How to Get Mewtwo in Pokemon GO: The Real Story Behind Catching the Legendary Psychic Pokemon

I still remember the absolute chaos of summer 2017. Picture this: thousands of trainers flooding downtown Chicago, all chasing the same dream – catching their first Mewtwo. The exclusive raid system had just launched, and nobody really knew what they were doing. Fast forward to today, and while the process has evolved significantly, Mewtwo remains one of the most coveted catches in Pokemon GO.

Let me walk you through everything I've learned about catching this genetic masterpiece, from someone who's been playing since day one and has caught more Mewtwo than I care to admit (okay, it's 47, but who's counting?).

The Evolution of Mewtwo Availability

When Niantic first introduced Mewtwo, they made it ridiculously exclusive. The EX Raid system was this bizarre invitation-only setup where you'd randomly receive a pass if you were lucky enough to have raided at the right gym at the right time. Talk about frustrating. I watched friends get multiple invites while I sat there, Mewtwo-less, wondering what cosmic force I'd offended.

These days, catching Mewtwo is far more democratic, though it still requires dedication. The Pokemon cycles through different availability windows, and understanding these patterns is crucial for any serious trainer.

Currently, Mewtwo appears through several methods, each with its own quirks and strategies. The most common way is through five-star raids when it's featured in the rotation. These typically run for about three weeks at a time, usually coinciding with events or special celebrations. Niantic loves to bring Mewtwo back for anniversary events, so mark your calendar for late July if you're reading this anytime before Pokemon GO's annual birthday bash.

Raid Battles: Your Primary Path to Mewtwo

When Mewtwo appears in five-star raids, you'll need to approach it strategically. This isn't your average Magikarp raid where you can waltz in solo with a team of Pidgeys. Mewtwo hits like a truck loaded with psychic energy.

The minimum number of trainers needed varies wildly based on your level and Pokemon quality. I've seen groups of three level 40+ trainers with maxed-out counters demolish Mewtwo, but realistically, you'll want at least five decent trainers for a comfortable victory. During my early attempts, we'd gather groups of 15-20 people because nobody had proper counters. Those were simpler times, when everyone just threw their highest CP Pokemon at everything.

Your counter team matters immensely. Dark-types are your best friends here – Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch remains a classic choice. Darkrai, if you've been lucky enough to snag one, absolutely melts Mewtwo. Ghost-types like Gengar (especially Mega Gengar) and Giratina Origin work wonderfully too. Bug-types might seem weird, but Mega Beedrill and Genesect can put in serious work.

Here's something most guides won't tell you: weather matters more than you think. Foggy weather boosts both Ghost and Dark moves, turning your counters into absolute monsters. I once did a Mewtwo raid in fog with just three trainers because our boosted Shadow Ball Gengars were hitting like nuclear warheads.

Shadow Mewtwo: The Ultimate Prize

If regular Mewtwo is the crown jewel of Pokemon GO, Shadow Mewtwo is the entire treasury. This corrupted version packs 20% more attack power at the cost of reduced defense, making it arguably the strongest Pokemon in the entire game for PvE content.

Getting Shadow Mewtwo requires completing specific Team GO Rocket research lines. The most reliable way was through the "A Seven-Colored Shadow" research, though it's been retired. Occasionally, Niantic brings back opportunities to catch Shadow Mewtwo through special research or timed events.

The frustrating part? You can't just decide to hunt Shadow Mewtwo on a Tuesday afternoon. You have to wait for Niantic to make it available, which happens maybe once or twice a year if we're lucky. When these opportunities arise, drop everything and complete that research. I'm not exaggerating – Shadow Mewtwo with Psystrike is so overpowered it trivializes many raid battles.

Special Research and Timed Opportunities

Beyond raids and Shadow variants, Mewtwo occasionally appears through special research tasks. The Kanto Tour event, for instance, guaranteed a Mewtwo encounter for ticket holders. These research-based encounters are fantastic because they can't flee – you'll catch it eventually, even if it takes 100 balls.

GO Fest events sometimes feature Mewtwo as well. The 2020 GO Fest gave players a chance at Mewtwo with the exclusive move Psystrike, which remains its best moveset for raids. If you're serious about building a strong roster, never miss a GO Fest when Mewtwo is featured.

Here's an insider tip that took me way too long to figure out: save your daily free raid pass the day before Mewtwo enters raids. That way, you can do two Mewtwo raids on the first day without spending coins. It's a small optimization, but over the course of a three-week event, those saved coins add up.

The Art of Actually Catching Mewtwo

Successfully defeating Mewtwo is only half the battle. This temperamental Legendary has a base catch rate of just 2%, which improves to about 15-16% with all bonuses maxed out. Those aren't great odds, especially when you're down to your last few Premier Balls.

The circle-lock technique is absolutely essential here. Wait for Mewtwo to attack, then throw your ball so it lands just as the attack animation ends. This prevents Mewtwo from batting away your carefully aimed throw. I've watched too many trainers rapid-fire balls at a jumping, attacking Mewtwo, wasting their entire supply.

