Shiny Pokémon are Pokémon with unusual colors, and they are extremely rare. Good news: in Scarlet and Violet, they are visible right out in the wild, and several methods greatly improve your chances.
The Base Rate
With no bonus at all, a wild Pokémon has a 1 in 4,096 chance of being shiny. Each bonus adds extra “rolls.”
Method 1: Mass Outbreaks
Every day, mass outbreaks pop up on the map: around a hundred Pokémon of the same species in one area. They are marked by an icon on the map (a “?” if you have never seen the species).
- After 30 Pokémon from the outbreak defeated or caught: +1 roll (about 1/2,048).
- After 60: +2 rolls (about 1/1,365).
The “Let’s Go!” feature lets you chain KOs very quickly. Only victories and catches count.
Method 2: Sparkling Power
A Sparkling Power sandwich increases the shiny odds for one type for 30 minutes: +1, +2 or +3 rolls depending on its level. Level 3 Power requires Herba Mystica: see our sandwich recipes. It only applies to wild Pokémon, not Eggs or raids.
Method 3: The Shiny Charm
Obtained from Jacq by completing the Paldea Pokédex, the Shiny Charm adds 2 rolls to all your encounters and hatchings. See our Pokédex guide.
Method 4: The Masuda Method
By breeding two Pokémon from games in different languages (a Pokémon received from a Japanese player, for example), the babies have 6 chances in 4,096 of being shiny, or 8 with the Shiny Charm.
The Ultimate Combo
| Stacked bonuses | Without Shiny Charm | With Shiny Charm |
|---|---|---|
| None | 1/4,096 | ≈ 1/1,365 |
| Mass outbreak (60+) | ≈ 1/1,365 | ≈ 1/819 |
| Level 3 Sparkling Power | ≈ 1/1,024 | ≈ 1/683 |
| Mass outbreak (60+) + Level 3 Sparkling Power | ≈ 1/683 | ≈ 1/512 |
- Spot a mass outbreak of the species you want.
- KO or catch 60 Pokémon from the outbreak (“Let’s Go!” is your ally).
- Prepare a Level 3 Sparkling Power sandwich of the Pokémon’s type.
- Roam the area and make the Pokémon respawn by moving a little way off and then coming back. Look out for unusual colors and sparkles.
Academy pop quiz
What is the base shiny rate?
1 in 4,096.
How many Pokémon from a mass outbreak must you defeat for the maximum bonus?
60 Pokémon defeated or caught.
Can you accidentally KO a shiny with “Let’s Go!”?
No: “Let's Go!” never attacks a shiny.
