Pokémon GO is a game that has captivated millions of fans since 2016. It allows you to explore the real world with your phone’s GPS and camera, and discover, catch, battle, and trade Pokémon. But among the hundreds of Pokémon available, some are more elusive and desirable than others. These are the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO, and they are the ones that every trainer dreams of finding and owning.
In this article, we’ll reveal the top 10 rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO, and tell you why they are so valuable. We’ll also give you some tips on how to increase your chances of encountering them. Whether you’re a collector, a trader, or a battler, you’ll want to know these Pokémon and what makes them special. So, let’s dive in and find out who are the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO!
10. Unown
Unown is a mysterious Pokémon that looks like letters or punctuation marks. There are 28 types of Unown, each with its name and look. Finding Unown in Pokémon GO is tough; it only pops up during special events or in certain spots. For instance, during Pokémon GO Fest 2020, Unown appeared in the letters G and O. Unown can also be shiny in Pokémon GO, making it even cooler. It’s not the best for battles, but it’s awesome to collect and trade. If you catch all 28 Unown types, you earn a special medal in the game.
9. Deino
Deino is a dark and dragon-type Pokémon that turns into Zweilous and then Hydreigon. It’s a powerful dragon, but getting it in Pokémon GO is super hard. Deino rarely shows up in the wild, and you can only hatch it from 10 km eggs with a tiny chance of 0.8%. It’s hardly ever in raids or events, making it a real challenge to find. If you’re a dragon fan, get ready to walk a lot to catch it.
8. Axew
Axew is another dragon Pokémon that evolves into Fraxure and then Haxorus. Like Deino, Axew is rare and strong, especially as Haxorus has great attack and defense. It’s a bit easier to find than Deino but still pretty tough. You might get lucky and hatch it from a 10 km egg with a 1% chance or get it from adventure sync rewards with a 5% chance. Axew hasn’t appeared much in raids or events, so it’s a real quest to catch one. If you want a strong dragon for your team, Axew is worth the hunt.
7. Tropius
Tropius looks like a banana tree and is a grass-and-flying type Pokémon. It’s a special Pokémon found only in specific parts of the world—Africa and some places in the Middle East like Egypt and Israel. Even in its home, Tropius isn’t easy to find; it shows up rarely, usually in sunny or windy weather. Not the best in battles, but it’s among the best grass types for certain battles. Collectors and traders chase after Tropius to complete their collection.
6. Relicanth
Relicanth, resembling a prehistoric fish, is a water and rock type Pokémon found only in New Zealand and some islands in the South Pacific like Fiji and Samoa. It’s more common than Tropius in its home areas, appearing somewhat regularly near water or during rainy weather. Not super useful in battles, but it’s needed to unlock the mythical Pokémon Jirachi in a special research quest. Collectors and traders value Relicanth for its ancient vibe.
5. Gible
Gible, a ground and dragon type Pokémon, evolves into Gabite, and then Garchomp, one of the strongest and coolest-looking Pokémon in the game. Gible is a treasure in Pokémon GO due to its rarity—it rarely appears in the wild and can only be hatched from 10 km eggs with a tiny 0.4% chance. Even when featured in raids or events, it’s tough to snag one. Gible is every Pokémon fan’s dream, but catching it needs lots of luck and patience.
4. Riolu
Riolu is a fighting-type Pokémon that becomes Lucario, a fan-favorite with high stats and unique steel typing. It’s rare in Pokémon GO, hatching from 10 km eggs with a 0.7% chance or from adventure sync rewards with a 10% chance. Sometimes seen in raids or events, but still pretty competitive. Riolu is a must-have for Pokémon lovers, but getting one requires a bunch of eggs and incubators.
3. Heracross
Heracross, a bug and fighting type Pokémon, looks like a blue beetle with big horns. It’s found only in Central and South America and parts of Florida and Texas in the US. In its areas, Heracross is quite common, showing up a lot in any weather. It’s one of the best bug types, with high stats and a powerful move called Megahorn. Heracross can even mega-evolve, making it more powerful. It’s a great catch for bug fans or competitive players, but you might need to travel or trade for it.
2. Shiny Mew
Shiny Mew, a psychic type Pokémon with a pink color, is one of the rarest and most valuable Pokémon in Pokémon GO. You can only get it by finishing a special quest called “All-in-One #151,” released for Pokémon’s 25th anniversary. The quest involves lots of tasks related to catching, battling, and trading Pokémon, and you need to reach level 40 in the game. Catching Shiny Mew is your ultimate chance at glory in Pokémon GO.
1. Shiny Ditto
Shiny Ditto, a normal type Pokémon with a blue color, is the most valuable and rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO. You can only catch it by nabbing specific disguised Pokémon like Pidgey, Rattata, Zubat, and more. But even then, the chance of it turning into Shiny Ditto is super low, so you’ll need to catch hundreds or even thousands to find one. Shiny Ditto is super special; it can transform into any other Pokémon during battles or raids, making it the ultimate catch for collectors or traders. But getting one takes a ton of time and effort.