Shiny Pokémon

Standard Methods

You have probably heard or seen a picture of them. Pokémon that are different colors than normally seen with. An example of that could be a Metagross with a silver coating and a golden X on it, a dark green Zubat, or a black Rayquaza. The Torchic you may have obtained from Professor Birch may be a lighter colored orange and you may think the game is glitched up, but it isn't. As you can imagine, these occurences are very, very rare. Not very many people even have a shiny Pokémon to begin with. So how do you get them?

It depends on very, very good luck to get a shiny Pokémon. You can find shiny Pokémon in the wild, in eggs, and in the battle tower, which is basically everyplace you can catch a Pokémon save for the Battle Tower in which you won't be able to catch the shinys there. Needless to say, you wont be very lucky if a shiny ends up there. People have said that you can also meet a shiny when in your first battle against the wild Poochyena and Wally's Ralts as well. Basically, like I said, it revolves around how lucky you are. Now the bad thing is that the odds of finding a shiny Pokémon in the wild are 1 in 8,192 battles...all the time, meaning after 8,191 battles it'll still be 1 in 8,192 and not a dead cert that you will get one i.e. not 1 in 1 battles. This rate has been altered as of Pokémon X & Pokémon Y to make Shiny Pokémon. As of Pokémon X & Y, it is a 1 in 4,096 chance of finding a shiny Pokémon before factoring in any additional methods.

Now you'd think with a Pokémon this rare, it has to have good Individual Values and such. That's no longer the case. Shiny Pokémon are always going to end up with the same odds of good stats as normal Pokémon. They used to have set IV's in the Metal generation where it had 0 HP IVs, random Attack IVs and IVs of 10 in Defense, Speed, Special Attack and Special Defense, but since then and until XY, it has been based upon the hidden PID of the Pokémon.

Alternate Methods

Masuda Method

In the fourth generation, a variety of things have changed in order to allow for the obtaining of Shiny Pokémon. First is a method commonly known as the Masuda Method, named after the game developer and the person who revealed it; Junichi Masuda. This method has you breed two Pokémon. However, one of the Pokémon must be of a different nationality than your game (such as a Japanese Pokémon on an English game). This will lower the chances of hatching a shiny Pokémon from 1 in 8,192 to 1 in 2,048 cutting it by 75% in Generation IV. However, in Generation V, it is boosted even further from 1 in 8,192 to 1 in 1,365.3. Generation VI has increased the likelihood even further thanks to the decrease in standard shiny rate, being 1 in 682.7.

PokéRadar Chaining

The second method of obtaining shiny Pokémon is through the method called "chaining". This method has you carry on a chain on the PokéRadar within Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, X & Y. As you battle the Pokémon and your chain increases, the chances of seeing a Shiny Pokémon also increases up until you're on the 40th chain where it levels out. Continue the chain and you may see the grass glow instead of shaking. If this occurs, there is a shiny Pokémon there. When you defeat or capture a Pokémon you have discovered with the PokéRadar, the chain begins and you need to follow the chain to other grass tiles to continue the chain. These chains are broken when a different Pokémon appears or you encounter a Wild Pokémon outside of the set grass tiles so it is recommended that you use Repel or other Wild Pokémon prevention techniques. Shiny Pokémon are easily findable with the PokéRadar. If you have found a Shiny Pokémon with the PokéRadar, the grass will shine as opposed to shaking. With chaining, you have the ability to increase the likelihood of finding a Shiny Pokémon. This is done by having a prolonged chain on the PokéRadar. The chances increase up until the 40th Pokémon in the chain. This is calculated with the following formula;
  Chance = (14747 - 40*ChainNumber)/2621440(41-ChainNumber)
After each use of the PokéRadar, it requires recharging. This is done by walking 50 steps.

Consecutive Fishing

Chaining goes even further in Pokémon X & Y due to the inclusion of Consecutive Fishing. With this, as you hook Pokémon with the fishing rod, you get increased chances of getting a shiny Pokémon. This will increase with each Pokémon you hook without leaving the spot, regardless of if you defeat them, capture them or run from battle. If you don't get a nibble, or if you move from the place you were fishing, you will break the chain. The chain also resets once you get a shiny Pokémon. Exact values are still to be discovered.

Catch Combo

Chaining is even utilised in Let's Go, Pikachu & Let's Go, Eevee. If you catch more of the same species of Pokémon in a row, the shiny odds will gradually increase. This caps out at 31 in the combo where it makes Shiny Pokémon 14 times more likely if you have a Shiny Charm.

