As if Legendaries weren’t powerful enough already, a select few have the ability to Mega Evolve. Thankfully, for the most part, Legendaries are banned from competitive battles. However, battles among friends can get interesting. For collectors, though, a shiny form of one of these Legendaries may be the ultimate trophy.
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Ranking will be based on if the Pokemon is allowed in Shiny form for any game, how aesthetically pleasing that form is, and sheer power of the Mega Evolution stats. Here is every Shiny Legendary Mega Evolution ranked.
Note: We've also included the powered-up forms of some Legendaries that aren't technically Mega Evolutions, since there are only a few Legendaries capable of Mega Evolution, and thematically they are very similar.
Updated on March 8, 2021 by Michael Christopher: Mega Evolution has yet to return to the series, but that doesn't mean fans aren't still completely fascinated with it. Shiny collecting is also at an all-time high in popularity. So, why not have another look at this list and make sure it's still in line with our original ranking?
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10 White/Black Kyurem
Sure, it's not a Mega Evolution, but Kyurem was kind of the precursor to the Mega Evolutions, debuting in Generation V, inWhite 2 and Black 2. By using DNA Splicers, you can fuse Kyurem with either Reshiram or Zekrom, depending on which game you own. Reshiram or Zekrom won’t be part of the party once the fusion happens.
So since this isn’t a true Mega Evolution, we’ll set it at the top of the list. Otherwise, the Shiny version looks nice, but it’s safe as far as Shiny alterations go. It’s not a winning Shiny color combination if there’s no highlighter yellow!
9 Ultra Necrozma
In a similar vein as White and Black Kyurem, Ultra Necrozma comes next in the rankings. Again, it’s not a true Mega Evolution, though the Ultra form gives it a stat boost in Attack, Defense, and Speed. The Ultra Burst ability is also more closely related to Mega Evolution than Kyurem’s Absofusion.
Ultra Necrozma’s Shiny colors make it look really elegant, if not a bit reminiscent of Lugia. But it almost looks like its Shiny colors should be the normal color scheme and vice versa, so that’s points off.
8 Mega Latias
Latios and Latias stole our hearts in their introduction movie, Pokemon Heroes. Complete with family drama, world-ending shenanigans, and Ash getting kissed by a Legendary Pokemon (true story, go rewatch the movie if you don’t believe it), it solidified the Hoenn region as something special. But in-game, these two are hardly the most powerful Legendaries and their Shiny colors in Mega form are... ugh.
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As far as stats and usage go, both are pretty on par. They’re interchangeable in their listings. Newer Generations have evened out their stats, so Mega Latias is more suited to being the team tank while Mega Latios holds the attack stats. Mega Latias makes for a great support and setup Pokemon.
7 Mega Latios
Looking past the worst shade of green imaginable, Mega Latios can really be interchanged with Mega Latias. He only ranks a bit higher because most casual battlers will opt for a better offensive Pokemon over the strategy and timing needed for Mega Latias. Both Pokemon have moves that fit the adjusted stats, so Mega Latios has good physical attack moves like Zen Headbutt.
But ugh, that color is terrible. Give us the normal version any day.
6 Mega Diancie
This is a situation where the type works against the Pokémon, but aesthetic overcomes usability. While technically a Mythical Pokémon, Diancie has the ability to Mega Evolve and is the only Mythical Pokémon that can.
Mega Diancie was beautiful to begin with, but its Shiny form makes it breathtaking. The pinks work so well with each other that you can’t help but want a Shiny Mega Diancie-themed dress for the fancy events you’ll probably never go to. However, while aesthetic plays a big part in the rankings, so does functionality. Diancie isn’t great in competitive battle, so it’ll sit smack dab in the middle.
5 Mega Mewtwo X
Now, the moment we were all waiting for: the Mega Mewtwo duo. With the launch of Pokemon X and Y, the games introduced Mega Evolutions. Mewtwo was privy to the treatment, having a different form for each of the games. Mewtwo was already powerful to begin with, so how do the Mega Evolutions check out?
Mega Mewtwo X is at a disadvantage. Under normal circumstances, Mewtwo has a high Sp. Atk. stat. Mewtwonite X boosts Mewtwo’s physical attack stat, which is kind of pointless when you’ve been training Mewtwo to specialize in special attack moves, though you could plan for Mega Mewtwo X's stats and give it some physical attacks, too.
As for the Shiny colors, it’s kind of boring. It’s a nice green, but the purple is almost more interesting.
4 Mega Mewtwo Y
Mega Mewtwo Y is where it’s at. It’s preferred among competitive battlers for that boosted Sp. Atk. stat, improving on an already good foundation. Admittedly, Mega Mewtwo Y looks a lot weirder than its X counterpart, but it’s not enough to disqualify its battle abilities.
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Even so, why did Mewtwo’s tail become a part of its head? Why does Mewtwo look even more naked? Can we get some more color contrast up in here? The world will never know.
3 Primal Kyogre
Yes, Primal Reversion and Mega Evolution are not canonically the same thing, but they have the same functionality, so they're included here.
Generation III reigns supreme! All the Gen III Shiny mascot Legendaries share the same color scheme, which is super sleek and lovely, so we’ll be focusing solely on stats and abilities now. But keep in mind, all the Gen III Legendaries look fantastic in their Primal or Mega forms. Go Hoenn!
Primal Kyogre is the last out of the three because while Primal status gives it a good attack boost, there’s no other advantage here. Kyogre on its own is fantastic, but Primal status doesn’t enhance it as much as it does for the other two Hoenn Legendaries.
2 Primal Groudon
Sweeping the second-highest spot is Primal Groudon!
Wow, Groudon supremely upped its game. In a battle between their normal forms, Kyogre would definitely come out on top for obvious reasons. But in their Primal versions? Groudon would probably win solely because of the ability Desolate Land, which nullifies all Water-type attacks.
In terms of appearance, Shiny Primal Groudon is absolutely striking. Kyogre has the more elegant design of the two, but Primal Groudon’s design incorporates lava flows on its back. Against the normal red, it doesn’t pop as much as Primal Kyogre’s orange/yellow-on-blue. But in that black Shiny form? Wow. Stunning.
1 Mega Raquaza
All hail the ruler of the skies. Rayquaza, the much-beloved Hoenn Legendary, comes out on top. Instead of having a Primal form, Rayquaza was simply given the ability to Mega Evolve. In terms of stats, Mega Rayquaza ties with Mega Mewtwo's two forms for the highest base stat total of any obtainable Pokemon, as well as reigning dominant over Flying- and Dragon-types for Atk and Sp. Atk.
The Mega Evolution skyrocketed Rayquaza into a league of its own and for the most part, is banned from competitive battling because yeah, it’s just not fair.
And wow, is that Mega Evolution beautiful! Mega Rayquaza resembles a kite, complete with little tails and an elongated head. Mega Rayquaza exudes beauty and power and deserves its place at the top of any Shiny Mega Evolution.
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