Pokémon Go: Mewtwo Raid Guide

Mewtwo is coming back to Legendary raids in Pokémon Go. Fortunately, we here at iMore have everything you need to know to win this fight and add Mewtwo to your roster. And be sure to check out our Best Pokémon Go Accessories, so you can be fully equipped for your Pokémon Journey!

Who is Mewtwo in Pokémon Go?

One of the strongest and most recognizable Legendary Pokémon, Mewtwo is one of a select few artificial Pokémon, created intentionally by humans. The scientists who created Mewtwo spent many years conducting horrific experiments, splicing and cloning DNA from Mew, the common ancestor of virtually all other Pokémon. Because Mew has the DNA of virtually all other Pokémon, it can learn every move in the core game. Mewtwo came very close, but due to the horrific experiments conducted on it, Mewtwo is believed to be the most savage of Pokémon, harboring deep seated hatred of humanity. Mewtwo is also one of only two Pokémon with multiple Mega Evolutions. Neither Mega Mewtwo X or Mega Mewtwo Y have been intoduced to Pokémon Go... yet.

In Pokémon Go, neither Mewtwo nor Mew can learn every move, but they can learn a very wide range of moves. Mewtwo's diverse movepool and excellent stats make it one of the most powerful Pokémon in all of Pokémon Go. It's Shadow forme is even stronger and eventually, it has not one but two Mega Evolutions that will redefine the meta. Whether you're looking to add another Mewtwo to your roster or to power up your existing Mewtwo, this is a Raid you won't want to miss out on!

Mega Evolution strategies for Mewtwo in Pokémon Go?

There are a handful of options for Mega Evolution when countering Mewtwo, focusing on each of its weaknesses: Ghost, Dark, and Bug.

If possible, Mega Gengar should be your first choice for this raid. A Ghost and Poison type, Mega Gengar takes super effective damage from Psychic moveswhile resisting Fighting type damage. Even being weak to Psychic, Mega Gengar still outperforms every other Pokémon in this raid. Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball are the moves you'll want your Gengar to know.

If you're lacking in Mega Gengar Energy or are better equipped for a Dark based counter, Mega Houndoom performs incredibly well in this raid. It's a Fire and Dark type, so it resists Psychic, Fire, and Ice, while taking increased damage from Fighting. If you're bringing Houndoom to this fight, you'll want it to know Snarl and Foul Play.

Another Mega Pokémon you could bring is Mega Gyarados. As a Dark and Water type, Mega Gyarados resists Psychic, Fire, and Ice type damage, but takes increased damage from Electric and Fighting type moves. Bite and Crunch are the moves you'll want your Mega Gyarados to know for this fight.

While most players will be able to bring a better performing Mega, Mega Absol also performs well in this raid if you already have one Mega Evolved. It's a pure Dark type, so Fighting type moves hit for super effective damage, while it is resistant to Psychic type damage. If you're bringing Mega Absol, it's best moveset is Snarl and Dark Pulse.

While they will not perform as well, the following Mega Evolved Pokémon can also work for this raid:

• Mega Beedrill with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Mega Charizard Y with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
• Mega Blastoise with Bite and Hydro Cannon
• Mega Manectric with Snarl and Wild Charge
• Mega Aerodactyl with Bite and Return

What are the best counters?

Mewtwo is a pure Psychic type with access to Psychic, Fire, Electric, Ice, and Fighting type moves. Its weaknesses include Bug, Ghost, and Dark type, leaving room for a number of winning strategies.

Originally encounted in the Unova region of Gen V, Chandelure is the top non-Mega non-Shadow counter for Mewtwo. One of the best Ghost and Fire types in the game, it resists Ice, Fire, and Fighting type moves, and it has no weaknesses this Mewtwo can exploit. Even better, its first stage, Litwick has been featured in multiple events, including both 2019 and 2020's Halloween events, and can even be hatched from eggs right now. Just make sure your Chandelure knows its Ghost type moves Hex and Shadow Ball, as opposed to its Fire type moves.

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Platinum, Giratina performs well against Mewtwo, but specifically in Origin forme Giratina. Because Giratina is a Ghost and Dragon type, Ice Beam is the only move Mewtwo could potentially have that would deal super effective damage, and it takes reduced damage from Fighting, Fire, and Electric. Although Origin forme Giratina has had more limited availability in raids, both formes share Candy so it's not terribly difficult to power up. If you're bringing Giratina to this Raid, you'll want Shadow Claw for its fast move and Shadow Ball for its charged move.

The Gen VI Mythical Pokémon, Hoopa is another great counter for Mewtwo. Its Unbound forme is a Psychic and Dark type, meaning it resists Psychic type damage and has no weaknesses Mewtwo can exploit. Unfortunately, Hoopa is limited to one per account and only for players who completed a limited Timed Research in a previous event. On top of that, it costs 50 Candy and 10,000 Stardust to change into its Unbound forme. Still, if you have it, you'll want your Hoopa to know Astonish and Dark Pulse for this fight.

A Mythical Pokémon originally encountered in the Sinnoh region, Darkrai may look like a Ghost, but it's actually a pure Dark type. This means it's super resistant to Psychic type moves and the only move you'll have to worry about is Focus Blast. Although it is a Mythical type, Darkrai has had widespread availability, with several runs in raids and even being a Pokémon Go Battle League reward encounter, so you probably already have at least one powered up. Snarl and Dark Pulse are the ideal moves for Darkrai.

