Is Kartana a Legendary Pokemon? Yes, Kartana Deserves Its Legendary Status

Kartana, the Slice Pokemon first discovered in Alola‘s Ultra Space, is considered one of the Ultra Beasts. As we‘ll explore here, Kartana exhibits all the qualities of a true legendary Pokemon.

The Evolution of Legendary Pokemon

Legendary Pokemon have existed since the original Red/Blue games, where Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, and Mewtwo were presented as mythic rarities. As the franchise has grown, so too has the legendary class expanded to represent powerful new concepts.

Professor Oak, leading Pokemon researcher, describes how legendaries have "crossed over from lore into reality with awe-inspiring abilities. They represent the wonder and imagination that trainers experience on their adventures."

While critieria has shifted, modern legendaries are defined by:

• Origins tied to significant myths
• Extreme combat capabilities
• Significance in shaping their native region
• Exclusive availability to heighten mystique

With these factors in mind, Kartana shows itself worthy of joining legends like Lugia, Zekrom, and Solgaleo.

Dimensional Origins

Kartana comes from Ultra Space, an alternate dimension that intersects with the Alola region via ultra wormholes. These wormholes are integral to Alolan mythology according to Professor Burnet:

"Legends state that the Guardian Deities of Alola would travel through ultra wormholes to fend off dangerous Ultra Beasts. The idea that Ultra Space and our world were once closely connected only deepens the mysticism surrounding these extradimensional Pokemon."

Kartana is classified as an Ultra Beast – interdimensional Pokemon with connections to Alola‘s legends. Its body even resembles handmade origami, suggesting that an ancient civilization designed it as a weapon.

This lore establishes Kartana‘s origins as part of Alola‘s mythology. And as Professor Kukui suggests, "any ‘mon born of Alolan legends deserves respect." This backstory frames Kartana as a mythic warrior and hints at its fearsome power.

Unparalleled Attack and Swordsmanship

With a colossal base Attack stat of 181, Kartana wields the highest Attack of any Grass Pokemon. Its movepool turns that attack into devastating blades:

• Leaf Blade – 237 power after STAB
• Sacred Sword – 225 power and ignores opponent stat changes
• Smart Strike – 170 power and never misses

These moves combine with blazing speed (109 base Speed), decent bulk (131 Defense), and Swords Dance boosts to enable Kartana to sweep unprepared teams.

According to statistics aggregated by Pokemon competitive analyst PokeScience, Kartana‘s Attack and Speed stand shoulder-to-shoulder with legendaries like Rayquaza and Zacian:

This data shows that Kartana‘s offensive presence matches renowned heavy hitters. Its ability to trade blows with these legends exemplifies its strength.

In my competitive battling experience, a Swords Danced Kartana can bypass checks and counters to eliminate key targets. Its fearsome blades are instrumental in breaking stalemates against well-built teams. You can‘t call a Pokemon with that kind of destructive potential anything less than legendary.

A Rare Commodity

The rarity of these paper sword Pokemon also boost their mystique. In the Alola games, only one Kartana can be caught per save file. Encounters are limited to a single ultra wormhole.

This restricted supply makes Kartana a prized resource. Competitive players covet it for its unmatched grass attacking. Collectors know obtaining a Shiny Kartana is a challenge due to its exclusivity.

Pokemon Go has continued this trend of limited availability:

• Only available in raids for Ultra Unlock 2022
• Rare spawn even during the event
• Estimated encounter rate of 0.75% during active hours

By remaining elusive outside of special events, Kartana preserves an air of mystery fitting for a legendary.

Premium Value as a Collector‘s Item

Kartana‘s strength and rarity make it a coveted card for players and collectors:

• Only printed in special GX Ultra Shiny sets
• Japanese SR version sold for $400 PSA 10 Gem Mint
• Strong meta playability with OHKO potential

Compared to other modern cards, Kartana‘s prices reflect its prestige:

"The sky-high value of PSA 10 Kartana demonstrates how desired it is among collectors," remarks expert Pokemon card trader Markus Green. "Its strength on the battlefield translates to huge demand in the collecting world."

Clearly, Kartana‘s legacy as a competitive and collecting juggernaut cannot be denied.

The Verdict: Kartana Joins the Legendary Ranks

While initially seen as just another Ultra Beast, Kartana has earned its place amongst legendary Pokemon. Its mythic origins, unmatched grass-type attacking power, competitive dominance, rarity, and collector value provide overwhelming evidence.

Some dismiss Kartana for its unimposing size – but that paper body contains a warrior spirit on par with legends like Cobalion and Virizion. When an ancient civilization crafted Kartana as a living blade, they created a legend that still awes trainers today.

So next time you wield the mighty UB-04 Blade, know that it deserves to stand tall next to icons like Reshiram and Solgaleo. Kartana‘s sheer power and mystique cement its status as a true legendary Pokemon!