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There are currently 69 Pokemon with a catch rate of 3%, and below are 15 handpicked.

Updated May 26th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: Although Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, as well as Pokemon Legends: Arceus, have taken center stage for most players, there are still those out there that are just starting their adventure through Pokemon Sword & Shield as well as Pokemon Sun & Moon. The Ultra release variants of the games added even more content for players to sift through, and some are finding additional excuses to revisit the older games. While players wait for Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, this list has been revisited and updated with additional entries showcasing some of the most difficult Pokemon to catch. Here are even more Pokemon that have an incredibly low Catch Rate of 3.

18 The Regis

The Regi line has been around since Generation III, but once players were introduced to the Galar Region, they discovered two more Regis lurking in an ancient ruin. That brings the total to five Regis, and their ultimate patriarch in Regigigas. Each one of these titans has an incredibly low catch rate, making it difficult for trainers to snag them by traditional means. It doesn’t help that they’re pretty tanky. Thankfully, they have an array of weaknesses to help players whittle their health down.

Those looking for something on the “elemental Titan” side will need to make sure they bring lots of Pokeballs, status-effect-inducing pocket monsters, and luck with them to grab these Legendary Pokemon.

17 The Swords Of Justice

There are a lot of Legendary Pokemon out there that don’t feel Legendary to some players. Case in point, the Swords of Justice. This group of creatures, based loosely on the Three Musketeers, was introduced in Generation V. Although they’re unique in their dual Fighting-type, they leave a lot to be desired when it comes to that “Legendary pizazz.” At the end of the day, the Swords of Justice just seem more like pseudo-Legendary Pokemon than the real deal.

That said, they’re still rather difficult to catch. All of them, including their Mythical counterpart, Keldeo, have a catch rate of 3, making it a pain in the neck for any player that wants the complete set.

16 The Guardian Deities

Pokemon Sun & Moon was a bit divisive for some of the fanbase. There were some who appreciated its refreshing take on the Pokemon formula, especially with the Trials, while there were others that weren’t nearly as enthusiastic about the “island adventure.” As the game progressed, players would eventually meet the Legendary Pokemon that called the Alola Region home. The Tapu-named Guardian Deities were definitely a unique design, inspired by Island-based culture, but they would find themselves completely overshadowed by the Ultra Beasts, a subset of otherworldly Pokemon that showed up during the title’s endgame.

Although the Tapus are a cool collection to have for any trainer looking to catch ’em all, their low 3 Catch Rate makes it difficult to get the entire four-stack.

15 Melmetal

Melmetal is a steel-type Pokemon that first appeared in Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee!. The Mythical Pokemon also appears in Pokemon Go as an evolution of Meltan, though as of right now, this is the only game where Meltan can be evolved.

Melmetal appeared in the show Final Rivals! when Ash’s Meltan evolves prior to the Manalo Conference finals. As per the website pokemonletsgo.pokemon.com, Melmetal’s appearance was the first time that it had been seen in 3,000 years.

14 Metagross

Pseudo-legendary Pokemon Metagross first appeared in the 2005 (US release) film Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys. The Steel/Psychic dual-type Pokemon is an evolution of Metang, which is an evolution of Beldum. With the use of Metagrossite, Metagross can be Mega Evolved into Mega Metagross.

In Mega Evolution Special II, steel-type specialist trainer Steven Stone has a Shiny Metagross, which becomes his main battling Pokemon in Pokemon the Series: XY, the fifth series of Pokemon anime.

13 Glastrier

Glastrier is a Legendary Pokemon who is not believed to be an evolution, nor able to evolve into another Pokemon. The Ice-type is recognizable for its appearance that is reminiscent of the mythical Unicorn creature thanks to the large ice-spike protruding out of the center of its head.

The Wild Horse Pokemon can be found in the Pokemon Sword and ShieldExpansion Pass at the Crown Shrine; players will need to obtain the Ice Carrot in order to summon it. There is only one in the game.

12 Marshadow

Much like the aforementioned Glastrier, it is not believed that Marshadow is an evolution, nor is it believed that the Pokemon can evolve into another form. The Mythical Pokemon is a dual-type that combines the contrasting styles of Fighting and Ghost. The Mythical Pokemon notably appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where it is a Poké Ball summon.

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Marshadow’s first gaming appearance was in 2016’s Pokemon Sun and Moon, while its main series anime debut came in the 57th episode of Pokemon the Series: Sun & Moon, titled The Dex Can’t Help It!.

11 Volcanion

Volcanion continues the streak of Pokemon that aren’t known to be an evolution, nor be able to evolve. The Mythical Pokemon is a dual-type that combines two polar opposite types: Fire and Water.

Volcanion’s first gaming appearance was in Pokemon X and Y, part of the Generation VI core series. The Fire/Water type has appeared in every generation of games since, including the recent Pokemon Sword and Shield.

10 Arceus

We start this list with Arecus; a normal-type Mythical Pokemon introduced in Generation IV. He is also known as “The Original One” and has supposedly created the entire Pokemon universe. With no known evolutions, Arecus is nonetheless a formidable foe, which is to be expected from a “Pokemon God.”

