Can NPCs Have Shiny Pokémon in Scarlet? A Comprehensive Guide
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The burning question on many Pokémon trainer’s minds: can non-player characters (NPCs) in Pokémon Scarlet possess those coveted shiny Pokémon? The straightforward answer is yes, but with a significant caveat. Unlike wild encounters where the possibility of a shiny is determined by chance (albeit a slim one), NPC shiny Pokémon are not randomly generated. They are specifically programmed to appear shiny. This means that you won’t encounter a randomly generated shiny Pokémon in a trainer battle or as a gift from an NPC unless the game’s code dictates it.
It’s a bit disappointing for those hoping to see a wild, randomly appearing shiny from an NPC, but this system ensures that these special Pokémon remain unique and controlled within the game’s ecosystem. While this might seem restrictive, it maintains the rarity and excitement surrounding shiny Pokémon.
How Shiny Pokémon Work in Pokémon Scarlet
Before diving deeper into NPC shinies, it’s crucial to understand how shiny Pokémon operate in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. The base odds of encountering a shiny Pokémon in the wild are a challenging 1 in 4096. This means that on average, for every 4096 Pokémon you encounter, you can expect to find one of them in its special alternate color. However, these odds aren’t static. Players can significantly increase these odds through various methods, such as using Shiny Sandwich recipes which activate Sparkling Power. Level 3 Sparkling Power offers the maximum boost to your shiny encounter rate, making the hunt for these rare creatures a little more manageable.
Shiny Pokémon are visually distinct, sporting altered colors from their standard counterparts. For example, a shiny Bronzor will appear green instead of its normal bronze color, and a shiny Eevee will be white rather than brown. When a shiny Pokémon appears in the wild, there is also a special sound effect and a sparkle animation, further confirming its shiny status.
NPCs and Shiny Pokémon: Programmed Encounters
As mentioned earlier, NPC Pokémon cannot randomly be shiny. They can only be shiny if they are programmed as such by the developers. Throughout the history of the Pokémon franchise, there have been instances of this. Notably, some Gen III trainers were coded to use shiny Pokémon. However, this is the exception rather than the rule. Most NPCs you encounter will have regular-colored Pokémon.
In Pokémon Scarlet, similar to other modern entries, NPC-owned Pokémon are generally not shiny unless specifically intended by the game designers for plot or special reasons. Therefore, don’t expect to be surprised by a random NPC sending out a shiny Pokémon in battle unless that particular event is explicitly scripted. This has been the established way that shiny Pokémon work in battles with trainers across multiple generations of the games.
Shiny Locked Pokémon
It’s also important to acknowledge the concept of Shiny Locked Pokémon. Certain Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet are coded to never appear as shiny through normal gameplay. This includes the three starter Pokémon, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly. The legendary Pokémon Koraidon and Miraidon are also shiny locked. In addition, any event-exclusive Pokemon, gift Pokémon, in-game trade Pokemon, and Gimmighoul/Gholdengo are also shiny locked. This is to prevent players from trying to repeatedly soft reset the game to get a shiny version of these important Pokémon. It does mean that, without hacks or special events, you will never find a shiny version of these Pokémon in your game. The 7-star Charizard event is also shiny locked, ensuring that players do not need to worry about a shiny version when completing raids.
Exceptions and Specific Instances
While most NPC trainers will not have shiny Pokémon, it is possible that specific story or event-related NPCs could have shiny Pokémon. This would be very intentional, and likely a plot device to make a specific character or encounter more memorable. Keep an eye out for announcements and information regarding special events that might include shiny Pokémon owned by NPCs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are all NPC Pokémon shiny locked?
No, not all NPC Pokémon are shiny locked, however, none are randomly shiny. The Pokémon in trainer battles can only be shiny if they are specifically coded to be shiny. The vast majority of NPC Pokémon will be their normal colors.
2. Can I breed for shiny Pokémon from gift Pokémon?
Yes, you can breed gift Pokémon, such as a starter, and you will have the normal shiny odds for the eggs, not with the parent pokemon’s shiny locked status.
3. Can I trade my shiny Pokémon with an NPC?
Yes, you can trade shiny Pokemon to an NPC for a pre-determined Pokemon. The traded Pokémon will not be shiny unless specifically programmed.
4. What are the chances of finding a shiny Pokémon in Scarlet?
The base chance is 1 in 4096. This can be improved by using Shiny Sandwich recipes which activate Sparkling Power.
5. Are starter Pokémon shiny locked in Scarlet and Violet?
Yes, the starter Pokémon – Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly – are shiny locked and cannot be found as shiny through normal gameplay.
6. Is the legendary Pokémon Koraidon shiny locked?
Yes, Koraidon and its counterpart Miraidon are shiny locked and cannot be obtained as shiny without modifying the game.
7. Do Shiny Sandwiches affect the shiny rate of eggs?
No, Shiny Sandwiches and their Sparkling Power will not increase the shiny odds of an egg.
8. Can I tell if a Pokémon is shiny before I catch it?
Yes, shiny Pokémon are visually distinct, with different colors and a special sparkle effect. They will also have a special sound and animation when starting a battle.
9. What is the hardest shiny to obtain in Scarlet?
Some of the hardest shinies to get in Scarlet include Authentic Sinistea, Family of Three Maushold and Three-Segment Dudunsparce, and Tynamo, mostly due to their rarity or hard-to-spot shiny colors.
10. Are shiny Pokémon difficult to spot in Scarlet?
Yes, some shiny Pokémon, especially small ones like Flabebe and Tynamo, are very difficult to spot, and some have minor color changes making them harder to notice.
11. Is the 7-star Charizard shiny locked?
Yes, the 7-star Charizard from raid battles is also shiny locked.
12. What does a shiny Squirtle look like?
A shiny Squirtle takes on a lighter blue color with a lighter yellow shell.
13. Can I get Miraidon in Pokémon Scarlet?
No, Miraidon is exclusive to Pokémon Violet. You will need to trade with a player of Pokemon Violet to obtain it.
14. Can I breed the 7-star Charizard?
Yes, you can breed the 7-star Charizard you caught in the Tera raid, but its offspring will not have the Dragon tera type or the mightiest mark.
15. Can I get a shiny female version of Gen 2 starters?
No, due to the way shininess and gender are coded in Gen 2, it is impossible to have a female shiny starter, as female pokemon tend to have worse IVs which are part of determining shininess.
Conclusion
While it might be exciting to imagine encountering random shiny Pokémon from NPCs in Pokémon Scarlet, the reality is that these encounters are specifically programmed. This controlled system ensures the continued rarity and mystique of shiny Pokémon. Although NPCs won’t be randomly throwing shiny Pokémon at you, it does not diminish the joy of finding your own shiny in the wild and adds another layer of interest to the programmed NPC encounters that may feature them. Be on the lookout for special events that might feature shiny Pokémon being owned by NPCs and continue your own shiny hunt!