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If you know Pokémon even a little, you know that legendary Pokémon are always among the most popular of the lot. They are powerful, rare and often the highlight of a set. But which Pokémon count as legendary? Which cards are genuinely popular? What do you get out of collecting them? And which sets will you find them in?

As experienced collectors, we will tell you exactly what you need to know.

What are legendary Pokémon?

Legendary Pokémon are unique creatures that usually only turn up once in a game or a film. Think of Mewtwo, Lugia, Rayquaza, Dialga or Zacian. They usually come with a story, special powers, and they belong to trios, duos or other groupings.

As you know, legendaries are sometimes confused with mythical Pokémon such as Mew or Celebi. Those officially fall under a different category. In this blog we focus purely on the legendary group.

How many legendary Pokémon are there?

Right now there are more than 60 legendary Pokémon, spread across all the generations. Every generation adds new ones, usually in a themed group.

Examples:

  • The Bird Trio – Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres
  • The Regis – Regice, Registeel, Regirock, Regidrago, Regieleki
  • The Creation Trio – Dialga, Palkia, Giratina

The nice part is that plenty of these Pokémon can be collected as a set. That makes it all the better when you finally complete a whole group.

What do you actually get out of legendary Pokémon?

Good question. There are several ways to value legendary Pokémon:

  • For collectors: they are among the most iconic cards there are. People recognise them instantly. They make your collection stronger, visually and in substance.
  • For players: some legendaries are playable in the TCG. Think of Zacian V, Koraidon ex or Miraidon ex, which perform really well competitively.
  • For investors: they tend to hold their value well. With popular or nostalgic legendaries in particular you see stable or rising prices.
  • For fans: they are simply cool. The artwork is often spectacular, and many legendaries have a deep connection to Pokémon lore.

What we like most is having complete sets or trios in a good display. It feels powerful and finished.

Which legendary Pokémon cards are the most wanted?

Not every card of a legendary is valuable straight away. But some always stand out:

  • Lugia Neo Genesis 1st Edition – an icon among collectors
  • Rayquaza Gold Star (EX Deoxys) – rare, strong, gorgeous
  • Mewtwo GX Secret Rare (Shining Legends) – still popular
  • Zacian V Alternate Art – a modern classic
  • Dialga GX Full Art (Forbidden Light) – loved for its design and colour

Note: the value usually sits in older versions, Full Arts, Alternate Arts or graded copies (a PSA 10, for instance).

What do these cards cost?

Prices vary widely. You can pick up an ordinary Holo for a few euros. But a rare card in perfect condition can be worth hundreds or even thousands.

Example prices:

  • Lugia Neo Genesis PSA 10 – above €40,000
  • Rayquaza Gold Star PSA 10 – between €15,000 and €30,000
  • Galarian Moltres Alt Art – around €70–€150 in Near Mint

As you know, condition, print run and grading all play a big part. If you are going for value, investing in a PSA 9 or 10 is always the safer move.

Which sets contain legendary Pokémon?

You come across legendaries in a lot of sets, but they are most prominent in these:

Our personal favourite is still EX Deoxys. Those cards are rare, visually strong and carry real collector value.

Our advice as collectors

Legendary Pokémon are more than just powerful cards. They are a visual anchor in your collection, recognisable to everyone, and often the most loved among fans.

Want to start collecting? Begin with the legendaries you personally think are great. Use tools like GetCollectr or Cardmarket to compare prices, and always buy from reliable shops. Graded cards are the safe option, but loose NM cards can be valuable too.

And remember: collecting is not only about money. It is about passion, memories and the story behind the card.