Are the Scarlet and Violet Legendaries Shiny Locked? A Deep Dive

Yes, the primary box legendaries, Koraidon in Pokémon Scarlet and Miraidon in Pokémon Violet, are shiny locked. This means that you cannot legitimately encounter them as shiny during the main story playthrough. The game code prevents their shiny forms from appearing in these initial encounters.

Understanding Shiny Locks in Pokémon Games

Shiny locking is a mechanic implemented by Game Freak to prevent certain Pokémon from appearing in their shiny forms through normal gameplay. This is typically done for legendary Pokémon and those involved in significant story events. The reasons behind shiny locking are varied, ranging from preventing glitches to maintaining the perceived rarity and value of shiny Pokémon. Shiny locking can be controversial among players, as it limits the possibilities for dedicated shiny hunters.

Why Are Legendaries Often Shiny Locked?

There are several reasons why Game Freak might choose to shiny lock specific Pokémon:

• Preventing soft resetting exploits: Without a shiny lock, players could theoretically repeatedly reset their game (soft reset) until a shiny version of the Pokémon appears during a fixed encounter. This could lead to an oversaturation of shiny legendaries in the community.
• Story significance: Sometimes, shiny locks are implemented to ensure the aesthetic consistency of a Pokémon within the game’s narrative. For example, if a legendary Pokémon is meant to have a specific color scheme tied to a particular event, a shiny lock might be used to prevent players from encountering an alternative-colored version that could disrupt the intended storytelling.
• Maintaining rarity: Shiny Pokémon are inherently rare and valuable. By limiting the availability of shiny legendaries, Game Freak can preserve their perceived rarity and make them even more desirable.

Can You Get Shiny Legendaries in Scarlet and Violet at all?

While Koraidon and Miraidon are shiny locked in their initial story encounters, not all legendary Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet are impossible to obtain in their shiny forms. Here’s what you need to know:

• Paradox Pokémon: Some legendary Pokémon are not affected by shiny locks. This means, with enough patience and dedication, you can encounter them.
• Past Event Distributions: Keep an eye out for special events or promotions. Game Freak occasionally distributes shiny legendary Pokémon through Mystery Gift codes or online events. These distributions provide legitimate ways to obtain otherwise unobtainable shiny legendaries.
• Transfers from other Games: If you have older Pokémon games (e.g., through Pokémon Bank or Pokémon HOME), you may be able to transfer shiny legendaries you obtained in those games into Scarlet and Violet, provided they are compatible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Shiny Locks and Legendaries in Scarlet and Violet

Here are some frequently asked questions that will provide additional information regarding shiny locked Pokémon and legendaries:

Q1: Are all Legendary Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet shiny locked?

No, not all legendary Pokémon are shiny locked. While Koraidon and Miraidon are shiny locked in their initial encounters, other legendary Pokémon, particularly those that appear as Paradox Pokémon, can potentially be found in their shiny forms through normal gameplay.

Q2: What is soft resetting, and why is it relevant to shiny locks?

Soft resetting is the process of restarting a video game by pressing a specific combination of buttons on the console. In Pokémon games, players used to soft reset before encountering a legendary Pokémon to try and get a shiny version. Shiny locks prevent this exploit by ensuring that certain Pokémon cannot be shiny, regardless of how many times the game is reset.

Q3: Is the second Koraidon/Miraidon you get at the end of the game also shiny locked?

Yes, the second Koraidon and Miraidon that you receive at the end of the main story are also shiny locked. This means there is currently no legitimate way to obtain a shiny version of them within Pokémon Scarlet and Violet through normal gameplay.

Q4: What are the odds of finding a shiny Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet?

The base odds of finding a shiny Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are 1 in 4096. This can be improved using the Shiny Charm (obtained by completing the Pokédex) and by making use of outbreak hunting techniques and sandwich buffs that increase encounter rates and shiny odds.

Q5: What is outbreak hunting, and how does it increase shiny odds?

Outbreak hunting involves targeting a specific Pokémon that is appearing in a Mass Outbreak. Defeating or catching Pokémon in an outbreak increases the shiny odds, with the best odds achieved after defeating or catching 60 Pokémon in the outbreak. Combine this with a shiny-boosting sandwich for even better results.

Q6: What is the Masuda Method, and does it work in Scarlet and Violet?

The Masuda Method is a breeding technique where you breed two Pokémon from different language regions. This significantly increases the odds of hatching a shiny Pokémon. This method does work in Scarlet and Violet, increasing the shiny odds to approximately 1 in 683 without the Shiny Charm, and 1 in 512 with it.

Q7: Are the starter Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet shiny locked?

Yes, the initial starter Pokémon (Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly) that you choose at the beginning of the game are shiny locked. However, after the release of the Indigo Disk DLC, it became possible to obtain shiny versions of the Scarlet and Violet starters through breeding.

Q8: What is a “shiny charm,” and how do I get one?

The Shiny Charm is an item that significantly increases the odds of encountering shiny Pokémon. In Scarlet and Violet, you can obtain the Shiny Charm by completing the Pokédex (catching or seeing all 400 Pokémon) and then speaking to the biology teacher in the academy, Mr. Jacq.

Q9: Can I transfer shiny legendaries from older Pokémon games into Scarlet and Violet?

Yes, if you have shiny legendaries in older Pokémon games that are compatible with Pokémon HOME, you can transfer them into Scarlet and Violet. Keep in mind that Pokémon must be eligible for transfer (i.e., they exist in the Scarlet and Violet Pokédex).

Q10: How can I tell if a Pokémon is shiny in the overworld of Scarlet and Violet?

Shiny Pokémon are visible in the overworld of Scarlet and Violet. They appear in their alternate color palettes and will stand out from regular Pokémon. However, unlike Pokémon Legends: Arceus, they do not have a distinct sparkling animation, so you need to pay close attention to their colors.

Q11: What happens if I accidentally knock out a shiny Pokémon?

If you accidentally knock out a shiny Pokémon, it is gone for good. To avoid this, always save your game before engaging with a potentially shiny Pokémon. You can also use moves that prevent fainting, like False Swipe or Hold Back, or use status conditions like paralysis or sleep to make catching easier.

Q12: Are there any items or abilities that can help me find shiny Pokémon?

Yes, in addition to the Shiny Charm and sandwich buffs, certain abilities like Static (for Electric-type Pokémon) or Illuminate (for Pokémon like Volbeat) can increase the encounter rate of Pokémon of those types, potentially leading to more shiny encounters.

Q13: What are the best methods for shiny hunting specific Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet?

The best methods for shiny hunting depend on the specific Pokémon. For most Pokémon, outbreak hunting combined with shiny-boosting sandwiches is highly effective. For Pokémon that can be bred, the Masuda Method is the preferred approach.

Q14: Are there any glitches or exploits that can be used to obtain shiny locked Pokémon?

While there may be glitches or exploits discovered from time to time, using them to obtain shiny locked Pokémon is generally frowned upon and can potentially lead to save file corruption or bans from online services. It is always recommended to obtain shiny Pokémon through legitimate means.

Q15: Where can I learn more about Pokémon game mechanics and strategies?

You can learn more about Pokémon game mechanics, strategies, and educational aspects by visiting the Games Learning Society website. There, you can find valuable resources and connect with a community of gamers and educators: GamesLearningSociety.org.

Final Thoughts

While the shiny locks on Koraidon and Miraidon might be disappointing for some players, there are still many opportunities to find and collect shiny Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet. By understanding the shiny hunting mechanics and utilizing the available tools and strategies, you can significantly increase your chances of adding rare and valuable shiny Pokémon to your team. Happy hunting!