Catch Combo Shiny Rate Shiny Rate With Lure Shiny Rate with Shiny Charm Shiny Rate with Shiny Charm with Lure
0-10 1 in 4096 1 in 2048 1 in 1365.3 1 in 1024
11-20 1 in 1024 1 in 819.2 1 in 682.6 1 in 585.14
21-30 1 in 512 1 in 455.1 1 in 409.6 1 in 372.36
31+ 1 in 341.3 1 in 315.08 1 in 292.57 1 in 273.07

Shiny Charm

In Pokémon Black 2 & White 2, a new item is introduced called the Shiny Charm. This item, obtained when you have completed the National Pokédex, increases the chances of Shiny Pokémon appearing. As it's a Key Item, when you have the item in your bag, then the chances of encountering Shiny Pokémon in the wild is increased to 300% of normal, making it a 1 in 2,730.6 chance. If, however, you're using the Masuda Method to breed, it reduces it from 1 in 1,365.3 down to 1 in 1024 and, from X & Y onwards, 1 in 512!

In-Game Shiny Pokémon

In addition to this, there have been numerous Shiny Pokémon that have been encountered in events and even more notably, within the games themselves. These Pokémon are always shiny no matter how many times you soft reset. In the Trainer Tower in FireRed/LeafGreen, there were also a couple of trainers with Shiny Pokémon

#130 Gyarados

Game: Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal & HeartGold/SoulSilver
Location: Lake of Rage

Method:
This Gyarados is the only Alternate Coloured Pokémon that you are guaranteed to encounter in these games. Before you reach Mahogany Town, you will be informed of problems at the Lake of Rage. Once you get there, you will discover that a Gyarados is rampaging in the lake. To calm it, you need to capture it or defeat it. Once defeated, Lance will request your help in stopping Team Rocket.

Gyarados
Level 30
OT:Yours
ID:Yours
Ability:Intimidate
Hold Item:
None
??? Nature.
Date of Receiving
Lake of Rage. Caught at Lv. 30
Bite
Dragon Rage
Leer
Twister
#147 Dratini & #443 Gible

Location: Flocessy Town

Method:
After defeating Benga in Black City or White Forest's main attraction, Benga will visit Alder and while there, will give you a special prize, a Gible or a Dratini depending on which facility he was beaten. Gible in Black and Dratini in White These Pokémon are unique in that they are Shiny

Gible
Level 1
OT:Yours
ID:Yours
Ability:Sand Veil
Hold Item:
EXP. Share
??? Nature.
Date of Receiving
Flocessy Town. Caught at Lv. 1
Tackle
Dratini
Level 1
OT:Yours
ID:Yours
Ability:Shed Skin
Hold Item:
EXP. Share
??? Nature.
Date of Receiving
Flocessy Town. Caught at Lv. 1
Bind
Leer
#612 Haxorus

Game: Pokémon Black 2 & White 2
Location: Nature Preserve

Method:
After you have seen all the Pokémon in the Unova Dex, you will receive a License. This item, when shown to the airport attendant in Mistralton City, takes you to the Nature Preserve, a place filled with wild Pokémon. However, in the middle of this sanctuary is the rare Shiny Haxorus.

Haxorus
Level 60
OT:Yours
ID:Yours
Ability:Rivalry or Mold Breaker
Hold Item:
None
??? Nature.
Date of Receiving
Nature Preserve. Caught at Lv. 60
Taunt
Dragon Pulse
Swords Dance
Guillotine
#077 Ponyta

Game: Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Location: Horseshoe Plains

Method:
Unlock Criteria: After Kleavor and having caught a Ponyta

There was a request regarding a rare Ponyta. Go get the details from Yota, one of the local villagers in Jubilife. Yota is alarmed by the unusual Ponyta that frequents the Horseshoe Plains. He wants you to catch it for him. When you find Yota, you will discover he has seen an unusual Ponyta walking around Horseshoe Plains. If you go to investigate it, you will find a Shiny Ponyta. Catch it and bring it to Yota to solve the mystery.

