Can You Get a Shiny Vulpix in Sword? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, absolutely! You can get a Shiny Vulpix in Pokémon Sword. Whether you’re aiming for the original Kantonian Vulpix or the Alolan variant, acquiring that coveted, alternate-colored fox is definitely achievable. It takes patience, strategy, and a little bit of luck, but the payoff is worth it. Let’s delve into the details of how to make your shiny Vulpix dreams a reality, along with essential information and tips.
Encountering Vulpix in Pokémon Sword
Kantonian Vulpix
The standard Fire-type Vulpix is relatively accessible in Pokémon Sword. The most reliable location is the Rolling Fields area in the Wild Area. As indicated in the original article, during Sunny Weather, Vulpix spawns fairly often, with approximately a 60% chance of encountering it. This makes it a prime hunting ground for shiny enthusiasts.
Shiny hunting often involves repetitively battling and checking each Vulpix to see if it sparkles upon entering the battle. If it doesn’t, you can either knock it out or run away to trigger another encounter. This method, while potentially tedious, is the standard approach for finding shiny Pokémon in the wild areas.
Alolan Vulpix
Alolan Vulpix cannot be caught in the Galar Region. This is crucial to remember. If you desire a Shiny Alolan Vulpix, your only options are breeding or transferring one from another game, such as Pokémon GO or Pokémon Home.
Breeding for Shiny Vulpix
Breeding is a popular method for shiny hunting, particularly for species not readily available in the wild. The most effective technique involves the Masuda Method, which significantly increases your chances of hatching a shiny Pokémon.
The Masuda Method
The Masuda Method entails breeding two Pokémon from games of different languages. For example, if you’re playing Pokémon Sword in English, breeding your Vulpix with a Vulpix or Ninetales obtained from a Japanese, French, or German game dramatically increases the shiny odds. The standard shiny rate is 1/4096, but with the Masuda Method, this improves to approximately 1/683. Holding a Shiny Charm obtained from completing the Galar Pokédex further boosts the odds to 1/512.
Breeding Alolan Vulpix
To breed an Alolan Vulpix in Pokémon Sword, you must ensure that the Alolan Vulpix you’re using for breeding is holding an Everstone. This ensures that the offspring inherit the Alolan form instead of the Kantonian form. This is crucial for hatching a Shiny Alolan Vulpix. Remember, you can also breed with a Ditto if you have a male Alolan Vulpix, as Ditto can breed with almost any Pokémon.
Transferring from Pokémon GO or Pokémon Home
If you’ve managed to catch a Shiny Alolan Vulpix in Pokémon GO, you can transfer it to Pokémon Home and then to Pokémon Sword. Similarly, if you have a Shiny Alolan Vulpix in another compatible Pokémon game, you can use Pokémon Home as an intermediary to bring it into Pokémon Sword. Keep in mind that transferring Pokémon requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
Evolving Vulpix into Ninetales
Once you’ve secured your Shiny Vulpix, the next step is evolving it into Shiny Ninetales.
Kantonian Ninetales
To evolve Kantonian Vulpix into Ninetales, you need to use a Fire Stone. Fire Stones can be found in the Lake of Outrage area of the Wild Area. Look for the stone circles where evolution stones spawn randomly. You can also purchase Fire Stones from the Digging Duo near the Wild Area entrance, though this requires spending Watts and hoping they dig up a Fire Stone for you.
Alolan Ninetales
To evolve Alolan Vulpix into Alolan Ninetales, you need to use an Ice Stone. Ice Stones can also be found at the stone circles in the Lake of Outrage.
Shiny Vulpix Appearance
Shiny Vulpix and Ninetales are both pretty cool shinies, following a gold and silver theme. Shiny Vulpix trades its orange fur for a yellowy hue, and its quiff and tails for a caramel colour. Shiny Ninetales, on the other hand, gets a pale grey, almost silver, coat.
Why Vulpix?
Vulpix and Ninetales, whether shiny or not, are valuable additions to any Pokémon team. While Vulpix’s initial stats are low, Ninetales possesses stats sufficient enough to justify the time spent grinding to level it up and teach it its best moves. Kantonian Ninetales is a solid Fire-type special attacker, while Alolan Ninetales is a potent Ice/Fairy-type with access to powerful moves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about obtaining a shiny Vulpix in Pokémon Sword:
1. Can a Galarian Vulpix be shiny?
No, there is no Galarian Vulpix. Vulpix has two forms: Kantonian (Fire-type) and Alolan (Ice-type). Only these two forms can be shiny.
2. Is Vulpix exclusive to Pokémon Sword or Shield?
Vulpix is available in both Sword and Shield, but it is more prevalent in Sword.
3. What are the best ways to increase my chances of finding a Shiny Vulpix?
Use the Masuda Method for breeding, obtain the Shiny Charm, and hunt in areas where Vulpix spawns frequently, such as the Rolling Fields during sunny weather.
4. Is the Shiny Charm worth it?
Absolutely! The Shiny Charm significantly boosts the odds of encountering shiny Pokémon, making it a valuable asset for any shiny hunter. It’s obtained by completing the Galar Pokédex and talking to the Game Director in Circhester.
5. Can I breed for a Shiny Alolan Vulpix without an Everstone?
No. The Everstone is crucial for ensuring that the offspring inherit the Alolan form. Without it, you’ll breed Kantonian Vulpix.
6. What’s the fastest way to hatch eggs?
Use a Pokémon with the ability Flame Body or Magma Armor in your party, such as Centiskorch or Coalossal. This ability halves the number of steps required to hatch an egg. Also, ride your bike in circles in the Wild Area to accumulate steps quickly.
7. Can I use a shiny Kantonian Vulpix to breed a shiny Alolan Vulpix?
Yes, you can. The Masuda Method and Shiny Charm apply regardless of the base form. As long as the Alolan Vulpix is holding an Everstone, the offspring will be Alolan.
8. What types are Vulpix and Ninetales weak to?
Vulpix and Ninetales (Kantonian) are Fire-types, weak to Water, Rock, and Ground. Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales are Ice/Fairy-types, weak to Steel, Fire, Poison, and Rock.
9. Are there any events that increase Shiny Vulpix spawns?
Keep an eye on Pokémon GO events, as sometimes they feature increased Vulpix spawns, making it easier to obtain a Shiny Alolan Vulpix for transfer to Pokémon Home.
10. Can I use Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Eevee! to get a Shiny Vulpix in Sword?
No, Pokémon from Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Eevee! can only be transferred to Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!.
11. Is there a way to guarantee a Shiny Vulpix in Pokémon Sword?
Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to obtain a shiny. It always involves an element of chance and patience.
12. Is Shiny Keldeo legal to get?
Thus it’s impossible to legally get a shiny Keldeo, although it is possible to get one through hacking.
13. How can I learn more about Pokémon strategies and game mechanics?
Explore resources like Serebii.net, Bulbapedia, and Games Learning Society for in-depth information, guides, and community discussions. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more about the intersection of gaming and education.
14. What’s the best nature for Ninetales?
For Kantonian Ninetales, Timid (Spe+) or Modest (SpA+) are good choices. For Alolan Ninetales, Timid (Spe+) is generally preferred due to its supportive role.
15. Why is Vulpix sometimes banned in competitive play?
Vulpix, specifically with the ability Drought, can be banned in lower tiers of competitive play because it sets up Sunny Day automatically, which can be exploited by other Pokémon.