Let's shoot the obvious goose first: Pokemon GO. In Pokemon GO, few Pokemon retain their original evolution methods, using candies to evolve instead. This is helpful, as many encounters in the game can be found at Level 1, which can simply evolve with candies, then be transferred to Pokemon HOME. However, not all Pokemon in Pokemon GO can be found at Level 1. Shown below is a table of general encounters and their minimum levels.

Encounter Type Min Level Max Level Level 1 Chance
Snapshots^ 1 30 or Trainer Level* 1/30 or 1/n*
Incense** 1 30 or Trainer Level* 1/30 or 1/n*
Wild Encounters 1 30 or Trainer Level* 1/30 or 1/n*
Weather Boosted Wild Encounters 6 35 or Trainer Level+5* 0%
Medals^^ 15 15 0%
Research 15 15 0%
Raids/Eggs 20 20 0%
Weather Boosted Raids 25 25 0%


*The player's trainer level impacts the level of surrounding Pokemon. Therefore, to collect Level 1 Pokemon, it would be easiest to use a low-level account. There is an equal distribution for any specific level.

**Mystery Box and Coin Bag only apply for Meltan and Gimmighoul, both shiny-locked (Meltan is only shiny-applicable in events).
The Daily Adventure Incense works for many Pokemon, namely Galarian Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres, all three can be shiny and Level 1.

^Snapshots, while usually Smeargle, can be other Pokemon varying on event. Smeargle is also only able to be shiny during events, so a Level 1 shiny is rare.

^^Some Pokemon, namely Scatterbug and PhD Pikachu, can only be obtained via medals. These Pokemon cannot be caught in the wild, so cannot be Level 1.

Pokemon from GO have some limitations, however. For instance, they must be caught in a Poke, Great, Ultra, Beast, Premier, or Master Ball. (Even though the GO Safari Ball exists, Pokemon caught with it cannot be transferred.) Also, they are subject to current events. Additionally, to get a 0IV in any stat for a non-wild Pokemon, it must be traded, which is impossible with some mythicals, which can never have a 0IV.

However, in Pokemon GO, most Pokemon are only available in certain events, which can make them annoying to get if you missed the event. Fortunately, some are always available, shown in the table below:

Pokemon Min Level Max Level Level 1 Chance Shiny Method
Smeargle 1 30 or Trainer Level* 1/30 or 1/n* Sometimes Snapshots
Scatterbug 15 15 0% Yes Pinning Postcards
Meltan 1 30 or Trainer Level* 1/30 or 1/n* Sometimes Mystery Box
Melmetal 1 30 or Trainer Level* 1/30 or 1/n* Sometimes Evolution
Gimmighoul 1 30 or Trainer Level* 1/30 or 1/n* No Coin Bag
Gholdengo 1 30 or Trainer Level* 1/30 or 1/n* No Evolution


In addition, some Pokemon are always available, but only a few times per account, such as Mythicals:

Pokemon Min Level Max Level Level 1 Chance Shiny Available Method
Bulbasaur 1 1 Guaranteed No Starter
Ivysaur 1 1 Guaranteed - Evolve
Venusaur 1 1 Guaranteed - Evolve
Squirtle 1 1 Guaranteed No Starter
Wartortle 1 1 Guaranteed - Evolve
Blastoise 1 1 Guaranteed - Evolve
Charmander 1 1 Guaranteed No Starter
Charmeleon 1 1 Guaranteed - Evolve
Charizard 1 1 Guaranteed - Evolve
Weedle 15 15 - Yes Research
Kakuna 15 15 - - Evolve
Beedrill 15 15 - - Evolve
Ekans 15 15 - Yes Research
Arbok 15 15 - - Evolve
Pikachu 1 1 Guaranteed No Starter
Pikachu (pHd) 15 15 - No Medal
Raichu 1 1 - - Evolve
Jigglypuff 15 15 - Yes Research
Wigglytuff 15 15 - Yes Evolve
Mankey 15 15 - Yes Research
Primeape 15 15 - Yes Research