Is Shiny Zacian Legal? Unraveling the Mystery of a Coveted Pokémon
The short answer is: A Shiny Zacian obtained through official distribution events is legal. However, a Shiny Zacian obtained through illegitimate means, such as hacking or third-party tools, is not. Understanding the nuances of legality in Pokémon hinges on how the Pokémon was acquired. Let’s delve into the details.
The Labyrinthine World of Pokémon Legality
The world of competitive Pokémon battling and trading thrives on a delicate balance between skill, strategy, and, importantly, legitimacy. The Pokémon Company International (TPCI) takes a firm stance against illegal Pokémon, which are essentially those that violate the game’s terms of service. This means a Pokémon’s very existence is questionable or its attributes have been manipulated outside of normal gameplay parameters. The question of whether a Shiny Zacian is legal is more complex than a simple yes or no.
Distinguishing “Legal” from “Legitimate”
Many players differentiate between “legal” and “legitimate.” A “legal” Pokémon theoretically could exist within the game’s code, possessing stats and movesets within the bounds of possibility. However, a “legitimate” Pokémon is one obtained through legitimate gameplay – catching, breeding, participating in events, and trading within the confines of the game’s rules. Even if a Shiny Zacian has legal stats, if it was created using third-party tools it is considered illegal.
The Shiny Lock Phenomenon
Historically, Zacian has been shiny locked, meaning that it was coded to never appear as a Shiny Pokémon through normal gameplay within the core game. This shiny lock was in place within Pokémon Sword and Shield. This meant encountering Zacian during the story campaign never yielded a shiny variant.
However, TPCI has hosted special distribution events where players could receive a Shiny Zacian through a Mystery Gift code. These events circumvented the shiny lock and allowed players to legitimately obtain this rare Pokémon.
Hacking and Third-Party Tools: The Path to Illegality
The primary reason a Shiny Zacian might be considered illegal is if it was obtained through hacking or third-party tools such as PKHex. These tools allow players to manipulate game data, creating Pokémon with specific characteristics, including making a normally shiny-locked Pokémon shiny. Using such tools violates the terms of service and can lead to bans from online play.
The Official Stance
TPCI’s stance is clear: Pokémon obtained through illegitimate means are not allowed in official competitions and online play. While they might not actively police every single trade or battle, using clearly hacked Pokémon (e.g., those with impossible movesets or abilities) is a surefire way to get flagged.
The Case for Event Shiny Zacian
The key here is context. If you received a Shiny Zacian through an official distribution event and redeemed the code correctly in your game, that Pokémon is considered legal. TPCI specifically designed these events to allow players to obtain Shiny Zacian legitimately.
Verifying Legality
If you’re unsure about the origins of a Shiny Zacian, there are a few things you can consider:
- Source: Where did you get the Pokémon? If it came from a random online trade or a suspiciously cheap source, be wary.
- Event Details: Does the Pokémon match the details of the official distribution event (level, moves, held item)?
- IVs/EVs: While not a guaranteed indicator, suspiciously perfect IVs (Individual Values) can be a red flag.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the legality of Shiny Zacian:
1. Can you get banned for using an illegal Shiny Zacian?
Yes, you can be banned from online battles and trading if you are caught using a Shiny Zacian obtained through hacking or other illegitimate methods. TPCI has the right to enforce its terms of service and penalize players who violate them.
2. How do I know if my Shiny Zacian is legal?
The best way is to trace its origin. If you received it through an official GameStop or other promotional event via a Mystery Gift code, it’s likely legal. If you obtained it through a random trade or a shady source, proceed with caution.
3. Is it possible to get a Shiny Zacian in Pokémon Sword without an event?
No. Without a specific event, Shiny Zacian is shiny locked in Pokémon Sword. Shiny Zacian was obtainable through events in Pokemon Shield.
4. Can I trade a Shiny Zacian obtained from an event?
Yes, generally. While the article claims you can not trade the Shiny Zacian, that’s incorrect. Shiny Zacian obtained through events can be traded with other players, assuming you do not trade it through Pokémon HOME.
5. What are the signs of a hacked Pokémon?
Signs include impossible movesets, unrealistic stats (like perfect IVs in everything), and unusual origins (like being caught in an area where the Pokémon doesn’t appear).
6. What is a “shiny lock”?
A shiny lock is a game mechanic where specific Pokémon are coded to never appear as shiny through normal gameplay. It prevents players from encountering certain legendary or event Pokémon in their shiny forms.
7. Can I use a legal Shiny Zacian in competitive battles?
Yes, if the Shiny Zacian was obtained legitimately, it is generally allowed in competitive battles, provided it adheres to the format’s rules (movesets, held items, etc.).
8. Are all event Pokémon legal?
Not necessarily. Event Pokémon can still be hacked or altered. Legality depends on whether the Pokémon was obtained and remains unaltered from its original distribution.
9. What happens if I’m caught using a hacked Shiny Zacian?
You may face penalties, including a ban from online play, trading, and official tournaments.
10. Where can I find information about official Pokémon events?
You can find information on the official Pokémon website, social media channels, and reputable Pokémon news sites.
11. Is using a save editor to view Pokémon data illegal?
Using a save editor to view Pokémon data might not be strictly illegal, but using it to modify your Pokémon or create new ones is definitely against the terms of service.
12. Why does TPCI care about illegal Pokémon?
TPCI wants to maintain a fair and competitive environment. Hacked Pokémon undermine the integrity of the game and give unfair advantages to players who use them.
13. How does Pokémon HOME affect the legality of Shiny Zacian?
Pokémon HOME is a storage service, it doesn’t inherently make a Pokémon legal or illegal. However, it can help identify Pokémon with unusual or impossible characteristics.
14. What is the Galar Mark?
The Galar Mark signifies that a Pokémon was caught or hatched in the Galar region (from Pokémon Sword and Shield). It’s a requirement for many competitive formats.
15. Where can I learn more about the ethics and principles behind gaming?
You can explore resources like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. This organization explores learning through games and emphasizes important aspects of gaming culture.
Ultimately, the legality of a Shiny Zacian boils down to its origin. Obtained from a distribution event? Legal. Created via hacking? Illegal. Play fair, stay informed, and enjoy the game!