Guide: How to catch Shiny Pokémon and boost shiny rates in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

by admin November 17, 2022

Shiny Pokémon return in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, meaning players have a chance to capture specially-colored (and notably rare!) Pokémon they find in the wild. Shinies (called this due to the “sparkle” effect displayed when they come out of their Poké Balls) have been a mainstay of the series for a long time, and finding one can be incredibly exciting! While Shiny hunting remains largely the same as in past games, Scarlet and Violet also introduce new mechanics to make it easier to find these uncommon Pokémon out and about. Keep reading for our full guide to how Shinies work and how to catch them in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet!

How to tell if a Pokémon is Shiny

Shiny Pokémon are usually easy to recognize given their different coloration. For instance, a regular Gyarados is blue, while a Shiny Gyarados is red. However, some Shiny Pokémon colorations are very similar to a Pokémon’s regular color, like with Pikachu. Fortunately, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet denote Shinies by also showing light and sparkles around them when they appear. Hence, like we mentioned before, the name “Shiny.”

Shiny Pokémon odds in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Like other Pokémon games, Shiny odds in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are 1/4096. The professor in the game actually says that the rate is 1/4000, but the real number is likely still 4096.

Can my starter be Shiny?

From everything we have seen so far, it appears that starter Pokémon are Shiny locked. This means your starter has no chance at being Shiny.

How do I encounter Shiny Pokémon?

Shiny Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet can be encountered anywhere in the overworld. Sadly, unlike games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus where you get both an audible cue when a Shiny Pokémon was near by. That sound is gone in Scarlet and Violet. Luckily, you will be able to see Shiny Pokémon on the world map without triggering an encounter!

Can I increase my Shiny odds in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

Yes! After completing your regional Dex, an item called the Shiny Charm is available in the game, increasing your base odds of encountering a Shiny to around 1/1128. You also have the ability to make special sandwiches that can boost your Shiny chances even higher. Sadly, one of the main ingredients you need to make these sandwiches don’t start dropping until the end game. Check out our Shiny sandwich guide for all the ingredients.

Are Shiny odds increased in Mass Outbreaks?

Yes! Mass Outbreaks are back in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and finding them and defeating Pokémon found in a Mass Outbreak can massively increase your Shiny chances. Austin John Plays actually did a video on the odds that we embedded below. But the quick math is this: