The 20 Rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO and How to Obtain Them
Discover the most elusive creatures in Pokémon GO and the specific methods to capture them.
1The Challenge of Rarity
Completing the Pokédex remains the primary objective for Pokémon GO players, yet several creatures remain notoriously difficult to acquire. While some Pokémon are restricted by geographical location, others are locked behind specific, time-limited events or complex mechanics. Understanding these barriers is essential for any trainer aiming to finalize their extensive digital collection.
2Legacy Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Pokémon were introduced in 2019, initially allowing players to trade these powerful variants. Niantic eventually disabled this feature to prevent the creation of perfect Lucky Shadow Pokémon. Consequently, any existing Shadow Pokémon from that era are now considered among the rarest assets in the game, as no new ones can be created.
3Camouflaged Kecleon Mechanics
Kecleon does not spawn in the wild like traditional Pokémon, making it easy to overlook. Players must identify it on a Poké Stop disc, knock it off, and then tap it on the main screen. Because it is not common, trainers must pay close attention to every Poké Stop they spin to find one.
4Evolutionary Hurdles and Odds
Obtaining specific forms like the Dusk Form Lycanroc requires catching numerous Rockruff, as there is no way to identify the ability beforehand. Similarly, Salazzle is locked behind the evolution of a female Salandit, which only hatches from 12km Eggs with a very low probability, making the process a significant test of patience.
5Mythical and Limited Research
Mythical Pokémon like Keldeo are often tied to exclusive Special Research stories, such as the December 2022 event. Because these creatures cannot be traded, players who missed the initial purchase window currently have no way to obtain them. This creates a permanent gap in the collections of trainers who joined the game later.
6The Larvesta Hatching Nightmare
Larvesta remains incredibly rare despite being available in various egg tiers due to an extremely low hatch rate. Furthermore, evolving it into Volcarona requires 400 Larvesta Candy, which is a massive investment. This combination of rarity and high cost makes Volcarona one of the most difficult additions to any trainer's Pokédex in the game.
7Regional and Spawn Exclusives
Regional exclusives like Tauros or Comfey are restricted to specific real-world locations, making them impossible to catch for most global players. While some, like Kangaskhan, have become accessible via Raid Battles, others remain locked to their home regions unless featured in rare, global events that occur only during special annual celebrations.
8The Zygarde Cell Grind
Unlocking Zygarde's Complete Forme requires collecting 250 Zygarde Cells by completing user-created routes. With a limit of three cells per day, this process takes at least 84 days of consistent gameplay. This mechanic represents one of the most significant time-gated challenges currently present for dedicated players looking to maximize their legendary Pokémon.
Original article: Screen Rant — The 20 Rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO and How to Obtain Them