Are Shiny Rates Lower for Remote Raids in Pokémon GO? A Deep Dive
The short answer is yes, they were, but not anymore. Pokémon GO developer Niantic initially nerfed the shiny encounter rates for Remote Raids, sparking considerable outrage within the player community. This decision was later reversed after significant backlash, and players were compensated for the inconvenience. While the initial incident caused confusion and distrust, the current understanding is that shiny rates are now the same for both in-person and Remote Raids.
The Remote Raid Shiny Rate Saga: A Case Study in Community Feedback
The controversy surrounding Remote Raid shiny rates serves as a crucial example of the relationship between game developers and their player base. When reports surfaced indicating a lower shiny chance for those participating in raids remotely, the Pokémon GO community voiced their concerns loudly and clearly.
The initial claim, based on aggregated user data, suggested a shiny rate of around 1/125 for legendary Pokémon encountered through Remote Raids. This contrasted sharply with the generally accepted rate of 1/20 for Legendary Raids conducted in person.
Niantic’s response was initially slow, further fueling the community’s frustration. However, after significant pressure, the developers acknowledged the issue, apologized for the error, and restored the original shiny rates. They also provided in-game gifts as a gesture of goodwill.
This episode highlights the importance of transparency and communication between game developers and players. It also demonstrates the power of community feedback in shaping game design and development decisions. Learning about game development is not only for game developers, but for the gaming community as a whole. It’s important to be knowledgeable in this field, and the Games Learning Society is a great resource for learning more about the subject.
Understanding Shiny Rates in Raids
To fully understand the Remote Raid controversy, it’s essential to grasp the basics of shiny rates in Pokémon GO raids.
Base Shiny Rates
Different Pokémon species have different base shiny rates. Wild Pokémon generally have a very low shiny rate, often cited as around 1/450. This means that, on average, you would need to encounter 450 wild Pokémon of that species to find a shiny.
Raid Shiny Rates
However, raid encounters often have significantly higher shiny rates, particularly for Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. As mentioned earlier, the standard shiny rate for Legendary Raids is generally accepted to be 1/20. This makes raids a much more efficient way to hunt for shinies than encountering wild Pokémon.
Mega Raid Rates
Mega Raids like Tyranitar also offer an improved chance for shiny encounters. The estimated rate is around 1 in 20 or 1 in 30. Defeating Mega Raids is the most efficient method of finding Shiny Mega Evolved Pokemon.
Primal Raid Rates
Similarly, Primal Raids featuring Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon have an improved rate of around 1/20.
Remote Raids Today
Fortunately, remote raids have the same shiny rates as in-person raids once again. Take your remote raid passes and fight raids to your heart’s content!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Shiny Rates in Raids
Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to further clarify the intricacies of shiny rates in Pokémon GO raids:
1. Are shiny rates higher in raids than in the wild?
Yes, significantly higher. Wild Pokémon typically have a shiny rate of around 1/450, while Legendary Raids offer a rate of approximately 1/20.
2. Is the shiny rate for Legendary Raids always 1/20?
While 1/20 is the generally accepted rate, it’s important to remember that these are statistical probabilities. You might get a shiny on your first raid, or it might take you hundreds of attempts.
3. Does everyone in a raid encounter the same Pokémon (shiny or not)?
No. Shiny encounters are individual. One player might encounter a shiny, while others in the same raid will encounter the normal version of the Pokémon.
4. How can I tell if a raid Pokémon is shiny before catching it?
The Pokémon will appear as normal during the raid battle. The shiny form will only be revealed during the encounter screen after the raid boss is defeated. There will also be a shiny icon displayed above the Pokémon’s CP.
5. Are shiny Pokémon guaranteed catches in raids?
Yes. If you encounter a shiny Pokémon after completing a raid, it has a 100% catch rate. Use a Pinap Berry to maximize candy gains!
6. Do shiny sandwiches in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet affect shiny rates in Pokémon GO?
No. Shiny sandwiches and other mechanics from the mainline Pokémon games do not affect shiny rates in Pokémon GO. The games have different mechanics for this aspect of the game.
7. What are some of the rarest shinies in Pokémon GO?
Some of the rarest shinies include Pokémon like Unown, Heracross, Pawniard, Shellos (East & West), Foongus, and others that have limited availability or specific encounter conditions.
8. Am I guaranteed a shiny after a certain number of raids?
No. Each raid encounter is independent. While the statistical probability increases with each attempt, there’s no guarantee of finding a shiny Pokémon after a specific number of raids.
9. Why am I not getting a shiny in raids?
Shiny encounters are random. You might get lucky early on, or it might take many attempts. There’s no guaranteed way to obtain a shiny.
10. Is Shiny Mew the rarest shiny in Pokémon GO?
Shiny Mew is exceptionally rare due to its limited availability through special research.
11. Can all raid bosses appear as shiny?
No. Only certain raid bosses have the potential to be shiny. Niantic typically announces which Pokémon are available in their shiny form during events.
12. Do shiny odds differ during events?
Yes. The boosted shiny rates are common during events, particularly Community Days and Raid Days.
13. Can I use Remote Raid Passes to encounter shiny Pokémon?
Yes, now that Niantic reversed course.
14. What is the highest chance of finding a Shiny Pokémon in Pokemon GO?
The highest chance to find a Shiny Pokémon is the five-star raids. Legendary Pokémon have a 1/20 chance of being Shiny.
15. Is there a trick to catching shiny Pokemon?
The best way to catch more Shiny Pokémon is to stop catching so many Pokemon. Focus more on checking the Pokémon and not trying to catch all of them.
Conclusion
The Remote Raid shiny rate controversy served as a valuable lesson for both Niantic and the Pokémon GO community. While the initial nerf caused significant frustration, the eventual reversal and compensation demonstrated the power of community feedback and the importance of transparency in game development. Understanding shiny rates, encounter mechanics, and the role of community engagement is crucial for enjoying the ever-evolving world of Pokémon GO.
To delve deeper into the intersection of games, learning, and community, be sure to visit GamesLearningSociety.org. There are also resources for learning game development if you are interested.