Mewtwo, the Legendary Psychic-type Pokémon, remains among the most coveted catches in Pokémon GO.
With its impressive stats, legendary status, and balanced moveset, it’s little wonder that trainers across the globe await its return to raids and special events.
Whether you want to catch the normal Mewtwo, chase its Shiny counterpart, or hunt the mysterious Shadow Mewtwo, this ultimate guide walks you through all the available strategies, from raid tactics to trading, moveset analysis, and more.
How To Get Mewtwo In Pokémon GO?
Mewtwo is a Legendary Pokémon, so it can’t be acquired through normal game means like wild spawns or eggs hatching. It can only be caught during limited-time events. Here’s how you can obtain it:
5-Star Raids
The most common way to catch Mewtwo is through 5-star raids, where it becomes available for a limited time.
When Mewtwo Appears in Raids:
- Mewtwo returns during special event weeks like Pokémon GO Tour, Anniversary events, Halloween events, or Psychic Spectacular.
- Check the in-game News, Pokémon GO Blog, or external sites like Leek Duck or Pokebattler for raid cycles.
Battle Strategy:
- Mewtwo is weak against Dark, Ghost, and Bug-type attacks.
- Counter with:
- Chandelure (Hex + Shadow Ball)
- Giratina (Origin Forme) with Shadow Claw + Shadow Ball
- Darkrai with Snarl + Dark Pulse
- Tyranitar with Bite + Crunch
CP And IV Benchmarks:
- 100% IV (No Weather Boost): 2387 CP
- 100% IV (Windy Weather Boost): 2984 CP Make sure to appraise your Mewtwo at catch to check its IV stats.
What Is A Shiny Mewtwo?
Shiny Mewtwo also possesses a bright green tail instead of the standard purple. It is a great-looking one and one of the most coveted Shiny Legendaries.
How To Encounter Shiny Mewtwo:
- Only available when Niantic turns on Shiny rates during raid events.
- Even when you manage to get through the raid, a shiny encounter is not guaranteed.
- Shiny rate throughout raids is generally around 1 in 20 (5%).
How To Up Your Chances:
- Raid Regularly: The greater your frequency of raids, the greater your chances.
- Participate in global raids via apps like PokéRaid, Campfire, or Discord groups.
- Gather friends and use Remote Raid Passes for distant gyms.
Catching Shiny Mewtwo:
- Employ Golden Razz Berries and curveballs with Great or Excellent throws.
- Shiny Legendaries are 100% catch rate if you successfully hit, don’t panic—simply throw your throws!
How To Get Shadow Mewtwo In Pokémon GO
If you wanna know how to get mewtwo in pokemon go the Shadow version of Mewtwo, which is probably the most powerful form of Mewtwo due to the +20% Shadow damage increase. It’s much rarer, though.
How To Get Shadow Mewtwo:
- Only obtainable by defeating Giovanni, the leader of Team GO Rocket.
- Mewtwo will occasionally be used as his final Pokémon in Team Rocket Takeover events.
Steps To Get Shadow Mewtwo:
- Complete Team GO Rocket Special Research like “Shadowy Skirmishes” or “Looming in the Shadows.”
- Obtain a Super Rocket Radar and track down Giovanni.
- Fight his minions and finally Giovanni to trigger the Mewtwo battle.
- Catch it using Ultra Balls and berries (no raid in play—just a regular fight).
Tip: Shadow Mewtwo possesses one of the highest DPS outputs in the game. Only keep it in Shadow form if you need a purified form for some reason.
Trading For Mewtwo In Pokémon GO
Yes, but with limitations:
- Classified as a Special Trade, which is daily.
- Both players have to be at least Great Friends.
- If neither of you has Mewtwo in your Pokédex, then Stardust cost will be high.
Best Practices For Trading:
- Try to prepare a Lucky Trade, which gives a Pokémon with confirmed high IVs (12/12/12 minimum).
- Save trading for Community Day meetups or for special events like Pokémon GO Fest.
- Organize with local groups for in-person trades, as Remote Trading is limited.
Using The Best Mewtwo Moveset In Pokémon GO
Mewtwo is a good PvE and PvP attacker, provided that you possess the proper moves.
Best Movesets:
| Role | Fast Move | Charged Move(s) |
| General Raiding | Psycho Cut | Psystrike + Shadow Ball |
| PvP (Master League) | Psycho Cut | Psystrike + Ice Beam |
| Dark-type Against | Psycho Cut | Focus Blast |
| Coverage Build | Confusion | Thunderbolt + Ice Beam |
Move Details:
- Psystrike: Legacy move, must utilize Elite Charged TM.
- Shadow Ball: Legacy move, requires Elite TM too.
- Psycho Cut: Quick energy generation, perfect for spam.
- Confusion: Mighty damage, PvP mind game is perfect for it.
Tip: Use Elite TMs wisely. Save them for Shadow Mewtwo if at all—Shadow Psystrike is a meta-breaker.
Related: Pokémon GO Best Eevee Evolution: Ranking All 8 Eeveelutions & How To Obtain Them In A Jiffy
Bonus Tips For Catching Mewtwo In Pokémon GO
Let’s make sure you’re prepared with everything you need to succeed. Here are the bonus tips to boost your catch rate:
1. Use The LocaChange
- Do make use of a GPS spoofer (only where legally allowed) or coordinate globally via apps.
- Switch regions to follow timezone rotations and maximize raid chances.
2. Stock Up On Ultra Balls
- For Research and Shadow Mewtwo, Ultra Balls give higher success rates than regular Poké Balls.
- Keep them reserved for Legendary encounters.
3. Use Pinap Berries
- If you’re not worried about losing the catch, use Pinap Berries to get 12 Mewtwo Candies per catch (6×2).
- Combine with Silver Pinap for even better results.
4. Search For Weather Boost
- Windy weather increases Mewtwo’s level to 25 (raid boss), so higher IVs.
- But also makes the catch slightly harder because of higher CP.
5. Throw Curveballs
- Master the circle-lock technique: set the catch circle to Great, wait for the attack animation, and throw when it ends.
- Curveballs + Great throws + Golden Razz Berries = highest catch rate.
FAQs
Like you there are other people who have questions as you, so here are the questions that others have asked.
No, Mewtwo is not a wild hatch. Available only during special events or raids.
Yes! You can send Mewtwo to HOME and even introduce it to Scarlet/Violet or Sword/Shield (game compatibility allowing).
Not yet available in Pokémon GO. Mega Mewtwo X and Y can be found in the mainline games, and they’re going to be in a future update.
Generally, no. Shadow Mewtwo’s attack is much higher. Purify only if you want it for aesthetics or money purposes.
Yes, during raid events or research hours, you can catch as many as you can win and battle.
Is It Easy To Catch Mewtwo In Pokemon Go?
The answer to the question of how to get Mewtwo in Pokémon GO is not luck—it is a matter of timing, teamwork, preparation, and persistence. Whether you are going to raid, trade, or track down Team Rocket, each has its own reward and strategy.
Through learning the ins and outs of Mewtwo’s raid mechanics, top counters, best movesets, and special editions like Shiny and Shadow, you’re now equipped with the knowledge to become a certified Pokémon Master.
So have your Poké Balls ready, plan with local trainers, and always be in the know for raid news—because next time Mewtwo returns, you’ll be prepared to catch the legend.
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