Johto has six legendary or mythical Pokémon, all tied to the legend of the two towers of Ecruteak City: the two guardians, Ho-Oh and Lugia, the three beasts Ho-Oh brought back to life, and Celebi, the guardian of the forest. Here is how to get each one in every version, with their levels.
Version-by-version summary
| Pokémon | Gold | Silver | Crystal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ho-Oh | Lv. 40, Tin Tower (Rainbow Wing from the Radio Tower) | Lv. 70, Tin Tower (Rainbow Wing from Pewter City) | Lv. 60, Tin Tower (after the three beasts) |
| Lugia | Lv. 70, Whirl Islands (Silver Wing from Pewter City) | Lv. 40, Whirl Islands (Silver Wing from the Radio Tower) | Lv. 60, Whirl Islands (Silver Wing from Pewter City) |
| Suicune | Roaming, Lv. 40 | Roaming, Lv. 40 | Lv. 40, Tin Tower (Clear Bell) |
| Raikou | Roaming, Lv. 40 | Roaming, Lv. 40 | Roaming, Lv. 40 |
| Entei | Roaming, Lv. 40 | Roaming, Lv. 40 | Roaming, Lv. 40 |
| Celebi | Event (Japan) | Event (Japan) | Lv. 30, GS Ball (Virtual Console) |
Ho-Oh, the rainbow bird
Ho-OhFireFlyingFire and Flying. Legend says its rainbow wings bring happiness to those who see them. It brought the three beasts back to life after the Burned Tower fire.
Ho-Oh rests at the top of the Tin Tower in Ecruteak City (renamed the Bell Tower in the remakes). The Sages only let in the bearer of the Rainbow Wing.
In Gold, the director of the Goldenrod Radio Tower gives you the Rainbow Wing after you defeat Team Rocket. Ho-Oh awaits you at level 40, even before the League.
In Silver, an old man in Pewter City, in Kanto, gives you the Rainbow Wing. Ho-Oh is then at level 70: an endgame challenge.
In Crystal, you must first catch Raikou, Entei and Suicune, then talk to Eusine in the Pokémon Center in Celadon City. A Sage at the Tin Tower then hands you the Rainbow Wing. Ho-Oh is level 60.
Lugia, the guardian of the seas
LugiaPsychicFlyingPsychic and Flying. It is said to sleep at the bottom of the sea because its powers would be too dangerous for the world. It is said to calm storms with a single flap of its wings.
Lugia sleeps in the deepest chamber of the Whirl Islands, off Olivine City. You need Whirlpool to cross the whirlpools, and the Silver Wing to reach it.
In Gold, the Silver Wing is given by the old man in Pewter City. Lugia is level 70.
In Silver, the director of the Radio Tower hands you the Silver Wing. Lugia is level 40.
In Crystal, the Silver Wing comes from the old man in Pewter City. Lugia is level 60.
The three beasts: Raikou, Entei and Suicune
RaikouElectricElectric. It embodies the lightning that struck the Burned Tower. Its roar shakes the air like a thunderclap.
EnteiFireFire. It embodies the blaze that ravaged the tower. A volcano is said to erupt every time it barks.
SuicuneWaterWater. It embodies the rain that put out the flames. It runs across water and purifies polluted springs.
The three beasts sleep in the basement of the Burned Tower until you pass through, then flee across Johto. They roam: every time you change route, they change places too. Once you have met a beast, it shows up on the map of your PokéGear.
In Crystal, Suicune does not roam. It appears several times over the course of the story (Burned Tower, Cianwood City, Route 42) before waiting for you at the top of the Tin Tower, at level 40, once you have the Clear Bell given by the director of the Radio Tower.
Celebi, the time traveler
CelebiPsychicGrassPsychic and Grass. The guardian of the forest travels through time. The forests where it appears are said to have a bright future.
Celebi is Johto’s mythical Pokémon. In Gold and Silver, it was only available through events in Japan. In Crystal, the GS Ball lets you encounter it at the Ilex Forest shrine. It was originally exclusive to Japan, and is given to every player of the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console release after they enter the Hall of Fame. Show it to Kurt, then place it on the shrine.