Always use Golden Razz Berries. I know it's tempting to save them, but this is literally what they're for. The only exception might be if you're swimming in Mewtwo candy and just want the XP – then Silver Pinaps become viable.

Excellent throws dramatically improve your odds, but here's the thing: Mewtwo has a deceptively large circle. What looks like a Great throw often registers as Nice, and what seems like Excellent might only be Great. Practice on other Pokemon with similar distances – Groudon and Kyogre have comparable throw mechanics.

Maximizing Your Mewtwo

Once you've caught Mewtwo, the real optimization begins. For raids, you want Confusion and Psystrike. If you don't have Psystrike, Psychic is an acceptable substitute, though noticeably weaker. For PvP, the moveset varies by league, but Shadow Ball paired with either Psystrike or Focus Blast tends to perform well.

The IV chase with Mewtwo can become obsessive. Perfect IVs are nice, but honestly, the difference between a 15-15-15 and a 13-14-15 Mewtwo is minimal in practice. I spent months hunting a perfect Mewtwo, finally got one, and you know what? My 14-13-15 Shadow Mewtwo still outperforms it in every scenario.

Trading for Mewtwo requires Ultra or Best Friend status due to the Special Trade restrictions. The stardust cost is astronomical unless you're Best Friends – we're talking 40,000 dust for Ultra Friends or 80,000 for Great Friends. Only trade if you're hunting lucky Mewtwo or trying to reroll terrible IVs.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

The biggest mistake I see is trainers assuming Mewtwo will always be available. It's not. Mewtwo follows an unpredictable rotation schedule, sometimes disappearing for months. When it's available, prioritize it over almost everything else.

Another misconception: you need a full team of perfect counters. You don't. A team of level 30-35 decent counters will suffice for most raid groups. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good enough.

People also underestimate the value of hosting raids through apps like PokeGenie or GO Raid Party. If you live in a rural area with few local players, hosting raids lets you invite trainers from around the world. I've helped trainers in small towns catch their first Mewtwo this way.

The Psychological Game

There's something about Mewtwo that brings out the worst in Pokemon GO communities. I've seen friendships end over EX Raid invites, arguments break out over raid strategies, and normally rational people spend hundreds of dollars chasing shiny Mewtwo.

Remember: it's just a game. Yes, Mewtwo is incredibly powerful. Yes, it's one of the most iconic Pokemon ever created. But it's not worth destroying relationships or your bank account. Set reasonable limits for yourself. Maybe that's five raids per day during Mewtwo events, or a maximum monthly budget for raid passes.

The shiny hunt particularly drives people crazy. Shiny Mewtwo, with its green tail and pale body, is undeniably cool. But with roughly 1-in-20 odds, you might need dozens of raids to find one. I know trainers who've done over 100 Mewtwo raids without seeing green. RNG can be cruel.

Looking Forward

Niantic continues to evolve how Legendary Pokemon are distributed. The recent introduction of Shadow Raids, Elite Raids, and Primal Raids suggests we might see new ways to encounter Mewtwo in the future. Mega Mewtwo X and Y exist in the main series games, so their Pokemon GO debut seems inevitable.

My prediction? We'll see Mega Mewtwo raids within the next year, probably requiring a new type of energy or mega evolution method. Start saving resources now – Mega Legendaries in other games typically require significant investment.

The competitive scene also influences Mewtwo's availability. Major tournament announcements often coincide with Mewtwo's return to raids, giving competitive players a chance to optimize their teams. If you follow the PvP scene, you can sometimes predict when Mewtwo will return.

Final Thoughts

After all these years and all these Mewtwo, what keeps me raiding? It's partly the social aspect – some of my best Pokemon GO memories involve coordinating Mewtwo raids with friends. But it's also the perpetual chase for improvement. A better IV spread, a lucky trade, enough XL candy to max one out – there's always another goal.

Mewtwo represents everything that makes Pokemon GO compelling: the blend of strategy and luck, the social coordination required for raids, and the satisfaction of finally catching that elusive target. Whether you're hunting your first Mewtwo or your fiftieth, the thrill never quite goes away.

Just remember to enjoy the journey. Some of my favorite Pokemon GO moments happened while failing to catch Mewtwo – like the time our raid group got caught in a sudden downpour and took shelter in a coffee shop, turning a failed raid into an impromptu community meetup.

Stay patient, stay prepared, and when Mewtwo returns to raids, be ready to drop everything and chase that genetic marvel. Trust me, your future self will thank you when you're demolishing raid bosses with your powered-up Mewtwo army.

And hey, if you see someone at a raid muttering about their 47 Mewtwo but still hunting for more – that might just be me. Say hi. We Mewtwo hunters need to stick together.

Authoritative Sources:

Niantic, Inc. Pokemon GO. Niantic, Inc., 2016-2024. Mobile application.

The Pokemon Company International. Pokemon Sword and Shield Official Strategy Guide. The Pokemon Company International, 2019.

Silph Road Research Group. "Legendary Raid Boss Catch Rates." The Silph Road, 2023. Web.