This quest guide will walk you through the requirements and steps to obtain the three legendary bird Pokémon: Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno.
Pre-Requisites
Kanto Championship
Kanto Championship is obtained through defeating the Kanto Elite 4 (found in the Indigo Plateau). This can be done once all 8 of the Kanto Gym Badges have been obtained.
All non-legendary caught data for Kanto (Dex number 1-143, 147-149)
The caught data for all non-legendary Pokémon in the Kanto (specifically Generation 1) can be obtained in various ways. Firstly, simply catch and/or evolve for the missing caught data. Another way to get the caught data would be to use player offered dex service. You can identify what caught data you are missing by opening your Pokedex and looking for entries that do not have a Pokeball on the bottom right of their sprite.
Seen data of Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres
The last pre-requisite is obtaining the seen data for the legendary birds. This is done through battling the legendary bird in their respective location throughout Kanto. Note: This is not where you will be catching the Pokémon and it is intended for the Pokémon to be defeated in this battle. The locations of each legendary bird to fight for seen data can be found below:
Articuno - Seafoam Island B4F
Zapdos - Kanto Power Plant
Moltres - Victory Road Kanto 3F
Requirements During Quest
A Pokémon with the Cloud Nine ability
Team of 6 Fire Type Pokémon
A Pokémon with the Shadow Tag ability
A Pokémon that knows surf (or a surf mount)
Beginning the Quest
To begin the quest, speak with Sailor Sam at the Vermillion Dock. He will take you to Shamouti Island if you have all of the requirements (Kanto Championship, required caught data and seen data of legendary birds).
Once you arrive at Shamouti Island, you will need to speak with Melody. Melody will inform you that your assistance is requested and you will need to accept with option 1. Yes, I'm interested
Clearing the Storm
Before you begin you journey towards Fire, Ice, and Lightning Island, you must clear the storm that prevents travel. This is where you need your Pokemon with the ability Cloud Nine. This Pokemon does not need to be your OT and there are no level requirements.
Once you have this Pokémon, head to the sea on the North side of the island and venture forward. If the Pokémon with Cloud Nine is in your party then the storm will be cleared.
After you clear the storm, return to the Pokémon Center and retrieve your team of 6 Fire Type Pokémon in preparation for Fire Island.
Fire Island
Once you have your team of 6 Fire Type Pokémon, head back to the north side of Shamouti and surf out into the Shamouti Seaway. Continue surfing North through Shamouti Seaway until you arrive at Seaway Vein. Continue through Seaway Vein, Seaway Vein Extension, and Fire Island Seaway and you will arrive at Fire Island. Directions can be found in the following spoiler.
Once you arrive at Fire Island, you will have to fight the Fire Elder.
Once you defeat the Fire Elder, you will receive the Fire Orb. His team can be seen below.
Lightning Island
After acquiring the Fire Orb from the Fire Elder, return to the Pokémon Center and prepare for the next boss. This boss does not need to be fought with a specific team; however, they should be level 100 and properly EV trained as this is a Superboss Battle (this may take a few attempts to complete). Also note that you will not be able to heal in between the fight with Lawrence IV and Zapdos / Moltres.
Now that you have prepared for the next boss fight, head back to the waterway and make your way to Seaway Vein. Once there, you will want to interact with Moltres and Zapdos (who will be on an island). You will then be transported to the Collector's Airship where you must battle Lawrence IV. His team can be seen below.
After defeating Lawrence IV, you will have to defeat Moltres and Zapdos. Once defeated, the airship will crash on Lightning Island. Speak to the Lightning Sage by the cave entrance to find out that the lightning orb was aboard the ship. Go back to the ship wreckage to find the Lightning Orb.
After finding the Lightning Orb, Melody will appear and take you back to Shamouti Island.
Ice Island
Before heading to Ice Island, you will need a Pokémon with the ability Shadow Tag in your party as well as Pokémon to defeat Articuno.
Once you have your Shadow Tag Pokémon and Pokémon to defeat Articuno with, head back to the north side of Shamouti Island and Surf out into the Shamouti Seaway, then North through the Seaway Vein and Ice Island Seaway. You will then reach Ice Island.
Upon arrival, talk to the Ice Sage and tell him that you will help. He will then have Cryogonal use Defog to remove Articuno's blizzard and allow access to the mountain. After the blizzard is gone, go left and up the stairs where you will find Articuno. You must defeat Articuno to be rewarded the Ice Orb.
Completing the Quest
Once you have acquired the Ice Orb, return to Shamouti Island and speak with Melody at the altar. She will then play the Song of Lugia and calm the storm; turning the island back to normal.
Once you have returned the island to normal, Lugia will appear. Talk to Lugia to obtain the Silver Wing and complete the quest.
Catching the Legendary Birds
To catch the legendary birds, you must speak with their respective Elder and will be given a task. This task will go up in difficulty depending on how many of the tasks you have completed.
With that being said, consider the order that you want to catch the legendary birds in as that will determine what resources you need for the task.
First Bird Task
Articuno: x15 Ice Gems + 100+ IVs Smoochum
Moltres: x15 Fire Gems + 100+ IV Magby
Zapdos: x15 Electric Gems + 100+ IV Elekid
Second Bird Task
Articuno: x30 Ice Gems + 120+ IVs Smoochum
Moltres: x30 Fire Gems + 120+ IV Magby
Zapdos: x30 Electric Gems + 120+ IV Elekid
Third Bird Task
Articuno: x100 Ice Gems + 140+ IVs Smoochum
Moltres: x100 Fire Gems + 140+ IV Magby
Zapdos: x100 Electric Gems + 140+ IV Elekid
Once you have the required materials and baby Pokémon, go back to the Elder that gave you the task (with your Synchronize Pokémon) and hand them in. Then get ready to catch your legendary bird.