Pokémon GO just turned ten years old, and Niantic is marking the occasion with one of the best free rewards of the year: every trainer can claim a guaranteed 100% IV Mewtwo through a dedicated Timed Research line. Here’s exactly how to get it, what makes this Mewtwo different from a normal encounter, and how long you have before the offer disappears.
When the 10th Anniversary Celebration Runs
The 10th Anniversary Celebration Timed Research became available on Wednesday, August 12 at 4:00 p.m. PDT and stays up until Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. local time. That gives you the entire rest of the Forever Forward season to finish it, since the season itself wraps up on September 8. If you’ve been busy with this month’s raid rotation or grinding event research, there’s no rush, but don’t let it slip past the deadline.
How to Get the Free Mewtwo: Timed Research Steps
The research line is short and doesn’t require anything unusual, just normal play:
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Catch 10 Pokémon | 1 Master Ball |
| Power up Pokémon 10 times | 500 Mega Mewtwo Y Energy |
| Complete both tasks | Mewtwo encounter (guaranteed 100% IV, with a Special Background) |
Because both prerequisite tasks are things most active trainers finish in a single afternoon, this is one of the easier Timed Research lines Niantic has released, and it’s worth doing even if you already own a Mewtwo.
What Makes This Mewtwo Different
A handful of details separate this encounter from a standard Mewtwo catch:
- Guaranteed 100% IV — no need to check your IVs after the catch, it’s already perfect.
- Special Background — a 10th Anniversary-themed background is applied automatically.
- Mega Level 3 for Mega Mewtwo Y unlocked from the start — you skip the usual grind of Mega Evolving repeatedly to raise Mewtwo’s Mega Level, since this one starts already unlocked at Level 3 for the Y branch.
Trainers who caught a Mewtwo at the in-person Times Square event on July 9 will receive a Mewtwo with different stats and rewards through this research, so the two encounters aren’t identical.
Best Moveset for This Mewtwo
Once you’ve got it, here’s how to put it to work. Mewtwo remains one of the strongest all-purpose Psychic-types in the game, both in raids and in the Master League.
| Use Case | Recommended Moveset |
|---|---|
| Raids / Gyms | Psycho Cut (fast) + Psystrike (charged) |
| PvP (Master League) | Psycho Cut (fast) + Psystrike + Shadow Ball (charged) |
Psystrike is Mewtwo’s hardest-hitting Psychic-type charged move and the clear pick for raid damage. In PvP, pairing it with Shadow Ball gives Mewtwo coverage against opposing Mewtwo mirrors and Ghost-weak threats, which is why that combination has become the standard build in Master League play. Since Combat Power caps don’t apply in Master League, this Mewtwo can be powered up freely without worrying about a CP ceiling.
Don’t Miss the Deadline
Mark your calendar: every task in this research line, including claiming the Mewtwo encounter itself, must be completed before Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. local time. Once that window closes, the research disappears, so it’s worth finishing sooner rather than later even though the tasks themselves are light.
What Else Is Live Right Now
The anniversary window overlaps with a busy stretch of the calendar. While you’re working through the Mewtwo research, you can also jump into:
- The August raid rotation, including Groudon in 5-star raids
- Mega Raids rotating through several Mega-Evolved bosses
- Preparations for Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Mega Finale on September 5–6, which closes out the season right around the same time this research expires
Conclusion
A free, guaranteed 100% IV Mewtwo with a head start on its Mega Level is a rare offer, and the research to earn it barely takes an afternoon. If you only do one thing to celebrate Pokémon GO’s 10th birthday, make it this.
