In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, fans have some different options for hunting Shiny Pokémon and this guide will explain the different methods and any requirements. As the games have just released, information is likely to be updated and change as more about the games is discovered.
Big thank you to Anubis/Sibuna_Switch for research into how the game calculates shiny odds.
What are Shiny Pokémon?
Shiny Pokémon are differently-colored versions of a Pokémon species that have about a one in 4096 chance of appearing without any active methods to raise those odds. The Shiny appearance does not affect its strength in battle or anything beyond the way a Pokémon looks.
In these games you are able to see if a Pokémon is Shiny in the overworld, so look carefully as you pass by wild spawns!
What Pokémon are shiny locked?
Shiny-locked Pokémon refer to encounters in which a Pokémon cannot appear in its Shiny form, no matter how many times you try encountering it. In Scarlet and Violet, all static encounters are Shiny locked, in addition to in-game Pokémon trades from NPCs. This includes:
- The starting Pokémon you choose, Sprigatito, Fuecoco or Quaxly
- Your game’s mascot Legendary, Koraidon or Miraidon
- The four Ruin Legendaries
How to find Shiny Pokémon in Scarlet & Violet
Different items and methods can improve those odds and make hunting Shiny Pokémon easier in Scarlet or Violet when compared to the natural 1-in-4096 chance of finding one. Below are great ways to boost your odds of running into one!
Shiny Charm: How to obtain and use
The Shiny Charm is an item that will increase your likelihood of finding a Shiny Pokémon. In Scarlet and Violet, players receive the Shiny Charm as a reward for the completion of their Pokédex from their homeroom teacher Jacq.
Using the Shiny Charm is automatic; having it in your bag will naturally raise your odds of finding Shiny Pokémon to a 2-in-4096 chance.
The Shiny Charm stacks with other methods of finding Shiny Pokémon, so it is beneficial to complete your Pokédex and obtain it to use its effect in conjunction with other methods.
Sparkling Power: Sandwich recipes to raise Shiny encounter rates
A new method of increasing your chances of encountering Shiny Pokémon has been added with the Picnic and sandwich feature of Scarlet and Violet. Creating certain sandwiches can result in “Sparkling Power” affecting one specific type of Pokémon.
Thanks to players The_Time_Is_Nigh and Nanikos, who experimented with and discovered different recipes, we know how to create sandwiches that will raise your chance of encountering Shiny Pokémon of all 18 types.
When creating these sandwiches, you must enter Creative Mode. The first ingredient can be found in Sure Cans, the Deli Cioso and Aquiesta Supermarket in Levincia. The different kinds of Herba Mystica can be found in post-game Tera Raids of 5 stars or higher. Each sandwich recipe only uses three items.
Due to the nature of these recipe combinations, you will also raise your chance to encounter Pokémon of the type (“Encounter Power”) and them having a ‘mark’ (“Title Power”). The recipes below are ordered alphabetically for ease of use. These are not the only recipes that can be used, but are straightforward.
Mass outbreaks
Pokémon mass outbreaks will increase your odds of finding a Shiny Pokémon from your 30th encounter:
- Encounter 30-59: 1-in-2048 chance
- Encounter 60+: 1-in-1366 chance
When combined with an active Sparkling Power Lv. 3 of the Pokémon’s type, your chance of encountering a Shiny Pokémon increases further:
- Encounter 30-59: 1-in-820 chance
- Encounter 60+: 1-in-683 chance
When you have a Shiny Charm, but no Sparking Power active, your odds will be as follows:
- Encounter 30-59: 1-in-1024 chance
- Encounter 60+: 1-in-820 chance
When you have a Shiny Charm and an active Sparkling Power (of the Pokémon’s type), your odds will be as follows:
- Encounter 30-59: 1-in-586 chance
- Encounter 60+: 1-in-512 chance
How to use the “picnic trick” during outbreak
Setting up a picnic and exiting will reset the spawns around you. This is especially helpful when you’ve found an outbreak for a Pokémon whose Shiny form you’d like to obtain and are on encounter 60 or higher for the best chance of seeing a Shiny appear.
After encounter 60, set a picnic and then exit, check for Shiny Pokémon and repeat until one appears. It may still take awhile, but is likely faster than battling wild spawns one by one.
Shiny hunting through Egg hatching
The Picnic function will allow your Pokémon to leave eggs behind if compatible species are in your party together. The rates of Shiny Pokémon hatching from these eggs are as follows:
- Egg: 1-in-4096 chance
- Egg while having Shiny Charm: 1-in-2048 chance
- Egg while breeding with Masuda Method*: 1-in-683 chance
- Egg while breeding with Masuda Method and possessing Shiny Charm: 1-in-512 chance
*Masuda Method involves breeding Pokémon from different real-world game regions, so try trading for a ditto from someone with a foreign copy of the game!
