Can Zygarde 10% Be Shiny? Unveiling the Truth Behind This Elusive Form
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The burning question on every Pokémon trainer’s mind: Can Zygarde 10% be shiny? The answer, unfortunately, is complex. While technically any Pokémon can have a shiny variant in the game’s code, shiny Zygarde and, by extension, shiny Zygarde 10% and shiny Zygarde Complete Forme, were, for a long time, flagged as illegal. They were shiny locked in the primary games where Zygarde was obtainable, meaning the game actively prevented them from appearing as shiny. The good news is that a shiny Zygarde was distributed through an event via serial code in Japan in 2018. Any shiny Zygarde 10% is the result of combining a shiny Zygarde with Zygarde Cells, therefore, it would be completely legitimate if your base Zygarde was obtained from the mentioned event.
Zygarde: A Deep Dive into its Forms and Shiny Status
Zygarde, the Order Pokémon, is a fascinating Legendary Pokémon with a unique mechanic: it changes forms based on how many Zygarde Cells and Cores it has collected. These forms include:
- Zygarde Cell: A formless, green blob.
- Zygarde Core: Possesses a will of its own and gathers Zygarde Cells.
- Zygarde 10% Forme: Takes the appearance of a dog.
- Zygarde 50% Forme: The serpentine form most commonly associated with Zygarde.
- Zygarde Complete Forme (100%): The powerful, humanoid final form.
Understanding Shiny Locking
Shiny locking is a mechanic used by game developers to prevent certain Pokémon from appearing in their shiny forms. This is often done for story-relevant Pokémon, event Pokémon, or Pokémon that were intended to be distributed in a specific, non-shiny manner. While many believed Zygarde to be shiny locked forever, that event distribution proved otherwise, as long as it was obtained legitimately.
Event Distributions and Serial Codes
Event distributions are a common way for The Pokémon Company to release rare or otherwise unobtainable Pokémon to players. These events often involve special serial codes that can be redeemed in-game. These events can happen in any form, even events to battle specific Pokemon and gain certain items.
Is Shiny Zygarde 10% Worth Using?
The viability of shiny Zygarde 10% in competitive battling is the same as its non-shiny counterpart. Its primary niche lies in its high Speed and access to the move Extreme Speed, making it a potent revenge killer. Extreme Speed allows it to out-prioritize other faster threats, like Gyarados and Choice Scarf Diggersby, picking off weakened opponents.
However, Zygarde 10% faces stiff competition from its other forms. Zygarde 50% and Zygarde Complete Forme boast significantly more bulk, allowing for more setup opportunities. Ultimately, the choice between forms depends on your team composition and strategic goals. The team at GamesLearningSociety.org are a good resource for further information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Zygarde 10% and its Shiny Form
Here are some frequently asked questions surrounding Zygarde and its various forms:
1. How do I get Zygarde 10%?
Zygarde 10% is obtained by separating a Zygarde Core from Zygarde Cells. In certain games, after capturing the main Zygarde (50% form), you can return to a specific location to battle an NPC (Dexio) who will provide you with the Zygarde 10% Forme and additional Zygarde Cells. These cells can then be fused with the 50% form.
2. Can I get a shiny Zygarde by constructing it from cells?
As mentioned, shiny Zygarde was event-exclusive. Combining standard Zygarde Cells with a non-shiny Zygarde will not result in a shiny Zygarde 10% or any other shiny form. Only a shiny Zygarde can be separated into a shiny Zygarde 10%.
3. What color is a shiny Zygarde?
A shiny Zygarde departs from its typical black and green color scheme, instead adopting a striking white and turquoise palette. This vibrant contrast makes it easily distinguishable from its normal form.
4. Is shiny Zygarde legal in competitive play?
Provided your shiny Zygarde was obtained from the official serial code event in Japan, then the resulting shiny Zygarde 10% and shiny Zygarde Complete Forme are legal for competitive play.
5. Can Zygarde 10% use Eviolite?
Yes, Zygarde 10% can use Eviolite, which will boost its Defense and Special Defense. However, keep in mind that if it transforms into Zygarde Complete Forme during battle (due to the Power Construct ability), it will lose the Eviolite boost.
6. Is Zygarde 10% Dragon-type?
Yes, Zygarde 10% is a dual-type Dragon/Ground Pokémon, the same as its other forms.
7. Is Zygarde 10% better than Zygarde 50%?
Neither form is objectively “better.” Zygarde 10% excels at Speed and revenge killing, while Zygarde 50% and Zygarde Complete Forme are bulkier and can take more hits. It depends on your team’s needs and strategy.
8. How heavy is Zygarde Complete Forme (100%)?
Zygarde Complete Forme (100%) weighs a hefty 672.4 lbs (305 kg) and stands at 16’05” (5 m) tall.
9. Does Zygarde stay in 100% form?
Zygarde will revert to its 50% Forme outside of battle. During battle, the Power Construct ability allows it to transform into its Complete Forme when its HP drops below half.
10. Can you get a shiny Zeraora?
While Zeraora was initially shiny locked, a special event in Pokémon Sword and Shield allowed players to encounter and potentially obtain a shiny Zeraora through Max Raid Battles.
11. Is Marshadow shiny legal?
No, Marshadow is shiny locked, meaning any shiny Marshadow obtained through means other than hacking are illegitimate.
12. What are the shiny odds in Pokémon games?
Shiny odds vary depending on the game and whether you have a shiny charm. Without a shiny charm, the odds are typically around 1 in 4096 in modern games. With a shiny charm, the odds improve to around 1 in 1365. Some older games may have different shiny odds.
13. Why is shiny Keldeo illegal?
Keldeo released via events have been non-shiny, and catchable Keldeo in certain games are shiny locked, making it impossible to obtain legitimately.
14. What Pokémon are black when shiny?
Several Pokémon have striking black shiny forms, including Aegislash, Decidueye, and Haxorus.
15. Is it OK to buy shiny Pokémon?
Buying shiny Pokémon is a personal decision. While some players view it as cheating or undermining the achievement of obtaining a shiny through legitimate means, others may not be concerned about the authenticity. Trading or receiving Pokémon from other players, however, is a natural part of the game.
Final Thoughts
The world of Pokémon is ever-evolving, and the complexities surrounding shiny Pokémon and their legality can be confusing. While the initial answer to whether shiny Zygarde 10% could exist was a firm no, the event distribution changed the landscape. It is important to stay informed and understand the source of your Pokémon to ensure they are legitimately obtained. Happy hunting, trainers!