What is the Most Rare Pokémon on Pokémon GO? Complete Guide to the Rarest Pokémon in 2026
by Ryan Carter Updated on 2026-06-26 / Update for Pokemon Go
Some Pokémon in Pokémon GO are much harder to find than others. They may only appear during special events like Go Fest, in certain regions, or through limited-time research tasks. Rare shiny versions are even more difficult to collect, making them valuable trophies for dedicated trainers.
If you have ever wondered what is the most rare Pokémon on Pokémon GO, this guide is for you. Here, we will explore the rarest Pokémon and shiny collectibles in 2026 and share the best ways to add them to your collection.
- What Are the Most Rare Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
- Ultra-Rare Wild Spawn Pokémon
- Hardest Pokémon to Obtain Through Eggs and Evolution
- The Rarest Daily Adventure Incense Pokémon
- Permanently Unavailable and Legacy Pokémon
- How to Get Rare Pokémon in Pokémon GO
What Are the Most Rare Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Many trainers spend years searching for the most rare Pokémon GO has to offer. Some Pokémon are rare because they only appear in specific regions, while others were available during limited-time events and have never returned. A few are also difficult to hatch, encounter, or evolve. The table below highlights the rare Pokémon GO collectors are still hunting in 2026.
| Pokémon | Why it's rare | Availability | Can it be shiny? | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unown | Extremely rare spawns and event-exclusive letters | Special events and rare wild spawns | Yes (selected forms) | Legendary |
| Uxie / Mesprit / Azelf | Regional Legendary Pokémon | Region-specific raids and events | Yes | Legendary |
| Larvesta | Very low hatch rate | Eggs only | Yes | Extreme |
| Salandit (Female) | Female version is much rarer than male | 12 km Eggs | No | Extreme |
| Galarian Articuno | Very low encounter and catch rate | Daily Adventure Incense | Yes | Extreme |
| Galarian Zapdos | Rare spawn with a high flee rate | Daily Adventure Incense | Yes | Extreme |
| Galarian Moltres | Rare spawn with a high flee rate | Daily Adventure Incense | Yes | Extreme |
| Dusk Form Lycanroc | Limited evolution requirements and event availability | Special events and Rockruff evolution | No | Very Hard |
| Armored Mewtwo | Event-exclusive form that has not returned often | Limited-time event raids | No | Legendary |
| Clone Pokémon | Released during a special movie-themed event | No longer available | No | Legendary |
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Ultra-Rare Wild Spawn Pokémon
Some of the rarest Pokémon GO Pokémon can appear in the wild, but finding them is often a matter of luck. These Pokémon have very low spawn rates and may only appear during special events or in specific regions. For many trainers, they rank among the hardest Pokémon to catch in the game.
Unown -- The Lottery Ticket Spawn
Unown is often called the lottery ticket of Pokémon GO because of how rarely it appears in the wild. Most trainers only encounter it during special events, GO Fest celebrations, or limited-time promotions.
Each Unown letter is treated as a separate collectible, making a complete collection extremely difficult. Some letters may not return for years, which is why Unown remains one of the top ten rarest Pokémon GO Pokémon.
Why Unown is rare:
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Extremely low wild spawn rate
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Many forms are event-exclusive
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Some letters are available only during specific events
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Shiny versions are even harder to find
Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf
The Lake Trio Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf are Legendary Pokémon with regional restrictions. While they occasionally appear in raids, they can also spawn in the wild, though these encounters are incredibly uncommon.
Because each Pokémon is tied to a different part of the world, completing the trio often requires trading or participating in remote raids.
Lake Trio Region Comparison
| Pokémon | Main Region | Wild Availability | Shiny Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uxie | Asia-Pacific | Extremely Rare | Yes |
| Mesprit | Europe, Middle East, Africa | Extremely Rare | Yes |
| Azelf | North and South America | Extremely Rare | Yes |
Hardest Pokémon to Obtain Through Eggs and Evolution
Some rare Pokémon GO creatures are difficult to find because they come from Eggs instead of wild encounters. Even after hatching them, players often need a large amount of Candy or special conditions to complete their evolution. That is why these Pokémon are often included among the top ten rarest Pokémon GO Pokémon.
