Rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO: Who Are They and How To Get Them?

Ever since the release of Pokémon GO, the game has provided us with valuable memories through themed events, in-person gatherings, and consistent improvements to game mechanics and quality of life. While they have allowed us to go out and enjoy the game just the way the anime showed us, one of the biggest elements that makes the game engaging to the community is the Pokémon itself.

Be it the shiny variants, the regionals, or event-exclusive Pokémon, the idea of Gotta Catch 'em all is a priority of both the franchise and the gamers. While there have been some special Pokémon in the game over the years, when it comes to the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO, there are a few that are even rarer than the others.

From exclusive raids to event-themed research, occasionally, the franchise has introduced gamers to some of the rarest Pokémon in the game. This leaves many gamers wanting to know: What is the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO? Join us as we take a look at the 15 rarest Pokémon to catch in Pokémon GO.

Top 15 Rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO

From mythical to customised Pokémon, when it comes to the question ‘what is the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO,’ there are many that haven't made any appearance for a long time. Moreover, others have only appeared once in the game, and the jury is out on when they will be reintroduced.

From the raid-exclusive Armoured Mewtwo to research-reward Zarude, over the years, there have been some of the rare Pokémon that have made a single appearance in the game. Be it if you are a new player or you simply missed the events, it will probably be a long wait before you can get your hands on these Pokémon. That being said, here are the top 15 rarest Pokémon to catch in Pokémon GO:

1. Armoured Mewtwo

The gaming community worldwide agrees that Armoured Mewtwo is the rarest Pokémon in the game. As part of Pokémon Day celebration in 2020, Armoured Mewtwo was featured in 5-star raids in the game. It coincided with the release of the movie Mewtwo Strikes Back, before then, during July 2019, when the raid boss was released for the first time. These were the only two times the Pokémon was featured in the game. It has been a solid pick in Ultra League (GBL) and is also good for PVE. Almost the majority of the community does not have the Pokémon, and it is a major ask during trading.

2. Clone Venusaur

Along with the 2nd release of Armoured Mewtwo, we had a clone Venusaur in the game as part of the same event in 2020. In addition to the special look of the Pokémon, it also boasted the community day move Frenzy Plant. To this day, clone Venusaur remains at the top of the trading list for many OG trainers and the new trainers.

3. Clone Charizard

The story of clone Charizard is similar to clone Venusaur. Along with the grass-type Pokémon, clone Charizard was released during the Pokémon Day Event back in 2020. Similar to clone Venusaur, clone Charizard had a brand new aesthetic with the community day move Blast Burn.

4. Clone Blastoise

Boasting the community day move, Hydro Cannon, and a new look, clone Blastoise was also a feature of the Pokémon Day Event back in 2020. To this day, it remains a top priority for gamers when it comes to the trading list.

5. Celebi

Back on July 14th, 2018, during Pokémon GO Fest, Celebi was released for the first time. It came with the event-themed research, where trainers got to catch Celebi after finishing multiple chapters. The Pokémon with its shiny form came into the game with the Secrets Of The Jungle Special Research Event. The amazing pink shiny is still one of the biggest flexes for the trainers around the world. The psychic/grass type has been a strong pick in PVP, too.

6. Mew

Back in 2018, Mew was introduced in a special research quest known as A Mythical Discovery. The psychic type has been one of the popular picks for PVP, especially in Great League, ever since its introduction, due to the different movesets it has. The shiny version was released during the Pokémon GO Kanto Tour. The cyan shiny looks great when you have it as your buddy!

7. Jirachi

The release of Jirachi followed the process of Celebi. A year later of Celebi's first release, Jirachi was released as part of the Pokémon GO fest 2019. The steel and grass-type Pokémon had a great moveset and were a popular pick for PVP. After this, Jirachi was a feature in the game on three different occasions. In the Pokémon GO 2019 Hoenn Tour, the shiny form of Jirachi was released.

8. Zarude

Zarude was a feature in Pokémon GO one time only. This was during the Secrets of the Jungle event back in 2021. The launch of this mythical Pokémon came with the release of the movie. The dark/grass type was obtainable once trainers finished a series of research chapters. It was a great PVP pick for a while before a different meta came into the game.

9. Smoochum (with bow)

Smoochum with a bow was also a one-time feature in the game. During the Fashion Week event back on October 2nd, 2020, the baby Pokémon was a feature in research tasks. It was a part of the Longchamp collaboration event. A lot of trainers avoided this baby Pokémon as they believed getting the shiny variant was close to impossible. However, the customised baby Pokémon had boosted the shiny rate.

10. Shiny Gengar (Banette Skin)

Speaking of a one-time feature, Shiny Gengar (Banette Skin) is also a major name in this list. This Pokémon was released back in the Halloween event in 2020. It was raid-exclusive only, and getting the shiny was difficult. It was a big triumph for those who caught the shiny, as the Pokémon was never featured again.

11. Meloetta

Meloetta was the center of attention at the Pokémon GO Fest 2021. The event was themed on music. In addition to the major wild spawns and a lot of great rewards, Meloetta was introduced in the game for the first time. Unlike the other mythical Pokémon released during GO Fest, Meloetta is not a great PVP pick.

12. Hoopa

During the season of mischief, we got to see Hoopa for the first time. This ghost/psychic Pokémon was the main reward in the Mischief Unbound special research event. However, the Pokémon had a second feature in 2025 during a raid day. The jury is still out on when the shiny version will be released.

13. Maushold (Family of three)

While Tandemaus was first introduced to the game back in July 2024, during the Ultra Unlock: Better Together event, the evolution is where it gets tricky. Tandemaus evolves to both Maushold (family of three) and Maushold (family of four). Among them, the former one has the odds of 1% of being the evolutionary form of Tandemaus.

14. Salazzle

Just like Tandemous, Salandit has been common in Pokémon GO ever. However, it is the evolution that is rare. Salandit has been a feature in 12km Eggs since its first introduction. However, only the female Salandit has the chance to evolve. The odds of hatching a female Salandit are pretty rare, which is why Salazzle is one of the rare Pokémon in the game.

15. Zygrade Complete Form

Back in 2023, in Blaze New Trails, Zarude was introduced in Pokémon GO. The event came with the new route feature of the game and allowed the trainers to get their hands on Zygrade by finishing a story. While the introduction of Pokémon is pretty recent, obtaining the complete form is a rare feat and is achieved by a handful of trainers.