Here's why:
* Story Importance: Legendary Pokémon often play a crucial role in the main story of the game, usually appearing after you've defeated the Elite Four or as a part of a specific post-game event.
* Game Balance: Legendary Pokémon are incredibly powerful. Allowing players to catch them before the Elite Four would make the game significantly easier and less challenging.
* Plot Significance: Their appearances are usually tied to specific events or plot points, making their encounters feel more impactful later in the game.
Exceptions:
While you can't catch them before the Elite Four, there are a few exceptions:
* Specific Events: Some games have specific events that allow you to encounter Legendary Pokémon before the Elite Four, but these are rare and usually tied to the story.
* Trading: If you have a friend with a Legendary Pokémon, you can trade for it before the Elite Four. However, this is not finding it within the game itself.
In short, catching Legendary Pokémon before the Elite Four is not possible in the traditional sense.