Pokémon Gen 5 Legendary Pokémon Guide
Separate story encounters, roamers, post-game catches, external software and event-only Pokémon.
Gen5 availability depends heavily on the game: Reshiram and Zekrom swap story roles, Kyurem changes from a post-game catch to a sequel plot focus, the Forces of Nature use version and external requirements, and Mythical Pokémon remain event-only.
Requirements
Confirm the exact cartridge before following a location.
Separate normal in-game encounters from discontinued events, transfer and Dream Radar.
Main story and Kyurem
Dragon trio
| Pokémon / form | Game | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Reshiram | Black story; White 2 through N's post-game route | Story or post-game, depending on game |
| Zekrom | White story; Black 2 through N's post-game route | Story or post-game, depending on game |
| Kyurem | All four | BW post-game; B2W2 plot focus and later catch |
| Black / White Kyurem | B2W2 | Temporary fusion forms made with DNA Splicers, not separate species |
Forces of Nature
- Tornadus roams in Black and Thundurus roams in White after the story trigger.
- Landorus requires the relevant Tornadus and Thundurus together at Abundant Shrine in BW.
- B2W2 Therian formes are tied to Pokémon Dream Radar and Reveal Glass conditions; mark them as external software content.
Swords of Justice
- Cobalion, Terrakion and Virizion are standard in-game legendary encounters with game-specific timing and locations.
- Keldeo is Mythical and was distributed by event; it is not a normal route catch.
Mythical and historical event content
- Victini requires its event access item and Liberty Garden sequence.
- Meloetta and Genesect were event distributions.
- Do not describe discontinued distributions as currently obtainable through normal play.
Pokémon, Locations and Key Items
DNA Splicers
Reveal Glass
Liberty PassCommon Mistakes
Presenting Mythical Pokémon as ordinary catches.
Calling fused Kyurem forms separate Pokédex species.
Mixing Dream Radar mechanics into original BW normal play.
Related Gen5 Guides
FAQ
Can every Gen5 legendary be caught in one game?
No. Version differences, paired requirements, events, transfers and external Dream Radar content prevent one normal standalone save from supplying everything.
Are Black Kyurem and White Kyurem separate Pokémon?
No. They are Kyurem forms created by fusing Kyurem with Zekrom or Reshiram through the DNA Splicers.
This guide covers the original Nintendo DS Generation V games. Online services, distributions and external software are described in their historical context and are not presented as currently available normal gameplay.