While not as important to many trainers as a Pokémon’s offensive power, Speed in the Pokémon series has remained one of the most important stats in a Pokémon’s arsenal. This usually determines how fast a Pokémon can move, and their ability to outrun their opponent to disarm or defeat them is key in knowing how effectively they can use their strength.
This is even truer of Legendary Pokémon, the mythical and often one-of-a-kind species that control the forces of space, time, and nature. Some Legendaries can move faster than any other Pokémon in the series, and some, in particular, can even outrun most of Pokémon’s strongest deities.
Updated on August 30, 2021 by Renan Fontes: What is the fastest Legendary Pokémon in the franchise? Speed is one of the most important stats in Pokémon and Legendaries often have such astronomically high stat spreads that they're on another level of impressive compared to regular Pokémon. It goes without saying that the average Legendary is fast, but the fastest ones are deadly enough to KO most everything in their path.
Eternatus (130)
Despite being one of the largest Pokémon in the series, Eternatus from Pokémon Sword & Shield is alarmingly fast compared to other Pokémon. Eternatus carries a menacing base speed stat of 130, making it quicker than traditional speedsters like Talonflame and Weavile.
Up until the release of the Expansion Pass, this made Eternatus a great tool in Max Raid Battles. Not only could Eternaturs outrun every Dynamax Pokémon, but its signature move deals massive damage to larger foes. Eternatus has become outclassed by many other classic Legendaries since the release of the Crown Tundra but is still a valuable option for any Max Raid events.
Spectrier (130)
Another speedy addition from Pokémon Sword & Shield came through the form of the haunting horse Spectrier in Crown Tundra expansion. Calyrex's steed runs just as fast as a swift horse should, as fast as Eternatus while much more fitting of the capability.
This has helped make Spectrier a great option for Ghost-type trainers, but it’s held back by a restrictive movepool. Besides Ghost-type attacks, Spectrier's range is much worse than Glastrier, the exact opposite of a speedster due to its high physical Attack and defensive stats.
Zamazenta (138)
It’s rare that new Pokémon forms are slower than their originals, but this is indeed the case for Zamazenta, Pokémon Shield’s cover Legendary. Wearing the Rusted Shield will cause it to move slightly slower than Eternatus. On its own, however, Zamazenta has a surprisingly high speed of 138.
What makes Zamazenta even stranger is that this speed is attached to a marvelous stack of defensive stats, both of which are admirable by non-Legendary standards. However, wearing the shield gives Zamazenta substantially more Defense and one of the highest Special Defense stats in the series, so a minor speed decrease is a fine tradeoff.
Mega Mewtwo Y (140)
It’s hardly surprising that Mega Evolutions didn’t return in Pokémon Sword & Shield, as many of them were pushed alarmingly far. Several non-Legendaries hit stats that match banned Legendary Pokémon, while many Legendaries received Mega Evolutions that are nearly unbeatable.
One of the best examples of this is Mewtwo’s Mega Evolution from Pokémon Y, which turned the Legendary into an even faster oracle of doom. Mega Mewtwo Y outruns Tapu Koko and Eternatus by ten points with a total of 140 base speed, only beaten by other Mega Evolutions and Legendaries.
Zeraora (143)
Zeraora was one of the last additions to Pokémon Sun & Moon before the next generation, but it undoubtedly ended the Alola saga on a solid note. This Electric-type physical fighter can just barely run faster than Mega Mewtwo Y, with a slightly higher base speed of 143.
Trainers in Pokémon Sword & Shield got to take on Zeraora in a Max Raid Battle event, but very few ended up successful against the Shiny version that appeared in five-star battles. Zeraora's Speed helps it outrun a large majority of Pokémon and its ability to attack twice when Dynamaxed meant Zeraora could eliminate teams almost immediately.
Crowned Sword Zacian (148)
Zacian could theoretically be counted twice as its unarmed form is still faster than Spectrier, Tapu Koko, or Eternatus by eight points. However, it’s unfair to look at anything besides Zacian's more powerful Crowned Sword form, which gives the Legendary the Behemoth Blade attack alongside a speed stat of 148.
This gives Crowned Sword Zacian a huge edge, as it’s also potentially one of the strongest physical attackers in the series. Not only is Crowned Sword Zacian's Attack stat naturally high, but its ability offers an additional fifty percent increase to the Attack stat upon entry, meaning Zacian will likely annihilate any opponent besides the fastest Legendaries.
Shadow Rider Calyrex (150)
Since Spectrier is already fast, it only makes sense that the Pokémon riding it is just as fast. Calyrex has a relatively unimpressive 80 base speed, but when riding Spectrier with the Reins of Unity, the two become a proper fusion that reaches a base speed of 150, making Shadow Rider Calyrex the fourth-fastest Legendary in the series.
This comes alongside several other astonishing stat boosts, including a greater pair of defensive stats and a much larger maximum health. Spectrier is surprisingly unbanned from online ranked battles, but Calyrex is thankfully banned over this obscene potential boost.
Pheromosa (151)
The Ultra Beasts from Pokémon Sun & Moon have bizarre type combinations and unusual stat spreads, with Pheromosa serving as a prime example. Pheromosa just barely beats out Calyrex in speed, only being a single point higher at a total of 151.
Like other Ultra Beasts, Pheremosa is legal in Pokémon Sword & Shield’s online battles and its speed makes keeping one in your party very appealing. Pheremosa's Bug and Fighting-type combination makes it greatly vulnerable to most moves, but only if it doesn’t immediately strike down your Pokémon first.
Speed Forme Deoxys (180)
Nearly all of the fastest Legendaries are available to capture or transfer into Pokémon Sword & Shield, with one notable exception being Deoxys. This is likely for the best as Speed Form Deoxys beats out Pheromosa by a mile with an incredible 180 base speed stat.
Speed Form Deoxys was never legal in online battles like Pheromosa was, but can still outrun Max Raid Battle opponents and just about any NPC. Transferring Speed Form Deoxys through Pokémon Home would likely lead to a less exciting adventure, so the Legendary's not as sorely missed compared to other Pokémon missing from Galar.
Regieleki (200)
Regieleki is the fastest Pokémon in the series, making immense waves in competitive play. Regieleki, the newest member of the Regi family, has an astounding 200 base speed, allowing it to outrun essentially every Pokémon regardless of how their stats are trained.
Much like Spectrier, Regieleki's movepool is extremely limited and mainly consists of Electric and Normal-type attacks. Nonetheless, Regieleki has surprising range thanks to stats that let it quickly put up walls like Reflect or Light Screen with ease. The Legendary's damage is even high enough to demolish opponents with Thunder Cage and Electro Ball.