Learning how to get Mewtwo in Pokemon GO is essential for any serious trainer. This legendary Psychic-type Pokemon is one of the most powerful and sought-after creatures in the game, boasting incredible combat stats that can be a game-changer for your team.
Getting Mewtwo isn’t easy and requires specific strategies and timing. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every proven method available to catch Mewtwo in 2025, from raid battles to special encounters and trading opportunities.
How to Get Mewtwo in Pokemon GO
Method 1: Legendary Raid Battles
Legendary Raids are the most common and reliable way to encounter Mewtwo in Pokemon GO. These high-level battles require teamwork and strategy, but they offer the best chance to catch regular Mewtwo when it’s in rotation.
When Mewtwo Appears
Mewtwo rotates in and out of 5-star raids during special events. It’s not always available, so you need to:
- Monitor official Pokemon GO announcements
- Join local Discord communities for raid alerts
- Check in-game news for upcoming events
Preparing for Battle
Since Mewtwo is a Psychic-type, it’s weak against Bug, Ghost, and Dark-type moves. Best counters include:
- Giratina (Origin Forme): Top Ghost-type attacker
- Tyranitar: Powerful Dark-type option
- Darkrai: Premium Dark-type choice
- Gengar: Fast and effective Ghost-type
Battle Strategy
- Team up with 3-5 experienced trainers
- Focus on dealing consistent damage
- Coordinate your team’s attack timing
Method 2: Catching Mewtwo After Raids
Winning the raid battle is only half the challenge – the catch phase is where many trainers fail. Understanding proper catching techniques and maximizing your Premier Ball count is crucial for successfully adding Mewtwo to your collection.
Maximize Your Premier Balls
- Deal more damage to earn extra balls
- Have your team control the gym for bonus balls
- Complete the raid quickly for additional rewards
Catching Techniques
- Use Golden Razz Berries for maximum catch rate
- Throw curveballs to increase success by 1.7x
- Wait for Mewtwo’s attack animation to end before throwing
- Aim for excellent throws by timing the circle correctly
Method 3: Shadow Mewtwo via Giovanni
Shadow Mewtwo is the strongest Pokemon in the entire game, boasting a 20% attack boost that makes it incredibly powerful. However, obtaining it requires completing challenging Team GO Rocket research and defeating their leader Giovanni in battle.
Step 1: Complete Special Research
To find Giovanni, you must first:
- Defeat 6 Team GO Rocket Grunts
- Catch 4 Shadow Pokemon
- Defeat all three Team GO Rocket Leaders (Cliff, Sierra, Arlo)
This will reward you with a Super Rocket Radar to locate Giovanni.
Step 2: Battle Giovanni
Giovanni’s team typically includes:
- Persian (first) – weak to Fighting-types
- Random second Pokemon – prepare diverse counters
- Shadow Mewtwo (final encounter)
After defeating Giovanni, you’ll get the chance to catch Shadow Mewtwo using Premier Balls and berries.
Method 4: Trading with Friends
Trading offers an alternative path to obtaining Mewtwo, especially useful for players who struggle with raids or Giovanni battles. However, Mewtwo is classified as a Special Trade with high Stardust costs that vary dramatically based on your friendship level.
Trading Costs (Stardust)
- Good Friends: 20,000 (registered) / 1,000,000 (unregistered)
- Great Friends: 16,000 / 800,000
- Ultra Friends: 1,600 / 80,000
- Best Friends: 800 / 40,000
Trading Tips
- Build Best Friend status first to reduce costs
- Find trustworthy traders in your local community
- Consider that traded Pokemon have random IVs
Method 5: Special Events and Pokemon GO Fest
Special events provide unique opportunities to encounter Mewtwo outside of regular raid rotations, often featuring increased spawn rates or guaranteed encounters. Pokemon GO Fest and anniversary celebrations are particularly valuable for legendary Pokemon hunting.
Mewtwo frequently appears during special events:
- Pokemon GO Fest: Annual event with increased legendary availability
- Anniversary events: Special research tasks featuring Mewtwo
- Movie promotions: Tie-in events with unique Mewtwo variants
Stay engaged with the community to never miss these limited-time opportunities.
2025 Event Schedule to Watch for Mewtwo
Here’s when to expect Mewtwo appearances throughout 2025:
| Quarter | Period | Events to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan – Mar |
|
| Q2 | Apr – Jun |
|
| Q3 | Jul – Sep |
|
| Q4 | Oct – Dec |
|
Note: Exact dates depend on Niantic announcements and may vary by region
Want a Better Chance to Catch Mewtwo? Use LocaRun.
For trainers looking to maximize their chances of catching Mewtwo, LocaRun offers advanced features that can significantly improve your hunting experience.
LocaRun is a location-based tool designed specifically for Pokemon GO players. It provides instant access to Mewtwo raids worldwide, real-time raid tracking across different time zones, and built-in maps showing active legendary raids globally. The tool also includes safety features like automatic cooldown management and advanced anti-detection technology.
>> Related: Strongest Pokemon in Pokemon GO: Complete 2025 Guide
Types of Mewtwo You Can Catch
Mewtwo comes in several powerful variants, each with unique strengths and availability methods. Here’s a breakdown of every type of Mewtwo you can catch in Pokémon GO.
| Type | Image | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Mewtwo |  | The standard version available through legendary raids. Still incredibly powerful and worth pursuing. |
| Shiny Mewtwo |  | Features green coloring instead of purple. Has about a 1 in 20 encounter rate during raids. Shiny legendaries are guaranteed catches, so use Pinap Berries for extra candy. |
| Shadow Mewtwo |  | The most powerful variant with 20% increased attack damage. Only available through Giovanni encounters. Takes 20% more damage but deals devastating attacks. |
| Armored Mewtwo |  | Rare promotional variant that appeared during movie tie-in events. Currently only obtainable through trading with players who caught it during its limited availability. |
Best Movesets for Mewtwo
Once you’ve successfully caught Mewtwo, your next step is to optimize its moveset. Mewtwo is one of the most versatile and powerful Psychic-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO, capable of excelling in both PvE (Raid Battles) and PvP (Trainer Battles). Below is a breakdown of the best movesets for Mewtwo, tailored to specific gameplay scenarios.
For Raid Battles (PvE)
Mewtwo excels in raids with Psycho Cut for fast energy generation and Psystrike for maximum damage output. This combination makes it the top counter against Fighting and Poison-type raid bosses. For more versatility, consider Shadow Ball against Psychic and Ghost-types, or Ice Beam for coverage against Dragons like Rayquaza.
For PvP Battles
In Master League, choose Confusion for raw damage and shield pressure, or Psycho Cut for faster energy generation. The most popular charged move combination is Shadow Ball plus Focus Blast, which covers Steel, Dark, and Normal types effectively. Shadow Mewtwo hits 20% harder than regular Mewtwo but trades defense for that extra power, making it a high-risk, high-reward option in competitive play.
FAQs
Conclusion
Getting Mewtwo in Pokemon GO requires patience, strategy, and sometimes a bit of luck. Whether you choose legendary raids, Giovanni battles, or trading, each method has its own requirements and rewards.
Tools like LocaRun can give you a significant advantage by providing global access to raids and essential tracking features. With the right preparation and persistence, you’ll successfully add this legendary Pokemon to your collection.
Remember to stay updated on special events and engage with your local Pokemon GO community – Mewtwo appearances are often limited and valuable opportunities. Good luck on your hunt for this incredible Pokemon!
