of the type chart. Steel is also one of only 2 types that can hit Fairy Pokemon for super effective damage, and that alone makes it noteworthy offensively.

HP: 80
Attack: 75
Defense: 150
Special Attack: 75
Special Defense: 150
Speed: 50
Total: 580

18 Entei, Raikou, & Suicune (Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Exclusives)

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Entei, Raikou, Suicune

The three legendary dog Pokemon, Entei, Raikou, and Suicune, are a part of the 580 stat total legendaries. These three Pokemon have a great spread of stats across their categories, with Entei being Attack and HP heavy, Raikou Special Attack and Special Defense, and Suicune being a heavily defensive Pokemon with its strongest stats being Defense, Special Defense, and HP.

These three Pokemon can be found when players have access to Ramanas Park and use a Johto Slate. These three Pokemon are exclusive to Pokemon Brilliant Diamond.

Entei's Type and Stats

Pure Fire is definitely a good type to have. It resists 6 types, the second most of any type in the game, and some of the types that are resisted are Fire, Fairy Steel, and Grass, some valuable types to take less damage from. Offensively, it's a bit mixed. Hitting 4 types for super effective damage, but of those 4, only Grass and Steel are really worth hitting. Being resisted by 4 types in itself (Fire, Water, Rock, and Dragon) is also not stellar.

HP: 115
Attack: 115
Defense: 85
Special Attack: 90
Special Defense: 75
Speed: 100
Total: 580

Raikou's Type and Stats

Pure Electric is excellent. A single weakness to Ground (yes, that's it), resistances to itself, Steel and Flying, and the ability to hit both Water and Flying for super effective damage, which is 2 of the most common types in the game.

HP: 90
Attack: 85
Defense: 75
Special Attack: 115
Special Defense: 100
Speed: 115
Total: 580

Suicune's Type and Stats

Pure Water is probably one of the best pure types to have. Only 2 weaknesses 2 Electric and Grass, resistances to itself, Steel, Ice, and Fire, and the capability of hitting Ground, Rock, and Fire for super effective damage, all good types.

HP: 100
Attack: 75
Defense: 115
Special Attack: 90
Special Defense: 115
Speed: 85
Total: 580

17 Articuno, Zapdos, & Moltres (Pokemon Shining Pearl Exclusives)

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Zapdos, Moltres, Articuno

Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres are the three bird legendaries of Generation 1. All three of these legendary Pokemon have great stats across the board, with Moltres being one of the best Fire-type attackers thanks to its high Attack and Special Attack stat. Zapdos comes with a focus on Speed and Special Attack, and Articuno on Defense and Special Defense.

These three Pokemon are exclusive to Pokemon Shining Pearl and can be caught when players use the Kanto Slate when they have access to Ramanas Park.

Articuno's Type and Stats

Ice/Flying is a typing that shines offensively. It hits 6 types for super effective damage, Dragon, Flying, Ground, Bug, Grass, and Fighting, most of which are good types to hit, and only Steel can resist both types. Unfortunately, this pairing struggles a bit defensively. Weaknesses to Fire, Steel, and Electric are bad on their own, but it also has a 4x weakness to Rock, which can be devastating. On top of that, the resistances aren't much better. While having resistance to Grass and an immunity to Ground is always good, the Bug resistance isn't anything special, so this combination really only has 2 relevant resistances.

HP: 90
Attack: 85
Defense: 100
Special Attack: 95
Special Defense: 125
Speed: 85
Total: 580

Zapdos' Type and Stats

Electric/Flying is almost scarily good. It's very solid offensively, hitting 5 unique types, with only Electric being able to resist both types. However, the defensive end is where the real magic is. Only 2 weaknesses to Rock and Ice, 5 resistances to Fighting, Bug, Grass, Steel, and Flying, with an immunity to Ground on top of that. This type pairing is very annoying to KO.

HP: 90
Attack: 90
Defense: 85
Special Attack: 125
Special Defense: 90
Speed: 100
Total: 580

Moltres' Type and Stats

Fire/Flying is basically a better Ice/Flying. Good for attacking (5 strengths, with only Rock being able to resist both Fire and Flying), and the defensive side is much better. 4 regular resistances to Fighting, Steel, Fire, and Fairy, 2 4x resistances to Bug and Grass, and an immunity to Ground. It is however weak to both Electric and Water, and it has a 4x weakness to Rock, which loses drags it down. Despite this, it still manages to be a more than useable combination.