While Unbound Hoopa performs better, if you don't have the Candy or Stardust to spare, a Confined Hoopa is also a great choice for this raid. As a Psychic and Ghost type, it resists both Psychic and Fighting type damage, while still having no relevant weaknesses. If you're bringing a Confined Hoopa, Astonish and Shadow Ball are the ideal moves, since it doesn't get STAB with Dark Pulse like its other forme.

The Legendary mascot of Pokémon Y, Yveltal performs great against Mewtwo, especially when paired with a Dark type Mega Pokémon. This Dark and Flying type takes super effective damage from Mewtwo's Electric and Ice type attacks, but resists Psychic type damage and is quite the tank. Although Yveltal has only had one run in Raids so far, it was also featured in Pokémon Go Fest 2021. Snarl and Dark Pulse are the moves you'll want your Yveltal to know going up against Mewtwo.

Ironically enough, Mewtwo can be a great counter for itself, thanks to the Legacy move Shadow Ball. While the Mewtwo you're fighting in raids now won't have access to this incredible Ghost type move, you may already have one that has this move or an Elite TM to get it. Mewtwo takes reduced damage from Psychic type moves and brings no relevant weaknesses to this fight, meaning it's also super sturdy. If you are bringing Mewtwo to this Raid, pair Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball to deal the maximum damage. However, if your Mewtwo doesn't know Shadow Ball, best to leave it at home, and if your Mewtwo knows Psystrike, don't TM this move away. Psystrike is also a Legacy move and Mewtwo's best Psychic attack.

Originally encountered in Gen I's Kanto region, Gengar is a great option for this raid that most players will already have. This Poison and Ghost type resists Fighting type damage, but is weak to Psychic type moves. Because it has been in the game since day one, has been featured in every Halloween event, and has a Mega Evolution, most players have had the chance to catch and evolve entire teams of Gengar. If you're bringing Gengar to this fight, Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball are the moves you'll want it to know.

Originally discovered in the Sinnoh region of Gen IV, Weavile is a great counter for Mewtwo that's also readily accessible. It's first stage, Sneasal is a common Gen II Pokémon that has also been featured in events and as a Shadow Pokémon, so you probably already have a couple in your collection. As a Dark and Ice type, Weavile takes reduced damage from Ice and Psychic, but double damage from Fire and quad damage from Fighting. If you're bringing Weavile to this fight, you'll want it to know Snarl and Foul Play.

Another excellent counter for Mewtwo is Zarude, a Mythical Pokémon from the Galar region. It's a Grass and Dark type, so Fire, Fighting, and Ice type moves will hit for super effective damage, but it does resist Psychic and Electric type damage. Like most Mythicals, Zarude is limited to one per account and only for players who completed the limited Timed Research to earn it. Bite and Dark Pulse are the moves you'll want your Zarude to know for this raid.

A pseudo-Legendary originally encountered in the Unova region of Gen V, Hydreigon performs well in this raid. As a Dark and Dragon type, it takes reduced damage from Psychic, Fire, and Electric, but double from Fighting and Ice. However, despite its first stage, Deino has been featured in events, eggs, and even as a Pokémon Go Battle League reward encounter, so many players have already evolved and powered up Hydreigon. If you have one, you'll want Bite and Dark Pulse for its moveset when facing Mewtwo.

Back ups?

Although most players will be able to make a team of the best counters, if you're finding a gap in your team, there are plenty of back ups who work well in larger groups. Just make sure you're dodging and any of the following could be a decent back up:

• Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
• Genesect with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Banette with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Regigigas with Hidden Power (Ghost) and Giga Impact
• Trevenant with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
• Absol with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Bisharp with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Yanmega with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
• Mismagius with Hex and Shadow Ball
• Krookodile with Snarl and Crunch
• Incineroar with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Reshiram with Fire Fang and Crunch
• Raikou with Thunder Shock and Shadow Ball
• Scizor with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
• Escalavier with Bug Bite and Mega Horn
• Zekrom with Dragon Breath and Crunch

Shadow Pokémon

The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket make them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats boosted, but during special events or with Elite TMs, it's possible to change their moves. If you happen to have any of the following Pokémon with the right moveset, they will work very well in this Raid:

• Shadow Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Weavile with Snarl and Foul Play
• Shadow Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
• Shadow Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
• Shadow Absol with Snarl and Dark Pulse
• Shadow Pinsir with Bug Bite and X-Scissor
• Shadow Mismagius with Hex and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Raikou with Thunder Shock and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Alakazam with Psycho Cut and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Banette with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Sharpedo with Bite and Crunch
• Shadow Gardevoir with Charge Beam and Shadow Ball
• Shadow Honchkrow with Snarl and Dark Pulse

Note: Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Weavile, and Shadow Tyranitar outperform every non-Mega Pokémon in the best counters list.

How many players does it take to beat Mewtwo in Pokémon Go?

While it is possible for three high level Trainers to take out Mewtwo under ideal conditions with the best counters, this is not an easy Raid and Mewtwo's moveset could make it much more difficult. Personally, I'll be aiming for parties of five Trainers or more.

Weather conditions that can impact this Raid include:

• Wind will boost Mewtwo's Psychic type moves.
• Cloudy Weather will boost Mewtwo's Fighting type move.
• Sunny/Clear Weather will boost Mewtwo's Fire type move.
• Rain will boost Mewtwo's Electric type move and your Bug type counters.
• Snow will boost Mewtwo's Ice type move.
• Fog will boost both your Ghost and your Dark type counters.

Questions about taking on Mewtwo in Pokémon Go?

Do you have any questions about taking on the Legendary Pokémon Mewtwo? Got any tips for your fellow Trainers? Drop them in the comments below, and be sure to check out our Complete Pokédex, so you can be the very best like no one every was!