Ponyta
Level 15
OT:Yours
ID:Yours
Hold Item:
None
??? Nature.
Date of Receiving
Horsehoe Plains. Caught at Lv. 15
Tackle
Ember
Double Hit
Flame Wheel

#446 Munchlax

Game: Scarlet & Violet
Location: Kitakami Hall

After you complete the hardest level of Ogre Oustin' in Kitakami Hall, you will be given a spceial Munchlax that had been eating everything it could see. This Munchlax comes with the Crafty Mark and is also as big as it can possibly be

Munchlax
Level 1
OT:Yours
ID:Yours
Ability:Gluttony
Tera Type:Normal
Hold Item:
No Item
Impish Nature.
Date of Receiving
Kitakami Hall. Apparently had a fateful encounter at Lv. 1
Tackle
Lick
Munchlax Gift

#522 Blitzle

Game: Scarlet & Violet
Location: Blueberry Academy

After you are able to fight the secret League Boss by gaining interactions with many coaches in the League Club, Cyrano will invite you to trade a Pokémon, offering his Shiny Blitzle to you

Blitzle
Level 20
OT:Cyrano
ID:390518
Ability:Lightning Rod
Motor Drive
Tera Type:
Default
Hold Item:
None
Random Nature.
Date Received. a Link Trade. Received at Level 20
Charge
Shock Wave
Thunder Wave
Flame Charge
 
Munchlax Gift

Events & Un-obtainable Shiny Pokémon

In Generation IV and Generation V, nearly all the non-Shiny event Pokémon you obtain are coded to not be shiny. These Pokémon can usually be soft reset for IVs and natures, but they will never be shiny. There are a few exceptions for this, such as a couple of Kyushu events in 2012 in Japan. In addition to this, in Pokémon Black, White, Black 2 & White 2, several of the wild Pokémon are coded to not be shiny, specifically the legends Victini, Reshiram and Zekrom. In X & Y, none of the Legendary Pokémon can be shiny.

List of all Shiny Event Distributions

As of now, the following Pokémon cannot be shiny under any circumstance.

Unavailable Shiny Pokémon & Non-changeable Forms
Pikachu
Original Cap
Event only
Pikachu
Hoenn Cap
Event only
Pikachu
Sinnoh Cap
Event only
Pikachu
Unova Cap
Event only
Pikachu
Kalos Cap
Event only
Pikachu
Alola Cap
Event only
Pikachu
World Cap
Event only
Victini
Event only
Keldeo
Coded to not appear shiny
Meloetta
Event only
Ash-Greninja
Event only
Vivillon
Poké Ball Pattern
Event only
Hoopa
Event only
Volcanion
Event only
Cosmog
Coded to not appear shiny
Cosmoem
Coded to not appear shiny
Magearna
Event only
Magearna
Original Color
Event only
Marshadow
Event only
Melmetal
Gigantamax Form
Event only
Kubfu
Coded to not appear shiny
Urshifu
Coded to not appear shiny
Urshifu
Coded to not appear shiny
Zarude
Event only
Zarude
Dada
Event only
Glastrier
Coded to not appear shiny
Spectrier
Coded to not appear shiny
Calyrex
Coded to not appear shiny
Enamorus
Coded to not appear shiny
Ursaluna
Bloodmoon
Coded to not appear shiny
Gimmighoul
Roaming Form
Coded to not appear shiny
Ting-Lu
Coded to not appear shiny
Chien-Pao
Coded to not appear shiny
Wo-Chien
Coded to not appear shiny
Chi-Yu
Coded to not appear shiny
Koraidon
Coded to not appear shiny
Miraidon
Coded to not appear shiny
Walking Wake
Coded to not appear shiny
Iron Leaves
Coded to not appear shiny
Okidogi
Coded to not appear shiny
Munkidori
Coded to not appear shiny
Fezandipiti
Coded to not appear shiny
Ogerpon
Coded to not appear shiny
Gouging Fire
Coded to not appear shiny
Raging Bolt
Coded to not appear shiny
Iron Boulder
Coded to not appear shiny
Iron Crown
Coded to not appear shiny
Terapagos
Coded to not appear shiny
Pecharunt
Coded to not appear shiny

Shiny Locks

Starting in Pokémon Black & White, the developers started instituting locks where Pokémon could be caught in a wild but prevented from being shiny. These locks are mostly done on the signature legendary Pokémon of the games, but do range further. These Pokémon are usually available as shiny through other games and are only locked through the particular game listed.

