Unveiling the Elusive: The Rarest Raid Pokémon in Pokémon GO
The world of Pokémon GO is constantly evolving, with new events, features, and, of course, Pokémon being added regularly. Raids are a significant part of the gameplay, offering trainers the chance to battle and capture powerful and often rare Pokémon. But which ones are the absolute rarest raid Pokémon you can encounter? The answer isn’t always straightforward, as rarity can be influenced by event frequency, regional availability, shiny availability, and base spawn rates.
However, based on a combination of factors, including infrequent appearances, regional restrictions, and low shiny odds when available, the title of “Rarest Raid Pokémon” arguably goes to the Lake Guardians: Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie, specifically when they are not part of a scheduled event.
These legendary Psychic-type Pokémon are only available in specific regions:
- Azelf: The Americas and Greenland
- Mesprit: Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India
- Uxie: Asia-Pacific
What makes them particularly elusive is that outside of dedicated events, they appear in raids incredibly rarely. While other Pokémon might be temporarily unavailable or have very low shiny rates, the Lake Guardians’ limited regional availability coupled with their infrequent raid appearances cements their place as some of the hardest-to-obtain raid bosses in Pokémon GO. Furthermore, their non-event raid appearances are so sporadic that many players may never encounter them.
Deeper Dive: Factors Affecting Raid Pokémon Rarity
Beyond the Lake Guardians, several other factors contribute to the rarity of raid Pokémon. Here’s a look at some of the key elements:
Event Availability
Many raid Pokémon are primarily available during specific events. When the event ends, their raid appearances become significantly less frequent, making them much harder to find. For instance, special costumed Pokémon often appear during holidays and disappear afterward.
Regional Exclusivity
As with the Lake Guardians, some Pokémon are only available in specific regions of the world. This regional exclusivity dramatically limits the pool of players who have the opportunity to encounter them in raids. Heracross and Corsola are examples of Pokémon frequently appearing in events that are often regionally gated, increasing their value.
Shiny Availability and Rates
Even if a raid Pokémon is relatively common, the shiny version might be incredibly rare. Certain Pokémon have notoriously low shiny rates, making them highly sought after by collectors. Pokemon like the Unown are typically highly sought after, especially the shiny versions, as they tend to only appear during specific events in raids.
Tier Level and Difficulty
Higher-tier raids, like Legendary raids, are inherently rarer than lower-tier raids. They require more trainers to defeat and often appear less frequently.
Rotation Schedules
Niantic regularly rotates the Pokémon available in raids. This means that even if a Pokémon is relatively common at one point, it could become incredibly rare after being removed from the raid rotation.
Conclusion
Determining the absolute rarest raid Pokémon is a complex task that depends on numerous, fluctuating factors. While the Lake Guardians stand out due to their regional exclusivity and infrequent non-event appearances, other Pokémon can be incredibly rare based on their availability, shiny rates, and raid rotation schedules. The thrill of the hunt for these elusive Pokémon is what keeps many trainers engaged in the dynamic world of Pokémon GO.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Raid Pokémon Rarity
1. Are Mythical Pokémon available in Raids?
No, Mythical Pokémon are not available in raids. They are typically obtained through Special Research tasks or specific events.
2. How can I find out which Pokémon are currently in raids?
You can check the in-game News section of Pokémon GO, follow reliable Pokémon GO news websites and social media accounts, or consult community resources like the Silph Road subreddit.
3. Do Community Days affect Raid Pokémon rarity?
No, Community Days focus on a single Pokémon and increase its spawn rate in the wild, not in raids.
4. What is a “Shiny” Pokémon?
A Shiny Pokémon is a Pokémon with a different color palette than its original form. They are much rarer than their standard counterparts.
5. How do I increase my chances of finding a rare raid Pokémon?
Participate in events, use remote raid passes to join raids in different regions, and actively search for raids using online communities and raid finding apps.
6. Are certain times of day better for finding rare raid Pokémon?
There’s no definitive evidence that certain times of day increase the spawn rate of rare raid Pokémon. However, raid activity might be higher during peak play times in your region.
7. What is the difference between a Legendary and a Mythical Pokémon?
Legendary Pokémon are typically found in raids or research breakthroughs, while Mythical Pokémon are usually obtained through special events or research tasks and cannot be traded.
8. How do Remote Raid Passes work?
Remote Raid Passes allow you to join raids that are not within your physical proximity. This is especially useful for participating in raids in other regions.
9. What are EX Raids?
EX Raids were a special type of raid that featured incredibly rare Pokémon like Mewtwo. These have been replaced by Elite Raids.
10. What are Elite Raids?
Elite Raids are a special type of raid that features incredibly rare Pokémon. These raids feature incredibly high HP bosses, with a 30-minute timer.
11. Are all Legendary Pokémon equally rare in Raids?
No. Some Legendary Pokémon are featured more frequently in raids than others, making them less rare overall.
12. Can weather boost affect the rarity of raid Pokémon?
Weather boost does not affect the rarity of raid Pokémon, but it can make certain types of Pokémon more powerful in raids.
13. What role do Pokémon GO events play in making certain raid Pokémon rare?
Events can either increase or decrease the rarity of a particular raid Pokémon. If a Pokémon is featured heavily in an event, it becomes more common during that time, but rarer afterward.
14. What are the best resources to find raid groups?
Online communities like Discord servers, Reddit communities (e.g., r/PokemonGoFriends, r/PokemonGoRaids), and dedicated raid finding apps.
15. Is a 0% IV Pokémon rare?
Yes, a 0% IV Pokemon is very rare, even more than a 100% IV.