Lugia are very large creatures which bear a resemblance to something between a dragon, a plesiosaur, and a bird. They are primarily pale silver-white, but have blue undersides with slightly varying tones. Their bodies are smooth and streamlined, with the exception of dark blue or black spike-like protrusions which run down the length of their back, and two smaller ones on the ends of their tails. It has five finger-like appendages at the end of its wings. Due to a somewhat similar appearance, they may be related to Latios and Latias.
Gender differences
This is a genderless species. However, unlike most legendary Pokémon, young Lugia have been observed, suggesting that there is a breeding population of these creatures.
Special abilities
Lugia are thought to be the leaders of the legendary birds of Kanto. Much like the birds, it possesses the ability to control the weather, most notably it can calm storms. It is said that a light flutter of their wings is capable of causing winds powerful enough to blow houses over. If it were to flap its wings it could hypothetically spawn storms lasting as much as 40 days. They are highly intelligent, and because of the devastating power it could accidentally inflict, it isolates itself deep underwater.
Not very much is known about the behavior of Lugia, as they are fantastically rare and elusive Pokémon. Lugia have been observed with their offspring, suggesting that unlike other legendary Pokémon, they have a breeding population. They are generally calm and benevolent, it is believed the reason they tend to isolate themselves from civilization is to protect humans from their great powers. However, like all creatures, they can become enraged if they feel threatened, particularly if they are protecting their young. Because of this contact with Lugia is best done carefully, most attempts at capturing one of these magnificent creatures has ended poorly, and is ill advised as their role in regulating world climate is still not well understood.
Lugia usually live deep in the ocean, not because they are natural sea-dwellers, but because they fear that they can accidentally cause untold devastation. Lugia are typically spotted near the Whirl Islands of Johto.
When released from a Poké Ball, Lugia will fly up and return in the background where it unleashes a powerful Aeroblast on the stage.
Melee trophy information
The waters of the Whirl Islands are home to this legendary Pokémon, whom very few have seen. Lugia live quietly in the deepest ocean trenches for one very good reason: its combined aerial and psychic powers are so strong as to be extremely dangerous. The special moves of this gargantuan creature include the destructive wind assault known as Aeroblast.
Game data
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Lugia's wings pack devastating power - a light fluttering of its wings can blow apart regular houses. As a result, this Pokémon chooses to live out of sight deep under the sea.
Lugia's wings pack devastating power - a light fluttering of its wings can blow apart regular houses. As a result, this Pokémon chooses to live out of sight deep under the sea.
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It is often considered to be closely related to Ho-Oh, even sometimes as its polar opposite, Silver representing Lugia as "guardian of the seas", and Gold represents Ho-Oh as "guardian of the skies."
In Gold, Silver, and Crystal, Lugia has the same music as normal wild Pokémon. The same applies to Ho-Oh, and, in Gold and Silver, the legendary beasts (in Crystal, they have separate music from other wild Pokémon, including Lugia and Ho-Oh, which do not have separate music).
Lugia is not the first Pokémon with its type combination in the National Dex: two other Pokémon (Natu and Xatu) come first. Also, no other Pokémon have been introduced since with the same type combination. It shares this trait with Ho-Oh and Celebi.
Even though Lugia is the "Diving Pokémon," and can effectively use Water and Template:Type2 moves, it is not a Template:Type2 Pokémon itself. It shares this trait with Dratini and Dragonair, who also live in water. Despite its species, it also can only learn the move Dive through HM in Generation III and move tutor in Generation IV.
Lugia was mentioned in the final episode of ER. A patient stated that "I am the Chosen One, I am Lugia."
Origin
Lugia is based on Ryūjin, a dragon who was the Shinto god of the sea, and lived on the ocean's floor.
Appearance-wise, Lugia seems to be based on the Stegosaurus (back plates and tail spikes) and the Pleisosaurus (long neck and swimming ability).
Name origin
Lugia's name may come from Lutetium, a silverish element. Possibly also lugeo, meaning to lie dormant, alluding to the way Lugia lies at the bottom of the sea. The Lu- may come from luna, meaning moon.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
For other sprites and images, please see Lugia images on Bulbagarden Archives.
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