- Acerola Pokemon Guide: The Ghost of Ula’ula Island - August 16, 2022
- Hoopa Pokemon Go Guide - August 13, 2022
- Every Green Pokemon Guide - August 6, 2022
The rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO may not be what you think. When I first started playing Pokémon GO, only the first generation had been released. But now, Generation 8 is available – in part – in the game.
Since there are now over 700 Pokémon in Pokémon GO, it’s hard to keep up with what’s rare and what has become common. The rarity of Pokémon may change as new events are introduced, but I believe these Pokémon will always be a gold mine.
Rarest Pokémon Overview
- Melmetal
- Unown
- Rotom
- Noivern
- Haxorus
- Carracosta
- Goodra
- Runerigus
- Archeops
- Deoxys
- Hoopa
These are the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Along with these specific Pokémon, regionals,12km egg Pokémon, shinies, 400 candy evolutions, and Legendaries are all quite rare. While everyone has access to all of these aside from the regionals, they take more time and effort to get. As for shinies, getting them is purely a roll of the die – with a 1 in 500 chance.
What Makes A Pokémon Rare?
The rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO are the Pokémon that the fewest number of players have or have access to. These are two different statistics – the complete history of owned Pokémon compared to the current Pokémon availability.
Because new Pokémon are added regularly, the rarity of previous Pokémon changes. Gen 1 Pokémon are rarer than some of the newer generations because they only make up about 15% or less of the available Pokémon. But if we look at the overall rarity, the newest generation is the rarest of all owned Pokémon. How does that work? Well, people who haven’t played in a while are taken into account.
Rarest Pokémon GO Captures in the World
These Pokémon are rare no matter where you live or when you played Pokémon GO. If you have any one of these Pokémon, then your account went up in value the moment you caught it.
Melmetal
Meltan is a special Pokémon that was the only Pokémon that debuted in Pokémon GO rather than another game or the anime. While he is rare because he is only available through research tasks or via Pokémon Let’s Go and Pikachu! or Let’s Go, Eevee!
As for Melmetal, well, you have to get a Meltan and 400 Meltan candy to get a Melmetal. Since you will only get a handful of candy each capture, you need to catch quite a few to evolve him unless you use Rare Candies.
Unown
Unless you are on the lookout for Tier 1 raids or are taking part in a special event, finding Unown will not be an easy task. Aside from regional events, Johto Journey in 2019 was the first even featuring this elusive Pokémon.
It is possible to catch Unown in the wild, but the spawn rate is extremely low. Out of all of the Pokémon that can’t evolve, aren’t event-exclusives, and aren’t legendary, I would say that Unown is the rarest.
Rotom
Rotom has always been a rare Pokémon. He was introduced in Pokémon GO Fest 2020 via GO Snapshot as Wash Rotom. Since then, no other Rotom forms have been released, but there may be more in the future.
Noivern
Noivern evolves from Noibat, who was released during the Kalos Celebration Event in 2020. He is now available in the wild, from 10km eggs and via a Level 50 research tasks.
He was also available as a reward from the Battle League in seasons 9, 10, and 11. What makes getting Noivern even harder is that you need 400 candies to evolve Noibat.
Haxorus
Axew is one of the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Before 2022’s Pokémon GO Fest – when Axew was available during Plains hour – he appeared in a few instances, but the likelihood of running onto him was low.
The little guy was rare enough that he was added as a Tier 1 Raid Boss. Since you need 125 Axew candies to get Haxorus, the larger dinosaur Pokémon isn’t owned by many in Pokémon GO.
Carracosta
The evolved form of Tirtouga is not a common checked-off Pokémon in the Pokedex. A shiny form of either of these turtles didn’t exist until June of 2022. Like most Pokémon, he can appear in the wild. However, his spawn rate is quite low. Since he isn’t a permanent egg-dwelling Pokémon, you’re lucky if you happen to have one of these from the previous rotation of 7km and 10km eggs.
Goodra
Goomy may not seem like much, but his final evolution – Goodra – is a rare addition to any Pokedex. While Goomy appears in the wild – and hatches from 10km eggs – the likelihood of running into him is quite low. To evolve Sliggoo into Goomy, you can use 100 Goomy candy while it’s raining, or you can evolve him while near a Rainy Lure Module. Though you still need the candy. This prerequisite makes it difficult to find the right window.
Runerigus
Yamask is rare enough, but to get Runerigus, you have to not only feed him 50 Yamask candies, but you also have to win 10 raids with Yamask as your Buddy Pokémon. Also, you can’t get Yamask outside of a Halloween event.
During Halloween, he may be available in eggs, raids, and more. The same goes for Galarian Yamask, who is also rare. However, if you do catch one during the event, you’re likely to see many more.
Archeops
To get Archeops you need to evolve Archen. The shiny forms of Archen and Archeops weren’t even released until June 2022. While you can get Archen from eggs in the wild and research tasks, acquiring one isn’t that simple.
This is one of those times when the rate that a Pokémon spawns is the deciding factor rather than how you acquire them. If you happened to hatch one of these, then use that candy to evolve and show off.
Salazzle
The primary reason that Salazzle is so rare is that only the female version of the previous form can evolve. Male Salandit does not evolve, but female Salandit does if given 50 Salandit candies.