Larvesta and Volcarona
Larvesta is one of the rarest Pokémon GO Pokémon that can hatch from Eggs. It has a very low hatch rate, so many trainers open dozens of Eggs before getting one. This makes Larvesta one of the hardest Pokémon to catch and collect.
Egg Hatch Rarity
Larvesta can hatch from certain 2 km, 5 km, and 10 km Eggs. However, its appearance rate is much lower than most other Pokémon in the Egg pool. Even during special events, it remains a difficult hatch.
400 Candy Evolution Requirement
Getting Larvesta is only half the challenge. To evolve it into Volcarona, you need 400 Larvesta Candy. Collecting that much Candy can take a long time through walking, catching duplicates, and using Rare Candy.
How to get it:
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Hatch 2 km, 5 km, and 10 km Eggs
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Use Super Incubators during events
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Set Larvesta as your Buddy Pokémon
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Use Rare Candy to speed up evolution
Female Salandit and Salazzle
Salandit is another rare Pokémon GO favorite among collectors. While hatching a Salandit is already difficult, evolving it into Salazzle is even harder because only female Salandit can evolve.
12 km Egg Exclusivity
Salandit is mainly available from 12 km Strange Eggs earned by defeating Team GO Rocket Leaders. Since these Eggs are harder to obtain than regular Eggs, finding Salandit can take time.
Female-Only Evolution Challenge
Only female Salandit can evolve into Salazzle. Most Salandit hatches are male, which means trainers may need to hatch several Salandit before finding a female one. This unique requirement makes Salazzle one of the rarest Pokémon GO evolutions.
Egg Hatch Requirements & Evolution
| Pokémon | Egg Type | Candy to Evolve | Special Condition | Shiny Available? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larvesta | 2km / 5km / 10km | 400 Candy | None beyond candy | Yes (event-debut only) |
| Volcarona | — (evolved only) | N/A | Evolve from Larvesta | Yes (via Larvesta shiny) |
| Salandit | 12km Strange Egg (Rocket Leader drop) | 50 | Must be female (12.5% of hatches) | Yes |
| Salazzle | — (evolved only) | N/A | Female Salandit only | Yes (among rarest shiny odds) |
The Rarest Daily Adventure Incense Pokémon
The Galarian Legendary Birds are among the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO. They can only appear while using Daily Adventure Incense, and even then, encounters are very uncommon. Their low catch rates and high flee rates make them some of the hardest Pokémon to catch in the game.
Galarian Articuno
Galarian Articuno is known for its rare appearances and difficult captures. Many trainers may only encounter it a few times despite using Daily Adventure Incense regularly.
Galarian Zapdos
Galarian Zapdos is another rare Pokémon GO encounter. It can appear unexpectedly during Daily Adventure Incense sessions, but catching it requires both luck and excellent throws.
Galarian Moltres
Galarian Moltres is one of the most sought-after Pokémon in the game. Like the other Galarian birds, it has a very low appearance rate and often flees after the first failed throw.
Galarian Bird Comparison
| Pokémon | Spawn Chance | Catch Rate | Flee Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galarian Articuno | Very Low | Very Low | Very High |
| Galarian Zapdos | Very Low | Very Low | Very High |
| Galarian Moltres | Very Low | Very Low | Very High |
Permanently Unavailable and Legacy Pokémon
Certain Pokémon in Pokémon GO are no longer available in normal gameplay. These were released during limited events and have not returned for years. Players who missed them can only obtain them through trading, which makes them highly valuable in the collector community.
Armored Mewtwo
Armored Mewtwo is one of the most rare Pokémon GO collectibles. It has a unique armored design based on the Pokémon movie version of Mewtwo.
Event-Exclusive History
Armored Mewtwo first appeared in raids in 2019 and returned briefly in 2020. After that, it was removed from raids and has not been seen again.
