A Mythical Discovery Pokemon GO - Complete Guide 2026

A Mythical Discovery is the first special research quest in Pokemon GO, rewarding trainers with Mew, the legendary Mythical Psychic-type Pokemon from Generation I. This comprehensive guide covers all 8 steps to help you catch the elusive New Species Pokemon.

Quick Summary: A Mythical Discovery is a permanent special research quest unlocked at level 15. Complete 8 challenging steps to encounter and catch Mew, the original Mythical Pokemon!

How to Unlock A Mythical Discovery

A Mythical Discovery automatically becomes available when you meet this requirement:

  • Reach Trainer Level 15: Level up your account to at least level 15
  • Automatic Unlock: The quest appears automatically in your Special Research tab
  • No Time Limit: Complete it at your own pace - it never expires

Bonus Unlock: Completing Step 6 or 7 of A Mythical Discovery unlocks “A Ripple In Time,” the Celebi special research quest!

About Mew

Mew is one of the most iconic Mythical Pokemon with unique characteristics:

  • Type: Psychic
  • Origin: Generation I (Kanto region)
  • Pokedex Number: #151
  • Best Moveset: Shadow Claw (Fast), Wild Charge or Psyshock (Charged)
  • Usage: Versatile in Great League PvP, can learn almost any move
  • Special Trait: Can learn over 25 different Charged Moves - more than any other Pokemon!

Step 1 of 8: Getting Started

The first step covers basic Pokemon GO activities to introduce you to the quest.

Tasks

  • Spin 5 PokeStops or Gyms
  • Catch 10 Pokemon
  • Transfer 5 Pokemon

Rewards

  • 10 Great Balls
  • 1 Incubator
  • 3 Lure Modules

Pro Tip: Save your Lure Modules for Community Days or special events to maximize their effectiveness!

Step 2 of 8: Buddy and Throws

This step focuses on the buddy system and improving your throwing accuracy.

Tasks

  • Earn 2 Candies walking with buddy
  • Make 10 Great Throws
  • Hatch 3 Eggs

Rewards

  • 2,000 Stardust
  • 3 Incense
  • 20 Great Balls

Step 3 of 8: Battle Training

This step introduces you to raid battles and gym battles.

Tasks

  • Reach level 15
  • Battle in 2 raids
  • Battle in a Gym 2 times

Rewards

  • 1 Charged TM
  • 1 Fast TM
  • 2 Star Pieces

Pro Tip: You should already be level 15 since that’s the unlock requirement. Use the TMs to optimize your best Pokemon’s movesets!

Step 4 of 8: Kanto Collection

This step requires earning the Silver Kanto Medal and evolving Pokemon.

Tasks

  • Earn Silver Kanto Medal (catch 50 different Kanto species)
  • Evolve 20 Pokemon
  • Earn 5 Candies walking with your buddy

Rewards

  • 4,000 Stardust
  • 3 Lure Modules
  • 20 Great Balls

Step 5 of 8: The Ditto Challenge

This is often considered the hardest step because finding Ditto requires luck.

Tasks

  • Catch a Ditto
  • Catch 10 Ghost-type Pokemon
  • Make 20 Great Throws

Rewards

  • 1 Premium Raid Pass
  • 1 Lucky Egg
  • 15 Revives

How to Catch Ditto (2026)

Ditto disguises itself as other Pokemon. Current disguises include:

  • Oddish
  • Koffing
  • Rhyhorn
  • Goldeen
  • Spinarak
  • Numel
  • Bidoof
  • Gothita

Tips for finding Ditto:

  • Catch every Pokemon on the disguise list
  • Use Incense and Lure Modules to increase spawns
  • Check local Discord/Reddit for Ditto spawn reports
  • Weather-boosted spawns increase the spawn rate
  • Join “Ditto” research tasks during events

Patience Required: Finding Ditto can take days or even weeks. Don’t get discouraged - just keep catching Pokemon from the disguise list!

Step 6 of 8: The Magikarp Challenge

Another challenging step requiring significant candy grinding and raid participation.

Tasks

  • Reach level 25
  • Evolve a Magikarp
  • Battle in 10 raids

Rewards

  • 6,000 Stardust
  • 5 Rare Candies
  • 3 Incense

How to Evolve Magikarp

Magikarp requires a whopping 400 candies to evolve into Gyarados. Here’s how to get them:

  • Catch Magikarp: Each catch gives 3 candy (6 with Pinap Berry)
  • Walk as Buddy: Magikarp gives 1 candy per 1km walked
  • Transfer Duplicates: Each transfer gives 1 candy
  • Rare Candy: Use Rare Candies if you’re close to 400
  • Events: Catch Magikarp during Water-type events for increased spawns
  • Use Pinap Berries: Always use Pinap Berries when catching Magikarp
  • Near Water: Magikarp spawns more frequently near water biomes

Pro Tip: If you already have a Gyarados, you still need to evolve another Magikarp for this quest. Start saving candy early!

