How to Beat Shadow Mewtwo in Pokemon GO: Best Counters and Weaknesses

Pokemon GO is seeing Shadow Mewtwo and its Shiny variant make an appearance in Shadow Raids as part of the Rising Shadows event. Beginning May 27 at 10 a.m. and running until May 28 at 8 p.m., Shadow Mewtwo will be spawning as 5-Star Shadow Raids. If you’re looking to add Shadow Mewtwo to your Pokedex, you’ll need to act fast and use these tips to ensure its defeat. Here’s how to beat Shadow Mewtwo in Pokemon GO.

Tips for Beating Shadow Mewtwo in Pokemon GO

Shadow Mewtwo Attacks

Shadow Mewtwo has two potential Fast Attacks, Psycho Cut or Confusion, both of which are Psychic type moves. It can have any of six Charged Attacks:

• Focus Blast (Fighting)
• Psychic (Psychic)
• Thunderbolt (Electric)
• Flamethrower (Fire)
• Ice Beam (Ice)
• Frustration (Normal)

That’s a wide range of move types that it has to pick from. This is one of the hardest parts when it comes to preparing to face down an original legendary Pokemon.

Shadow Mewtwo Weaknesses

Shadow Mewtwo is only weak to three types:

• Bug
• Dark
• Ghost

This is helpful, as multiple Dark type Pokemon have been appearing as part of the Rising Shadows event.

You’ll also want to avoid bringing Psychic type Pokemon to the fight as Shadow Mewtwo will be resistant to it. Fighting Pokemon will be at a disadvantage as they are weak to Psychic moves and Shadow Mewtwo is resistant to Fighting, meaning they could end up being dead weight on your team.

Best Shadow Mewtwo Counters

When picking your team, make sure to focus on Pokemon with moves that get the Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB). I know Fairy Pokemon can take a super effective Dark move, but it will lose out on STAB damage as well as the type resistance against Psychic.

• Mega Gengar: Shadow Claw, Shadow Ball
• Hydreigon: Bite, Brutal Swing
• Shadow Cursola: Hex, Shadow Ball
• Mega Pinsir: Bug Bite, X-Scissor
• Shadow Houndoom: Snarl, Foul Play
• Weavile: Snarl, Foul Play

If you don’t have any of these Pokemon, pick your strongest Dark, Bug or Ghost Pokemon with attacks that utilize STAB.

Purified Gem

A unique mechanic to Shadow Raids is that the Shadow Pokemon get enraged as the battle continues. This applies to Shadow Mewtwo as well. Using a Purified Gem, helps calm the Pokemon, lowering its attack and defense. If enough Purified Gems are used, it may come out of its enraged state altogether. This can be extremely useful against Shadow Mewtwo.

That’s all you need to know about battling Shadow Mewtwo during a Shadow Raid in Pokemon GO. Good luck defeating it and catching its Shiny version. For more raid battle tips, or the best League Pokemon, check out our Pokemon GO guides.