Pokémon Legends: Arceus – Shiny hunting guide

One of the most popular things to do in Pokémon games is hunt Shiny Pokémon and Pokémon Legends: Arceus continues the trend of letting trainers search for rare, specially-colored Pokémon! This guide should help you as you traverse Hisui in pursuit of them. You will be able to see in the overworld if a Pokémon is Shiny or not.

Which Pokémon are “Shiny Locked” in Legends: Arceus?

Here’s a quick list of Pokémon that you cannot encounter as Shiny no matter how many times you reset your game:

  • Your initial starting Pokémon (Rowlet, Cyndaquil or Oshawott)
  • Story or event Pokémon encounters
  • Legendary Pokémon encounters

Essentially, if you’re not able to find it as a naturally respawning Pokémon in the world, it is probably Shiny Locked.

What are the shiny odds in Legends: Arceus?

The initial Shiny encounter rate is a discouraging 1-in-4096, but you can improve that by having your Dex Research Level at 10, having your Dex Research Perfect, obtaining the Shiny Charm and encountering a Pokémon during a Mass Outbreak. Keep in mind that Dex Research here is species specific, so keep grinding away for the Shiny Pokémon you’re hoping to find and increase your research, too.

Research and chart created by Anubis, follow them on Twitter!

Mass Outbreaks are the best place to look for Shiny Pokémon

If you see a Mass Outbreak, make sure to scan for any Shiny Pokémon. They will appear as Shiny in the overworld, so unless its Shiny form is close to its regular coloration, you should notice fairly quickly. These outbreaks will initially spawn four Pokémon, but you can increase the number spawned by defeating the initial ones.