Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver Legendary Pokémon, Gifts & Trades

Where to find Ho-Oh and Lugia in both versions, the roaming Raikou and Entei and the waiting Suicune, the Kanto birds, Mewtwo, Kyogre, Groudon and Rayquaza at the Embedded Tower, Latias and Latios, the event-only Sinnoh legendaries, every gift Pokémon and Egg, the one-off Sudowoodo, Snorlax, Lapras and red Gyarados, the Game Corner prizes and the in-game trades.

Legendaries: 17
Gifts & Eggs: 26
One-off & prizes: 14
Trades: 10

Legendary Pokémon

Ho-Oh FireFlyingHG

Where: Bell Tower
Level: 45
How: One-off encounter

HeartGold: at the top of the Bell Tower after the Kimono Girls give you the Clear Bell. It is level 45 in HeartGold.

Ho-Oh FireFlyingSS

Where: Bell Tower
Level: 70
How: One-off encounter

SoulSilver: after the Hall of Fame, bring the Rainbow Wing (from the Pewter City old man) to the top of the Bell Tower; level 70.

Lugia PsychicFlyingSS

Where: Whirl Islands
Level: 45
How: One-off encounter

SoulSilver: with both the Silver Wing (from the Radio Tower Director after Team Rocket is defeated) and the Tidal Bell (from the Kimono Girls), enter through the northeast island and go down to B3F; level 45.

Lugia PsychicFlyingHG

Where: Whirl Islands
Level: 70
How: One-off encounter

HeartGold: after the Hall of Fame, bring the Silver Wing (from the Pewter City old man) to the depths of the Whirl Islands; level 70.

Raikou Electric

Where: Burned Tower
Level: 40
How: Roaming

Released when you meet the legendary beasts in the Burned Tower basement; it then roams Johto’s routes. Track it with the Pokégear map.

Entei Fire

Where: Burned Tower
Level: 40
How: Roaming

Released in the Burned Tower basement together with Raikou; it roams Johto.

Suicune Water

Where: Route 25
Level: 40
How: One-off encounter

After you have seen Suicune at the Burned Tower, Cianwood City, Route 42, Vermilion City and Route 14 in that order and earned the Cascade Badge, it waits on the cliff by Bill’s Sea Cottage (Cerulean Cape). It does not flee.

Articuno IceFlying

Where: Seafoam Islands
Level: 50
How: One-off encounter

On B4F, the lowest floor of the Seafoam Islands; you need Surf and Strength (push boulders into the water to stop the currents).

Zapdos ElectricFlying

Where: Route 10
Level: 50
How: One-off encounter

Outside the Power Plant (reached with Surf) once you have the Earth Badge, i.e. all 16 Badges.

Moltres FireFlying

Where: Mt. Silver
Level: 50
How: One-off encounter

In a chamber on 1F of Mt. Silver Cave, which opens after Professor Oak gives you permission (all 16 Badges); you need Surf, Waterfall and Rock Climb to reach it.

Mewtwo Psychic

Where: Cerulean Cave
Level: 70
How: One-off encounter

In the depths of Cerulean Cave (B1F), which opens once you have all 16 Badges; Surf there from Route 24.

Kyogre Water

Where: Embedded Tower
Level: 50
How: One-off encounter

HeartGold only: bring the Blue Orb, which Mr. Pokémon gives you after you defeat Red and receive a Kanto starter from Professor Oak, to the Embedded Tower on Route 47 (needs Rock Climb).

Groudon Ground

Where: Embedded Tower
Level: 50
How: One-off encounter

SoulSilver only: bring the Red Orb, which Mr. Pokémon gives you after you defeat Red and receive a Kanto starter from Professor Oak, to the Embedded Tower on Route 47 (needs Rock Climb).

Rayquaza DragonFlying

Where: Embedded Tower
Level: 50
How: One-off encounter

Show Professor Oak both a Kyogre and a Groudon caught at the Embedded Tower (one has to be traded from the other version) to get the Jade Orb, then return to the Embedded Tower to call Rayquaza.

