You remember 2018? People were still arguing about the best gym defenders and the hype for Legendary raids was just starting to feel like a routine. Then Niantic dropped a bomb. They introduced Special Research, and the very first one was Pokemon Go A Mythical Discovery. It changed everything. Suddenly, we weren't just tapping on Pidgeys; we were on a legitimate quest to find Mew.
Honestly, it was a grind.
If you are just starting this now, or maybe you took a four-year break and your quest log is looking a bit dusty, you're in for a ride. This isn't like the modern events where you buy a ticket and get a Shiny Celebi in twenty minutes. This is old-school Niantic design. It requires patience. It requires walking. Most importantly, it requires you to not mess up your resources before you hit the dreaded Stage 6.
The Mew Quest Is Still the Gold Standard
Why do we still talk about this specific quest line? Because it was the first time Pokemon Go felt like a real RPG. You weren't just lucky; you were a researcher. Professor Willow finally gave us something to do other than tell us our Pokemon were "decent" or "breathtaking."
Pokemon Go A Mythical Discovery consists of eight stages. Some are easy. Some, like catching a Ditto or evolving a Magikarp, have caused more gamer rage than a lost connection during a Remote Raid. The beauty of it is that it’s permanent. It doesn't expire. Whether you finish it in 2018 or 2026, that pink bubble-dwelling Mythical is waiting at the end.
Avoid the Magikarp Trap
Let’s talk about the biggest mistake people make. It’s Stage 6. To get through this part of the Pokemon Go A Mythical Discovery research, you have to evolve a Magikarp.
That costs 400 candies.
I’ve seen so many players get excited because they finally got enough candy, they evolve their Gyarados, and then two days later they reach Stage 6 only to realize they have to do it again. Don’t do that. Unless you are sitting on a mountain of 800 candies, you hold onto that fish. You wait until the game specifically asks you to do it. It’s a test of willpower, really.
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The Ditto Dilemma
Then there’s the Ditto. Oh, the Ditto. This is usually the part where people get stuck for months. Since Ditto disguises itself as other common Pokemon, you can't see it on the map. You just have to catch every "trash" spawn you see and hope for that "Oh?" animation.
Current Ditto disguises change periodically. Usually, it’s things like Roggenrola, Oddish, or Koffing. If you're struggling, check your local Discord or campfire groups. If someone catches a Ditto, it’s a Ditto for everyone. Run there.
Breaking Down the Eight Stages
You don't need a perfect symmetrical list to understand this. You just need to know what's coming so you don't waste your Great Balls.
The first couple of stages are basically a tutorial. Spin some stops, catch some Mons, transfer some stuff. Easy. But by Stage 3, you hit Level 15. If you're a veteran, you're already past this. If you're new, it’s a quick climb.
Stage 4 is where the "effort" starts. You need to earn 5 candies walking with your buddy. Pro tip: swap your buddy to a Magikarp or a Pidgey. They earn candy every 1km. If you’re walking a legendary like Rayquaza, you’re going to be walking 100km just to finish one sub-task. That’s just inefficient.
Stage 5 is the Ditto wall. Along with that, you need to perform 20 Great Throws. If you’re bad at aiming, find a Pokemon with a huge hit box—think Wailmer or Ponyta. It makes life easier.
The Final Push
Stage 6 is the nightmare. Evolve Magikarp. Reach Level 25. Participate in 10 raids. You don't have to win the raids, you just have to use a pass. If you're solo, you can technically join a raid, let the timer run out, and it counts. But why waste the items? Just jump into some 1-star raids and knock it out.
Stage 7 is the last real hurdle. You need to catch 50 Pokemon using a Berry and make an Excellent Curveball throw. If you haven't mastered the "set circle" trick yet, now is the time to learn. Hold the Poke Ball until the circle is small, let go without throwing, then wait for the Pokemon to attack. Mid-attack, wind up your curve and throw. If you time it right, the circle size stays exactly where you left it.
Why Mew Matters in 2026
You might think Mew is power-crept. In some ways, yeah. It’s not topping the DPS charts for Raids compared to Shadow Mewtwo or Mega Rayquaza. But in the GO Battle League? Mew is a wildcard.
Because Mew can learn almost every move in the game, your opponent has no idea what’s coming. Is it Surf? Wild Charge? Flame Charge? It’s the ultimate "safe swap" because it forces shields. Finishing Pokemon Go A Mythical Discovery isn't just about the Pokedex entry; it’s about getting a tool that can win you matches through pure unpredictability.
Also, it's just cool. It’s Mew.
Moving Forward With Your Research
If you’re staring at that quest right now, here is exactly what you should do to finish it without burning out.
- Audit your candy stash immediately. If you have 350 Magikarp candies, do not spend a single one on a second move or a power-up. Pinap every Magikarp you see. Every single one.
- Keep a "stack" of encounter rewards. If you complete a field research task that rewards a Pokemon like Koffing (a potential Ditto), don't catch it immediately if you aren't on the Ditto stage yet. You can "stack" up to 100 encounters. Save them for when the quest calls for it.
- Coordinate your raids. Use the daily free pass. Even if you don't care about the boss, burn the pass to get the "Participate in a Raid" credit.
- Focus on the Excellent Curveball now. Don't wait until Stage 7 to practice. If you can't hit Excellents consistently, Stage 7 will feel like a prison sentence.
- Use your Buddy distance wisely. Switch to a 1km buddy specifically for the candy tasks. Switch back to your favorite Pokemon afterward.
The journey through Pokemon Go A Mythical Discovery is meant to be a marathon. It’s the game’s way of rewarding consistent play rather than just fast clicking. Once you see that pink glow on your screen and enter the AR-only capture sequence, the grind feels worth it. Just remember: stay away from the evolve button on that Magikarp until the Professor tells you it's time.