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Is the Charmander Leon Gives You Shiny? Unpacking the Gift Pokémon in Sword & Shield

The short answer, and perhaps the one you came here for, is: No, the Charmander you receive from Leon in Pokémon Sword & Shield is not shiny-locked, meaning it can be shiny. However, the odds are astronomically low, making it incredibly time-consuming and potentially soul-crushing to attempt to get a shiny Charmander this way. Don’t throw your Switch across the room just yet, though! While the possibility exists, understanding the mechanics and implications is crucial before embarking on what might be an ultimately fruitless endeavor. Let’s dive deeper into the world of gift Pokémon, shiny hunting, and what makes this specific Charmander a particularly unique case.

The Allure of Shiny Pokémon: A Chromatic Obsession

For the uninitiated, Shiny Pokémon are Pokémon that possess a different color palette than their normal counterparts. These alternate colors are purely cosmetic and do not affect a Pokémon’s stats, abilities, or moves. However, their rarity makes them highly sought after by collectors and competitive players alike. The standard odds of encountering a shiny Pokémon in the wild or through breeding in Pokémon Sword & Shield are 1 in 4096. This can be improved to 1 in 1365.67 with the Shiny Charm, obtained by completing the Galar Pokédex. Even with the increased odds, finding a shiny requires considerable patience and dedication.

Leon’s Charmander: A Gift with a Potential Twist

After becoming the Champion of the Galar region in Pokémon Sword & Shield, you can return to Leon’s house in Postwick and find a Poké Ball containing a Charmander. This Charmander is a gift from Leon, meant to inspire you on your journey. The crucial question is whether this particular Charmander is subject to the same shiny generation rules as wild encounters or breeding.

Understanding Shiny Locking and Pseudo-Shiny Locks

Shiny locking refers to the programming of certain Pokémon encounters or gift Pokémon to prevent them from ever appearing as shiny. This is often done for story-important Pokémon or those that are integral to specific events. Thankfully, Leon’s Charmander is not officially shiny-locked, meaning the game’s code doesn’t explicitly prevent it from being shiny.

However, the sheer difficulty of obtaining a shiny Charmander from Leon has led some to believe it’s practically shiny-locked. Here’s why:

Fixed Nature and IVs: The Charmander you receive from Leon has a fixed nature (likely determined based on your starter choice) and guaranteed perfect IVs in three stats. While beneficial for competitive battling, these fixed attributes narrow the range of possibilities the game needs to check when determining if the Charmander is shiny.
No Masuda Method or Shiny Charm Influence: Unlike breeding or wild encounters, the Masuda Method (breeding with a Pokémon from a different language region) and the Shiny Charm do not affect the shiny chance of gift Pokémon like Leon’s Charmander. You are stuck with the base odds of 1 in 4096.
The Tedium of Soft Resetting: To attempt to get a shiny Charmander from Leon, you must soft reset your game each time. This involves saving before receiving the Charmander, checking its appearance, and if it’s not shiny, restarting the game and repeating the process. This process is incredibly time-consuming, and given the odds, it can take hundreds or even thousands of attempts.

The Debate Within the Community

Despite the low odds, reports do exist online of players successfully obtaining a shiny Charmander from Leon. These reports, while anecdotal, suggest that it is possible. However, the rarity and difficulty of achieving this make it a task only for the most dedicated shiny hunters. The community remains divided, with some arguing that the time investment simply isn’t worth the potential reward.

For those interested in learning more about game design and the nuances of Pokémon game mechanics, the Games Learning Society offers valuable insights and resources. You can visit their website at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Is it Worth the Hunt?

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to shiny hunt Leon’s Charmander is a personal one. Consider the following:

Your Patience: Are you willing to spend hours, potentially days or even weeks, repeatedly soft resetting?
Alternative Methods: Shiny Charmanders can be bred or found in Max Raid Battles. Are these methods more appealing and efficient?
The Reward: Is having a shiny Charmander from Leon specifically important to you, or would any shiny Charmander suffice?

If you are looking to obtain a shiny Charmander as quickly as possible, breeding with the Masuda Method or participating in Max Raid Battles is likely a better approach. However, if you are seeking a unique challenge and the bragging rights of obtaining a shiny Charmander from Leon, then the hunt may be worthwhile. Just be prepared for a long and arduous journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Leon’s Charmander

Here are 15 frequently asked questions that delve deeper into the specifics of Leon’s Charmander and shiny hunting:

1. Can Leon’s Charmander have a Gigantamax form?

No. Charmander obtained from Leon in Pokemon Sword & Shield cannot Gigantamax. Only Charmander caught during specific event raids can Gigantamax after they evolve into Charizard.

