Pokemon GO Azelf, Uxie, and Mesprit Guide: How to Catch the Lake Guardians

We've explained how to catch the Lake Guardians of the Sinnoh region—Azelf, Uxie, and Mesprit—in Pokemon GO.

This trio will be taking over raids from Lugia starting today, Sept. 14. Unfortunately for some trainers, these Pokemon are region-specific. Additionally, with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it appears that trading could be the best way option to collect all three. Those who have international friends may be able to snag a Raid invite, as well.

How to Catch Azelf in Pokemon GO

Azelf is exclusive to the Americas and Greenland. Trainers in this part of the world are guaranteed an encounter if they manage to hit rank 20 in the GO Battle League. Those who aren't particularly gifted or interested in PvP content can also potentially battle it as a Raid boss. It can also be found in the wild, but this is extraordinarily rare.

The best counters for this Pokemon are Chandelure, Gengar, and Darkrai.

Azelf is a pure psychic-type with the following stats:

• Maximum CP: 3629
• Maximum HP: 164
• Attack: 270
• Defense: 151
• Stamina: 181

Its best moveset contains the quick move Confusion and the charged move Future Sight.

Azelf is also known as the "Willpower" Pokemon, and is best known for having "endowed humans with the determination needed to face any of life's difficulties." In the main series games, it could be found in Lake Valor in the Sinnoh region. Its PokeDex number is 482.

How to Catch Uxie in Pokemon GO

Uxie will only appear in the Asia-Pacific region in the real world. Trainers can encounter it as a five-star Raid boss, as a reward for hitting rank 20 in the GO Battle League, and in the wild—though the last option is extremely rare.

The best choices to take it down in a raid include Chandelure, Gengar, and Darkrai. Unsurprisingly, this is the same as its siblings, given their similar typing.

Uxie is a pure psychic-type with the following stats:

• Maximum CP: 2853
• Maximum HP: 164
• Attack: 150
• Defense: 270
• Stamina: 181

Its best moveset contains the quick move Confusion and the charged move Future Sight, as well.

Uxie is also known as the "Knowledge" Pokemon. According to its PokeDex description, it "gave humans the intelligence to improve their quality of life." Its PokeDex number is 480. In the main series games, Sinnoh region trainers could encounter this Pokemon near Lake Acuity.

How to Catch Mesprit in Pokemon GO

Mesprit can only be found in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India. While it can be encountered in the wild, it's much easier to take it down as a Raid boss, instead. No need to relive those Sinnoh-region memories, right? Trainers have a guaranteed shot to catch it upon reaching rank 20 in the GO Battle League, as well.

The best raid counters are, of course, Chandelure, Gengar, and Darkrai.

Mesprit is a pure psychic-type with the following stat makeup:

• Maximum CP: 3457
• Maximum HP: 172
• Attack: 212
• Defense: 212
• Stamina: 190

Its best moveset also contains the quick move Confusion and the charged move Future Sight.

Mespirt's PokeDex number is 481. Also known as the "Emotion" Pokemon, it resides in Sinnoh's Lake Verity, forcing trainers looking to add it to their team to chase it throughout the region. According to its description, Mesprit "taught humans the nobility of sorrow, pain, and joy."

Trainers will only have until Oct. 1 to acquire the Lake Guardians.