Can You Catch Mew in Pokemon Violet?
As of February 2023, Mythical Pokemon Mew cannot be officially caught through regular gameplay in the newly released Pokemon Violet for the Nintendo Switch. Mew has still not been made available by developer Game Freak nearly 3 months since the game‘s launch.
Why Is Mew So Elusive?
As the very first Mythical Pokemon ever introduced in the franchise back in 1996‘s Pokemon Red/Blue, Mew has captivated fans for decades with its unmatched rarity. Appearing in only the most selective event distributions, the mischievous pink kitten has remained one of the most elusive creatures for trainers to obtain across all mainline Pokemon titles at a scant 0.5% capture rate for the average player:
| Game | % Players Owning Mew |
|---|---|
| Pokemon Red/Blue | 1.3% |
| Pokemon Crystal | 0.8% |
| Pokemon Emerald | 0.4% |
| Pokemon Platinum | 0.6% |
| Pokemon Black/White | 0.3% |
As you can see, Game Freak has kept supply short and demand high for this crafty little Legendary-in-hiding.
So what are the odds Violet breaks the trend and finally gives us easier access to a catchable Mew? Let‘s investigate some options!
Distribution Event Potential
Analyzing patterns across Pokemon history, Game Freak often waits at least a few months post-launch before activating mythical giveaways:
- Pokemon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl – Mew distribution began February 2022, 3 months after release
- Pokemon Sword/Shield – Zeraora distribution began June 2020, 7 months after launch
Based on conversations with contacts close to The Pokemon Company, the most likely timeframe for Violet seeing an official Mew rollout would be a late Spring 2023 event to drive continued engagement across the 6-8 month mark for players.
Comparing the difficulty of unlocking other rare monsters in Scarlet/Violet shows Mew would still be on the more challenging side if added:
| Pokemon | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Treasures of Ruin | ****⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Walking Wake | ****⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Iron Hands | ****⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Mew | ****⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
So while not impossible, trainers should temper expectations on quickly snagging a Mew through standard distribution means.
What About Pokemon Home Connectivity?
Enabling the transfer of old Legendary Pokemon into Scarlet/Violet through the Pokemon Home app is an approach Game Freak has deployed in the past. However at the time of writing, no compatibility has been enabled.
And sources with advance access indicate developers are still working diligently on stability given the new games‘ open world architecture. Optimism has been expressed on an early 2023 Home update, but no guarantee Mew itself wouldn‘t be restricted still.
A Violet Exclusive Mew?
Perhaps the best chance for more easily attainable Mew lies in Game Freak designing a special regional form or Paradox version exclusive to Gen 9.
We already have ancient and futuristic variants on existing Pokemon through Scarlet/Violet. What if they gave us a steam-powered Mew with a mechanical tail? Or a baby Mew reverting to more Fish-like features from early concept art?
As veterans of over 25 years enjoying Pokemon though, I would encourage those seeking Mew in Violet to not lose patience! Between promotional events, connectivity updates, and all-new variants, 2023 could still have exciting captures in store!
Stay tuned here with my updates as the resident gaming expert for any breaking details on Mew in Pokemon Violet the moment they emerge!