Step 7 of 8: Final Challenge Before Mew

The last step before encountering Mew tests your skills and Kanto knowledge.

Tasks

  • Use 50 Berries catching Pokemon
  • Earn Gold Kanto Medal (catch 100 different Kanto species)
  • Make an Excellent Curveball Throw

Rewards

  • Mew encounter
  • 20 Ultra Balls
  • 8,000 Stardust

How to Make Excellent Curveball Throws

Use the “set circle” technique:

  1. Hold the Poke Ball until the circle is Excellent size
  2. Release and wait for the Pokemon to attack
  3. As the attack animation finishes, throw the curveball
  4. Practice on large Pokemon like Wailmer, Snorlax, or Legendaries

Best Pokemon for Excellent Throws:

  • Wailmer (huge target, common spawn)
  • Snorlax (large and close)
  • Legendary Raid Bosses (large circle)
  • Onix (tall and easy)

Congratulations! After completing Step 7, you’ll finally encounter Mew! You have unlimited Poke Balls to catch it, so take your time.

Step 8 of 8: Claim Your Rewards

The final step simply requires claiming your rewards after catching Mew.

Tasks

  • Claim Reward (appears 3 times)

Rewards

  • 10,000 Stardust
  • 1 Super Incubator
  • 20 Mew Candy

Catching Mew: What to Expect

When you encounter Mew in Step 7, here’s what happens:

  • Unlimited Poke Balls: Mew cannot flee, and you have infinite Poke Balls
  • Use Golden Razz Berries: Increases catch rate significantly
  • Curveball Throws: Combine with Golden Razz for best results
  • Take Your Time: There’s no rush - you can take breaks between throws
  • 100% Catch Rate Eventually: Keep trying, and you will catch it

Photo Opportunity: Don’t forget to take AR photos of Mew during the encounter! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment in Pokemon GO.

Tips for Completing A Mythical Discovery

Expert strategies to help you complete this special research efficiently:

  • Start Early: Begin working on Magikarp candy as soon as possible
  • Join Communities: Local Discord/Reddit groups share Ditto spawn locations
  • Use Pinap Berries: Always use them on Magikarp for double candy
  • Walk Magikarp: Make it your buddy for consistent candy (1 candy per 1km)
  • Catch Everything: Helps with Kanto medal, evolutions, and finding Ditto
  • Save Rare Candy: Use on Magikarp if you’re close to 400 candies
  • Practice Throws: Master Excellent Curveballs before Step 7
  • Be Patient: This quest can take weeks or months - that’s normal!
  • Participate in Events: Water events increase Magikarp spawns
  • Use Raid Passes Wisely: Low-tier raids count for raid requirements

Best Mew Moveset and Usage

Mew is incredibly versatile with access to almost every move in the game:

PvP Great League (Best Overall)

  • Fast Move: Shadow Claw
  • Charged Move 1: Wild Charge
  • Charged Move 2: Surf or Psyshock

PvE (Raids)

  • Fast Move: Shadow Claw
  • Charged Move: Psyshock or Wild Charge
  • Note: Mew is not top-tier for raids but fun to use

Flexibility

Mew can learn these Charged Moves and more:

  • Surf, Flame Charge, Wild Charge (elemental coverage)
  • Psyshock, Psychic, Psybeam (STAB Psychic)
  • Grass Knot, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt
  • Dragon Claw, Rock Slide, Stone Edge

Versatility King: Mew’s biggest strength is unpredictability in PvP. Opponents never know what moves you’re running!

What Unlocks After A Mythical Discovery?

Completing this quest unlocks additional content:

  • A Ripple In Time: Special research to catch Celebi (unlocks after Step 6 or 7)
  • More Special Research: Many other quests become available as you level up
  • Achievement: Shows dedication to Pokemon GO

Check out our A Ripple In Time guide to continue your Mythical Pokemon journey!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete A Mythical Discovery?

It varies greatly. Most trainers take 2-8 weeks depending on how actively they play and how lucky they are finding Ditto.

Can Mew be shiny in Pokemon GO?

Shiny Mew exists but is not available from A Mythical Discovery. It was only available during Pokemon GO Tour: Kanto in 2021.

Can I trade Mew to another player?

No, Mew is a Mythical Pokemon and cannot be traded.

What if I already evolved Magikarp before this quest?

You’ll need to collect another 400 Magikarp candy and evolve a second one. Previous evolutions don’t count for the quest.

Is there a time limit to complete this research?

No! Take as long as you need. The quest never expires.

Can I have multiple Mew?

From this quest, you can only get one Mew. However, some special events have offered additional Mew encounters.

What’s the hardest task in this research?

Most players struggle with catching Ditto (luck-based) and evolving Magikarp (requires 400 candies).

Remember: A Mythical Discovery is a journey, not a race. Enjoy the process of working toward one of Pokemon GO’s most iconic catches!

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