Latias DragonPsychicSS

Where: Pewter City
Level: 40
How: Event

Event only: with the Enigma Stone from a Nintendo event, get the Soul Dew at the Pewter Museum of Science; Latias then appears in Pewter City in SoulSilver.

Latias DragonPsychicHG

Where: Vermilion City
Level: 35
How: Roaming

HeartGold: after you collect Copycat’s Lost Item in the Vermilion City Pokémon Fan Club, Steven meets you outside the club and Latias starts roaming Kanto.

Latios DragonPsychicHG

Where: Pewter City
Level: 40
How: Event

Event only: with the Enigma Stone from a Nintendo event, get the Soul Dew at the Pewter Museum of Science; Latios then appears in Pewter City in HeartGold.

Latios DragonPsychicSS

Where: Vermilion City
Level: 35
How: Roaming

SoulSilver: after you collect Copycat’s Lost Item in the Vermilion City Pokémon Fan Club, Steven meets you outside the club and Latios starts roaming Kanto.

Dialga SteelDragon

Where: Sinjoh Ruins
Level: 1
How: Gift

Event only: lead your party with an event Arceus and enter the Ruins Research Center at the Ruins of Alph; the lead archaeologist takes you to the Sinjoh Ruins, where Cynthia waits and Arceus creates your choice of Dialga, Palkia or Giratina at level 1. Dialga holds the Adamant Orb.

Palkia WaterDragon

Where: Sinjoh Ruins
Level: 1
How: Gift

Event only: Arceus creates one of the three Sinnoh legendaries at level 1 in the Sinjoh Ruins.

Giratina GhostDragon

Where: Sinjoh Ruins
Level: 1
How: Gift

Event only: Arceus creates one of the three Sinnoh legendaries at level 1 in the Sinjoh Ruins. Giratina holds the Griseous Orb.

Save before each one. Roaming Pokémon flee on the first turn and move when you change areas: track them on the Pokégear map and use a Pokémon with Mean Look or a fast sleep move.

Gift Pokémon and Eggs

Chikorita Grass

Where: New Bark Town
Level: 5
How: Gift

Professor Elm lets you choose one of the three Johto starters in his lab.

Cyndaquil Fire

Where: New Bark Town
Level: 5
How: Gift

Professor Elm lets you choose one of the three Johto starters in his lab.

Totodile Water

Where: New Bark Town
Level: 5
How: Gift

Professor Elm lets you choose one of the three Johto starters in his lab.

Mareep Electric

Where: Violet City
How: Egg

Primo (a Poké Dude, the Teachy TV host) in the Violet City Pokémon Center gives an Egg when you tell him the correct Easy Chat password. The passwords depend on your Trainer ID; they were published on a Japanese Pokémon website and fan generators now produce them. Mareep, Wooper or Slugma hatch from the Eggs.

Wooper WaterGround

Where: Violet City
How: Egg

One of Primo’s three password Eggs in the Violet City Pokémon Center (tell him the correct Easy Chat phrase for your Trainer ID).

Slugma Fire

Where: Violet City
How: Egg

One of Primo’s three password Eggs in the Violet City Pokémon Center (tell him the correct Easy Chat phrase for your Trainer ID).

Togepi Normal

Where: Violet City
How: Egg

Mr. Pokémon on Route 30 gives you a Mystery Egg; after Falkner, Professor Elm’s aide hands it back to you in the Violet City Pokémon Center to hatch. It hatches into Togepi.

Eevee Normal

Where: Goldenrod City
Level: 5
How: Gift

After you talk to Bill in Ecruteak City he goes home; his house in Goldenrod City has an Eevee for you. Make room in your party.

Tentacool WaterPoison

Where: Cianwood City
Level: 15
How: Gift

Only if your party is a single Pokémon and your PC boxes are empty: a woman in the Pokémon Center gives you a Tentacool so you are not stranded on the island.