Why Collectors Still Value It
Its unique design and limited availability make it very desirable. New players often have no chance to catch it, which increases its value among collectors.
Trading Limitations
Armored Mewtwo can only be obtained through Special Trades. These trades require Stardust and can only be done once per day.
Clone Pokémon
Clone Pokémon are special event versions of classic Pokémon like Pikachu, Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise. They were released for a short time during a themed event.
Event-Exclusive History
These Pokémon appeared during Pokémon Day 2020 and were available for a limited period only. After the event ended, they were removed from the game.
Why Collectors Still Value Them
Their unique cloned appearance makes them stand out from normal Pokémon. Their short availability window also adds to their rarity.
Trading Limitations
Clone Pokémon can now only be obtained through Special Trades with other players who already own them.
Legacy Pokémon Availability
| Pokemon | Original Release | Last Availability | Obtainable in 2026? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armored Mewtwo | July 2019 | Feb 25 – Mar 2, 2020 | Trade only |
| Clone Pikachu | Feb 2020 | Feb 25 – Mar 2, 2020 | Trade only |
| Clone Charizard | Feb 2020 | Feb 25 – Mar 2, 2020 | Trade only |
| Clone Venusaur | Feb 2020 | Feb 25 – Mar 2, 2020 | Trade only |
| Clone Blastoise | Feb 2020 | Feb 25 – Mar 2, 2020 | Trade only |
How to Get Rare Pokémon in Pokémon GO
Rare Pokémon in Pokémon GO are hard to find due to low spawn rates and events. Playing regularly and using smart tools can help you find them faster. One helpful option many trainers use is the iAnyGo Pokémon GO Auto Catcher, designed to automate catching and item collection while playing the official game.
iAnyGo Pokémon GO Auto Catcher is a Bluetooth-based tool that works with the official Pokémon GO app. It helps players catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops automatically without manual tapping. No modded app or jailbreak is required.
Key Features
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Catch nearby Pokémon automatically without tapping
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Spin PokéStops and Gyms to collect items easily
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Works in the background while you walk or travel
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Connects via Bluetooth with the official Pokémon GO app
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No modified app or jailbreak required
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Supports both iPhone and Android devices
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Easy setup with stable long-time connection
How to Set Up iAnyGo Auto Catcher
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Install the latest version of iAnyGo Auto-Catch (v4.9.0 or higher).
Connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable and open the tool.
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Select "Game Mode" and start the Auto-Catch setup. Pair your phone via Bluetooth when prompted.
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Open the Bluetooth settings on your PC and ensure the device is properly recognized as "Pokémon GO Plus."
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In Pokémon GO, set location permission to "Always Allow," then go to Settings > Connected Devices & Services > Accessory Devices. Tap "Pokémon GO Plus" to pair and complete setup.
FAQs About Most Rare Pokémon GO
What is the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Unown, Galarian Birds, and Armored Mewtwo are among the rarest due to limited availability and very low encounter rates.
What is the rarest Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Shiny Unown and some event-only Pokémon are considered the rarest shinies because they appear only during special events.
Can you still get Armored Mewtwo?
No, Armored Mewtwo is not currently available in raids or events. It can only be obtained through trading.
How do you get Larvesta in Pokémon GO?
Larvesta is obtained by hatching Eggs, but it has an extremely low hatch rate and takes a lot of effort to evolve.
Are Galarian Birds the rarest Pokémon?
Yes, Galarian Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres are extremely rare because they appear only with Daily Adventure Incense and often flee.
Can Mythical Pokémon be traded?
No, most Mythical Pokémon cannot be traded in Pokémon GO.
Final Words
What is the most rare Pokémon on Pokémon GO? There is no single answer, but Pokémon like Galarian Birds, Unown, and Armored Mewtwo are often considered the rarest due to their limited availability and low encounter rates. These Pokémon require patience, timing, and consistent gameplay. Staying active during events and using tools like iAnyGo can help you explore more efficiently and increase your chances of finding rare Pokémon faster.
