So you want Mewtwo? Join the club. This psychic beast has been the white whale for trainers since day one, and honestly? It's worth the grind. I remember my first Mewtwo raid back in 2018 – our whole Discord group showed up at that sketchy park gazebo at 6 AM. Two phones died, someone dropped their coffee, but man, that catch screen felt like winning the lottery.
Quick Reality Check: There's no magic shortcut. If some YouTube vid promises "free Mewtwo in 5 minutes," it's malware. Trust me, I learned the hard way when my nephew clicked one and got his account wiped clean.
Why Mewtwo Matters (Spoiler: It's Broken)
Let's cut to the chase: Mewtwo dominates the meta like nothing else. With its nuclear Psystrike move, it shreds through gyms, raids, and even PVP. I've tested dozens of legendaries against Giovanni's goons – nothing clears battle lines faster. Stats don't lie:
| Stat | Base Value | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Attack | 300 (Highest in game) | Melts raid bosses 30% faster than Machamp |
| Defense | 182 | Survives charged moves that OHKO Mew |
| Stamina | 214 | Tanks 5-6 hits in Master League |
But stats aren't everything. That floating purple nightmare? It learns Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, and Focus Blast. Coverage like this makes it Swiss Army knife meets wrecking ball.
When I finally powered up my 98% IV Mewtwo, it trivialized so much content. Rocket leaders? Done in 15 seconds. Tier 5 raids? I started getting more damage balls consistently. Worth every rare candy.
All Current Ways to Get Mewtwo in Pokemon Go (2023 Edition)
Niantic rotates availability constantly, but these are your realistic paths right now:
Method 1: 5-Star Raids (Your Best Shot)
When Mewtwo's in raids, drop everything. These rotate monthly – check LeekDuck or Serebii for schedules. Last rotation was May 2023, next likely around October. Here's the raid blueprint:
- Step 1: Scout gyms via campfire or local Discord around hatch time (eggs appear 1hr before)
- Step 2: Assemble 3-5 trainers minimum (duo possible with L40+ best friends using dark types)
| Top Mewtwo Raid Counters (Non-Legendary Options) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pokemon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
| Tyranitar | Bite | Crunch |
| Hydreigon | Bite | Brutal Swing |
| Chandelure | Hex | Shadow Ball |
Pro tip: Don't waste passes on cloudy weather. Windy boosts psychic damage – you'll get demolished.
Method 2: Beat Giovanni (Shadow Mewtwo Alert!)
Shadow Mewtwo has 20% more attack – it's terrifying. But beating Giovanni requires grinding:
Warning: Giovanni questlines appear intermittently. Currently available via "Showdown in the Shadows" (July 2023). Complete these steps:
- Finish "A Troubling Situation" special research (always active)
- Collect 6 Mysterious Components from grunts to build Rocket Radar
- Defeat 3 leaders (Sierra, Cliff, Arlo)
- Use Super Rocket Radar to hunt Giovanni
Giovanni's lineup changes, but expect Persian + two random. Bring fighters (Lucario, Conkeldurr) for Persian and water/ground for second slot. For Mewtwo? Tyranitar or Giratina Origin.
Shadow Mewtwo costs 120k stardust to purify – DON'T. The damage boost outweighs IV gains.
I purified my first shadow Mewtwo like an idiot. Still regret it. That thing could've hit like a freight truck.
Method 3: Trading (For Lucky Friends)
Find someone with spare Mewtwo? Trading works if you're within 100m:
- Cost: 1,000,000 stardust (unregistered legendary)
- Lucky Trade: Guarantees IVs 12/12/12+ (interact daily for lucky friend chance)
Honestly? Unless it's lucky, trading sucks for legendaries. That dust cost hurts. I traded for a 78% non-lucky and it collects dust.
Method 4: Special Research (Rare but Possible)
Past researches like "An Inter-egg-sting Development" gave Mewtwo. None active currently, but Niantic recycles these. Save premium items for when they drop.
Catching Mewtwo: Make Every Ball Count
Nothing hurts like seeing Mewtwo flee after a hard raid. Follow this:
The Golden Circle Lock Technique
1. Hold ball until circle shrinks to Great size (or Excellent if confident)
2. Release ball WITHOUT throwing
3. Wait for attack animation
4. Spin and throw DURING animation so ball lands as animation ends
Use Golden Razz Berries every throw. Curveballs non-negotiable – adds 1.7x catch multiplier. If nervous, shoot for Great throws consistently over Excellent whiffs.
| Catch Rate Boosters | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Curveball | 1.7x |
| Golden Razz Berry | 2.5x |
| Excellent Throw | 1.7x |
| Platinum Psychic Medal | 1.4x |
Medals matter! Farm psychic types before Mewtwo raids.
Powering Up & Moveset Deep Dive
Okay, you caught one. Now what?
IVs: Don't Obsess Over Perfection
A 10/10/10 Mewtwo with Psystrike outperforms a 15/15/15 without it. Prioritize moves first. That said:
- PvE (Raids/Gyms): 15 Attack IV crucial for damage breakpoints
- PvP (Master League): 15/15/15 ideal but expensive
Elite TMs: Your Move Lifeline
Mewtwo NEEDS legacy moves. Use Elite Charged TM for:
| Move | Type | DPS | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psystrike (Elite) | Psychic | 20.5 | Default for raiding/PVP |
| Shadow Ball (Elite) | Ghost | 16.7 | Against psychics/ghosts |
| Ice Beam | Ice | 14.3 | Dragon/Ground coverage |
Fast move: Psycho Cut (energy generation) for PVP, Confusion (raw damage) for PVE.
I Elite TM'd Shadow Ball onto my second Mewtwo. Combined with Psystrike? It solos entire rocket balloons. Stardust expensive? Yes. Regrets? Zero.
FAQs: Real Trainers Ask, I Answer
Can I get Mewtwo without raiding or fighting Giovanni?
Nope. Trading requires someone who did. Special research isn't currently available. Gotta engage with core mechanics.
How often does Mewtwo return to Pokemon Go?
Historically every 4-8 months. Shadow versions appear during Rocket takeovers (approx quarterly).
Is Armored Mewtwo coming back?
Probably not soon. It was movie promo in 2019. Stats are worse anyway – wait for regular/shadow.
How many rare candies to max Mewtwo?
248 candies + 300k dust from level 20. Farm T5 raids and walk it (20km per candy... ouch).
Should I purify Shadow Mewtwo?
NO. Shadow adds 20% damage for +20% damage taken. Mewtwo's glass cannon anyway – that tradeoff wins battles.
Final Reality Check
Look, Mewtwo hunting tests patience. During dry spells? It feels hopeless. But when that raid notification pops? Adrenaline rush. Prep counters, stock golden razz, practice curveballs. That capture screen? Pure dopamine.
Will this guide magically put Mewtwo in your dex? Nah. But stick to these methods, and when Niantic flips the switch? You'll be first in line. Got my 100% after 47 raids. Still chasing that shiny though... RNG is a cruel mistress.
Spot a Mewtwo raid? Run. Don't walk. This monster changes your gameplay. Now get out there and hunt.