HP: 90
Attack: 100
Defense: 90
Special Attack: 125
Special Defense: 85
Speed: 90
Total: 580

16 Uxie

Uxie, the knowledge Pokemon, has good stats across the board but stands out with its defensive stats. A 130 Defense and 130 Special Defense make it a tough Pokemon to face in battle.

Uxie can be caught after facing Palkia/Dialga in normal story progression by traveling to Lake Acuity.

Uxie's Type and Stats

Pure Psychic doesn't really do a lot. Offensively, it can only hit Poison and Fighting for super effective damage, with Steel, Dark, and itself resisting it. Defensively, it only resists itself and Fighting, and is weak to Bug, Dark, and Ghost. Again, this ends up being average, as being weak to Bug doesn't really matter, being weak to Dark is fine, but being weak to Ghost is never good. Psychic on its own isn't particularly good or bad.

HP: 75
Attack: 75
Defense: 130
Special Attack: 75
Special Defense: 130
Speed: 95
Total: 580

15 Mesprit

Mesprit, the emotion Pokemon, is much more well-rounded than the other two lake legendaries. It has four stats set at 105, making it a reliable choice for players to keep in their party.

Mesprit can be caught at Lake Verity after players have fought Palkia/Dialga in their playthrough.

Mesprit's Type and Stats

Also, Pure Psychic.

HP: 80
Attack: 105
Defense: 105
Special Attack: 105
Special Defense: 105
Speed: 80
Total: 580

14 Azelf

Azelf, the willpower Pokemon is a mostly attack-focused legendary. With a stat total of 580 mostly taken up by its Speed, Attack, and Special Attack stat, Azelf is a strong legendary for players to catch and can be of great use in battle.

Azelf can be caught at Lake Valor once players have fought Palki/Dialga in their playthrough.

Azelf's Type and Stats

Also, Pure Psychic.

HP: 75
Attack: 125
Defense: 70
Special Attack: 125
Special Defense: 70
Speed: 115
Total: 580

13 Latios & Latias

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Latios and Latias

The Eon Pokemon Latios and Latias have great stats. While they are almost identical in their stat composition, Latios leans more on the attack side, with an Attack stat of 90 and a Special Attack of 130. Latios has a 90 Defense and a 130 Special Defense stat.

Players can catch these Pokemon once they have access to Ramanas Park and use the Soul Slate.

Both Latios and Latias have the Dragon/Psychic pairing, so this part of the article will describe both of them.

Latios' Type and Stats

Psychic/Dragon is a "give and take" combination. 6 Weaknesses to Bug, Ghost, Ice, Dragon, Dark, and Fairy, but also 6 resistances to Water, Fire, Electric, Grass, Fighting, and Psychic. This is a combination that needs to be handled with care, because when a type pairing has loads of weaknesses but loads of resistances, the Pokemon with said pairing still ends up feeling threatened by other types very often. Offensively, it deals super-effective damage to Fighting, Poison, and Dragon. It also hits most other types for neutral damage, although it should be noted that Steel is the sole exception to that.

HP: 80
Attack: 90
Defense: 80
Special Attack: 130
Special Defense: 110
Speed: 110
Total: 600

Latias' Type and Stats

Also Psychic/Dragon.

HP: 80
Attack: 80
Defense: 90
Special Attack: 110
Special Defense: 130
Speed: 110
Total: 600

12 Heatran

Heatran has a great Special Attack stat but falls short in other areas. Its Speed stat is lower than many other legendary options, but it compensates with its Attack and Defense.

Heatran can be caught in Stark Mountain by completing a side quest. Players will need to finish the National Pokedex before they can catch it.

Heatran's Type and Stats

Fire/Steel is an incredible type combination. It does well offensively, despite Water and Fire resisting both types, it hits Rock, Bug, Grass, Fairy, Ice, and Steel for super effective damage, which is quite good. The defensive side of this pair, however, is simply amazing. 4 regular resistances to Dragon, Psychic, Normal, and Flying, an outstanding 5 4x resistances to Bug, Steel, Grass Ice, and Fairy, and (as if it couldn't get better) an immunity to Poison. This pairing's only real drawbacks are weaknesses to Fighting and Water, with a 4x weakness to Ground. If this pairing is kept away from Ground-type moves, it's extremely difficult to remove from battle.

