The world of Pokémon GO boasts a thriving ecosystem of rare and collectible creatures, but some Pokémon stand apart due to unique circumstances surrounding their release. This article delves into the stories behind several of the game’s most elusive digital Pokémon – including a special Lugia born from a disastrous launch event,limited-edition “Clone” Pokémon tied to film promotions,and the exceptionally rare Armored Mewtwo – exploring why these virtual assets hold meaningful value for dedicated players and collectors.
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A Unique Pokémon from the 2017 Pokémon GO Fest
A one-of-a-kind Pokémon and a rare piece of gaming history.
In 2017, just one year after its launch, Niantic hosted its first official Pokémon GO Fest in Chicago. The event was highly anticipated by millions of players worldwide, marking the beginning of large-scale gatherings offering exclusive content. However, what was intended to be a celebratory occasion quickly devolved into a disastrous launch, now remembered as one of the worst live gaming events in history.
From the outset, the event suffered from a complete server collapse, coupled with a lack of Wi-Fi access for attendees, rendering the game unplayable. Thousands of players who traveled from various cities and countries found themselves at a festival where they couldn’t even play the game. Frustration reached a boiling point when Niantic CEO John Hanke was met with boos from the crowd after taking the stage.
To compensate for the widespread failure, Niantic offered a series of concessions to attendees, including refunds for approximately 20,000 ticket holders, as well as in-game rewards. Among these rewards was what would become one of the rarest Pokémon ever to appear in Pokémon GO: a special edition Lugia.
Niantic’s original intention was to reveal Lugia during the festival as the first legendary Pokémon officially added to the game. But due to the event’s technical difficulties, Lugia was sent directly to attendees as a form of apology. This version of Lugia is entirely unique, registered in the game under the “costume” category, differentiating it from any other Lugia obtainable later through raids or events. The augmented reality game’s early struggles demonstrate the challenges of scaling live events to meet massive player demand.
With only 20,000 copies released under exceptional circumstances, the Pokémon GO Fest 2017 version of Lugia has become one of the rarest digital collectibles within the game. Its scarcity isn’t solely due to limited numbers, but also because it represents a piece of Pokémon GO history, a reminder of an unprecedented event, and a symbolic value held only by those present at that pivotal moment.
Owning this Lugia doesn’t just signify luck; it signifies that the owner witnessed one of the most significant and unusual events in Pokémon GO history, granting them a special status among players and rare Pokémon collectors.
Clone Pokémon… Rare Editions That May Never Return to Pokémon GO
Editions inspired by the film Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution
Pokémon GO features a collection of rare editions that appeared for a limited time only, among the rarest of which are known as Clone Pokémon, inspired by the film Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution. This collection includes four key Pokémon:
- Clone Venusaur
- Clone Charizard
- Clone Blastoise
- Clone Pikachu
These special versions appeared during a very limited promotional event in 2020, coinciding with the release of the film’s remake. The event aimed to provide a unique experience for players by introducing the cloned Pokémon as they appeared in the film, with their distinctive features and special designs differing from the standard versions.
Each of these Pokémon was distinguished by a unique costume design mirroring its appearance in the film, contributing to its popularity among players and collectors of rare Pokémon. However, these versions were tied exclusively to the event and have not been offered before or since.
As time passed, players’ expectations were confirmed:
“These Pokémon were available for a limited time in 2020 as part of a promotional event for the film… and unfortunately, they haven’t reappeared.”
Because these editions are linked to the film’s rights and a promotional event that ended years ago, it is highly unlikely they will return to the game in the future, meaning the only way to obtain one today is to trade with a player who owns one and is willing to part with it – a very rare occurrence given their high value and most players’ desire to retain them.
As such, the Clone Pokémon are among the rarest and most valuable collections to ever appear in Pokémon GO, not only due to their limited availability but also because they represent a memory of a special cinematic event celebrated within the game and unlikely to be repeated, making ownership a significant achievement for any collector seeking the exceptional and rare.
Armored Mewtwo… A Legendary Edition That Appeared Only Twice in Pokémon GO
If you didn’t get it then, you’ll find it now only through trading… which is nearly impossible
Armored Mewtwo is considered one of the rarest special editions in Pokémon GO, not only because of its unique appearance inspired by the film Pokémon: The First Movie, but because it has only appeared in the game twice since its release and has not reappeared since.
The first opportunity to obtain Armored Mewtwo came in July 2019 during a special summer event, where it appeared in five-star raids. Players were able to battle it for a chance to catch it after winning. Its appearance caused a sensation at the time, as its armored design had not been seen in the game before.
Armored Mewtwo returned a second and final time in February 2020, celebrating the release of Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution. This was the last moment players could obtain it, and after the event ended, it disappeared completely from the game and has not been featured in raids or other events since.
Today, there is no way to obtain Armored Mewtwo except by trading with a player who owns one, but this is almost impossible, given its extreme rarity and the value most players place on keeping it. It is a unique piece of Pokémon GO history, and an opportunity players had during only two short windows in 2019 and 2020.
Despite its rarity, there is some consolation:
From a combat perspective, Armored Mewtwo is weaker than the regular version of Mewtwo in both PvP and Raid Battles, and it also does not have a special entry in the Pokédex, making it more of a collectible item than a practical battle Pokémon.
However, most importantly: any player who joined Pokémon GO during the last four years has not had any opportunity to encounter it, making Armored Mewtwo one of the rarest mythical collectibles and one of the true treasures owned only by veteran players who were present during those limited days.