The Pokémon was released for the All-Hands Rocket Retreat on April 3rd, 2022. Since it was just recently released, not many people have had the time to collect a female Salandit.
Deoxys
Deoxys is a mythical Pokémon that was released for the EX Raid Battles in 2018. Deoxys Attack was released that same year. The EX Raid Battles with Deoxys returned in 2019 with Deoxys Defense and Deoxys Defense.
Any form of Deoxys is rare in its own right. But if you happen to have two or more of them, then you already have a wonderful collection of mythical Pokémon.
Hoopa
Hoopa is a rare Pokémon. The interesting thing about Hoopa is that you can unlock an Unbound version which requires 50 Hoopa Candy and 10000 Stardust. The only way to get Hoopa is for a Research Task.
If you want to transform Hoopa back to her default form, you only have to pay 10 Hoopa Candy and 2000 Stardust. Hoopa doesn’t appear anywhere else, even at a low rate.
Groups of Rare Pokémon
These groups of Pokémon are always rare, no matter which Pokémon from the group you acquire. Some are rarer than others, but one can appreciate getting anything from these sets.
Regional Pokémon
Regional Pokémon are impossible to find in the wild unless they are under rotation via an event. The only way to get them normally – unless they are one of your regionals – is by receiving gifts from foreigners.
If someone that isn’t from North America wants a Tauros, they need to acquire a gift, and hopefully, the egg that drops will have a Taurus in it.
Biome-Exclusive Pokémon
Biome-exclusive Pokémon aren’t as rare as the other Pokémon on the list. However, I’ve lived in the desert, and I’ve lived near the beach. Let me tell you, the Pokémon available are vastly different.
If you live in specific areas, then you will have trouble finding specific Pokémon while others are plentiful. Use this to your advantage and trade with friends.
12km Egg Pokémon
Before October 2020, 10km eggs were the largest eggs. But now, we have 12km eggs. They may take ages to hatch, but it is worth it when you pop out some of the rarest hatches in the game.
Salandit, Deuinim, Skrelp, and more are found in these eggs. Sandile is one of the rarest egg Pokémon. Although it is Tier 2, it seems like no one has the evolved form of Sandile.
Shiny Pokémon
Shiny Pokémon are always rare. There are slightly unreliable charts naming which shinies are the rarest, but any shiny is a good catch. I do know that Unown is one of the rarest shinies, but past that, I can’t say for certain. Of course, a good way to tell is to look at the rarity of the non-shiny. Rare Pokémon that are also shiny will be much rarer than common Pokémon that happen to be shiny rate is 1 in 500 anyway.
Event Pokémon
In my book, event Pokémon are Pokémon that have special characteristics. In order to get these hat-wearing or dress-wearing Pokémon, you have to acquire eggs during the event or find the Pokémon in the wild only during the event.
Flower Crown Eevee is a personal favorite of mine. However, event Pikachus tend to be highly sought after. If the event Pokémon can be traded, you may be able to get a legendary out of it.
400 Candy Evolutions
There are only a handful of Pokémon that require 400 candy to evolve. Magikarp, Swablu, Wailmer, Meltan, Noibat, and Stufful all need 400 candies to evolve into their evolutions.
Even if you catch one of these a week, it will take a long time to save up to evolve them. The best way to get the candy for these Pokémon is by making them your buddy or waiting for an event.
Alolan and Galarian
Alolan and Galarian Pokémon aren’t as rare as they used to be, but they are still some of the rarest Pokémon you’ll see in the wild. While not all Pokémon from these generations are rare, the Alolan and Galarian forms of Gen 1 Pokémon.
For example, Alola Grimer – especially the shinty version – was once extremely rare. It’s a bit easier to get now, but it is still rare to see in the wild and is more common in 7km eggs.
Legendary
You probably knew this was coming. All Legendary Pokémon are rare, but it all depends on your opportunities. During one of the Pokémon League seasons, I got a dozen Cobalion and Landorus, yet others I still don’t have one of.
FAQs
Question: What is the Rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Answer: Shiny Detective Hat Pikachu and Ash Hat Pichu are two of the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO. They are event Pokémon that had a very limited release and shiny on top of that.
Question: Where is Kecleon in Pokémon GO?
Answer: Kecleon has become a Pokémon GO meme because it was never released. It was teased a few times, but for some reason, this Generation 3 Pokémon is still an empty spot in the Pokedex.
Question: Are Legendaries or Mythicals Rarer?
Answer: Mythicals have always been considered rarer than Legendaries as they are only acquired from special events. However, in combat, I find that Legendaries pack a meaner punch.
Question: Are All Pokémon Obtainable in Pokémon GO?
Answer: No. Even Pokémon in Pokémon that were once available may become unavailable after certain events. They will eventually become available again, but each time, it will likely be for a limited period.
Catching Rare Pokémon Made Easy
The best way to catch rare Pokémon is to keep playing. Check out raids, finish research tasks, and always keep an eye on updates. Try to attend Pokémon GO Fest and other key events for the best results. I haven’t caught every rare Pokémon that I’ve had the opportunity to catch because life kept me busy during certain times. I regret every rare Pokémon I didn’t get when I had the chance.
That said, even if I didn’t have any rare Pokémon, I’d still enjoy Pokémon GO. The activity, the social aspect, and the frequent updates will keep me hooked for a long time.