HP: 91
Attack: 90
Defense: 106
Special Attack: 130
Special Defense: 106
Speed: 77
Total: 600

11 Cresselia

Cresselia has high health and great Defense and Special Defense but falls short in its attack stats.

After completing the National Pokedex, players can start a side quest by talking to a sailor in Canalave City and traveling to Full Moon Island.

Cresselia's Type and Stats

HP: 120
Attack: 70
Defense: 120
Special Attack: 75
Special Defense: 130
Speed: 85
Total: 600

10 Kyogre

Kyogre has huge stats, and with a 150 Special Attack stat and a 140 Special Defense stat, there are few Pokemon that could challenge it.

Players can get Kyogre in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl by placing the Oceanic Slate once players have access to Ramanas Park.

Kyogre's Type and Stats

HP: 100
Attack: 100
Defense: 90
Special Attack: 150
Special Defense: 140
Speed: 90
Total: 670

9 Groudon

With 150 Attack stat, Groudon is one of the heaviest hitters in the Pokemon franchise. It also has a high Defense and HP stat, which means it can not only deal heavy damage but take it too.

Players can acquire and place the Tectonic Slate once they have access to Ramanas Park to gain the ability to catch Groudon.

Groudon's Type and Stats

Ground, as a type, is solid on its own. Defensively, it has 3 weaknesses to Grass, Ice, and Water, 2 resistances to Poison and Rock, with an excellent immunity to Electric. Offensively, it's very strong. 5 strengths to Poison, Electric, Rock, Steel, and Fire, with only Bug and Grass resisting it, and only Flying being immune to it.

HP: 100
Attack: 150
Defense: 140
Special Attack: 100
Special Defense: 90
Speed: 90
Total: 670

8 Regigigas

Putting aside some of Regigigas' more blatant flaws and looking only at its stats, it is a decent legendary Pokemon. With an incredibly high Attack stat of 160, Regigigas has some potential in battle.

While having Regirock, Regice, and Registeel in the party, players can travel to the bottom floor of Snowpoint Temple and interact with a statue to encounter Regigigas.

Regigigas' Type and Stats

Pure Normal is a lot like pure Psychic, although it is a slight improvement. For the attacking side, It has no strengths, only Steel and Rock resist it, Ghost is completely immune, and it hits every other type neutrally. Defensively, it has a single weakness to Fighting, and immunity to Ghost. Nothing else. Overall, while it doesn't do much on its own, only having a single weakness is always good, and being immune to Ghost is great, so it slightly outshines pure Psychic.

HP: 110
Attack: 160
Defense: 110
Special Attack: 80
Special Defense: 110
Speed: 100
Total: 670

7 Ho-Oh (Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Exclusive)

Ho-Oh, the rainbow Pokemon, has fantastic stats across the board. A 130 Attack stat and 154 Special Defense make this legendary a tough one to pass up on.

Ho-Oh is exclusive to Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and can be encountered after obtaining the Rainbow Slate.

Ho-Oh's Type and Stats

Fire/Flying is basically a better Ice/Flying. Good for attacking (5 strengths, with only Rock being able to resist both Fire and Flying), and the defensive side is much better. 4 regular resistances to Fighting, Steel, Fire, and Fairy, 2 4x resistances to Bug and Grass, and an immunity to Ground. It is however weak to both Electric and Water, and it has a 4x weakness to Rock, which loses it points. Despite this, it still manages to be a more than useable combination.

HP: 106
Attack: 130
Defense: 90
Special Attack: 110
Special Defense: 154
Speed: 90
Total: 680

6 Lugia (Pokemon Shining Pearl Exclusive)

Lugia's 90 Attack and Special Attack stats can set it back a bit from its legendary counterpart Ho-Oh, but it still has great stats to boast about, like its 130 Defense and 154 Special Defense.

Lugia is exclusive to Pokemon Shining Pearl and can be caught once players obtain a Squall Slate.

