How Common Are Shadow Shinies?

The quest for Shiny Shadow Pokémon is a highly sought-after endeavor among Pokémon GO trainers, and indeed, Pokémon fans in general. However, determining just how common, or more accurately, how rare, they are can be tricky, as the rates vary greatly depending on the specific game and circumstances. In Pokémon GO, the primary source of Shiny Shadow Pokémon are Team GO Rocket Leaders and the occasional Grunt encounter after the shiny has previously been available. The short answer is this: Shadow Shinies are quite rare, often significantly rarer than regular Shiny Pokémon in the game, because they have specific requirements that make them harder to obtain. Unlike standard shiny encounters, you can’t just click on a wild spawn and hope for a different color palette. Instead, you must defeat a Team GO Rocket member and hope the encounter is shiny. The odds are not in your favor.

The rarity hinges on several factors, most prominently:

• The base Shiny Rate of the specific Pokémon: The Pokémon that the Team Rocket Leader is using as their reward encounter will have its own base shiny rate. Usually this is the standard rate of around 1/500. However, some Pokemon have a higher rate, around 1/64, and this is a critical factor when considering their shadow form.
• The Shadow-Specific Encounter Method: Obtaining Shadow Pokémon requires defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts or Leaders, creating an additional layer of encounter criteria compared to random wild spawns. Not every encounter is a potential shiny.
• Limited Availability: Some Shadow Pokémon are only available for limited periods during events, further restricting the chances of obtaining their shiny variants.
• Shiny availability of the shadow from grunts: You cannot obtain a shiny shadow from a grunt unless that specific shadow has been available as a shiny previously from a leader.

Therefore, while specific numerical odds can be quoted for certain events, it is more accurate to view Shadow Shinies as a rare and coveted reward for dedicated and patient Pokémon GO players.

Understanding Shiny Rates Across Different Games

It’s important to note that shiny rates vary significantly between different Pokémon games. This article focuses specifically on Pokémon GO, but it’s useful to illustrate the difference between different titles, to understand why obtaining Shadow Shinies in GO is particularly difficult. For example, the classic games have a much rarer chance, at times even having to reroll to retain the shiny attribute:

Pokémon Colosseum:

In Pokémon Colosseum, a GameCube title, there is a 1/8192 chance that a Shadow Pokémon will be Shiny. However, due to an in-game mechanic that re-rolls certain values after snagging, there’s another 1/8192 chance that it will remain Shiny after the snag. This is extremely rare.

Pokémon GO:

In Pokémon GO, the standard Shiny rate is approximately 1 in 500 for wild Pokémon, but this increases to about 1 in 62.5 for certain rare spawns, raid bosses and, most relevantly, certain Shadow Pokémon. However, Shiny Shadow Pokémon rates are not static. They are subject to the same variations for individual pokemon as wild encounters and often only available from leader encounters.

Shadow Shiny Specifics in Pokémon GO

As mentioned, Shadow Shinies are primarily obtained through defeating Team GO Rocket Leaders, not through wild encounters. Here’s how it works:

• Team GO Rocket Leaders: Defeating Sierra, Cliff, and Arlo gives you an encounter with one of their Shadow Pokémon as a reward, which has a chance to be Shiny. Which leader has which shadow changes regularly.
• Grunts: Shadow Shinies can now be obtained from Grunts if that shiny shadow was available from a leader previously. This does, however, not introduce new shiny shadows into the game, it just allows players more opportunities to obtain already available ones.
• Event Exclusivity: The specific Shadow Pokémon available from Leaders rotates periodically, often coinciding with events. This means that certain Shadow Shinies are only available for limited times.
• Rarity Amplifiers: The rarity is compounded because you first need to find a Rocket Stop, then defeat the Leader in battle, and only then do you get a shot at the encounter. It requires an investment of time, resources, and items.

Why Are They Rare?

Shadow Shinies are rare because:

• Multiple layers of chance: You must locate and defeat a leader, then hope that the reward encounter is the shiny version.
• Limited Access: Leader battles are not as readily available as wild spawns, making the opportunities to even roll the dice less frequent.
• Event Dependent: Availability is further restricted by the rotation of Leaders and their Pokémon line-up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can all Shadow Pokémon be Shiny?

