Legacy moves refer to moves that a specific can no longer learn through breeding, level up, or regular TM in Pokemon GO. Most of these legacy moves were created during updates in 2016 and 2017. Due to their unavailability, certain Pokemon with those legacy moves have become incredibly valuable and highly sought after for trades.
Sometimes, certain legacy moves can be obtained during certain community events or by utilizing the Elite Training Machine (TM) which was recently introduced. That being said, there are still moves in Pokemon GO that cannot be taught even after the introduction of Elite TM. Here are a few Pokemon with powerful legacy moves.
Updated on October 26, 2021, by Reyadh Rahaman:Moves represent the unique capabilities of each and every Pokemon. The moveset that a pocket monster possesses says a lot about its nature as a species in addition to which situations it would be best for in battle.
These rare moves may not always be the most powerful, but they represent aspects of a Pokemon that are no longer seen in Pokemon GO and have a great collectibility factor--something very appropriate for a game in this franchise. This time, however, one is collecting Pokemon for their moves rather than for one of the many other reasons to catch Pokemon.
13 Gengar: Sludge Wave
The always sinister Gengar is a great ally to have if one is seeking a Ghost/Poison-type Pokemon due to their high damage output. One of Gengar's legacy moves, Sludge Wave, can offer trainers a way to deal damage with a 110 base power Poison-type charged move that costs 65 energy.
The DPS of 34.38 can take down Fairy and Grass-type foes easily. Sludge Wave is definitely one of the legacy moves with the most power when used by a Gengar--however, players can only equip it with an Elite TM.
12 Rhydon: Megahorn
While seeing a Bug-type move on a Rock/Ground-type Pokemon like Rhydon is a bit weird, players will be interested to know that there are more non-Bug-type Pokemon that know Megahorn than Bug-type Pokemon--in fact, double the amount!
Rhydon is one of those who can learn Megahorn, though only as a legacy move that can be learned via an Elite TM. It has 110 base power, 50 DPS, and costs 55 energy, which are not bad stats for a charged move by any stretch.
11 Ho-Oh: Earthquake
Even more strange but powerful than the aforementioned legacy charged move is this one, Earthquake, which can be found on Ho-oh caught during the Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto and the Johto Celebration Event. Now, it can only be obtained by using an Elite TM.
Earthquake in Pokemon Go has a base power of 120 while also possessing 38.89 DPS for big hits. It costs 65 energy, but that's worth it if players using Ho-oh want to surprise a Rock-type foe as well as other Fire-types.
10 Alakazam: Dazzling Gleam
Alakazam is a Psychic-type Pokemon that evolves from Abra. It has one legacy move, Dazzling Gleam--this legacy move is a Fairy-type charge attack move. It deals out 110 damage and takes 70 energy in trainer battles, and has a DPS (damage per second) of 28.6.
Dazzling Gleam is very powerful, and therefore Alakazam with this move are highly sought after by collectors. It's at its most effective when used against Fighting, Dragon, and Dark-type Pokemon.
9 Dragonite: Dragon Pulse
Dragon Pulse is a Dragon-type legacy move for the popular dragon-type Pokemon Dragonite. This charge attack deals out 90 damage and only takes 60 energy during trainer battles. In raids, it deals 90 damage with a DPS of 25.
This type of attack is best when used against Dragon-types; yet, as a legacy move, it's rare for Dragonite to possess Dragon Pulse these days.
8 Tyranitar: Smackdown
Tyranitar is a Rock/Dark-type Pokemon and its legacy move, Smackdown, is a Rock-type fast attack. It is most effective against flying, bug, ice, and fire types.
It has a DPS rate of 13.33 during raids. Smackdown is super powerful, and most effective when paired with Stone Edge, having the highest DPS. This move (or combination of moves) makes Tyranitar a force to be reckoned with.
7 Zapdos: Thunder Shock
Zapdos is one of the few Pokemon who has the legacy move Thunder Shock. Thunder Shock is an electric-type legacy move that takes 5 energy and doles out 8 damage during raids with a DPS of 8.33.
As an Electric-type attack, it's super effective on Flying-type and Water-type Pokemon. Zapdos can obtain this fast attack during a community event.
6 Charizard: Blast Burn
The evolved form of Charmander, this Fire-type Pokemon has always been a fan favorite, first appearing in the Pokemon Red and Blue games. In Pokemon Go, Charizard's most effective legacy move is Blast Burn.
Charizard can still obtain this Fire-type charge move, but only during community events. It can be quite effective in trainer battles, giving out a damage rate of 110 and takes 50 energy. It is also effective in raids with a DPS of 33.3 a power of 110.
5 Venusaur: Frenzy Plant
Venusaur is a cute little grass type Pokemon that often packs more of a punch than one thinks and its strongest legacy move is Frenzy Plant. This Grass-type charge move has been a fan favorite since it’s inception. When used with a Pokemon like Venusaur, it is very effective, causing 100 damage and costing 50 energy. Its damage increases further when paired with Vine Whip.
A Venusaur with this legacy move is highly sought after and for trades. Players might still be able to pick this up at a community event, or with the use of Elite TM.
4 Mewtwo: Shadow Ball
This is a very powerful psychic Pokemon and another fan favorite. When players pair itwith the legacy move Shadow Ball, Mewtwo becomes even more powerful. Shadow Ball is a Ghost-type charge attack.
This attack has a 100 damage rate and takes 55 energy in trainer battles, with a DPS rate of 33.33 in raids. This legacy move is best when paired with the charge attack Hyper Beam, another of Mewtwo's legacy moves. It is effective at catching other players off guard, and is great in a player versus player setting.
3 Mewtwo Armored: Psystrike
Psystrike is a Psychic-type charge attack move that deals major damage. It can deal 90 damage while only costing 50 energy to use. It is a legacy move for Mewtwo Armored and is most effective against Fighting and Poison-type Pokemon.
Mewtwo and Mewtwo Armored can learn this legacy move during a specific event or with Elite TM.
2 Swampert: Mud Shot
Swampert is a Water/Ground-type Pokemon and the final form of Mudkip--this Pokemon's legacy move is Mud Shot, a Ground-type fast attack. It is most effective against Electric, Poison, Fire, Rock, and Steel-types, dealing out 5 damage and generating 7 energy during the raid with an 8.33 DPS. Mud Shot is considered to be a “true legacy” for Swampert since this Pokemon cannot learn it at all anymore, not even through community events or Elite TM.
The only Pokemon one might be able to find with this legacy move without trading for it is Kingler. Players can obtain Mud Shot for Kingler through the Elite TM.
1 Metagross
Metagross is a Steel/Psychic-type Pokemon with a legacy move called Meteor Mash. This Steel-type charge attack is most effective on Fairy, Ice, and Rock-type Pokemon. It deals 100 damage while taking 50 energy, and it boasts a whopping DPS rate of 38.46.
This power makes this another highly sought-after legacy move. Players can find it during a community event or with Elite TM.
Pokemon GO is available on Android and iOS.