Top Strategies to Catch Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO

Catching Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO is one of the most exciting—and challenging—goals for any Trainer. Whether you're after Mewtwo, Rayquaza, or the latest Legendary release, knowing how to catch Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO can make all the difference. These rare creatures don’t appear in the wild often, and when they do, they're tough to catch. In this guide, we'll break down the best strategies, tips, and tools to help you increase your chances of adding these powerful Pokémon to your collection.

Part 1. What Is Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

In Pokémon GO, a Legendary Pokémon is a rare and powerful Pokémon that typically cannot be found in the wild. These Pokémon are usually introduced through 5-star Raid Battles, Special Research tasks, or limited-time events. Legendary Pokémon are known for their high stats, unique abilities, and significance in Pokémon lore.

Some well-known Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO include:

• Mewtwo
• Rayquaza
• Kyogre
• Zapdos
• Giratina

Because of their rarity and strength, catching a Legendary Pokémon often requires teamwork, strong battle strategies, and sometimes multiple attempts.

Part 2: Top 5 Methods to catch legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO

To catch Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO, follow these key steps and strategies:

Method 1: Catching Through 5-Star Raid Battles (Main Method)

Step 1: Tap the Nearby tab in the bottom-right of the map screen. Go to the Raids tab to see which Gyms have ongoing or upcoming 5-star raids. Legendary raids are always marked as 5★ and usually feature only one Legendary at a time.

Step 2: Get a Raid Pass (free once per day at a Gym) or buy a Remote Raid Pass from the shop. Enter the raid lobby—either in person or remotely (if the Gym is in range or you have an invite). Coordinate with other players. For most Legendaries, you'll need at least 4–6 Trainers unless your team is very strong.

Step 3: Use Pokémon with type advantages and high CP (e.g., Electric-types vs. Kyogre, Ghost-types vs. Mewtwo). Revive and heal fainted Pokémon after the battle if needed.

Step 4: After winning the raid, you'll get Premier Balls based on performance (damage dealt, team contribution, etc.). Use Golden Razz Berries to increase your catch chance. Throw Curveballs for a higher catch rate. Time your throw when the catch circle is small and the Pokémon is not attacking—aim for Great or Excellent throws.

Method 2: Special Research Tasks

Some Legendary Pokémon (e.g. Mew, Celebi, Shaymin) are only available via Special Research.

Step 1: Tap the Binoculars icon to view available research. Follow the task chains to complete objectives like catching certain Pokémon, battling in raids, etc.

Step 2: Tasks must be done in order, often over several days or weeks. Once complete, the Legendary Pokémon will appear in an encounter screen.

Step 3: These encounters have a 100% catch rate—just hit the Pokémon with any ball to catch it. Golden Razz Berries and curveballs are optional, but nice to use for XP bonuses.

Method 3: GO Battle League Rewards

Step 1: Battle in the GO Battle League (GBL) and earn wins. At Rank 20+, reward encounters may include Legendary Pokémon.

Step 2: Win enough matches to earn a Pokémon encounter. You won't know which Pokémon until it appears.

Step 3: Same as usual: use Golden Razz Berries, curveballs, and time your throws.

Method 4: Trades with Friends

Step 1: Trade gifts and raid together to increase friendship level.

Step 2: Only 1 Special Trade per day is allowed. Both players must be near each other. Legendary trades cost more Stardust, but are a good fallback if you missed a raid.

Method 5: Time-Limited Events & Research

Occasionally, Niantic releases Special Events (like Pokémon GO Fest, Community Day research, or Timed Research) where Legendary Pokémon are available.

Step 1: Stay updated on events via the News tab or the Pokémon GO blog.

Step 2: Some events may feature free encounters, event raids, or global rewards with Legendary Pokémon.

Tips to Maximize Your Legendary Catch Rate

• Use Golden Razz Berries every throw.
• Practice curveball throws—curve + Excellent = highest catch rate.
• Watch attack animations and throw just after the Pokémon finishes its attack.
• Join local raid groups on Discord or Facebook to find help.
• Use Pokémon GO Plus or Gotcha devices cautiously—they don't guarantee a catch on Legendaries.

Summary

Method	Catch Chance	Best For
5-Star Raids	Medium	Most Legendaries
Special Research	100%	Mythicals (Mew, Celebi, etc.)
GO Battle League	Medium	Solo players
Trades	Varies	Getting missed Legendaries
Timed Events	High	Seasonal availability

By following these step-by-step methods, you'll improve your chances of catching every Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO—and filling out your Pokédex with the game's rarest creatures.

Part 3: How to Boost the Chances of Catching Legendary Pokémon?

If you want to boost the chances of catching legendary Pokémon, then using TunesKit Location Changer can help you access more Legendary raids, encounter rarer Pokémon, and boost your overall catch rate, especially if you live in a rural or low-activity area.

Furthermore, this wonderful tool enables you to hatch eggs in Pokémon GO without walking. And it also applies to the location-based games like Monster Hunter Now, and other social apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Twitter, etc.

Here's how to use it effectively:

Step 1Connect Your iPhone or Android Device

Download and install the tool on your Windows or Mac computer. Launch TunesKit Location Changer. Connect your device via USB and enable developer mode. Tap "Trust" on iPhone if needed. Click the Start button on the main screen, and select the Game Mode to start.

Step 2 Choose a Mode to Start Spoofing Location

If you want to simulate movement in Pokémon GO, you can select two-spot movement, multi-spot movement, or Joystick movement. If you want to teleport a new location, choose Jump Teleport. Enter a specific location in the search box, or mark a spot in the map. Once confirmed, click the Start Moving button.

Step 3 Join More Legendary Raids

You'll now see gyms and raids in the spoofed location. Use Remote Raid Passes or join public lobbies to access 5-star raids with Legendary Pokémon. More raids equal to more chances to catch Legendaries.

Part 4. FAQs about Catching Legendary Pokémon

Part 5. Closing Thoughts

Well, after reading to the end, you should know the top strategies to catch legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO. This methods are proven to work. You can try them one by one. If you want to catch legendary Pokémon without walking, then TunesKit Location Changer is your optimal choice. Click the Download button to try it for free right away!