Shuckle BugRock

Where: Cianwood City
Level: 20
How: Gift

Kirk gives you his Shuckle (nickname Shuckie, holding Berry Juice) to look after so Silver can’t take it. When he asks for it back on a later day, he lets you keep it if its friendship is high (150+); you can also refuse to return it.

Bulbasaur GrassPoison

Where: Pallet Town
Level: 5
How: Gift

After you beat Red on Mt. Silver, Professor Oak lets you choose one of the Kanto starters in his lab.

Charmander Fire

Where: Pallet Town
Level: 5
How: Gift

After you beat Red on Mt. Silver, Professor Oak lets you choose one of the Kanto starters in his lab.

Squirtle Water

Where: Pallet Town
Level: 5
How: Gift

After you beat Red on Mt. Silver, Professor Oak lets you choose one of the Kanto starters in his lab.

Omanyte RockWater

Where: Pewter City
Level: 20
How: Gift

Revived from the Helix Fossil by the scientist in the Pewter Museum of Science.

Kabuto RockWater

Where: Pewter City
Level: 20
How: Gift

Revived from the Dome Fossil by the scientist in the Pewter Museum of Science.

Aerodactyl RockFlying

Where: Pewter City
Level: 20
How: Gift

Revived from the Old Amber by the scientist in the Pewter Museum of Science.

Lileep RockGrass

Where: Pewter City
Level: 20
How: Gift

Revived from the Root Fossil by the scientist in the Pewter Museum of Science.

Anorith RockBug

Where: Pewter City
Level: 20
How: Gift

Revived from the Claw Fossil by the scientist in the Pewter Museum of Science.

Cranidos Rock

Where: Pewter City
Level: 20
How: Gift

Revived from the Skull Fossil by the scientist in the Pewter Museum of Science.

Shieldon RockSteel

Where: Pewter City
Level: 20
How: Gift

Revived from the Armor Fossil by the scientist in the Pewter Museum of Science.

Treecko Grass

Where: Saffron City
Level: 5
How: Gift

After you beat Red, Steven Stone in the Silph Co. building lets you choose one of the Hoenn starters.

Torchic Fire

Where: Saffron City
Level: 5
How: Gift

After you beat Red, Steven Stone in the Silph Co. building lets you choose one of the Hoenn starters.

Mudkip Water

Where: Saffron City
Level: 5
How: Gift

After you beat Red, Steven Stone in the Silph Co. building lets you choose one of the Hoenn starters.

Spearow NormalFlying

Where: Route 35
Level: 20
How: Gift

A man in the Route 35 gatehouse gives you his Spearow (Kenya) to deliver to his friend on Route 31; it carries a Mail.

Tyrogue Fighting

Where: Mt. Mortar
Level: 10
How: Gift

Beat Kiyo the Black Belt deep inside Mt. Mortar (you need Surf, Strength and Waterfall to reach him) and he gives you Tyrogue.

Dratini Dragon

Where: Dragon’s Den
Level: 15
How: Gift

After the Elder’s quiz at the Dragon Shrine, he gives you a Dratini. Answer every question kindly and it knows ExtremeSpeed.

One-off encounters and prizes

Abra Psychic

Where: Goldenrod City
Level: 15
How: Game Corner prize

Game Corner prize for 200 coins.

Ekans PoisonHG

Where: Goldenrod City
Level: 15
How: Game Corner prize

Game Corner prize for 700 coins.

Sandshrew GroundSS

Where: Goldenrod City
Level: 15
How: Game Corner prize

Game Corner prize for 700 coins.

Dratini Dragon

Where: Goldenrod City
Level: 15
How: Game Corner prize

Game Corner prize for 2,100 coins.

Mr. Mime Psychic

Where: Celadon City
Level: 15
How: Game Corner prize

Game Corner prize for 3,333 coins.

Eevee Normal

Where: Celadon City
Level: 15
How: Game Corner prize

Game Corner prize for 6,666 coins.

Porygon Normal

Where: Celadon City
Level: 15
How: Game Corner prize

Game Corner prize for 9,999 coins.

