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Does Raid Hour Boost Shiny Odds? Unveiling the Truth Behind Pokémon GO Raids

The burning question on every Pokémon GO trainer’s mind during Raid Hour: does this dedicated time actually increase your chances of snagging a elusive Shiny Pokémon? Let’s cut straight to the chase.

The short answer is: Not inherently, no. Raid Hour itself doesn’t boost the individual shiny odds for a specific Pokémon. However, Raid Hour does significantly increase the number of raid opportunities. More raids mean more chances, therefore giving you more opportunities to encounter a shiny. Essentially, more encounters equals more rolls of the dice. This increased frequency, coupled with certain Pokémon species having boosted shiny rates independently of the event itself, can create the perception of increased shiny odds during Raid Hour. Consider Raid Hour as a force multiplier. It amplifies the benefits of any existing shiny rates for that Pokémon. If the Raid Boss has a standard Legendary raid shiny rate of 1 in 20, you’re rolling that 1/20 chance multiple times during the hour, versus maybe a handful of raids scattered throughout the day.

However, it’s essential to understand that shiny rates are independent from Raid Hour.

Understanding Shiny Odds in Pokémon GO Raids

Before diving deeper, it’s crucial to understand the baseline shiny odds. “Shiny odds” refers to the statistical probability of encountering a Shiny Pokémon.

Standard Wild Spawns: Base odds are generally around 1 in 500, though this can vary.
Community Days: Feature a dramatically increased shiny rate for the featured Pokémon, often around 1 in 25.
Raid Days: Typically have a boosted shiny rate for the featured raid boss, potentially as high as 1 in 10.
Legendary Raids: Legendary Pokémon in raids generally have a much better shiny rate than wild spawns, typically estimated to be around 1 in 20. This rate holds true regardless of Raid Hour.
Permaboosted Shinies: Certain Pokémon species have a permanently increased shiny rate.

Factors that DO influence Shiny Odds in Pokémon GO

Species-Specific Shiny Rate: Each Pokémon species has a unique base shiny rate.
Event Bonuses: Some in-game events, like Raid Days, explicitly state increased shiny rates.
Research Breakthroughs/Tasks: Certain research tasks or breakthroughs might offer encounters with boosted shiny odds.
Shiny Charm (Mainline Games): The Shiny Charm, obtainable in the main series Pokémon games, significantly increases shiny odds when transferred to Pokémon HOME and then back to certain compatible games. This item does not affect shiny rates in Pokémon GO.

Raid Hour: Quantity vs. Probability

Raid Hour creates a localized burst of raid activity. This increased activity translates into a higher volume of raid encounters within a short timeframe.

More Raids: Raid Hour brings more raids to the game. This is purely based on time of day and is available to everyone, unlike paid opportunities.
More Players: It attracts more players, making it easier to find raid groups and beat the raid boss.
More Encounters: With each completed raid, you get another chance at encountering the Shiny Pokémon.

Key Takeaway

Raid Hour provides more opportunities to encounter a Shiny Pokémon, but it doesn’t inherently change the underlying shiny rate for that specific Pokémon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Raid Hour Guarantee a Shiny?

Absolutely not. Shiny encounters are based on probability. Even with a 1 in 20 shiny rate in Legendary Raids, you could still go dozens of raids without encountering a Shiny.

2. Are Shiny Odds Different for Remote Raids During Raid Hour?

There was initially a confirmed technical issue that resulted in remote raids having lower-than-expected shiny odds. This was officially addressed by Niantic as an error. Now, remote raids should have the same shiny odds as in-person raids.

3. Can You Tell if a Raid Boss is Shiny Before Battling It?

No. The Pokémon will appear in its standard form during the raid battle. You won’t know if it’s Shiny until the encounter screen after you’ve defeated the boss.

4. Why Haven’t I Gotten a Shiny After Many Raids?

Shiny rates are based on probability, meaning that even with decent shiny odds, you still may not find a shiny after a certain amount of raids.

5. What’s the Rarest Shiny in Pokémon GO?

Determining the absolute rarest Shiny is difficult, as it depends on availability, event frequency, and Pokémon species. Generally speaking, Shinies that are region-locked or only available during limited-time events tend to be the rarest. Another rare category are baby Pokemon from eggs, like Azelf, Mesprit and Uxie.

6. What is a “Permaboosted” Shiny?

“Permaboosted” refers to Pokémon that have a permanently increased shiny rate compared to the standard 1 in 500 odds. Many believe that the term “permaboost” is reserved for Pokemon whose shiny rate is 1/64.

7. Are All Raid Bosses Available as Shinies?

Not all raid bosses have their Shiny forms released. Check resources like Leek Duck or Serebii.net to see if a particular Pokémon’s Shiny form is available in raids.

8. Do Shiny Sandwiches in the Main Series Games Affect Pokémon GO?

No. The mechanics of the main series Pokémon games (like Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet) are completely separate from Pokémon GO. Items like Shiny Sandwiches do not apply to Pokémon GO shiny rates.

9. Does Catching More Pokémon Increase My Shiny Odds?

In the main series games, chain catching can influence shiny odds. In Pokémon GO, defeating or catching a certain number of Pokemon from a mass outbreak will increase your shiny odds.

10. How Can I Maximize My Chances of Getting a Shiny During Raid Hour?

Focus on Raid Bosses with Known Boosted Shiny Rates: Prioritize raids featuring Pokémon with the lowest odds.
Raid with Friends: Coordinate with friends to do more raids together.
Maximize Raid Encounters: Do as many raids as possible during the hour.
Be Persistent: Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get a Shiny right away.

11. Is there a way to tell if a Pokémon is Shiny before tapping on it in the wild?

No, Pokémon in the wild will always appear in their normal color palette. You can tell a Pokémon is Shiny by a little sparkle emblem appearing above the ‘mon when you’re going to catch them.

12. Should I Evolve Shiny Pokémon?

This is entirely a matter of personal preference. Aesthetic appeal, and unique coloration should be considered before evolving a shiny Pokémon.

13. How do you tell if Pokémon is shiny before catching it?

You can tell a Pokémon is Shiny by a little sparkle emblem appearing above the ‘mon when you’re going to catch them.

14. What is the rarest Pokemon in Pokemon go?

Each one only spawns in specific regions, and they don’t show up often at all. Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie are generally considered the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO.

15. What food increases shiny odds?

In the main series of Pokemon games, creating sandwiches with the “sparkling power” can increase the game’s shiny odds. There are three levels to the sparkling power sandwiches: A sandwich with Sparkling Power Level 1 doubles your shiny odds to 1/2048, A sandwich with Sparkling Power Level 2 triples your shiny odds to 1/1365.67.

The Pursuit of Shinies: A Community Experience

The thrill of the Shiny hunt is a significant part of the Pokémon GO experience. Understanding the underlying mechanics, probabilities, and event dynamics can help you make the most of your gameplay.

While Raid Hour may not magically increase shiny odds, it provides a concentrated burst of activity that can significantly boost your chances of encountering those coveted Shiny Pokémon. Remember to focus on species with better rates, raid with friends, and maximize your encounters during the hour.

Games Learning Society, at GamesLearningSociety.org, champions the exploration of these engaging game mechanics to enhance learning experiences, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the process.

Happy hunting!

Does raid hour boost shiny odds?