Game Picture Pokémon Location
Pokémon Black & White
Victini
Victini Liberty Garden
Reshiram
Reshiram N's Castle, Dragonspiral Tower (Black)
Zekrom
Zekrom N's Castle, Dragonspiral Tower (White)
Pokémon Black 2 & White 2
Reshiram
Reshiram Dragonspiral Tower (White 2)
Zekrom
Zekrom Dragonspiral Tower (Black 2)
Pokémon X & Y
Articuno
Articuno Sea Spirits Den
Zapdos
Zapdos Sea Spirits Den
Moltres
Moltres Sea Spirits Den
Mewtwo
Mewtwo Pokémon Village - Unknown Dungeon
Xerneas
Xerneas Team Flare HQ (X)
Yveltal
Yveltal Team Flare HQ (Y)
Zygarde
Zygarde Terminus Cave
Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Kyogre
Kyogre Cave of Origin - (Alpha Sapphire)
Groudon
Groudon Cave of Origin - (Omega Ruby)
Rayquaza
Rayquaza Sky Pillar
Deoxys
Deoxys Sky Pillar
Pokémon Sun & Moon
Tapu Koko
Tapu Koko Ruins of Conflict
Tapu Lele
Tapu Lele Ruins of Life
Tapu Bulu
Tapu Bulu Ruins of Abundance
Tapu Fini
Tapu Fini Ruins of Hope
Cosmog
Cosmog Lake of the Sunne
Lake of the Moone
Solgaleo
Solgaleo Altar of the Sunne - Sun
Lunala
Lunala Altar of the Moone - Moon
Nihilego
Nihilego Diglett's Tunnel
Wela Volcano Park
Buzzwole
Buzzwole Melemele Meadow - Sun
Pheromonas
Pheromosa Verdant Cavern - Moon
Xurkitree
Xurkitree Lush Jungle
Memorial Hill
Celesteela
Celesteela Malie Garden - Moon
Kartana
Kartana Malie Garden - Sun
Guzzlord
Guzzlord Resolution Cave
Guzzlord
Necrozma Melemele Island
Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Zygarde
Zygarde Resolution Cave
Tapu Koko
Tapu Koko Ruins of Conflict
Tapu Lele
Tapu Lele Ruins of Life
Tapu Bulu
Tapu Bulu Ruins of Abundance
Tapu Fini
Tapu Fini Ruins of Hope
Cosmog
Cosmog Lake of the Sunne
Lake of the Moone
Solgaleo
Solgaleo Mahalo Trail - Sun
Lunala
Lunala Mahalo Trail - Moon
Necrozma
Necrozma Mount Lanakila
Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee!
Pikachu
Pikachu (Partner) Pallet Town - Let's Go, Pikachu!
Eevee
Eevee (Partner) Pallet Town - Let's Go, Eevee!
Pokémon Sword & ShieldAll Pokémon above current available capture level
Grookey
Grookey Postwick - (Starter Only)
Scorbunny
Scorbunny Postwick - (Starter Only)
Sobble
Sobble Postwick - (Starter Only)
Gigantamax Charmander
Charmander Postwick - Gift
Gigantamax Pikachu
Gigantamax Pikachu Meetup Spot
Galarian Slowpoke
Slowpoke Wedgehurst - (Encounter only)
Gigantamax Eevee
Gigantamax Eevee Meetup Spot
Type: Null
Type: Null Battle Tower
Toxel
Toxel Route 5 - Gift
Zacian
Zacian Energy Plant - Sword
Zamazenta
Zamazenta Energy Plant - Shield
Eternatus
Eternatus Energy Plant
Pokémon Sword & Shield Isle of Armor
Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur Master Dojo - Gift
Bulbasaur
Squirtle Master Dojo - Gift
Kubfu
Kubfu Master Dojo - Gift
Porygon
Porygon Master Dojo - Gift
Meowth
Meowth Fields of Honor - Gift
Slowpoke
Slowpoke Fields of Honor - Gift
Vulpix
Vulpix Fields of Honor - Gift
Sandshew
Sandshrew Fields of Honor - Gift
Raichu
Raichu Fields of Honor - Gift
Marowak
Marowak Fields of Honor - Gift
Exeggutor
Exeggutor Fields of Honor - Gift
Rowlet
Rowlet Fields of Honor - Gift
Bulbasaur
Litten Fields of Honor - Gift
Popplio
Popplio Fields of Honor - Gift
Diglett
Diglett Fields of Honor - Gift
Pokémon Sword & Shield The Crown Tundra
Cosmog
Cosmog Freezington - Gift
Cosmog
Poipole Max Lair - Gift
Cosmog