No, not all Shadow Pokémon can be Shiny. The Pokémon that can be Shiny depend on whether they have been available previously as a shiny from a leader encounter. If the shiny version is available from a leader, then the grunts will also have that shiny available as a potential encounter.

2. Is the Shiny rate for Shadow Pokémon different from regular Pokémon?

The Shiny rate can be different. Some shadow pokemon have the boosted shiny rate of 1/64 while others have the normal 1/500 shiny rate. It should be noted that it is the Pokemon, and not the shadow form itself, that has the increased rate.

3. Do Shadow Shinies have the same stats as regular Shinies?

Yes, Shadow Shinies have the same potential stats as their regular non-shiny counterparts. The “Shadow” status affects moves and attack, not base stats, and the color does not affect stats.

4. Can you tell if a Shadow Pokémon is Shiny before battling it?

No, you cannot tell if a Shadow Pokémon is Shiny before the encounter. The shiny status will be visible when you engage in the battle encounter.

5. Do Shiny Shadows have a 100% catch rate?

No, unlike Shiny Legendary Pokémon from raids, Shiny Shadow Pokémon do not have a 100% catch rate. You will need to use Pokéballs and berries to catch them.

6. Are some Shadow Shiny Pokémon rarer than others?

Yes, some Shadow Shiny Pokémon are rarer than others, primarily due to the rarity of the Pokémon themselves and their availability as rewards.

7. Can you get Shiny Shadow Starters from Team Rocket Leaders?

Yes, if they are available as a shadow form at all and have been available previously as a shiny encounter, it is possible to get Shiny Shadow Starters.

8. Do events impact the Shiny Shadow rate?

Yes, events can impact the availability and rate of certain Shadow Shiny Pokémon. These events often introduce new Shadow Pokémon or increase the appearance of specific Leaders.

9. Can grunts give Shiny Shadows?

Yes, Grunts can provide shiny shadows, but only if that shiny shadow pokemon has previously been available from a leader encounter. If not, only leaders will provide the shiny shadow pokemon.

10. How can I increase my chances of getting a Shiny Shadow Pokémon?

The best way is to be consistent with battling Leaders and Grunts, and focusing on specific times when targeted Shadow Pokémon are available during events. There are no guaranteed methods.

11. Are Shadow Shiny Legendaries rarer than regular Shadow Shinies?

Shiny Shadow Legendaries are generally considered much rarer due to the limited opportunities to encounter them, usually only during special events. Additionally they are often available in shadow raids, which are significantly harder than normal raids.

12. What is the easiest way to find rocket stops?

The best method is to play in more densely populated areas that contain a higher amount of pokestops. Alternatively, you can use a team rocket radar, crafted from 6 components collected from defeated grunts.

13. Are shiny shadow pokemon different from normal shadow pokemon?

Yes, apart from the color difference, a shiny shadow pokemon will still retain all the unique features of its shadow form: lower defensive stats and a higher attack stat.

14. What is the “best” shadow shiny?

This is entirely subjective and down to the trainer’s preference. Some trainers prefer powerful ones, while others prefer shiny pokemon that have a large color difference from their base form. For example, Shiny Shadow Aerodactyl is often sought after due to its striking pink color.

15. Can Shiny Shadow pokemon be traded?

Yes, Shiny Shadow Pokémon can be traded with other trainers, provided both trainers are at the required level and within the trading range. It is generally good etiquette to let a trainer know if a pokemon is shadow prior to trading.

Final Thoughts

The rarity of Shadow Shinies in Pokémon GO makes them highly desirable collectibles, representing both dedication and luck on the trainer’s behalf. While the odds can be daunting, the thrill of finally encountering a Shiny Shadow makes the pursuit worthwhile. Keep battling those Team GO Rocket members, stay informed about in-game events, and perhaps, with enough patience, you’ll add one of these elusive Pokémon to your collection.