Despite what the click bait YouTube videos have been telling you for over a year, Mewtwo has actually been released into the game. Mewtwo was released at the Pokémon GO Stadium event in Yokohama, Japan.

ポケモンGOスタジアムに応募して当選された皆様、共に素敵な時間を過ごす事が出来て嬉しかったです！ありがとうございました！#ピカチュウ大量発生チュウ #ポケモンGOスタジアム #ミュウツー pic.twitter.com/B8pe3eIPs3

— 増田順一@GAME FREAK inc. (@Junichi_Masuda) August 14, 2017

Some time in the coming weeks, Mewtwo will be released to the rest of the world. Unlike the other Legendaries we’ve been seeing at Gyms since Pokemon GO Fest Chicago, Mewtwo will release via the new Exclusive Raid Battle system. We also will be seeing the return of the Legendary Birds for a short time!

Exclusive Raid Battles

Exclusive Raid Battles are like normal Raids with a few key differences:

• Trainers are invited to Exclusive Raid Battles if they participated in a Raid Battle recently at that particular Gym. We assume the unused Legendary Raid Pass asset will be used for this.

  

• Invitations will be given in advance to give Trainers time to return to the Gym they raided at earlier. This will also give Trainers time to organize with others who were invited to the same Exclusive Raid Battle.

Legendary Birds Take Last Flight

We thought Zapdos was leaving us today, but it turns out that Zapdos, Articuno, Moltres, and Lugia are will be at Gym raids until Augest 31st. While we knew the three Gen I legendary birds were temporary, this is the first official word from Niantic on the departure of Lugia (which was assumed to stay). Time will tell if these Legendaries will make their way back into Raid or Exclusive Raid Battles. If you haven’t filled out your Pokedex yet, now is your chance!

Mewtwo Nerfed Prior to Release

Since the release of the field test, we’ve known Mewtwos stats and moves. Prior to releasing Mewtwo at the Pokémon GO Stadium event, base stats got hit with the nerf stick a few times first.

Stat changes

Old Base Stamina: 212

New Base Stamina: 193

Old Base Attack: 330

New Base Attack: 300

Old Base Defense: 200

New Base Defense: 182

This is a 9.46% nerf to base stats. Don’t feel too bad though, Mewtwo was over powered and is still over powered with the stat decrease. Mewtwo still has the highest base attack in the game, followed by Alakazam, Ho Oh, and Dragonite.