Pokémon GO Clone Pokémon Guide: Counters, Mechanics, and Trade Value

Clone Pokémon in Pokémon GO are rare event variants originating from the 2020 Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back event. The lineup consists of Clone Venusaur, Clone Charizard, Clone Blastoise, and Clone Pikachu. While they feature distinct cosmetic markings and exclusive moves, their costume classification creates strict gameplay limitations compared to standard starters.

Core Mechanics and Mega Evolution Restrictions

When caught during their initial release, the fully evolved starter trio automatically learned their signature Community Day Charged Attacks without requiring an Elite Charged TM:

• Clone Venusaur: Frenzy Plant
• Clone Charizard: Blast Burn
• Clone Blastoise: Hydro Cannon

Despite possessing identical base stats, maximum CP, and standard move pools to their regular counterparts, Clone Pokémon are treated as costume variants. Because of this designation, Clone Pokémon cannot Mega Evolve.

Clone Charizard cannot access Mega Charizard X or Y, and Clone Venusaur and Blastoise cannot activate their respective Mega Evolutions. This restriction caps their maximum PvE damage and prevents them from providing the raid damage boosts or catch-candy bonuses associated with active Mega Pokémon.

Raid Counters and Encounter Types

Clone starter Pokémon originally appeared as Tier 4 raid bosses, while Clone Pikachu was obtained exclusively through daily GO Snapshot photobombs. If these raids return, use teams targeted to their specific typing vulnerabilities.

Because Clone Charizard has a double weakness to Rock-type damage, fielding attackers with Smack Down and Rock Wrecker minimizes group size requirements. For Clone Pikachu, verify that camera permissions are enabled in your device settings so GO Snapshot photobombs can trigger properly.

GO Battle League and Power-Up Value

Clone starters share the same competitive viability as normal starters in the GO Battle League:

• Clone Venusaur operates as a Grass-type anchor in the Great League and Ultra League, using Frenzy Plant for heavy neutral pressure and Sludge Bomb against Fairy-type opponents.
• Clone Charizard acts as an offensive shield-breaker with Blast Burn and Dragon Claw, though it remains vulnerable to Water- and Rock-type fast attacks.

Because standard starters can reach Level 50 to serve both in Master League and as top-tier Mega raid anchors, investing Candy XL and Stardust into a Clone starter provides only single-purpose utility. Upgrading a Clone variant serves primarily as a cosmetic flex in PvP formats.

Trading Costs and Stardust Requirements

Due to a multi-year absence from event rotations, Clone Pokémon carry high trade value. However, special trade costs vary significantly depending on friendship levels and Pokédex registration:

• Unregistered Special Trade: 1,000,000 Stardust at Good Friends, scaling down to 800,000 at Great Friends, 80,000 at Ultra Friends, and 40,000 at Best Friends.
• Registered Special Trade: 20,000 Stardust at Good Friends, scaling down to 800 Stardust at Best Friends.

Any official reintroduction through raids or events will increase market supply and reduce the rarity leverage of existing collections.

Preparation Checklist for Return Events

If event rotations bring Clone Pokémon back into active raids, prepare your inventory in advance:

1. Reserve Box Space: Free up 50 to 100 Pokémon storage slots to allow rapid raiding and daily snapshot encounters without clearing space mid-session.
2. Stockpile PokéCoins and Passes: Hold 1,500 to 2,500 PokéCoins to secure premium or remote raid pass bundles upon release.
3. Save Silver Pinap Berries: Retain these berries specifically for raid bonus encounters to maximize Candy and Candy XL gains on catch.
4. Audit Snapshot Permissions: Confirm your device camera settings allow Pokémon GO to register snapshot photos cleanly to ensure photobomb spawns appear.