Rarest Pokemon in Pokemon Go & how to get them all

❘ Updated: 2024-02-13T14:00:00

Niantic

Are you looking to catch ’em all in Pokemon Go? Well, here are some of the rarest creatures available in Pokemon Go and how you can acquire them to help complete the Pokedex.

In Pokemon G, some creatures can only be caught during special events, some only spawn in specific regions of the world, and others need to be beaten as Raid Bosses before you can get a chance to catch them.

If you’re wondering what the rarest Pokemon in Pokemon Go are, we’ll look at some of the most elusive creatures, such as Salazzle and Sandile. We’ll also cover some tips and tricks for finding them to help you get one step closer to completing your Pokedex.

This list does not include the region-locked Pokemon.

Contents

Kecleon
Jangmo-o
Sandile
Frigibax
Gholdengo
Galarian Legendary Birds
Volcarona
Melmetal
Pikachu Libre
Salazzle
Vivillon
100% Zygarde
Unown
Archen
Keldeo, Zarude, & Hoopa

15. Kecleon

To get an encounter with Kecleon, you’ll need to spin loads of PokeStops until you find one that is blocked by an invisible creature. Tap it enough times and the creature will jump off, revealing itself to be none other than Kecleon! You’ll then get a chance to catch one.

14. Jangmo-o

jangmo-o evolution method scarlet violet

Currently, players will be able to find Jangmo-o in the wild while using their Daily Adventure Incense, from 10km Eggs, or as an encounter from the Research Breakthrough as part of the Lunar New Year event. However, this expires on March 1, so be sure to grab it fast.

13. Sandile

The only way to get Sandile right now is to hatch it from a 12km Egg (otherwise known as a Strange Egg), and it’s got one of the lowest rates of all the potential hatches. Let’s not even get into how long it will take to fully evolve one into Krookodile thanks to the 125 Candies needed.

12. Frigibax

Frigibax has been added to the 10km Eggs, in the fifth rarity tier, which means its hatch rate is close to nill. Also, you’ll need 125 Candies if you want to reach its final evolution, Braxcalibur, so you better keep those eggs cracking.

11. Gholdengo

Players need to get a Golden Lure Module by sending Postcards for five consecutive days. This module will be used to get the 999 Gimmighoul coins needed to evolve the Pokemon into Gholdengo.

10. Galarian Legendary Birds

Galarian Articuno, Moltres, and Zapdos in Pokemon Go

The only way to encounter the Galarian Birds is to use the Daily Adventure Incense, which gives you a 15-minute window each day to try and find them.

These Galarian Legendary Birds are rare because they have a ridiculously high flee rate, so even if you are lucky enough to find one out in the wild, your chances of catching them are very low. Expect lots of frustration when they inevitably run away.

9. Volcarona

Even though Larvesta is available in 2km, 5km, and 10 km eggs, its hatch level is 5, which is the hardest one. Plus, in order to evolve it into Volcarona, you’ll need 400 candies to do so, meaning players will need to use Rare candies and Buddy Walking to achieve the goal.

8. Melmetal

Perhaps the easiest way to get hold of Melmetal is by sending over Meltan from your Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu or Eevee. This will give you some more candies and will help you on your way. Alternatively, make Meltan your buddy for some extra candy, although that will certainly take time.

7. Pikachu Libre

In order to get Pikachu Libre, you need to reach Rank 24 in the Pokemon Go Battle League, which is quite an odyssey. Trainers who manage to get to this rank in a single season will be rewarded with an encounter with this rare Pokemon.

6. Salazzle

Trainers need to hatch a female Salandit to be able to evolve it into Salazzle, and the chance of getting one of those is only 12.5%. All in all, the likelihood of you ever being able to evolve a Salazzle is very low and will require a lot of patience. It’s the only way to obtain this Pokemon, as it can’t be found in the wild.

5. Vivillon

To get Vivillon you need to spend 125 Candies, and that’s for each pattern. If you want to get them all, multiply that by 18! Plus, for each design, you’ll need to pin Postcards received from Gifts your friends send you and trigger the encounter.

4. 100% Zygarde

To get the 100% form of Zygarde, you’ll need to complete routes, which means you need to explore trails created by players. As you go along the Routes, you’ll come across a few Zygarde cells. Collect 250 cells, and you’ll have this incredibly rare Pokemon.

3. Unown

The different Unown variants can be obtained in the wild, from hatching Eggs, or by participating in Raid battles. But even with plenty of places to obtain them from, the spawn rate is extremely low and there are just too many.

2. Archen

Finding an Archen in the wild is pretty hard, as its spawn rate is close to none, making it one of the rarest Pokemon in the game. More so, it has an evolution called Archeops, which is even harder to obtain thanks to the amount of Candy you’ll need to evolve Archen.

1. Keldeo, Zarude, & Hoopa

While our number one spot for the rarest ‘mon is technically three Pokemon, that’s also part of what makes them so rare. Keldeo, Zarude, and Hoopa are Mythical Pokemon, and as such, they cannot be traded in Pokemon Go. The only way to acquire any of them is by completing Special Research Quests.

How to get Keldeo, Zarude, & Hoopa in Pokemon Go

There is no current way to catch Keldeo, Zarude, or Hoopa in Pokemon Go, as their Special Research Quests were only available for a few weeks. Therefore, the three Mythical mons will remain at the top of the list until Niantic reactivates their quests.

Those are the rarest Pokemon in Pokemon Go! If you’re looking for more tips as well as tricks to become the ultimate Trainer, check out our other guides below: