Discover all the methods and probabilities for finding shinys in Pokémon Scarlet and Purple: Chroma Charm, Mass Appearances, Reproduction…
Questing for shiny Pokémon is a captivating and increasingly popular activity among Pokémon fans. If you are a trainer aspiring to capture many Shiny Pokémon, this article is full of useful information for you.
Different techniques exist to increase your chances of encountering a shiny Pokémon. Depending on the creature you are targeting, certain methods are essential, while for others, they serve to optimize your chances.
Here’s everything you need to know about shiny hunting in Pokémon Scarlet and Purple.
Summary
Several methods allow you to optimize your chances of finding a shiny!
Operation and probabilities
Shiny Pokémon, also called chromatic Pokémon, are distinguished by their unique coloring compared to classic Pokémon. They share the same characteristics and skills as their standard versions, with the difference being only in their color. For example, Eevee, normally brown in color, has a gray tint when in its shiny form.
Chromatic Pokémon are very popular and some trainers even go to the trouble of collecting them. However, it is important to note that their shiny form does not provide any tactical benefit in clashes. Their value lies solely in their unique appearance and rarity!
Basic probability of a shiny Pokémon appearing
In Pokémon Scarlet and Purple, all non-shiny lock Pokémon have a probability of 1/4096 (approximately 0.024%) of being shiny.
This base probability is extremely low, which explains why it is entirely possible to complete the story of Pokémon Scarlet and Purple without encountering a single Shiny Pokémon.
Fortunately, there are several methods – which we describe a little further down in this article – to drastically improve the chances of finding shiny monsters.
How to spot a shiny Pokémon
While exploring Paldea, you may have the chance to come across shiny Pokémon… but you’ll have to be careful!
Indeed, shiny Pokémon are quite visible in the overworld. However, no sound or visual effects indicate their presence. The only way to spot them is to pay attention to the colors of the Pokémon you encounter. This is why Pokémon whose shiny isn’t a drastically different color can be particularly difficult to hunt.
It is important to note that the “Forward” functionality which allows your first Pokémon to walk near you while confronting the Pokémon it comes across in no way risks causing you to lose the opportunity for a shiny encounter. Your Pokémon will never attack a Shiny Pokémon.
Shiny lock Pokémon
Not all Pokémon can be shiny in Pokémon Scarlet and Purple. Indeed, several conditions trigger what is called a “shiny lock”:
- The 3 starters (Poussacha, Chochodile, Coiffeton)
- It is impossible to restart your game to receive a shiny Pokémon from the start of your adventure. However, chromatic starters can be obtained via reproduction
- Pokémon received for free or traded
- Several NPCs in Paldea will offer you Pokémon trades. The creatures thus obtained cannot be shiny.
- The Legendary stars of Pokémon Scarlet and Purple: Koraidon and Miraidon
- Les Monstres du Fléau (Chongjian, Baojian, Dinglu, Yuyu)
- Mordudor Chest form
- You can find several of these Mordudors hidden at the top of the towers of Paldea. None can be shiny
List of shiny lock Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet:
- Poussacha
- Whatever
- Coiffeton
- Miaouss de Galar
- Spectrum
- Axoloto
- For Frisson
- Mordudor
- Dinglu
- Baojian
- Chongjian
- Yuyu
- Koraidon
- Miraidon
The Chroma Charm
The Chroma Charm is a game changer when it comes to finding shiny Pokémon. Indeed, the latter drastically increases the chances of finding chromatic Pokémon, increasing the probabilities from 1/4096 to 1/1365.67.
To obtain the Chroma Charm, you must complete the Pokédex of Pokémon Scarlet and Purple to 100%. Once you have obtained the 400 Pokémon from the regional Pokédex, go to the Academy (Orange or Violet depending on your version of the game). Professor Jacq will be waiting for you in the biology room to give you your precious Chroma Charm.
Brilliance Sandwiches
Sandwiches are a brand new mechanic in Pokémon Scarlet and Purple. Depending on the ingredients used, you can enjoy many beneficial effects for up to 30 minutes.
The sandwiches that interest us in the case of shiny hunting are those which confer the Aura Brilliance bonus. There is an Aura Brilliance bonus for every type of Pokémon, and that’s why it’s important to tailor your snack to the Pokémon you’re hunting.
Making these sandwiches requires rare resources: Secret Spices. These are acquired in 5 and 6 star Teracrystal Raids.
Here are the sandwich recipes giving access to the Aura Brilliance bonus:
| Sandwich | Recipe |
|---|---|
| Steel Shine Sandwich | Ground Steak, Salty Secret Spice, Sweet Secret Spice |
| Combat Shine Sandwich | Pickle, Salty secret spice, Salty secret spice |
| Dragon Shine Sandwich | Avocado, Salty Secret Spice, Salty Secret Spice |
| Water Shine Sandwich | Cucumber, Salty secret spice, Sour secret spice |
| Electric Brilliance Sandwich | Yellow Pepper, Salty Secret Spice, Strong Secret Spice |
| Fairy Shine Sandwich | Tomato, Salty secret spice, Sweet secret spice |
| Fire Shine Sandwich | Basil, Salty secret spice, Sweet secret spice |
| Brilliance Ice Cream Sandwich | Craparoi Stick, Salty Secret Spice, Salty Secret Spice |
| Insect Shine Sandwich | Cherry Tomato, Salty Secret Spice, Salty Secret Spice |
| Normal Shine Sandwich | Grilled Chorizo, Salty Secret Spice, Salty Secret Spice |
| Plant Shine Sandwich | Lettuce, Salty Secret Spice, Sour Secret Spice |
| Poison Shine Sandwich | Noodle, Savory secret spice, Salty secret spice |
| Psychic Brilliance Sandwich | Onion, Salty secret spice, Salty secret spice |
| Shine Rock Sandwich | Chili pepper, Salty secret spice, Salty secret spice |
| Sol Shine Sandwich | White Ham, Salty Secret Spice, Salty Secret Spice |
| Spectrum Shine Sandwich | Red Onion, Salty Secret Spice, Salty Secret Spice |
| Shine Darkness Sandwich | Smoked Filet, Salty Secret Spice, Sweet Secret Spice |
| Shine Sandwich Flight | Raw Ham, Salty Secret Spice, Salty Secret Spice |
There are other recipes requiring more ingredients but also more flexibility in the use of secret spices. Find our article listing all the sandwich recipes to hunt for shiny ones.
Shiny hunting methods
Searching for shiny Pokémon requires great patience. Fortunately, there are specific techniques that can significantly speed up this process by increasing your chances of encountering these chromatic creatures.
Finding shiny Pokémon in the wild
The most common method for hunting shiny Pokémon is simply to wander around in the wild. In this scenario, the Chroma Charm and sandwiches can drastically help you maximize your chances of finding the creature you want.
Since chromatic Pokémon do not emit any noise or special aura, it is essential to remain attentive and carefully examine all the Pokémon you come across to spot the characteristic color of a shiny.
When you finally find a shiny Pokémon, save your game immediately! It would be a shame to miss the capture and leave empty-handed.
It’s important to note that the “chain”system does not exist in Pokémon Scarlet and Purple. There is therefore no point in knocking out Pokémon in the hope of increasing your chances of finding it in the shiny version.
Reproduction: the Masuda method
This surprising method is, however, completely official. It consists of reproducing Pokémon from games set in different languages.
The eggs resulting from this union will then have a drastically increased probability of containing a shiny Pokémon.
In addition, Game Freak has made life easier for players by allowing them to know if an Egg contains a shiny Pokémon before it even hatches.
Indeed, your Picnic basket will emit a golden glow if it contains a Shiny Egg.
To optimize the laying of your Pokémon, you can also make sandwiches granting the Egg Aura bonus (ideally level 2), which will speed up the process.
For more information, see our article dedicated to breeding and Eggs in Pokémon Scarlet and Purple.
Mass Apparitions
Currently, Mass Spawns are the best way to find shinies in Pokémon Scarlet and Purple. So don’t miss the opportunity to take advantage of it.
Mass Spawns are random events in Pokémon Scarlet and Purple. By going to the places indicated by the mass appearance icon on your map, you will be able to come across a huge population of the creature concerned.
The Mass Apparition icon
To maximize your chances of finding a shiny Pokémon during a Mass Appearance, you must KO at least 60 of them.
Once all 60 Pokémon have been eliminated, look for your shiny creature in the area. If no shiny has appeared, launch a Picnic, then leave the Picnic: the game will force all Pokémon in the area to reappear.
This method allows you to cross many Pokémon of the desired species, and to benefit from a shiny probability of 1/1365.67 without the slightest bonus. If you have a Chroma Charm and the Shine Aura of a sandwich, you can increase your chance of shiny up to 1/512.44!
Check out our other Pokémon Scarlet and Purple guides:
Leave a Reply