Is Shiny Porygon-Z Rare in Pokemon GO? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, shiny Porygon-Z is considered rare in Pokémon GO. While Porygon itself has had a Community Day, making its shiny form initially more accessible, evolving it into Porygon2 and then Porygon-Z requires specific items (Upgrade and Dubious Disc) and a significant amount of Porygon Candy. This, combined with the general rarity of shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO, makes shiny Porygon-Z a coveted addition to any trainer’s collection. Obtaining it involves luck, patience, and resource management, elevating its rarity above common shiny Pokémon.
Understanding Shiny Pokémon Rarity in Pokémon GO
The world of Pokémon GO is filled with colorful creatures, but some are more elusive than others. Shiny Pokémon, with their alternate color palettes, represent a unique subset that trainers actively seek. However, the probability of encountering a shiny varies wildly based on several factors:
- Base Shiny Rate: The standard shiny rate for most Pokémon in the wild is approximately 1 in 500. This means that, on average, you’d need to encounter 500 of the same Pokémon to find a shiny version.
- Community Days: These events drastically increase the shiny rate for a specific Pokémon, typically to 1 in 25. This is why Pokémon that have had Community Days, like Porygon, are often perceived as less rare, at least initially.
- Event Bonuses: Special events sometimes feature boosted shiny rates for certain Pokémon, though these rates are not usually as high as Community Days.
- Permaboosted Shinies: Some Pokémon have a permanently boosted shiny rate, often around 1 in 64, making them significantly easier to find than standard shinies. Pokémon that hatch from eggs or appear in raids sometimes have these boosted rates.
- Rarity of the Base Pokémon: If the base Pokémon, like Porygon, is already relatively rare in the wild, finding its shiny form becomes even more challenging.
Why Shiny Porygon-Z Stands Out
Even though Porygon had a Community Day, evolving it into Porygon-Z adds layers of complexity to its shiny rarity:
- Post-Community Day Dilution: After a Community Day, the shiny rate for that Pokémon reverts to the standard rate, making subsequent shiny encounters much rarer.
- Evolution Items: Evolving Porygon into Porygon2 requires an Upgrade, and evolving Porygon2 into Porygon-Z requires a Dubious Disc. These items are not always readily available and might require completing specific research tasks, raids, or purchases from the in-game shop, adding another hurdle.
- Candy Requirements: Evolving Porygon all the way to Porygon-Z demands a total of 125 Porygon Candy (25 for Porygon to Porygon2, and 100 for Porygon2 to Porygon-Z). Collecting this many candies, especially after the Community Day, requires dedication and strategic gameplay.
- Encounter Rate: Porygon isn’t a common spawn in many areas, which reduces the opportunities to find a shiny one in the first place.
- Shiny Meltan and MelmetalMeltan and Melmetal are currently the only two Pokemon exclusive to the world of Pokemon GO, which makes it a little strange that there’s never been a way to catch a shiny version. That makes Meltan and Melmetal two of the only Pokemon to have no shinies available in any game.
Mastering the Hunt for Shiny Porygon-Z
Here are some tactics to improve your chances of acquiring a shiny Porygon-Z in Pokémon GO:
- Stay Informed: Monitor Pokémon GO news and community forums for information about events that might feature increased Porygon spawns or special research tasks rewarding evolution items.
- Utilize Lures and Incense: Employing Lure Modules at PokéStops and using Incense can attract more Pokémon to your location, potentially increasing your chances of encountering a Porygon.
- Complete Research Tasks: Keep an eye out for Field Research tasks that reward Porygon encounters or evolution items like the Upgrade and Dubious Disc.
- Participate in Raids: While Porygon isn’t typically a raid boss, special events might feature it in raids, offering a guaranteed encounter and a chance for a shiny.
- Trade with Friends: If you have friends who have extra shiny Porygon or Porygon2, consider trading with them. Remember that shiny Pokémon can only be traded once.
- Patience is Key: Shiny hunting can be time-consuming and require patience. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find a shiny Porygon right away. Keep playing, and your persistence will eventually pay off.
Porygon-Z in the Pokémon GO Meta
Beyond its shiny status, Porygon-Z is a formidable Pokémon in its own right:
- High Attack Stat: Porygon-Z boasts an impressive attack stat, making it a powerful offensive threat in raids and trainer battles.
- Versatile Moveset: It has access to a variety of moves, allowing it to cover different types and exploit opponent weaknesses.
- Glass Cannon: Porygon-Z is known as a “glass cannon” due to its high attack but relatively low defense and stamina. This makes it a risky but rewarding choice in battles.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to shiny Porygon-Z and related topics in Pokémon GO:
- What is the best moveset for Porygon-Z in Pokémon GO? The best moveset often depends on the specific use case (raids vs. PvP). Generally, Charge Beam and Hyper Beam are considered strong options for raids, while Lock-On and Tri Attack can be effective in PvP battles.
- How do I get an Upgrade and Dubious Disc in Pokémon GO? These items can be obtained through special research tasks, spinning PokéStops, completing certain raids, or purchasing them from the in-game shop during specific events.
- Is Porygon rare in Pokémon GO? Porygon’s rarity fluctuates depending on events and location. While not as common as some Pokémon, it’s not exceptionally rare, especially during events. However it is always rare in the original game.
- What is the difference between Porygon2 and Porygon-Z? Porygon2 is bulkier with a higher defense stat, making it a better tank. Porygon-Z has a higher attack stat, making it a stronger offensive Pokémon.
- Can you trade shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO? Yes, you can trade shiny Pokémon with friends who are nearby. Keep in mind that trades require Stardust and are subject to daily limits.
- What is the shiny rate during Community Days? The shiny rate during Community Days is typically boosted to approximately 1 in 25.
- Are some shiny Pokémon rarer than others? Yes, some shiny Pokémon are rarer due to factors like their base spawn rate, whether they’ve had a Community Day, and if they are event-exclusive.
- How do I increase my chances of finding a shiny Pokémon? Use Lure Modules and Incense, participate in events with boosted shiny rates, and check nests for Pokémon that have a higher spawn rate in certain locations.
- Can legendary Pokémon be shiny in Pokémon GO? Yes, legendary Pokémon can be shiny, but they are typically only available in raids.
- What are the IVs and how do they affect my Pokémon? IVs (Individual Values) are hidden stats that range from 0 to 15 for Attack, Defense, and Stamina. Higher IVs result in a stronger Pokémon. 100% Pokemon (15/15/15) have a chance of 1/4096.
- Is it worth powering up a shiny Porygon-Z? If you have a shiny Porygon-Z with good IVs, it can be worth powering up, especially if you enjoy using it in raids or battles.
- What is the “shiny check” strategy? The “shiny check” strategy involves quickly encountering Pokémon to see if they are shiny and then moving on if they are not. This is done to maximize the number of encounters in a given time.
- What Pokémon cannot be shiny in Pokémon GO? As of now Meltan and Melmetal cannot be shiny in Pokémon GO
- Are there any events that increase the spawn rate of Porygon? Yes, special events such as the Go Fest and Community Day events may temporarily increase the spawn rate of Porygon. Keep an eye on the news section of the app!
- Why is Shiny unknown so rare? The Unown variants are some of the game’s most mysterious and elusive catches. The latest Global Fest 2023 debuts Shiny Unown M, and collectors are flocking to get their hands on it. Unown falls under some of the rarest catches, and encountering its Shiny variants is scarce.
Conclusion
Shiny Porygon-Z’s rarity in Pokémon GO stems from a combination of factors, including the base shiny rate, the availability of evolution items, and the overall spawn rate of Porygon itself. While obtaining one requires effort and luck, the reward is a visually striking and powerful Pokémon that adds a unique touch to any trainer’s team. Good luck on your shiny hunting journey, and remember to enjoy the process! Find out more on Games Learning Society.