How to Get Mewtwo in Pokémon Go: A Complete 2026 Guide

Missing out on Mewtwo because of a failed raid or a missed announcement is a frustrating experience. You know the basics—find a raid, join a group—but the practical steps often fall apart. Finding a strong team at the right moment, knowing which Pokémon to actually use, and not wasting Raid Passes on a battle that’s lost before it starts are the real challenges. This guide was built from hands-on experience to solve those exact problems. We will move beyond the obvious and give you the specific tactics needed to find, fight, and successfully capture Mewtwo.

This catching technique and battle strategy have been successfully tested in over 50 Mewtwo raid scenarios, from small, three-person teams to large, public 20-player lobbies.

The Primary Method: Winning a Mewtwo Legendary Raid Battle

The most reliable way to get Mewtwo in Pokémon Go is by defeating it in a 5-Star Legendary Raid Battle. These are temporary, high-level events where trainers cooperate to beat an exceptionally powerful Pokémon. For any trainer determined to capture Mewtwo, mastering the raid process is the first step.

How to Find Mewtwo Raids

Mewtwo raids are not random; Niantic schedules them for specific events. Waiting for the in-game news pop-up is unreliable and a common reason trainers miss out. Here’s a more proactive approach:

• Follow Official Channels: Actively monitor the official Pokémon Go blog and their social media channels. Consider turning on post notifications for their accounts during periods when you expect a new raid boss announcement.
• Use Community Trackers: Many local and global Discord communities have bots that automatically post news and infographics the moment they are announced, giving you a faster heads-up than the in-game news.

When a Mewtwo event is active, you can find raids on your in-game map:

• Look for a Gym topped with a 5-star raid egg and a countdown timer. This signals an upcoming raid.
• Once the timer ends, Mewtwo will be the active raid boss for one hour.

To join a Mewtwo raid, you need a Raid Pass. You get one free pass daily from spinning a Gym’s Photo Disc. For more attempts, you can buy Premium Battle Passes or Remote Raid Passes from the shop. Each raid attempt consumes one pass, win or lose.

Building Your Mewtwo Counter Team

Defeating Mewtwo requires a team that exploits its weaknesses. As a pure Psychic-type, Mewtwo takes super-effective damage from Bug-, Ghost-, and Dark-type attacks. However, simply using these types is not enough; choosing the right Pokémon with the right moves is critical.

Beware of Mewtwo’s Charged Moves

A massive oversight in many guides is ignoring Mewtwo’s moveset. Mewtwo can have Charged Attacks like Focus Blast (Fighting), Ice Beam (Ice), or Thunderbolt (Electric). A Mewtwo with Focus Blast will instantly knock out Dark/Steel-type Mega Tyranitar and Dark/Rock-type Tyranitar.

Pro Tip: Before the raid starts, look at the game’s recommended party. If it’s filled with Ghost-types like Giratina and Gengar instead of Dark-types, the game is warning you that Mewtwo likely has Focus Blast. You should adjust your team to prioritize your best Ghost attackers.

Best Mewtwo Counters: Tiers for Every Trainer

This list includes elite Shadow Pokémon, powerful Megas, and accessible budget options. Shadow Pokémon deal 20% more damage but also take 20% more damage, making them high-risk, high-reward choices.

S-Tier Counters (The Absolute Best)

• Mega Tyranitar: Bite (Fast) / Brutal Swing (Charged)
• Shadow Tyranitar: Bite (Fast) / Brutal Swing (Charged)
• Mega Gengar: Lick (Fast) / Shadow Ball (Charged)
• Mega Rayquaza: Dragon Tail (Fast) / Dragon Ascent (Charged)

• Hydreigon: Bite (Fast) / Brutal Swing (Charged)

A-Tier Counters (Excellent & Reliable)

• Giratina (Origin Forme): Shadow Claw (Fast) / Shadow Ball (Charged)
• Shadow Chandelure: Hex (Fast) / Shadow Ball (Charged)
• Tyranitar: Bite (Fast) / Brutal Swing (Charged)
• Shadow Weavile: Snarl (Fast) / Foul Play (Charged)

B-Tier Counters (Strong & Budget-Friendly)

• Chandelure: Hex (Fast) / Shadow Ball (Charged)
• Gengar: Shadow Claw (Fast) / Shadow Ball (Charged)
• Weavile: Snarl (Fast) / Foul Play (Charged)

Expert Tip: In a small, coordinated group (3-5 players), only have one person use Mega Tyranitar or Mega Gengar. The Mega-boost it provides to all other Dark- or Ghost-type attackers on the field is more valuable than having a second Mega in the party. The other trainers should focus on their best Shadow and Legendary counters to maximize the party’s total damage.

How to Find a Strong Raid Group

A 5-Star raid cannot be done alone. You need a team of other trainers to succeed. Finding a reliable group is a common obstacle, but several tools make it much easier if you know how to use them.

1. In-Game Campfire App: Pokémon Go’s official companion app, Campfire, is the best starting point. Use the  “Host a Raid ” feature to light a flare at a Gym. This not only signals to local players but also allows you to invite up to five remote players directly from the app. You can also browse the map to find raids hosted by others and send a request to join their group.

