Summary

WithPokemon Legends: Z-Aslotted as the next game in the series, the active focus onPokemon Scarlet and Violetis set to end sometime in 2025. While the game will still remain online, buyable, and playable, it’s fair to assume a large portion of players will jump toZ-Aas the mainPokemongame to play.

For most players,shiny huntingtends to become the main activity in modernPokemongames, andScarlet and Violetis no exception. Now that thesecondLegendsgame is on the horizon,players interested in getting the most out of the Paldea games should definitely look to shiny hunting for more gameplay content. While there are hundreds of options for shiny hunting, a select group of Pokemon stand clear above the rest.

pokemon-applin

10Applin

Shiny Cosmetic Detail

WhileApplinis a Galar,Sword and Shield-native Pokemon, the two extra evolutions found inScarlet and Violetmake it a prime candidate for shiny hunting. Between the excellent shiny colors for Dipplin and Hydrapple, the convenient ways to hunt Applin, and the bonus detail for players with either evolution, this tiny wyrm in an apple is a perfectly rewarding hunt.

With shiny Applin turning from red to green, spotting it in either Kitakami or Paldea is fairly easy. Since it’s a Dragon-type, it’s even easier to single out spawns using sandwiches, and finding the evolution conditions isn’t much hassle either. As a special bonus for players with a shiny Dipplin or Hydrapple who know the move Syrup Bomb, the syrup seen in the move animation will be the same gold color as the shiny dragons, instead of the usual red.

pokemon-fan-has-interesting-theory-about-sinistea-and-poltchageist-that-makes-a-lot-of-sense

9Sinistea

A Rare Drink

For players that started withScarlet and Violet,the gimmick withSinisteaand Polteageist may not be immediately obvious. However, the chance of finding a shiny that has odds estimated to be close to one in a million is hard to ignore.

Sinistea, and its evolution, have two forms: the common phony, and the rare antique. Since the antique trait cannot be bred down, as assumedly that would be a “reproduction” and therefore phony, players looking for the rare pink teacup have to hunt it the old-fashioned way. Thankfully, the antique form of Sinistea can outbreak without any phony forms mixed in, making it far easier to actually obtain this somewhat legendary shiny.

pokemon-fan-has-interesting-theory-about-sinistcha-and-poltchageist-that-makes-a-lot-of-sense-1

8Poltchageist

The Newest Rare Drink

A convergent species of Sinistea,Poltchageistand Sinistcha have the exact same gimmick, only with different names and different shiny colors. The counterfeit and artisan forms are essentially the same as the phony and antique ones, with the same odds. Only now, spotting the shiny from the standard is trickier.

While Sinistea turns baby pink instead of blue, Poltchaegist turns a deep, dark green instead of black. Conceptually, the difference would be obvious, but thanks toScarlet and Violet’slighting system, players should rely on the Let’s Go function more than their own eyes to spot this shiny.

pokemon scarlet violet eevee outbreak

7Eevee

An unofficial secondary mascot forPokemon, theEeveeline, known by most players as Eeveelutions, is a popular and plentiful source of shiny hunting. Famous for its many evolutions, catching one shiny Eevee is rarely enough for shiny hunters; a total of nine shiny Eevees is necessary for a complete set.

Since Eevee can be found in several locations throughout Paldea, is easy to create eggs for, and often appears in event raids, players will have no shortage ofshiny hunting optionsfor this popular Normal-type.

Pokemon Hard To Find Ditto Zorua

6Disguise Pokemon

A Test Of Patience

For an ultimate test of patience and perseverance, shiny hunters wanting a shiny with a story should look no further than huntingDitto,Zorua, orZoroarkin the overworld. Since the gimmick for these three Pokemon revolves around them disguising themselves as other Pokemon, players wanting a disguised shiny will have to check each and every Pokemon they see, since the real shiny isn’t visibly shiny until its true form is revealed.

Since all three Pokemon only have one type, being Normal or Dark, it’s impossible to single out only thetarget species with sandwiches.Only the most dedicated shiny hunters will attempt this, but it makes for an impressive shiny reward.

Pokemon Violet’s Paradox Pokemon Iron Moth and Iron Thorns

5Paradox Pokemon

Past And Future Rarity

One of the most popular andart-inspiring groupsof Pokemon added toScarlet and Violet,hunting down a favorite or even everyParadox Pokemonin either version is a great shiny collection goal to have.

For players with access to friends with the alternate game version, collecting every single Paradox Pokemon as a shiny is an even grander challenge and cherry on top for shiny hunters. Given the competitive power of some Paradoxes, like Iron Hands and Flutter Mane, it may add a little flair to the remaining competitive formats forScarlet and Violet.

Roaring Moon and Iron Valiant

4Iron Valiant And Roaring Moon

The Powerful Paradoxes

Perhaps the pinnacle of each group of Paradox Pokemon,Roaring MoonandIron Valiantoffer incredible power and great shiny forms. With both Pokemon making up for thelackluster pseudo-legendary of Paldea,players wanting the best of the best from Area Zero should look no further.

With Roaring Moon borrowing its shiny colors from shiny Salamence, and Iron Valiant turning pure silver, these striking shiny Pokemon perfectly encapsulate the aspects of the Paradox theme, and since these Paradox Pokemon aren’t quite as easy to obtain as the rest, dedicated shiny hunters will have to put in a little extra effort.

The three Starter Pokemon from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly.

3Paldea Starter Pokemon

A Classic Choice

While many players already started and finished this hunt within the first few days ofScarlet and Violet’srelease,shiny hunting each of the Paldea startersis a classic choice for rounding out a shiny Pokedex. With foreign Dittos or starters readily available, hatching a shiny starter is even simpler.

SinceSprigatito,Fuecoco, andQuaxlyall have the same step requirement for hatching. At a little over 2500 steps, hatching should be the quickest part of the hunt, with actually making eggs taking up the bulk of players' time.

pokemon go kalos starters chespin froakie fennekin

2Kalos Starter Pokemon

Preparing For Legends: Z-A

Thanks to the Terarrium in the Blueberry Academy, starter Pokemon of all kinds are available across the game’s various biomes. For players wanting to startPokemon Legends: Z-Awith a shiny version of the originalKalos starters,hunting downChespin,Fennekin, andFroakieis crucial.

For players who don’t want to try and narrow down the starters from other Pokemon of the same type when using sandwich powers, the Kalosian starters, thankfully, can appear in mass outbreaks. After the outbreak has been found, finding each of the visibly different-colored Pokemon is only a matter of time.

pokemon scarlet violet pikachu and friends mass outbreak event 2

1Promoted Event Outbreaks

Getting The Most Out Of The Game

With plenty of promoted mass outbreaks occurring and being scheduled around real-world holidays forScarlet and Violet’sthree different maps, looking for the rest of the future mass outbreaks is a great way to engage with the remaining celebrations in the first Generation Nine games.

While theevents for the rest of the summer have been announced,it wouldn’t be surprising if more events take place around Halloween or the games' anniversary, and might just repeat from the previous year. Much likeSword and Shield, the best way to enjoyScarlet and Violetup to the very end will be with these promoted events, and catching the shiny Pokemon they supply will be the only remaining challenge for some of the game’s most dedicated players.