Lugia

The Diving Pokémon
#249 - Lugia
Debut	Pokémon: Gold Version Pokémon: Silver Version
Species Info
Type	+ +
Height	5.2 m (17'10")
Weight	216.0 kg (476.2 lbs.)
Color	White
Gender Ratio	Genderless
Ability	Pressure
Hidden Ability	Multiscale
Egg Group	Unbreedable
Icon		Sprite
		File:249sprite.png
Footprint
30px
Base Statistics
Hit Points	106	Speed	110
Attack	90	Sp. Attack	90
Defense	130	Sp. Defense	154
Training Info
Catch Rate	003	Hatch Steps	30,720
Base Exp.	220	Effort Points	SpD
Happiness	0		SpD
To Lv.100	Slow		SpD

Kanto #	Johto #	Hoenn #	Sinnoh #
< 249 >	< 247 >
Unova #	Johto (IV) #
	< 252 >

Lugia is one of the two legendary birds featured as the primary legendary Pokémon for the second generation Pokémon: Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions, with the other being Ho-Oh. Lugia is featured as the mascot for Silver and SoulSilver versions.

Information

Lugia is a powerful Pokémon that is said to act as the guardian of the seas. Its wings are powerful enough to demolish houses with just light flutters, which is why Lugia chooses to live in exile at the bottom of the sea in order to protect the world from its powers. A flapping of its wings is also said to cause a 40-day storm. However, Lugia also has the ability to calm raging storms, and there are often rumors of Lugia sightings on the night of a storm.

In the backstory for the second generation games, it is implied that the Brass Tower was in tribute to Lugia when it stood, and that Lugia used the tower as a perch. However, it was struck by a lightning bolt about 150 years ago, causing a fire that burned it down (ironic, considering Lugia's association with storms) in a fire that lasted for three days before a sudden downpour (possibly caused by Lugia) finally extinguished the fire. This seemingly causes Lugia to instead reside at the Whirl Islands in the games.

Appearances

Mainstream Games

In Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold and SoulSilver, one Lugia appears at the Whirl Islands once the player has the Silver Wing, which occurs at different points depending on the version. In Silver, Crystal and SoulSilver the Silver Wing is found earlier and Lugia can be battled first, before Ho-Oh, while in Gold and HeartGold Ho-Oh can be battled first, while the Silver Wing is found later at Pewter City in Kanto, and Lugia is at a higher level due to being battled later. In SoulSilver, the player must also acquire the Tidal Bell item and defeat the Kimono Girls (who can only be battled after defeating all of the Johto gym leaders), which causes them to appear at the Whirl Islands and perform a special dancing ceremony to summon Lugia.

In FireRed, LeafGreen and Emerald Versions, Lugia is found in the underground portion of Naval Rock, which can only be accessed using the MysticTicket (obtainable exclusively through Nintendo events).

Other Games

The Shadow Lugia

A Shadow Lugia, also known as Project XD001, was featrued in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness as the ultimate Shadow Pokémon, being modified by Lovrina to be immune to purification. Its corruption is to the point where it physically looks different from a normal Lugia, with a shadowy color scheme. The Shadow Lugia can be snagged from Greevil in the game's final battle. It actually can be purified, but not by normal means; only through the Purification Chamber developed by Michael's father when all nine of its chambers are working at maximum tempo. After being purified, it could be transferred into the third generation color versions (this being the only legitimate way of obtaining Lugia for the third generation games outside of a Nintendo event).

Lugia also appears in Pokémon Stadium 2. In Pokémon Trozei!, Lugia can be obtained through Random Agent Cards or at Mr. Who's Den. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, Lugia appears as the boss of the Silver Trench, and unlike most boss Pokémon in the game can be recruited in the first battle with it. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness and Time, Lugia appears on the eighteenth basement floor of the Surrounded Sea if the player has either the Mystery Part or Secret Slab with them. In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, it was the boss of the Undersea Cavern.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• Lugia appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl as one of the Pokémon that can randomly appear from the Poké Ball item. After being summoned, Lugia flies up into the background of the stage and unleashes a powerful Aeroblast through the center of the screen. Lugia also appears as a trophy in both games, as well as a sticker in Brawl.

Other Media

• In the Pokémon anime, Lugia was first featured in the second movie where it awakened after Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres were driven on a rampage that disrupted the balance of nature, and teamed up with Ash Ketchum to stop it. Lugia used telepathic abilities to communicate with Ash. Different Lugia appeared in the three-part Johto episode in which Ash and his friends fought to protect a Lugia (which was dubbed "Silver") and its child from Team Rocket.
• In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Lugia is first seen in silhouette at the end of the Yellow arc when Lance attempts to summon it so that he could use it to exterminate mankind. In the Gold/Silver/Crystal arc The Mask of Ice had succeeded in capturing Lugia and Ho-Oh so that he could use their feathers for a GS Ball to control Celebi.He then allowed Will and Karen to use the two legendary birds in battle, but they fell in battle with the other trainers who received help from Kanto's three legendary birds, afterwards being released.

Trivia

• The meaning of Lugia's name is uncertain, although it could be derived from "lutetium" (which is an element with a silver-like color) or lugeo (which means to remain dormant).