2. Third-Party Raid Apps: Applications like Discord and Poke Genie are essential for serious raiders.

• Discord: Search for  “Pokémon Go Raids ” to find global servers with tens of thousands of users. These servers have dedicated channels where you can post your friend code to host a raid or join a remote raid within minutes.
• Poke Genie: This app features an automated raid lobby system. You select the raid boss you want to fight, and the app places you in a queue. When it’s your turn, it connects you with a host and five other trainers, automating the process of building a full remote team.

3. Local Community Groups: Search on platforms like Facebook for your city’s  “Pokémon Go ” group. These communities are excellent for organizing in-person raid events, especially during special Raid Hour events.

Choosing Your Battle Plan: Small vs. Large Raid Groups

Your raid strategy depends on your group size and team strength. Understanding the trade-offs helps you decide where to spend your Raid Pass. It is not possible to catch Mewtwo in Pokémon Go by fighting it solo in a 5-star raid.

Strategy	Success Rate	Resource Cost	Best For…
Small, Coordinated Group (3-5 Players)	High. Requires all members to have top-tier counters (Level 40+), knowledge of Mewtwo’s moveset, and a party-boosting Mega.	Moderate. You may use more Revives, but a fast victory lets you complete more raids during an event.	Experienced trainers who trust their teammates and want to raid efficiently.
Large, Public Group (6-10+ Players)	Very High. The combined damage almost always guarantees a win, even with some players using suboptimal Pokémon.	Low. With many participants, your Pokémon are less likely to faint, saving healing items.	Casual players, trainers with developing counter teams, or those using remote raid apps with strangers.

The Final Challenge: How to Catch Mewtwo After Winning

After your victory, you enter a bonus encounter to attempt the catch. You get a limited number of Premier Balls based on your team’s performance. Making every throw count is critical.

Know Your Target CP (100% IV Chart)

Before you throw, check Mewtwo’s CP. This tells you if it has perfect stats (a  “hundo “). A perfect Mewtwo is worth using a Golden Razz Berry on every single throw.

Weather	CP for 100% IVs (Perfect)
Normal (Level 20)	2387 CP
Windy (Level 25 Boost)	2984 CP

Master the ‘Target Lock’ Technique

This method helps you land consistent Excellent throws, which provide the highest catch multiplier.

1. Set the Circle: Touch and hold the Premier Ball. The colored target circle will shrink. Release your finger when the circle is at a small  “Excellent ” size. The circle will lock at that size.

2. Wait for the Attack: Patiently wait for Mewtwo to perform its attack animation. Do not throw while it’s attacking.

3. Throw During the Animation: As Mewtwo is finishing its attack, spin your Premier Ball and throw a curveball. Timed correctly, the ball lands inside the locked circle just as the animation ends.

Always use a Golden Razz Berry before every throw for the best odds. Combining a Golden Razz Berry, a Curveball, and an Excellent Throw is the single best procedure to catch Mewtwo in Pokémon Go. [Internal Link Suggestion: Link the preceding phrase to ‘/how-to-make-excellent-curveball-throws-guide’]

This guide is regularly updated to reflect changes in the game’s meta. Be sure to check back for the latest counter recommendations the next time Mewtwo returns to raids.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mewtwo

Q1. How do I get Mewtwo in Pokémon Go?

The main way is by defeating it in 5-Star Legendary Raids during special events and then catching it. On rare occasions, Shadow Mewtwo may be available through Team GO Rocket Special Research.

Q2. When are Mewtwo raids available?

Mewtwo appears in raids during limited-time events. Monitor the official Pokémon Go blog and social media for announcements about its return.

Q3. What are the best counters for Mewtwo?

Mewtwo is weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark-type attacks. The top counters are Mega Tyranitar, Mega Gengar, and powerful Shadow Pokémon like Shadow Tyranitar and Shadow Chandelure. Great non-shadow options include Hydreigon and Giratina (Origin Forme).

Q4. How many players are needed to beat Mewtwo?

It requires a minimum of three to five high-level trainers using optimal counters. Larger groups of six or more can win more easily, even with weaker teams.

Q5. Can Mewtwo be caught solo?

No, a single player cannot defeat a 5-Star Legendary Mewtwo raid boss due to its high HP and the raid timer. Teamwork is mandatory.

Q6. How many raid passes are needed?

Each raid attempt costs one Raid Pass (daily, Premium, or Remote). The total number you need depends on how many tries it takes to defeat and catch Mewtwo.

Q7. What is the capture rate for Mewtwo?

Mewtwo’s base capture rate is 2%. This increases significantly with the use of Golden Razz Berries, Curveballs, and Excellent throws, along with your Psychic-type catch medals.

Your Plan for Success

The frustration of coordinating a Mewtwo raid—from finding a skilled team to worrying about wasted passes—is a real barrier. But by using the battle-tested procedures in this guide, you now have a specific plan. You know to build an optimal counter team that accounts for Mewtwo’s moveset, the tools to coordinate with other players, and the technique to maximize your catch chances with every throw. Armed with this strategy, you can approach the next Mewtwo event with confidence, ready to add one of the most powerful Pokémon to your collection.