2. What is the best nature for Leon’s Charmander if it’s for competitive battling?

Since the nature is fixed, you can’t influence it when receiving it from Leon. However, if you are intending to use the Charmander for competitive battling, you can use a Mint to change its nature. For a Special Attack based Charizard, Timid or Modest are good choices.

3. How do I soft reset in Pokémon Sword & Shield?

To soft reset in Pokémon Sword & Shield, press and hold the X Button + B Button + the Up directional button simultaneously. This will return you to the game’s title screen without saving your progress.

4. Does the Shiny Charm affect the shiny chance of gift Pokémon like Leon’s Charmander?

No, the Shiny Charm does not influence the shiny chance of gift Pokémon like Leon’s Charmander. You are stuck with the base odds of 1 in 4096.

5. What are the odds of finding a shiny Pokémon in the wild in Pokémon Sword & Shield?

The base odds are 1 in 4096. With the Shiny Charm, the odds increase to 1 in 1365.67.

6. What is the Masuda Method and how does it work?

The Masuda Method involves breeding two Pokémon, one of which originates from a game with a different language setting. This significantly increases the chance of hatching a shiny Pokémon. In Pokémon Sword & Shield, it boosts the odds to approximately 1 in 683 without the Shiny Charm and 1 in 512 with the Shiny Charm.

7. Can I get a shiny starter Pokémon in Pokémon Sword & Shield?

Yes, you can get a shiny starter Pokémon in Pokémon Sword & Shield. You would need to soft reset until you get a shiny starter. This would involve selecting a starter, checking if it’s shiny, and if not soft resetting and repeating this process.

8. Are any Pokémon in Pokémon Sword & Shield truly shiny-locked?

Yes, there are a few Pokémon that are always shiny-locked. Legendary Pokémon received through mystery gifts, like Zacian and Zamazenta, have been shiny-locked during certain distributions. This is done on purpose by Game Freak to prevent the duplication of potentially rare and powerful Pokémon through save file manipulation.

9. What are IVs and why are they important?

IVs (Individual Values) are hidden stats that affect a Pokémon’s overall stats. Each stat (HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed) has an IV value ranging from 0 to 31. Higher IVs result in higher stats for that Pokémon. Leon’s Charmander guarantees three perfect IVs (31) in random stats.

10. How can I check a Pokémon’s IVs in Pokémon Sword & Shield?

To check a Pokémon’s IVs, you need to unlock the Judge Function in the Pokémon Box. You can unlock this by defeating Leon in the Battle Tower and reaching the Rank 6 in the Battle Tower.

11. What does it mean for a Pokémon to have a “fixed nature”?

A fixed nature means that the Pokémon’s nature is pre-determined and cannot be changed through soft resetting. The nature influences the Pokémon’s stat growth, increasing one stat by 10% and decreasing another by 10%. The exact nature of Leon’s Charmander can depend on your starter choice.

12. Can I breed Leon’s Charmander to get a shiny Charmander?

Yes, you can breed Leon’s Charmander. Using the Masuda Method will increase the chances of hatching a shiny Charmander compared to the odds of getting a shiny directly from Leon.

13. What’s the fastest way to hatch eggs in Pokémon Sword & Shield?

The fastest way to hatch eggs is to have a Pokémon with the ability Flame Body or Magma Armor in your party. These abilities halve the number of steps required to hatch an egg. Then, cycle back and forth in the Wild Area, such as Bridge Field or the open area in front of the Day Care on Route 5.

14. Are Max Raid Battles a good way to find shiny Pokémon?

Yes, Max Raid Battles can be a viable way to find shiny Pokémon, especially during event periods that increase the shiny rates for specific Pokémon.

15. Are there any tools or communities that can help with shiny hunting in Pokémon Sword & Shield?

Yes, several online tools and communities can assist with shiny hunting. Websites and apps offer IV and EV calculators, shiny odds calculators, and lists of Pokémon encounter locations. Online communities such as Reddit are great ways to share information, trade Pokémon, and get support for shiny hunting.

Good luck, trainers, and may your shiny hunts be fruitful (and relatively short)!

Is the Charmander Leon gives you shiny?