Special Pokémon
What Are Special Pokémon?
Throughout the years, Special Pokémon was a term often used in filters to stop Pokémon being traded. These were primarily just designated as Legendary Pokémon including Sub-Legendary Pokémon, Restricted Legendary Pokémon and Mythical Pokémon, but in Generation 9, these categories were split off even more with some Sub Legendary Pokémon shifting into their own category and Mythical Pokémon no longer being in the same internal grouping as Restricted Legendary Pokémon
Sub-Legendary Pokémon | Ultra Beasts | Paradox Pokémon | Restricted Legendary Pokémon | Mythical Pokémon
Sub-Legendary Pokémon
Sub-Legendary Pokémon are the group of Legendary Pokémon that typically get no restrictions. They're allowed in Battle Facilities such as the Battle Tree, Battle Frontier, Battle Spot, Online Competitions and the Video Game Championships. They have stats that range from 534 up to 670. Their category exists within the game code for the purpose of battle regulations and display in the Alola Pokédex, but has no official name.
Ultra Beasts
Ultra Beasts are a collection of Pokémon that were found in Ultra Space initially in Pokémon Sun & Moon. In Generation 7 and 8, these Pokémon were considered SubLegendary Pokémon but as of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, they have their own category. If you use a Beast Ball on these Pokémon, the Ball has a higher chance of capture.
Outside of game code, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Lunala and Necrozma are all considered Ultra Beasts in lore, anime and the Pokémon TCG
Paradox Pokémon
Paradox Pokémon are Pokémon that were found through Sada & Turo's time machine in Area Zero initially in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. These Pokémon cannot be bred and have got a special ability that activates the Booster Energy item.
Outside of game code, Koraidon and Miraidon are considered Paradox Pokémon in lore
Restricted Legendary Pokémon
Legendary Pokémon are the main group of Legendary Pokémon. These Pokémon are typically the Pokémon that adorn the covers of the video games, as well as any counterparts. The first one to exist was Mewtwo but they soon became more entrenched into the lore of the games. These Pokémon are banned from Battle Tree, Battle Frontier and similar facilities, as well as the Rating Battles in Battle Spot. Several instances of the Video Game Championships and Online Competitions have allowed for the use of these Pokémon, typically with restrictions as to how many you can use. They have stats that range from 600 up to 720, and some even have Form Changes, Mega Evolutions or Primal Reversions.
Mythical Pokémon
Mythical Pokémon were originally known in common conversation as "Event Only Pokémon" for a reason. These Pokémon are so rare that they are typically only available through going to an event distribution and either receiving the Pokémon itself, or an item to go get the Pokémon within the wild. Due to the fact that these are typically only from events and have limited distributions, these Pokémon are banned from Battle Tree, Battle Frontier and similar facilities, as well as the Rating Battles in Battle Spot & the Video Game Championships . Several instances of Online Competitions have allowed for the use of these Pokémon. They have typically have base stats that sit around 600, and some even have Form Changes or Mega Evolutions causing stat increases.
The Generation 7 Pokémon games also introduced the first evolving Mythical Pokémon
