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Why do legendaries cost dust to power up

1) Dust is gained by catching pokemon, you don't enounter wild legendaries.

2) Legendaries can't be left in Gyms so their power level is moot for defending gyms

It would make more sense for Legendaries considering thier unique method of capture (raid only) be powered up through raid only methods (ie candy only because you get candy on catches and on rare candy)

Asked by Arak26 years 9 months ago

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If you are trying to level up your starter Pokemon to level 100, you have to win tons of battles with it. If you are trying to level up your Mewtwo to level 100, you are also going to have to win many battles with it. Therefore, why should legendaries suddenly have a different way of leveling up?

Simple answer: Because you can place other pokemon in gyms, and you can't place Legendaries in gyms.

Otherwise, let me rebound your question on you. Why should legendaries be excluded from Gyms like other pokemon.

Simple, because of their elite stats. Why else do you think they are banned from tournaments?

Dust is also gained from methods other than catching wild mons

Think about it from Niantic's financial perspective: player X has Y number of legendaries which will cost a total of Z stardust. Z stardust may equate to cash money, depending on the player. Otherwise that's a potential waste of money.