The Ultimate Mewtwo Build Guide: Moves, Items & Decks

A Mewtwo build is the combination of moves, items, and strategies that bring out this Psychic‑type’s power. Mewtwo has always been a high‑tier attacker thanks to its huge Special Attack and Speed stats. 

Building it well means leaning into those strengths while covering its weaknesses to Bug, Ghost, and Dark moves. Because each game treats it differently, your build will vary depending on where you’re playing.

Mewtwo Build in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

In Scarlet & Violet, the popular raid build uses a Modest nature to boost Special Attack. I put maximum EVs into HP and Special Attack with a few points in Defense. 

Nasty Plot raises Mewtwo’s Special Attack quickly. Psychic Terrain prevents opposing priority moves and boosts Psychic attacks. After setting up, Psystrike and Psychic both hit hard; swapping one for Shadow Ball or Aura Sphere helps against Dark or Steel types. A Life Orb is the most common item because it increases damage even if it costs a bit of health. In shorter battles, Choice Specs can work if you’re confident about sticking to one attack.

Terastallization also matters. A Psychic Tera type boosts your main attacks, while Steel reduces the Bug weakness and adds useful resistances. When teaming up in raid events, bring allies who can set Reflect and Light Screen or heal status conditions. Working together lets Mewtwo stay safe while it builds power. Our Pokémon cards guide names Mega Mewtwo EX as a top collectible; if you enjoy the trading card side of the series, that post is a great primer on card values and what makes certain versions of Mewtwo special.

Mewtwo Build in Pokémon GO

Pokémon GO doesn’t have held items, so the build focuses on moves. The best combination for raids uses Psycho Cut as the fast attack and Psystrike as the charged attack. Psycho Cut generates energy quickly, allowing frequent Psystrike use. If you don’t have Psystrike, Shadow Ball provides coverage against Psychic and Ghost types, and Focus Blast counters Dark types. 

In the Master League, running both Psystrike and Shadow Ball makes Mewtwo unpredictable. Keep an eye on the weather; Windy weather boosts Psychic moves and increases Mewtwo’s damage. I like to raid alongside friends using Mega evolutions like Mega Latios to further enhance Psychic damage.

Mewtwo Build in Pokémon Unite

Mewtwo comes in two forms in Pokémon Unite. Mewtwo X is an all‑rounder that fights up close. You choose between Psystrike or Future Sight as the main damaging move. Psystrike lets you shrug off hits and slow enemies; Future Sight pulls a target toward you and deals damage twice. Teleport is the best secondary move because it boosts speed and helps charge your Mega gauge. I like to equip Razor Claw, Scope Lens, and Muscle Band for a Psystrike build focused on basic attacks. For a Future Sight build, Scope Lens and Muscle Band pair well with Focus Band or Weakness Policy for survivability.

Mewtwo Y is a ranged attacker. Future Sight remains the main move, and Teleport or Recover is your secondary choice. Because Mewtwo Y is frail, I stick with Choice Specs and Wise Glasses to boost special attack and Shell Bell for healing. Positioning behind tanks and using Future Sight to pull enemies toward your team allows you to stay safe. 

Our article on best Pokémon cards for players and collectors discusses M Mewtwo EX and provides insight into how that card’s Vanishing Strike attack ignores resistance. While that’s a card game example, the idea of pushing through defenses also applies to Mewtwo’s playstyle in Unite.

Mewtwo in the Trading Card Game

Mewtwo’s presence in the Pokémon TCG is legendary. Mega Mewtwo EX, M Mewtwo EX, and Team Rocket’s Mewtwo EX each offer unique strategies. Mega Mewtwo EX is a sought‑after collector’s item and works best when paired with cards that search for Psychic energy. M Mewtwo EX uses Vanishing Strike to bypass resistances and deals extra damage with a stadium in play. Decks built around it include energy acceleration and stadium cards like Parallel City.

Team Rocket’s Mewtwo EX, discussed in our best new Pokémon cards roundup, hits hard but requires a bench full of Team Rocket’s Pokémon. Because it demands specific support, it’s better suited for themed or casual play. 

When building any Mewtwo deck, remember to include Darkness counters and draw supporters. Cards like Switch or Escape Rope let you reset a damaged Mewtwo, while draw engines such as Professor’s Research or Iono keep your hand full. The trading card side of Pokémon adds depth to the Mewtwo experience and offers collectors a tangible connection to the psychic powerhouse.

Countering Mewtwo

Every good Mewtwo build has soft spots. In the main games, Dark‑type attackers like Tyranitar, Hydreigon, or Umbreon can take a hit and respond with super‑effective moves. Pokémon such as Gengar and Chandelure exploit Mewtwo’s weakness to Ghost. In Pokémon GO raids, Giratina and Chandelure are reliable counters. 

In Pokémon Unite, crowd control and burst damage counter Mewtwo. Snorlax, Blastoise, or Trevenant can stun or knock back Mewtwo, while Cinderace and Greninja deal heavy damage if they avoid Mewtwo’s main abilities. In the TCG, Darkness type attackers and ability‑blocking cards like Garbodor slow down Psychic decks. Understanding these counters helps you prepare for battles where you face Mewtwo or need to support it.

Conclusion: Ready to Build Your Mewtwo?

Mewtwo remains one of the most versatile Pokémon across video games and cards. Choosing the right nature, EV spread, moves, and items in Scarlet & Violet, optimizing fast and charged moves in Pokémon GO, and picking a playstyle in Pokémon Unite all determine how well your Mewtwo performs. The trading card game adds another layer for collectors and deck builders. No single build is perfect everywhere, so adjust yours based on the battle or competition you face.

If you’re inspired to try your own Mewtwo build, pick up Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Expansion Pass: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero from our shop. Experiment with the builds, adjust them to fit your style, and enjoy exploring the many ways to use this iconic Psychic‑type.

FAQs

What is the best Mewtwo build?

The best Mewtwo build depends on the game. In Scarlet & Violet, a Modest nature with max HP and Special Attack EVs, Nasty Plot, Psystrike, Psychic, and a Life Orb is strong. In Pokémon GO, Psycho Cut paired with Psystrike is top tier. In Pokémon Unite, choose Psystrike or Future Sight for Mewtwo X and Future Sight for Mewtwo Y.

How do you use Mewtwo in Pokémon Unite?

Use Mewtwo X as an all‑rounder by combining Psystrike or Future Sight with Teleport and items like Razor Claw, Scope Lens, and Muscle Band. For Mewtwo Y, focus on Future Sight, keep your distance, and equip special attack items such as Wise Glasses and Choice Specs.

What moveset is best for Mewtwo in Pokémon GO?

In Pokémon GO, Psycho Cut as the fast attack and Psystrike as the charged attack deliver the highest damage. If you don’t have Psystrike, pair Psycho Cut with Shadow Ball or Focus Blast for coverage.

Which items should Mewtwo hold in Scarlet & Violet?

Mewtwo benefits from a Life Orb for raids because it increases damage. Choice Specs provide a big power boost at the cost of being locked into one move, while Leftovers offer healing for longer battles. Choose based on the role you need.

Can Mewtwo be used competitively?

Yes. Mewtwo can be used competitively in older formats and casual leagues in the main series. In Pokémon GO’s Master League, it remains a top attacker, and certain versions of Mewtwo cards have seen competitive TCG play depending on rotation.