Top 10 Rare Pokémon to Catch This Year

Catching rare Pokémon has always been one of the most thrilling aspects of the Pokémon franchise. Whether you’re a fan of the mainline games, Pokémon GO, or competitive battling, the hunt for rare creatures adds excitement and prestige to your journey. Each year brings new events, releases, and updates that shift which Pokémon are most valuable or difficult to obtain. In this article, we’ll explore the Top 10 Rare Pokémon to Catch This Year, highlighting why they’re so sought-after, where you might find them, and tips to add them to your collection.

1. Shiny Charizard

Charizard has been a fan favorite since the first generation, but its shiny version is particularly rare. The sleek black-and-red color scheme makes it one of the most visually striking shinies in the game.

Why It’s Rare

• Shiny Pokémon have a 1 in 4,096 encounter rate in modern games (unless boosted by events).

• Shiny Charmander often appears only during special events in Pokémon GO, making it a limited-time opportunity.

Where to Find

• Pokémon GO Community Days occasionally feature Charmander.

• In mainline games like Scarlet and Violet, players need patience with breeding or mass outbreaks.

Tips to Catch

• Use the Masuda Method when breeding to increase shiny odds.

• Keep incense active in Pokémon GO during Charmander spotlight events.

2. Mythical Pokémon: Mew

Mew, the original mythical Pokémon, continues to be a rare catch decades after its introduction. With its elusive nature and special distribution events, it remains a crown jewel in any trainer’s Pokédex.

Why It’s Rare

• Mew is never found in the wild naturally.

• Typically available only through special codes, events, or story-based missions.

Where to Find

• Pokémon GO occasionally releases Mew through long-term research tasks like “A Mythical Discovery.”

• Nintendo Switch titles like Let’s Go, Pikachu! allow Mew via Poké Ball Plus accessory.

Tips to Catch

• Keep an eye on official event announcements.

• Don’t miss seasonal research tasks in Pokémon GO.

3. Legendary Pokémon: Rayquaza

Rayquaza, the sky-high dragon from Generation III, remains a highly coveted catch. Known for its role in quelling the battles between Groudon and Kyogre, Rayquaza is both powerful and visually iconic.

Why It’s Rare

• Appears only in raids or special storylines.

• Shiny Rayquaza is among the most valuable shinies in the franchise.

Where to Find

• Pokémon GO Legendary Raids during special events.

• Mainline games such as Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire or transfers from older titles.

Tips to Catch

• Use Golden Razz Berries in Pokémon GO raids.

• Bring Ice-type Pokémon to exploit its double weakness.

4. Galarian Articuno

Galarian Articuno is a regional variant of the classic legendary bird, boasting a psychic/ice typing and a striking purple-and-white design.

Why It’s Rare

• Unlike the original Kanto birds, Galarian versions are often limited-time raid bosses or special events.

• It’s also highly desirable for competitive battling.

Where to Find

• Pokémon Sword and Shield Crown Tundra expansion.

• Pokémon GO through regional raid rotations.

Tips to Catch

• Save Master Balls for guaranteed capture in difficult scenarios.

• Keep Ultra Balls and plenty of berries ready when encountering in raids.

5. Spiritomb

Spiritomb is a ghost/dark-type Pokémon known for its eerie lore and challenging capture requirements.

Why It’s Rare

• In mainline games, Spiritomb often requires specific conditions such as speaking to 32 NPCs in the Underground (Diamond/Pearl remakes).

• It’s seldom available in Pokémon GO except during Halloween-themed events.

Where to Find

• Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl through Spiritomb side quest.

• Pokémon GO Halloween events.

Tips to Catch

• Use patience and persistence in mainline games, as the NPC quest can be time-consuming.

• Always participate in Halloween events for increased spawn rates.

Read More: Mastering Pokémon Go: Tips for Beginners in 2025

6. Unown

Unown is a mysterious alphabet Pokémon that comes in 28 forms (A–Z plus “?” and “!”). Collectors value it for the difficulty of catching every variant.

Why It’s Rare

• Extremely low spawn rates in Pokémon GO.

• Rare appearances in events or special caves in the mainline series.

Where to Find

• Pokémon GO during anniversary or festival events.

• Solaceon Ruins in Diamond/Pearl remakes.

Tips to Catch

• Prioritize Unown events since they don’t last long.

• Aim to collect at least a few letters each year to build your full alphabet gradually.

7. Shiny Gible (and Garchomp)

Gible, the baby dragon that evolves into the fierce Garchomp, is one of the most desirable shiny Pokémon. Its evolutionary line is strong in competitive battling and popular in Pokémon GO raids.

Why It’s Rare

• Shiny Gible is hard to encounter outside of special events.

• Garchomp remains a powerful and meta-relevant Pokémon.

Where to Find

• Pokémon GO spotlight events or community days.

• Mass outbreak farming in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Tips to Catch

• Use Lucky Eggs in Pokémon GO to maximize XP while farming Gible.

• Shiny hunt during outbreak events with sandwiches that boost Dragon encounter rates.

8. Melmetal

Melmetal, the evolved form of Meltan, is one of the rarest Pokémon because it requires unique transfer mechanics.

Why It’s Rare

• Meltan can only be obtained via a Mystery Box linked to Pokémon HOME or Pokémon GO.

• Evolution requires 400 Meltan candies, making Melmetal a grind-heavy catch.

Where to Find

• Transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME to unlock Meltan spawns.

• Pokémon GO mystery box spawns every few days.

Tips to Catch

• Walk with Meltan as a buddy to earn candies faster.

• Use Pinap Berries to double candy yields when catching.

9. Zarude

Zarude, the mythical dark/grass Pokémon introduced in Generation VIII, is both powerful and elusive.

Why It’s Rare

• Distributed only during timed movie events or limited codes.

• Not commonly available in Pokémon GO or mainline games.

Where to Find

• Pokémon Sword and Shield distributions.

• Pokémon GO via rare special research tickets.

Tips to Catch

• Always claim codes during official distributions.

• Stay active on Pokémon community forums for announcements.

10. Shiny Legendary Dogs (Raikou, Entei, Suicune)

The Johto legendary beasts remain a centerpiece of Pokémon lore. Their shiny versions, however, are extremely hard to find.

Why They’re Rare

• Shiny odds are extremely low outside of special distributions.

• They rotate as raid bosses, so timing is everything.

Where to Find

• Pokémon GO raid rotations and events.

• Transfers from previous Nintendo DS events (if you still have them saved).

Tips to Catch

• Participate in as many raids as possible during their rotation.

• Use Premier Balls wisely—excellent throws increase odds.

Why Catching Rare Pokémon Matters

Catching rare Pokémon isn’t just about filling the Pokédex. It’s about:

• Bragging Rights: Owning rare or shiny Pokémon earns respect in the community.

• Competitive Advantage: Strong legendaries and mythical Pokémon dominate in PvP battles.

• Collector’s Value: Rare Pokémon often hold sentimental and trade value.

• Event Participation: Staying active in events ensures you don’t miss time-limited opportunities.

This year offers Rare Pokémon trainers countless opportunities to catch rare and mythical Pokémon, but patience, timing, and strategy are key. Whether it’s shiny hunting, raid battling, or participating in seasonal events, the chase itself is as rewarding as the capture.

If you want to make the most of your journey:

• Stay connected to community updates.

• Don’t miss special event windows.

• Always keep a few Ultra Balls, berries, and incense on hand.

The thrill of catching rare Pokémon remains one of the best experiences in the franchise. So, gear up, keep your eyes on event calendars, and start your hunt today—because the rarest Pokémon won’t wait forever.