Top 10 Rarest Pokemon in Pokemon GO (2025 Update)

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In the vast world of Pokemon GO, some Pokemon are everywhere—while others remain elusive, whispering through the wind like legends. Whether you're a casual collector or a dedicated trainer, discovering the rarest Pokemon in Pokemon GO brings an unmatched thrill.

But what exactly makes a Pokemon "rare"? And which ones should be at the top of your hunting list? Let's dive into the rarest Pokemon and how you can catch them—no matter where they hide.

Rarity in Pokemon GO isn’t determined by a single factor—it’s a mix of availability, event exclusivity, regional restrictions, and encounter frequency.

Some Pokemon only appear during specific events, in certain parts of the world, or through special research tasks. Others are locked behind raids or exclusive ticketed content. Combine these limitations with low spawn rates, and you've got a recipe for truly rare Pokemon.

6 Key Factors That Determine Pokemon GO Rarity

While opinions vary, one of the rarest Pokemon in Pokemon GO is Armored Mewtwo. It was only available during a limited-time event and hasn’t returned since. Other contenders include Unown (especially specific letters), Azelf, Uxie, and Mesprit, which are region-locked legendaries with limited raid availability.

But rarity is ever-shifting. A Pokemon that’s common during one event may disappear entirely after, never to return—at least for a while.

No. 1 Armored Mewtwo

A unique variation of Mewtwo, Armored Mewtwo was available only during a 2019 special event and has never returned to the game since. With its distinctive design and limited run, it remains a trophy for early trainers.

Availability: Currently unavailable

Recommended: Await possible anniversary rerun or vote events

No. 2 Unown (All Forms)

With over 28 alphabet-inspired variants, Unown is an elusive enigma. It typically appears only during large-scale events like GO Fest or global tours, often with just a few letters at a time.

Availability: Only during major events

Recommended: Participate in GO Fest or themed events when available

No. 3 Axew (Shiny)

Despite Axew having joined the game years ago, its wild spawn rate remains extremely low. The shiny version is even more elusive, often considered a crown jewel of shiny hunters.

Availability: Occasionally during events

Recommended: Hunt during boosted spawn events or GO Fest

No. 4 Salandit (Female)

While Salandit can be hatched from 12km Eggs, only females can evolve into Salazzle—yet they make up less than 15% of hatches. This gender lock makes it one of the trickiest evolutions to complete.

Availability: Hatchable from 12km Eggs

Recommended: Focus on defeating Team GO Rocket Leaders to farm 12km Eggs

No. 5 Spiritomb

A ghostly figure with a lore-rich background, Spiritomb is usually tied to Halloween research. Its appearances are rare and brief, often locked behind multi-step timed tasks.

Availability: Event-limited (Halloween only)

Recommended: Complete special Halloween research tasks when available

No. 6 Kecleon

Long requested by fans, Kecleon arrived with a unique twist: it hides on PokeStops, only visible when zooming in and tapping carefully. Its inconsistent presence and non-traditional spawn method make it a sneaky addition.

Availability: Rarely available via PokeStops

Recommended: Regularly check PokeStops after spinning, especially post-Community Day

No. 7 Torkoal & Tropius

These region-locked Pokemon are rarely rotated into global events. Torkoal is typically found in South Asia, while Tropius is native to Africa. Unless you travel or trade, they remain difficult to obtain.

Availability: Torkoal in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates, while Tropius in Africa, the Levant, Malta, and southern Spain.

Recommended: Participate in GO Fest/global events or trade with international players

No. 8 Lake Trio (Azelf, Uxie, Mesprit)

Each member of the Lake Trio is locked to a specific region, and their appearances are usually tied to limited-time 5-star raid windows. Unless you're in the correct area—or can spoof—it’s a challenge to catch them all.

Availability: Uxie in Asia & Oceana; Mesprit is Europe, Africa and the Middle East; Azelf is in North and South America

Recommended: Use remote raid invitations or location spoofing tools like AnyTo

No. 9 Rotom (Various Forms)

Rotom forms have appeared only a handful of times, mostly via AR photo tasks during events. Their unique forms (Wash, Mow, Frost, etc.) are yet to be widely released, making them exceptionally rare.

Availability: Currently unavailable

Recommended: Wait for specific events with photo-based challenges

No. 10 Sandile

Introduced through 12km Eggs, Sandile suffers from a very low hatch rate and has seen few spawn boosts since. Evolving into Krookodile also requires a hefty candy investment, making it a grind.

Availability: Hatchable from 12km Eggs

Recommended: Stockpile 12km Eggs and use Super Incubators for efficient hatching

While the top 10 rarest Pokemon list highlights some of the most elusive catches in the game, there are many more Pokemon that remain incredibly rare due to special conditions. Here's a deeper look into other categories of rare Pokemon in Pokemon GO:

1 Event-Exclusive & Costume Pokemon

These Pokemon are typically available for a very limited time during special events, and once they're gone, they often don't return for years—if ever. Many of them wear unique outfits or feature special animations that make them stand out.

Their limited-time availability and unique appearance make them sought-after trophies for collectors.

2 Regional Pokemon

Regional Pokemon are only available in specific geographical areas, making them hard to obtain unless you travel—or spoof responsibly using tools like AnyTo.

These Pokemon are especially rare for players outside their native zones and often appear only during special global events.

3 0% IV & 100% IV Pokemon (Shundo/Nundo)

Perfect and imperfect IV Pokemon are extremely rare due to their low odds, regardless of how common the species may be.

4 Other Rarest Pokemon

Noibat (pre-2024) – Before its Community Day in 2024, Noibat was one of the rarest wild spawns and had one of the highest candy requirements for evolution (400 candies), making Noivern a trophy evolution for early trainers.

Scatterbug & Vivillon Forms – These Pokemon are tied to postcard locations from different global regions. To complete the Vivillon collection, players must receive and pin postcards from dozens of countries—a highly social and time-intensive task.

Larvesta – Introduced as a rare egg hatch, Larvesta had one of the lowest hatch rates and a massive 400 candy requirement to evolve into Volcarona. As a result, it remains one of the most under-seen Pokemon in the Pokedex.

With so many rare Pokemon tied to regions or time-limited events, missing out can feel frustrating. That’s where iMyFone AnyTo comes in. This powerful location spoofing tool allows you to:

AnyTo's Key Features:

• Use fake GPS and teleport to rare spawn hotspots around the world.
• Simulate walking routes via 360-degree joystick to trigger spawns naturally.
• Participate in regional raids or events no matter your location.
• Plan efficient hunting paths with smart multi-stop movement.
• Work on both iOS and Android. Free trial is available for everyone!

Steps to use iMyFone AnyTo to catch rarest Pokemon in Pokmeon GO Fest:

Step 1: Download iMyFone AnyTo for free on your phone.

Step 2: Open AnyTo app. Follow the instructions in the software to complete the basic settings before changing location.

Step 3: Select the location or coordinates you want to change, choose the mode you like, and simply click the Move button to start.

You can also use AnyTo PC version on iOS/Android:

1

Connect your iPhone/Andoid device to the PC. Click "Get Started".

2

Select Teleport Mode or Multi-spot Mode to plan a route.

3

Click the Move button to change location on the map to this new location!

1．How rare are shiny Pokemon in Pokemon GO?

Shiny Pokemon have a base encounter rate of about 1 in 450 in the wild, but this rate can vary depending on the species and event. During Community Days or special events, the shiny rate can improve significantly—up to 1 in 25.

2．What is the rarest shiny Pokemon in Pokemon GO?

The title of rarest shiny often goes to event-only Pokemon like Shiny Unown, Shiny Party Hat Nidorino, or Shiny Detective Pikachu. These were only available for a very limited time and have not returned, making them exceptionally scarce.

3．How to find rare Pokemon in Pokemon GO?

To increase your chances of finding rare Pokemon:

• Join limited-time events
• Use incense and lure modules
• Track nests and local hotspots
• Engage in raids and research tasks
• Or use iMyFone AnyTo to teleport to rare spawn zones

4．What is the rarest Pikachu in Pokemon GO?

Some of the rarest Pikachu variants include:

• Detective Pikachu
• Shiny Hat Pikachu (various versions)
• Birthday Hat Pikachu

These were often released once during special collaborations or time-limited events and haven’t returned since.

5．What is the rarest Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon GO?

Armored Mewtwo stands out as one of the rarest legendaries—it was available for a limited time in 2019 and hasn't returned. Other contenders include Shiny Lake Trio, Shiny Darkrai, and Victini, depending on availability and event exclusivity.

6．What makes Unown so rare in Pokemon GO?

Unown has multiple letter-shaped forms, but they rarely appear in the wild and are usually limited to special events. Shiny Unown forms are even rarer and are typically only available during specific ticketed events.

7．Are shiny versions of rare Pokemon always available?

No. Some shiny versions, like Shiny Axew or Shiny Unown, are only released during certain events and remain unavailable outside of those windows.

8．Can I trade for rare Pokemon I missed?

Yes, but there are restrictions. Mythical Pokemon like Mew or Meltan cannot be traded, and some rare Pokemon may require special trades, costing more Stardust.

9．Which rare Pokemon are worth powering up?

While rarity doesn't always mean strength, Pokemon like Noivern, Volcarona, or Mewtwo (any form) can be useful in PvE or PvP and are worth investing in if you have enough resources.

10．Are region-exclusive Pokemon available globally?

No, regional Pokemon such as Tropius, Torkoal, and the Lake Trio (Uxie, Azelf, Mesprit) are only available in specific areas of the world unless featured in global events, trades, or special eggs.

The thrill of chasing the rarest Pokemon in Pokemon GO is one of the things that keeps the game exciting. From elusive legendaries to hard-to-find hatch exclusives, knowing what you’re looking for—and how to find it—is half the battle. Equip yourself with the right knowledge and tools like location changer AnyTo, and you’ll be on your way to filling your Pokedex with some of the rarest Pokemon out there.

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Article by

Spencer Hill

Spencer Hill has over 5 years of experience specializing in mobile screen mirroring and virtual location modification. As a senior editor at iMyFone, he creates user-friendly tutorials that help mobile users maximize their device functionality.