If you’ve ever wanted to add a powerhouse to your team in Pokémon GO, then the legendary Mewtwo is a top-tier goal. I’m writing this from the vantage of a seasoned trainer who’s tracked Mewtwo’s appearance windows and knows the preparation required. In this article, I’ll walk you through every reliable method to obtain Mewtwo, share tips on how to catch it more effectively, and answer the most common questions trainers still ask.
By the end, you’ll have a clear strategy—and a checklist—to put yourself in the best position when Mewtwo becomes available.
What Makes Mewtwo Worth Pursuing?
Before diving into how to get Mewtwo, it’s useful to understand why it’s such a coveted catch.
- Mewtwo is a Legendary Psychic-type Pokémon with one of the highest stat ceilings in Pokémon GO.
- Because of its strength, rarity, and versatility in raids and battles, owning one gives you a significant competitive and collection edge.
- However, Mewtwo doesn’t appear constantly. You’ll need to act when it’s featured.
Knowing the “why” helps you stay ready when the “when” and “how” arrive.
Main Methods to Get Mewtwo in Pokémon GO
Image source: MoreAliA (YouTube)
Here’s a breakdown of the primary methods you should watch for.
1. Participate in 5-Star (Legendary) Raids
One of the most reliable routes: When Mewtwo is featured, it usually appears as a Tier-5 (5-Star) Raid Boss at gyms.
How this works in practice:
- Check the in-game News tab or follow official event announcements from Niantic to know when Mewtwo is back.
- When you spot a purple egg labelled “Legendary” or Tier 5 at a Gym, that’s your signal.
- Crew up with other trainers (because Mewtwo is strong). Use a lineup of Bug, Ghost or Dark-type counters since Mewtwo is weak to those.
- After defeating it, you’ll receive Premier Balls based on your performance and gym control; then enter the catch screen.
2. Defeat Giovanni & Earn Shadow Mewtwo
A less frequent but highly sought method: defeating the Team GO Rocket boss Giovanni and getting a chance to catch a Shadow Mewtwo.
Steps to follow:
- Complete a Special Rocket Research to earn the Super Rocket Radar.
- Use the Super Rocket Radar to locate Giovanni and battle him.
- If Mewtwo is his featured Shadow Pokémon (when the event allows), defeat him and then catch the Shadow Mewtwo.
Image source: Game Rant
3. Trade With Friends
If the above methods aren’t available to you right now, trading is an alternative, though it comes with costs.
- Because Mewtwo is a Legendary Pokémon, trading it counts as a Special Trade.
- The Stardust cost can vary massively based on your friendship level with the other trainer and whether Mewtwo is already registered in your Pokédex.
- For example, if the Mewtwo is unregistered and you are only Good Friends, the cost is very high. But if you’re Best Friends and it’s already registered, it’s much lower.
4. Special Research / Event Rewards
From time to time, Niantic will include Mewtwo as a reward in event-based Special Research or Timed Research.
- These are typically tied to ticketed events like GO Fest, Psychic Spectaculars, and other major festivals.
- When this happens, you complete tasks (catching certain types, spinning PokéStops, walking distances) and the last step often lets you encounter Mewtwo directly.
- Keep your eyes on event announcements—this method may be less frequent but guarantees the encounter when active.
Quick Comparison Table of Methods
| Method | Availability | Cost/Requirement | Catch Guarantee |
| 5-Star Raid Boss | Event-based / featured raids | Raid Pass or Remote Raid Pass | No guarantee—must catch |
| Giovanni / Shadow Mewtwo | Special events only | Super Rocket Radar + defeat Giovanni | High chance when available |
| Trading with Friends | Any time (if you have a friend) | High Stardust + Special Trade status | Guaranteed if trade executed |
| Event Special Research Reward | Limited window events | Complete research tasks (ticket often) | Encounter guaranteed |
Pro Tips to Increase Your Catch Success
Image source: Esports.gg
Getting the encounter is half the battle—catching Mewtwo is the other half. From my years as a trainer, here are refined tips to give you the best shot.
Use Golden Razz Berries and Excellent Curveballs
- Upon entering the catch screen, use a Golden Razz Berry when available. It improves the catch rate significantly.
- Aim for Excellent or Great curveball throws. Practice the timing for Mewtwo’s attack animations so you don’t throw during its jump.
Plan Your Raid Team Carefully
- Since Mewtwo is Psychic-type, pick strong Bug, Ghost or Dark-type counters. Examples: Tyranitar (Crunch), Gengar (Shadow Ball), Chandelure (Shadow Ball).
- Coordinate with your raid group ahead of time: know your roles, have your Pokémon ready and powered up.
Stay Alert for Event Windows
- Mewtwo appearances are never guaranteed—use official channels (in-game news, Pokémon GO blog, or Niantic’s social media) to stay informed.
- When you hear “Mewtwo featured in raids this week,” your window is open—plan for it.
Trading Strategy
- If you’re trading, aim for Best Friend level with the other trainer ahead of time to reduce Stardust cost.
- Ensure the receiving trainer already has Mewtwo registered (if possible) to reduce cost further.
- Use this as a fallback if you miss the raid/event window.
Image source: Newsweek
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get Mewtwo outside of raids and special events?
No. Mewtwo does not spawn in the wild. It appears only via raids when featured, special research events, or trading.
What is the chance of catching Mewtwo once I encounter it?
Even after defeating it in a raid, your catch rate is still relatively low compared to non-legendary Pokémon. Use max throw accuracy and good items (Golden Razz Berries) to improve odds.
What’s the cost to trade for a Mewtwo?
It depends on your friendship level and whether the receiving player already has Mewtwo registered. For instance, if the trainer is a Best Friend and Mewtwo is registered, the Stardust cost is lowest. If unregistered and friendship is low, cost rises dramatically.
Does Mewtwo have any special forms (Shiny, Armored, Shadow)?
Yes. There’s a Shiny Mewtwo, which has a green tail and is very rare. There’s also Shadow Mewtwo (via Giovanni) and Armored Mewtwo (limited promotional release).
H3: Which Pokémon should I bring to battle Mewtwo in a raid?
Bring Pokémon that exploit its weaknesses—Bug, Dark or Ghost types. High-level counters like Tyranitar (Dark), Gengar (Ghost), Chandelure (Ghost) work well. And power them up ahead of time.
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Final Thoughts & Trainer Readiness
To wrap up: capturing Mewtwo is a significant achievement—one that takes preparation, timing, and teamwork. From my perspective as a veteran trainer, here’s your execution checklist:
- Stay alert for when Mewtwo is featured in raids or research.
- Assemble your team of high-damage counters ahead of time.
- Be ready with Golden Razz Berries and practice your curveball throw skill.
- If you miss the raid window, explore trading with a friend who already owns Mewtwo.
- Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t happen immediately—persistence pays off.
When Mewtwo appears in your game, you’ll want to be ready. Follow the above methods, employ the tips, and give yourself the best chance at adding this legendary Psychic powerhouse to your collection.
Good luck, trainer—may your throw land true.
Feature image source: MagFone