Snorlax Normal

Where: Route 11
Level: 50
How: One-off encounter

Asleep in front of Diglett’s Cave. Play the Poké Flute channel on the Pokégear radio next to it (after the Power Plant is fixed and you have the Expansion Card) to wake it.

Snorlax Normal

Where: Route 12
Level: 50
How: One-off encounter

Respawn only: if you defeat or run from the Snorlax outside Diglett’s Cave on Route 11, it reappears outside the Route 12 gate after you enter the Hall of Fame. Wake it with the Poké Flute channel on the Pokégear (needs the EXPN Card).

Sudowoodo Rock

Where: Route 36
Level: 20
How: One-off encounter

The “tree” blocking Route 36. Water it with the SquirtBottle from the Goldenrod Flower Shop (after the Plain Badge).

Lapras WaterIce

Where: Union Cave
Level: 20
How: One-off encounter

Only on Fridays, in the lowest basement of Union Cave (Surf needed). It returns every Friday until you catch it.

Pichu Electric

Where: Ilex Forest
Level: 30
How: Event

Event only: walk with a Pikachu-colored Pichu from an official event and check the Ilex Forest shrine; the Spiky-eared Pichu, holding a Zap Plate, joins your party.

Electrode Electric

Where: Team Rocket HQ
Level: 23
How: One-off encounter

The generator for Team Rocket’s radio transmitter on B2F is powered by Electrode; Lance handles one side and you must catch or knock out the three on the left (each Lv23) to shut it down.

Gyarados WaterFlying

Where: Lake of Rage
Level: 30
How: One-off encounter

The red Gyarados in the middle of the Lake of Rage. It is always shiny. Surf out to it.

In-game trades

You give	You get	Where
Bellsprout	Onix “Rocky” holding Persim Berry	Violet City Bellsprout Onyx Trade House
Drowzee	Machop “Muscle” holding Macho Brace	Goldenrod City Department Store 5F
Krabby	Voltorb “Billy” holding Cheri Berry	Olivine City North House
Any Pokémon	Steelix “Rusty” holding Soothe Bell	Olivine City Gym
Dragonair	Dodrio “Doris” holding Smoke Ball	Blackthorn City East House
Haunter	Xatu “Paul” holding Wacan Berry	Pewter City Pokémon Center
Pikachu	Pikachu “Volty” holding Yellow Shard	Saffron City Magnet Train Station 1F
Forretress	Beldum “Iron” holding Dawn Stone	Saffron City Silph Co. HQ
Bonsly	Rhyhorn “Hornlette” holding Passho Berry	Diglett’s Cave Diglett’s Cave
Dugtrio	Magneton “Maggie” holding Metal Coat	Power Plant Route 10 Power Plant Repaired

FAQ

Where is Ho-Oh in HeartGold and SoulSilver?

In HeartGold at the top of the Bell Tower in Ecruteak City (level 45) once the Kimono Girls give you the Clear Bell; in SoulSilver it waits there at level 70 after the Hall of Fame if you bring the Rainbow Wing.

Where is Lugia?

In the depths of the Whirl Islands: level 45 in SoulSilver during the story (with the Tidal Bell and Silver Wing), level 70 in HeartGold after the Hall of Fame with the Silver Wing.

How do you catch Kyogre, Groudon and Rayquaza?

At the Embedded Tower on Route 47 after you beat Red: Kyogre in HeartGold, Groudon in SoulSilver, then Rayquaza with the Jade Orb.

Sources & picture credits

Guide text is original retrogameindex writing, checked against Bulbapedia and the game data. Wild Pokémon and encounter chances, items, trainers, rematch teams, gifts and shops come from the pret/pokeheartgold decompilation, and the Pokémon sprites and dungeon entrance pictures are drawn from the game’s own graphics in it. The position maps are the Gold/Silver wiki’s Pokégear map renders. Location pictures and trainer sprites © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK, archived from the Pokémon Wiki on Fandom (listed on the image gallery).