Lugia's Type and Stats

Psychic/Flying is not the most impressive combination, but it isn't terrible. It's weak to Electric, Rock, Ice, Dark and Ghost, but in exchange it resists Grass and Psychic, it has a 4x resistance to Fighting, and an immunity to Ground. Offensively, it can hit Fighting, Bug, Grass and Poison for double damage, but neither type can hit Steel neutrally, which is something to remember.

HP: 106
Attack: 90
Defense: 130
Special Attack: 90
Special Defense: 154
Speed: 110
Total: 680

5 Rayquaza

Rayquaza can deal enormous amounts of damage with its 150 Attack and Special Attack stats. Even next to the other legendary Pokemon, there aren't many who can compare to the attack power of Rayquaza.

Players can acquire and place the Stratospheric Slate in Ramanas Park to have the ability to catch Rayquaza.

Rayquaza's Type and Stats

Dragon/Flying has high highs and low lows. Resistances to Fighting, Bug, Fire and Water, a 4x resistance to Grass, and an immunity to Ground. However, it's weak to Rock, Fairy and Dragon, with a debilitating 4x weakness to Ice. It can hit Bug, Fighting, Dragon and Grass for super effective damage, but Steel resists both types yet again, so it should probably be kept away from those.

HP: 105
Attack: 150
Defense: 90
Special Attack: 150
Special Defense: 90
Speed: 95
Total: 680

4 Giratina (Altered Forme)

Giratina is a fantastic Pokemon and has some of the best stats of any legendary. It has an enormous 150 HP stat, and great defense and attack stats as well.

Giratina can be caught in Turnback Cave after players have completed all the game's main story and have access to the National Pokedex.

Giratina's Altered Forme Type and Stats

Like with Dragon/Psychic, Ghost/Dragon comes with a lot of weaknesses and resistances, though the resistances are a bit better this time. 5 weaknesses to Dragon, Fairy, Ice Ghost, and Dark, but 6 resistances to Bug, Grass, Fire, Water, Electric, and Poison, with 2 immunities to Normal and Fighting. It also has good offensive uses. It deals super-effective damage to Ghost, Dragon, and Psychic, and it hits every remaining type neutrally, as there is no singular type in the game that can resist both Ghost and Dragon at the same time.

HP: 150
Attack: 100
Defense: 120
Special Attack: 100
Special Defense: 120
Speed: 90
Total: 680

3 Dialga (Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Exclusive)

Dialga is one of the best legendary Pokemon available in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. With only one stat below 100, this Pokemon is versatile and can be a great asset to players in any situation. Its Dragon and Steel Dual-typing also give it a long list of resistances and even immunity to Poison-type attacks.

Players playing Pokemon Brilliant Diamond can catch this legendary through normal story progression.

Dialga's Type and Stats

Steel/Dragon is a wonderful combination. It carries resistances to Normal, Rock, Flying, Bug, Steel, Water, Electric and Psychic a 4x resistance to Grass, and immunity to Poison, with only 2 weaknesses to Fighting and Ground to boot. It deals super-effective damage to Rock, Ice, Fairy, and Dragon, with only Steel being capable of resisting both types.

HP: 100
Attack: 120
Defense: 120
Special Attack: 150
Special Defense: 100
Speed: 90
Total: 680

2 Palkia (Pokemon Shining Pearl Exclusive)

Similar to Dialga, Palkia has only one stat that falls below 100, making it a powerhouse in battle. Its Water and Dragon Dual-typing give it fewer weaknesses, making it a real threat to most opponents.

Pokemon Shining Pearl players will have the ability to catch Palkia during normal story progression.

Palkia's Type and Stats

Water/Dragon is fantastic. Only 2 weaknesses to Dragon and Fairy, a resistance to Steel, and 4x resistances to both Water and Fire, with everything else being neutral. It can deal super-effective damage to Ground, Fire, Rock, and Dragon, and there is no single type in the game that resists both Water and Dragon.

HP: 90
Attack: 120
Defense: 100
Special Attack: 150
Special Defense: 120
Speed: 100
Total: 680

1 Mewtwo

Mewtwo is one of the most iconic legendaries to date, and for good reason. Mewtwo's solid stats, highlighted by its massive Speed and Special Attack stats, set it apart from the others.

Mewtwo can be caught once players have access Ramanas Park and have obtained the Genome Slate.