[Meta thread] Iron's PokeRole Adventure: The Skull Ruins

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

People I have a Poke Question who is bothering me for a long time...what the hell is mythic Pokemon? I mean, the Legendary Pokemon is powerful and rare Pokemon who normally do not evolve, not counting alternative forms, is extremely rare to the point of exist only one in certain situations, and combined numbers of his IVS be 600 like Ho-Oh, Lugia, Moltres etc. And there is the pseudo-legendary who is still rare Pokemon but not rare as Legendary, have a quick leveling evolution, have three forms, and the total IVs is also 600.

But what define a Mythic? Like Darkrai, Celebi or Arceus itself? What makes them Mythics and not Legendary? 

Per example Zearora. Yeah it's kinda fits in the term legendary Pokemon but... I don't know. The only thing it's say it's his ability to absorb electricity. And that's it. Not to mention he do not even have a signature ability or something to define him as a Legendary. It's just Volt Absorb. And that's it. Not even a Alternative upgraded form of Volt Absorb. This doesn't make me consider him a Legendary Pokemon.

And there is the case of Solgaleo/Lunala. Are they truly Legendary Pokemon? Because as far I can remember, Legendary Pokemon do not evolve. And they evolve 2 times.

And there is Silvally case. He evolve 1 time and the combine numbers of IVs is 570. And Gamefreak consider him Legendary Pokemon. Who don't make to much sense to me. I mean, yeah I know he have a ability who make him able to change types like Arceus, but...along with the numbers, he doesn't have a... dramatic or intimidated appearance like other Legendary or Mythics. The far I could consider him would be a strong artificial Pokemon design to kill Ultra Beasts. But Legendary? No chance.

So yeah, I would like to know if someone could explain me about the difference of Mythic and Legendary.

Well, let me give you the definitions from Bulbapedia:

Legendary

Legendary Pokémon (Japanese: 伝説のポケモン Legendary Pokémon) are a group of incredibly rare and often very powerful Pokémon, generally featured prominently in the legends and myths of the Pokémon world.
Mythical Pokémon are a related but separate group of Pokémon, which are usually event-exclusive. Apart from Japanese or Korean media, Mythical Pokémon were considered to be Legendary Pokémon prior to Generation V.
No explicit criteria defines what makes a Pokémon a Legendary Pokémon. Instead, the only way to identify a Pokémon as belonging to this group is through statements from official media, such as the games or anime.



Characteristics of Legendary Pokemon

Aside from the high statistics shared by most Legendary Pokémon, many can only be obtained once per save file (excluding Pokémon events); in order to obtain multiple, a player would need to trade for one.

The gender of most Legendary Pokémon is unknown (though there are seven notable exceptions: Latios, Latias, Heatran, Cresselia, Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus). In the core series games, no Legendary Pokémon can breed or hatch from an Egg. With the exception of Type: Null and Cosmog and their respective evolutionary families, Legendary Pokémon cannot evolve, although many are able to change form and are part of a duo or trio.

Mythical

Mythical Pokémon (Japanese: 幻のポケモン Illusory Pokémon) are a group of Pokémon seen so rarely in the Pokémon world that some question their very existence. These are event-exclusive Pokémon that, with few exceptions, cannot be obtained during normal gameplay[1].

In Japanese media, Mythical Pokémon and Legendary Pokémon have always been presented as distinct groups. In non-Japanese media prior to Generation V, Mythical Pokémon and Legendary Pokémon were both considered to be Legendary Pokémon (and the term Mythical Pokémon was unused); since Generation V, the two groups are presented as distinct groups in all official media. In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Mythical Pokémon are referred to as rare Pokémon.



Characteristics of Mythical Pokemon

Mythical Pokémon are regarded as among the rarest in Pokémon world mythology. Some are seemingly unknown to most people, while others are thought of as stuff of legends. They typically receive minimal exposure during normal gameplay, usually alluded to in vague hints. They are then revealed to players months or years after the debut of their respective generation. Upon being revealed, they are celebrated across the numerous media, often starring in movies and being featured prominently in merchandise.

With few exceptions, Mythical Pokémon cannot be obtained in the core series games in the course of normal gameplay. They can typically only be obtained by Mystery Gift(either directly, or using an event item). They are distributed to players via Mystery Gift on special occasions such as screenings of Pokémon movies, events in retail stores, online distributions, and the Pokémon 20th Anniversary, or may be received via spin-off games that feature special connectivity.
The gender of every Mythical Pokémon is unknown. Almost all Mythical Pokémon cannot evolve, with the exception of Meltan, and most are unable to be bred although Manaphy and Phione can be bred with Ditto to produce Phione Eggs.

No Mythical Pokémon is required to complete the Pokédex for the Diploma, except in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, which require the player to obtain Deoxys to complete the National Pokédex Diploma due to it being available as part of the Delta Episode.

In short, the way I like to generally think about it is that Legendaries are pokemon that are well recorded in a region's lore and history.  Mythicals, meanwhile, are so rare, it's to the point where most in modern times don't believe they exist.  Those interpretations generally line up with the individual definitions of Myths and Legends, too.  Legends are often regarded as being more historically grounded than Myths are.

Yes, Solgaleo and Lunala count as Legendaries.  As does Silvally according to Bulbapedia's definition.  And Melmetal counts as a Mythical.  Their existence in actual evolution lines redefined that part of what it means to be a Legendary or Mythical pokemon, so being unable to evolve is no longer a requirement of either to fit the definitions. And as Windos pointed out, Seikamater fits that redefinition too.



And in case you were wondering, Mythicals in Creshire are likely just called Legendaries partly because their presence throughout Creshire's history is (somewhat) well recorded in addition to their powers being (somewhat) on par with the bigger Legends that are more commonly found in other regions.