Key Takeaways
- Mewtwo has a 2% base catch rate in raids — the lowest of any legendary
- This makes Mewtwo one of the hardest legendary Pokemon to catch in GO
- The low catch rate is intentional gatekeeping — forcing players to use Golden Razz Berries, Excellent throws, and patience
- Curveball + Excellent + Golden Razz only brings it to ~6% per throw
Bottom Line: The 2% catch rate is designed to frustrate — and drive players to buy more passes after failed catches.
Why Is Mewtwo So Hard to Catch?
The Catch Rate Problem
Mewtwo's catch rate in Pokémon GO raids is a staggeringly low 2% (base). For comparison:
| Pokemon | Base Catch Rate |
|---|---|
| Mewtwo | 2% |
| Articuno | 3% |
| Zapdos | 3% |
| Moltres | 3% |
| Dialga | 3% |
| Palkia | 3% |
| Heatran | 3% |
Mewtwo is the only legendary with a 2% catch rate. Every other legendary sits at 3%.
Why 2% Instead of 3%?
Niantic deliberately set Mewtwo's catch rate lower because:
- Mythical Status — Mewtwo is a clone of Mew, engineered in a lab. It's rarer than legendaries.
- Frustration Marketing — players who fail to catch Mewtwo often immediately host another raid, spending more passes.
- Event Exclusivity — Mewtwo is typically available only during special events (EX Raids, GO Fest, Lunar New Year), so the scarcity must feel earned.
The 2% catch rate is a psychological pressure valve — it extends the feeling of "almost having it" much longer.
The Math: How Many Throws?
With optimal throws, here's your per-attempt catch rate:
| Throw Type | Catch Rate |
|---|---|
| Nice throw + Razz | ~5.1% |
| Great throw + Razz | ~5.5% |
| Excellent + Razz | ~6.2% |
| Excellent + Golden Razz | ~6.8% |
With curveballs adding +2x multiplier:
| Throw Type | Catch Rate (with Curve) |
|---|---|
| Nice + Curve + Razz | ~10.2% |
| Great + Curve + Razz | ~11.0% |
| Excellent + Curve + Golden Razz | ~13.6% |
Average attempts to catch: ~5–25 (depending on throw skill). With 10 balls per raid, you have a ~50% chance per raid.
Why Not Use the Name Trick?
There is no name trick for Mewtwo. You cannot bypass the low catch rate with renaming.
The Master Ball Option
The only way to guarantee a Mewtwo catch is a Master Ball. But Master Balls:
- Are extremely rare (paid events only)
- Cannot be traded or purchased in bulk
- Represent a $200+ investment per guaranteed catch
For most players, the 2% catch rate means you'll lose 4–8 out of 10 attempts. That's ~$40 in wasted Remote Raid Passes ($2 each × 20 attempts).
FAQ
Can I increase Mewtwo's catch rate?
Only slightly — use Golden Razz Berries, curveballs, excellent throws, and the catch assist technique (holding A to delay the ball shake).
Is Mewtwo available in regular raids?
No — Mewtwo typically appears in EX Raids or special events. When it does appear, it's the featured boss for 1–2 weeks.
Does the catch rate change for shiny Mewtwo?
No — shiny Mewtwo has the same 2% catch rate. The only difference is the color.
Can I use Pinap Berry on Mewtwo?
You can, but it's usually not worth the risk. Pinap Berry doubles candy but halves the catch chance (0.4%). That's gambling $2 passes on a 1-in-250 outcome.