As said before, he was first introduced in Generation IV, where he is described as Pokemon that was born before the universe even existed and then shaped the universe with 1 000 hands. With that being said, the players would truly have a hard time catching him when or if they find him.

9 Articuno

Articuno is a legendary flying pokemon well known to the old fans of the franchise. With his blue appearance and wings, with long and distinctive tail feathers, supposedly made of ice, Articuno is also able to control ice. The flapping of his wing causes air to chill - as a result, it is said that when Articuno flies, the snow will fall. That’s why in Japan, he is named Freezer.

He lives in isolated locations, such as snowy mountains, and if the players want to catch him, there is likely where they will find him. Articuno has lower stats than Arceus, but with the same catch rate of 3 percent, it will prove a challenge to catch.

8 Zapdos

Zapdos, in Japanese simply named Thunder, is also a flying Pokemon similar to Articuno. But while Articuno controls ice, Zapatos controls electricity and thunder; with his wings, he can cause savage thunderstorms. His appearance all points to that with yellow color symbolizing electricity, and his sharp and spiked feathers further affirm that as well his head with yet another set of spiked feathers.

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It is said the Zapados will appear when the sky turns dark and lighting showers down. Since he is a legendary Pokemon, in games like Pokemon Sun & Moon and Pokemon Diamond & Pearl, there is only one to catch.

7 Moltres

Along with the previous entries, Zapdos and Articuno, Moltres is one of the three legendary birds of Kanto. Moltres symbolizes fire, which he can control, and is modeled to represent it. It has a long, flowing head crest and a billowing tail, both made of reddish-orange and yellow flames, with his wings shrouded in fiery plumage.

By dipping itself in a magma of an active Vulcano, Moltres can heal itself. It is also said that seeing a Moltres means spring will arrive soon. Like the other two legendary birds, the player can obtain only one Moltres in the majority of Pokemon games.

6 Lugia

Lugia is a trio master of legendary birds. He is a protector of the sea a resides deep at the bottom of the ocean. In appearance, he is composed of traits of a dragon, bird, wyvern, and sea monster.

He is hard to catch with one available to catch in all Pokemon games after meeting certain conditions. In Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver, he can be caught in the depths of a sea cave at Whirl Islands. Lugia appears as a mascot on Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, Pokemon Silver, and its remake Pokemon SoulSilver, and also served as a central character in Pokemon: The Movie 2000.

5 Ho-Oh

Ho-Oh is also a flying legendary pokemon, like the previous entries. He was introduced in the second generation and is the trio master of the legendary beasts - Raikou, Entei, and Suicune. He is also closely related to Lugia, and while he commands the sea, Ho-Oh commands the sky. He also has a mythological power to resurrect the dead and can cause rainbows with his seven-colored wings.

Ho-Oh is extremely hard to catch with only one specimen available to catch in all installments of Pokemon games. With a base stats of 680, he is much stronger than the previous entries - the legendary flying birds.

4 Raikou

Raikou is one of the three legendary pokemon’s resurrected by the Ho-Oh. Like Zapdos, he is able to cause thunder balls at will, and he can also fly by creating storm clouds. In appearance, he is tiger-like pokemon with black stripes and a white underside and has two long fangs representing that of a saber-tooth cat. Most of its face consists of thick, white fur and a short yellow fur around its red eyes, while his tail is light blue with sharp angles and large claws.

Raikou tends to appear during thunderstorms and when other Electric-type Pokemon are in danger.

3 Entei

Like Raikou, Entei was resurrected by Ho-Oh. He is the embodiment of magma - when he barks, volcanoes erupt, and it is said that new Entei is born every time a new volcano forms. His name comes from the Japanese word “enetn,” which means “blazing heath.” His first appearance was in the GameBoy Color video game Pokemon Gold & Silver and was prominently featured in the next installments while being a final boss in Pokemon Ranger.

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He is hard to cath in various installments of Pokemon games. In the first game, he will flee if the player encounters him, while in Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen, he can be one of the legendary beasts to appear in a single playthrough.

2 Suicune

Suicune is an embodiment of pure spring water and has the power to purify the dirty water. He can also walk on water, and northern winds always blow strong in his presence. In appearance, he is a slim blue mammalian with white diamond-shaped markings.

Suicune is extremely hard to catch; for example, in Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen, he will flee unless you send a Pokemon that has an ability to Shadow Tag or a move mean look, while in Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver, he roams the Johto and Kanto region. Suicune is also a mascot for Pokemon Crystal.

1 Mewtwo

Mewtwo is a bipedal humanoid Pokemon created by science. Aside from being a powerful psychic, he can also speak the human language. He is one of the toughest Pokemon to catch, while the catch rate for the hardest pokemon to catch is 3 percent; in reality, it is necessary to put extra effort into catching Mewtwo.

For example, in some games, his catching opportunity is time-limited, while in others is the game’s final boss. In Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, he will defeat Blastoise and Charizard for invading his cave. After finding and defeating him in the deepest parts of the cave, a player can recruit him.

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