Can You Breed Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon Y? The Definitive Guide
The short answer is a resounding no. In Pokemon Y, like in most core Pokemon games, Legendary Pokemon cannot breed. They are part of the “Undiscovered” egg group, which prevents them from producing eggs through breeding, even with Ditto. Now, let’s dive deeper into the reasons why, explore the exceptions (yes, there’s always an exception!), and answer all your burning questions about Pokemon breeding in general.
Why Can’t Legendaries Breed? The Undiscovered Egg Group Explained
The primary reason Legendary Pokemon can’t breed boils down to the “Undiscovered” egg group. This group includes most Legendaries, as well as Mythical Pokemon, baby Pokemon (like Pichu or Togepi), and a few other unique Pokemon.
The “Undiscovered” designation essentially flags these Pokemon as being unable to produce eggs. Game Freak, the developers of the Pokemon series, likely implemented this restriction for balancing and lore reasons. Allowing Legendary Pokemon to breed would significantly impact the rarity and value of these powerful creatures. It would also potentially disrupt the established lore, as many Legendaries are portrayed as unique or one-of-a-kind beings.
Even genderless Legendaries (like Arceus or Dialga in some interpretations) cannot breed, despite the existence of Ditto. While Ditto can breed with almost any breedable Pokemon, it cannot circumvent the “Undiscovered” egg group restriction. So, even if you pair a genderless Legendary with a Ditto, you won’t get an egg. They are totally sterile in the code.
The Manaphy/Phione Exception: A Mythical Twist
There’s always an exception to the rule, and in this case, it’s the Mythical Pokemon Manaphy. Manaphy can breed with Ditto, but the result is not another Manaphy. Instead, you get a Phione.
Here’s the catch: Phione cannot evolve into Manaphy. This is crucial to understand. Phione is often considered a lesser Mythical Pokemon or even a non-legendary, and obtaining Manaphy still requires special events or trading.
This exception creates a unique situation in the Pokemon world. Manaphy is the only Legendary/Mythical Pokemon capable of producing eggs, but those eggs yield a completely different Pokemon that cannot become its parent.
Breeding Mechanics in Pokemon Y: A Refresher
Before we move on to FAQs, let’s quickly review the basics of Pokemon breeding in Pokemon Y. To breed Pokemon, you need to leave two compatible Pokemon at the Day Care on Route 7. Compatibility depends on two primary factors:
- Egg Group: Pokemon must share at least one egg group to breed.
- Gender: Typically, you need one male and one female Pokemon.
Ditto is the wildcard. It can breed with almost any Pokemon, regardless of gender, as long as the other Pokemon is not in the “Undiscovered” egg group.
Breeding can be used to pass down IVs (Individual Values), Natures, and even Hidden Abilities to offspring. Selective breeding is a popular strategy for creating competitively viable Pokemon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Legendary Breeding and More
Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Legendary breeding and other related topics in Pokemon Y:
1. Can I breed two Legendary Pokemon together?
No, Legendary Pokemon cannot breed with each other. They are all in the “Undiscovered” egg group.
2. Can I breed a Legendary Pokemon with a non-Legendary Pokemon?
No, Legendary Pokemon cannot breed with any Pokemon, including non-Legendaries, because of their egg group designation.
3. What happens if I leave a Legendary Pokemon and a Ditto at the Day Care?
Nothing. The Day Care attendant will say that “They prefer to play with other Pokémon,” indicating that they are incompatible. No egg will be produced.
4. Is Phione considered a Legendary Pokemon?
This is a debated topic. Phione is often classified as a Mythical Pokemon, but it is significantly weaker and more common than other Mythicals. Its inability to evolve into Manaphy further separates it from the typical definition of a Legendary.
5. Can I get a shiny Legendary Pokemon through breeding?
No, because Legendary Pokemon cannot breed. Shiny Legendaries can only be obtained through encounters in the wild, via events, or through Mystery Gifts (depending on the game).
6. Can Ditto breed with another Ditto?
No, Ditto cannot breed with another Ditto. Members of the “Ditto” egg group cannot breed with each other.
7. What are some Pokemon in the “Undiscovered” egg group besides Legendaries?
Besides Legendaries and Mythicals, the “Undiscovered” egg group includes baby Pokemon like Pichu, Cleffa, Igglybuff, Togepi, Tyrogue, Smoochum, Elekid, Magby, and Azurill.
8. How do I breed for specific IVs in Pokemon Y?
You can use the Destiny Knot item to pass down 5 IVs from the parents to the offspring. This significantly increases your chances of breeding Pokemon with high IVs.
9. How do I breed for a specific Nature in Pokemon Y?
Give one of the parents an Everstone. The offspring will then have a 50% chance of inheriting that parent’s Nature.
10. How do I breed for a Hidden Ability in Pokemon Y?
A female Pokemon has an 80% chance of passing down her Hidden Ability when bred with a male of the same egg group (or with Ditto). A male Pokemon can only pass down his Hidden Ability if he breeds with a Ditto, and even then, the chance is only 60%.
11. Can I breed Pokemon from different regions together?
Yes, you can breed Pokemon from different regions together. The region of origin does not affect breeding compatibility. However, breeding Pokemon from different language versions of the game can increase the chances of hatching a Shiny Pokemon (the Masuda Method).
12. What is the Masuda Method?
The Masuda Method involves breeding two Pokemon from different language versions of the game. This drastically increases the shiny chance, making it a popular technique for shiny hunters.
13. Can Baby Pokemon (like Pichu) breed if I evolve them?
Yes, once a baby Pokemon evolves (e.g., Pichu evolving into Pikachu), it can breed, provided it meets the usual breeding requirements (compatible egg group and gender). The unevolved form cannot breed.
14. Does the gender ratio of a Pokemon affect breeding chances?
Yes, Pokemon with skewed gender ratios (like Tauros or Nidoqueen) can be more difficult to breed, especially if they are primarily male or female, respectively.
15. Can I change a Pokemon’s egg group?
No, you cannot change a Pokemon’s egg group. A Pokemon’s egg group is predetermined and cannot be altered through gameplay mechanics.
The Importance of Understanding Pokemon Mechanics
Understanding the nuances of Pokemon breeding, like egg groups, IVs, and Hidden Abilities, can significantly enhance your enjoyment of the game. It opens up new avenues for strategic team building and competitive battling. As technology continues to advance and impact gaming, it’s important to keep abreast of these updates and changes. You can explore educational opportunities related to games and technology, such as those offered by the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
In conclusion, while the dream of breeding a Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon Y remains impossible, the depth and complexity of the breeding system offer plenty of other exciting possibilities. So, grab your Ditto, head to the Day Care, and start creating your perfect team!