Keldeo Ballimere Lake
Cosmog
Articuno The Crown Tundra
Cosmog
Zapdos Wild Area
Cosmog
Moltres Isle of Armor
Cosmog
Glastrier Crown Shrine
Cosmog
Spectrier Crown Shrine
Cosmog
Calyrex Crown Shrine
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Mew
Mew Floaroma Town - Gift
Jirachi
Jirachi Floaroma Town - Gift
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Dialga
Cyndaquil Jubilife Village (Gift)
Dialga
Oshawott Jubilife Village (Gift)
Dialga
Rowlet Jubilife Village (Gift)
Dialga
Vulpix Whiteout Valley (Gift)
Dialga
Dialga Temple of Sinnoh
Palkia
Palkia Temple of Sinnoh
Uxie
Uxie Lake Acuity
Mesprit
Mesprit Lake Verity
Azelf
Azelf Lake Valor
Heatran
Heatran Lava Dome Sanctum
Regigigas
Regigigas Snowpoint Temple
Giratina
Giratina Turnback Cave
Cresselia
Cresselia Moonbreak Arena
Phione
Phione Seaside Hollow
manaphy
Manaphy Seaside Hollow
Darkrai
Darkrai Clamberclaw Cliffs
Shaymin
Shaymin Floaro Garden
Arceus
Arceus Temple of Sinnoh
Arceus
Tornadus Bonechill Wastes
Arceus
Thundurus Cobalt Coastlands
Arceus
Landorus Ramanas Island
Arceus
Enamorus Scarlet Bog
Pokémon in forced battles in Requests & Missions are locked as well
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Sprigatito
Sprigatito Cabo Poco (Starter)
Fuecoco
Fuecoco Cabo Poco (Starter)
Quaxly
Quaxly Cabo Poco (Starter)
Sunflora
Sunflora Artazon
Gimmighoul
Gimmighoul Paldea (All Gimmighoul)
Klawf
Klawf South Province Area Three (Titan Klawf)
Bombirdier
Bombirdier West Province Area One (Titan Bombirdier)
Orthworm
Orthworm East Province Area Three (Titan Orthworm)
Great Tusk
Great Tusk Asado Desert (Titan Great Tusk - Scarlet)
Iron Treads
Iron Treads Asado Desert (Titan Great Tusk - Violet)
Tatsugiri
Tatsugiri Casseroya Lake (Titan Tatsugiri)
Ting-Lu
Ting-Lu Socarrat Trail
Chien-Pao
Chien-Pao South Province Area One
Wo-Chien
Wo-Chien West Province Area One
Chi-Yu
Chi-Yu North Province Area Two
Koraidon
Koraidon Area Zero (Gift & Wild)
Koraidon
Miraidon Area Zero (Gift & Wild)
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Teal Mask
Koraidon
Turtwig Reveler's Road (Gift )
Koraidon
Chimchar Reveler's Road (Gift )
Koraidon
Piplup Reveler's Road (Gift )
Koraidon
Hisuian Growlithe Mossui Town (Gift )
Koraidon
Urasluna Timeless Forest
Koraidon
Okidogi Paradise Barrens
Koraidon
Munkidori Wistful Fields
Koraidon
Fezandipiti Oni Mountain
Koraidon
Ogerpon Dreaded Den
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Indigo Disk
Koraidon
Gouging Fire Area Zero
Koraidon
Raging Bolt Area Zero
Koraidon
Iron Boulder Area Zero
Koraidon
Iron Crown Area Zero
Koraidon
Terapagos Area Zero
Koraidon
Pecharunt Loyalty Plaza
Koraidon
Meloetta Coastal Biome
Articuno
Articuno Paldea
Zapdos
Zapdos Paldea
Moltres
Moltres Paldea
Koraidon
Raikou Paldea
Koraidon
Entei Paldea
Koraidon
Suicune Paldea
Koraidon
Lugia Paldea
Koraidon
Ho-Oh Paldea
Koraidon
Latias Paldea
Koraidon
Latios Paldea
Koraidon
Kyogre Paldea
Koraidon
Groudon Paldea
Koraidon
Rayquaza Paldea
Koraidon
Cobalion Paldea
Koraidon
Terrakion Paldea
Koraidon
Virizion Paldea
Koraidon
Reshiram Paldea
Koraidon
Zekrom Paldea
Koraidon
Kyurem Paldea
Koraidon
Solgaleo Paldea
Koraidon
Lunala Paldea
Koraidon
Necrozma Paldea
Koraidon
Kubfu North Province Area 1
Koraidon
Glastrier Paldea
Koraidon
Spectrier Paldea