Is There a Point of Keeping Shiny Pokémon?
Absolutely! Keeping Shiny Pokémon is not just a frivolous pursuit for collectors; it’s a multifaceted aspect of the Pokémon experience that touches on rarity, aesthetics, trading, and even, to a small degree, bragging rights. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore trainer, Shiny Pokémon offer something unique and valuable to your gameplay. They are essentially rare variants of regular Pokémon, boasting different color palettes that set them apart. The thrill of encountering one is unmatched, and the decision to keep and cherish them is almost always a rewarding one.
The Value of Shiny Pokémon
Rarity and Collection
The most immediate reason to keep a Shiny Pokémon is their sheer rarity. In most Pokémon games, the odds of encountering a Shiny are incredibly low, often around 1 in 4096 in core series games before modifications, or closer to 1 in 500 in Pokémon GO under normal circumstances. This makes each Shiny Pokémon a trophy, a testament to your dedication and, let’s be honest, a bit of luck. Building a collection of these rare creatures is a significant accomplishment for many players. The Games Learning Society would likely agree that the persistence and strategic thinking involved in Shiny hunting provide valuable skills applicable to other areas of life.
Aesthetic Appeal
Beyond rarity, many players simply appreciate the different color schemes of Shiny Pokémon. Some Shinies feature striking and appealing color changes, while others are more subtle. A Shiny Charizard, for example, transforming from orange to black, is a highly sought-after variant due to its dramatic and imposing appearance. Whether the new color scheme is cool, cute, or just plain different, the aesthetic appeal is a major draw for collectors.
Trading and Social Value
Shiny Pokémon hold considerable value in the trading community. Even if you personally don’t like a particular Shiny Pokémon, chances are someone else does and would be willing to offer valuable Pokémon or items in exchange. This creates a thriving ecosystem of trading and bartering, adding a social dimension to the gameplay. Finding someone who is looking for the exact shiny you have and completing the trade is exciting!
In-Game Utility
While Shiny Pokémon don’t inherently possess different stats or abilities compared to their regular counterparts in most cases, their rarity can elevate their status within your team. Using a Shiny Pokémon in battles or raids is a way to show off your prized possession and demonstrate your commitment to the game. In Pokémon GO especially, some players prioritize using Shiny Pokémon in Gym battles and raids simply for the aesthetic flex. Furthermore, some Shiny Pokémon are useful in PVE and PVP combat.
FAQs About Shiny Pokémon
1. Do Shiny Pokémon do more damage than non-Shiny Pokémon?
No, Shiny Pokémon do not inherently do more damage than their non-Shiny counterparts. Their stats, abilities, and move sets are identical. The only difference is their color scheme.
2. Are Shinies rarer than Legendaries?
In many cases, yes. While Legendary Pokémon are often difficult to obtain, especially if they are limited-time, Shiny Pokémon typically have lower encounter rates in the wild. This means that the overall probability of encountering a Shiny is often lower than encountering a specific Legendary.
3. Should I keep 0-star Shiny Pokémon?
Generally, yes. A Shiny Pokémon is still rare, even with poor stats. You can always trade it to someone or keep it as a trophy. Consider whether you want to use it competitively before investing resources.
4. Are Shinies worth evolving?
Yes, if you like the evolved form’s Shiny appearance. Evolving a Shiny Pokémon retains its Shiny status. So, if you appreciate the aesthetics of the evolved form, evolving your Shiny is a great way to enjoy it.
5. How rare are 100 IV Pokémon?
The chance to get a 100% IV (15/15/15) Pokémon in Pokémon GO is 1/4096, or 0.0244%. 100 IV Shiny Pokémon are extremely rare, but so desirable!
6. What is the rarest Shiny Pokémon?
One of the rarest is considered to be the authentic form Shiny Sinistea, due to its incredibly low encounter rate.
7. Is a Shiny Pokémon better than a lucky?
A Shiny Pokémon is more of a collector’s item, while a Lucky Pokémon is more practical. Lucky Pokémon require less Stardust to power up. A Shiny is valued for appearance and rarity.
8. How many Shiny Pokémon exist?
As of now, there are over 1,312 Shiny Pokémon in existence, including different forms and variants. The number grows with each new game release.
9. Is it worth keeping multiple Shiny Pokémon?
Yes. If you have the storage space, keeping multiple Shiny Pokémon is perfectly fine. Some players collect every possible Shiny variant.
10. What is the lamest Shiny Pokémon?
This is subjective, but some commonly cited as underwhelming include Shiny Garchomp, Shiny Espeon, and Shiny Alolan Raichu, often because their color differences are subtle or unappealing to many players.
11. How often should you get a Shiny Pokémon?
The encounter rate varies depending on the game and circumstances. In Pokémon GO, the standard rate is around 1 in 500. Special events often increase the Shiny rate.
12. How rare is a perfect shiny in Pokemon go?
On average, there’s a 1 in 500 chance, or .2%, for a wild Pokémon in Pokémon GO to be Shiny. The rate appears to be eight times higher – a 1 in 62.5 chance, or 1.6% – for very rare wild spawns, certain Shadow Pokémon, and certain raid Pokémon.
13. What are the odds of getting 3 shiny Pokemon in a row?
Which equals 1/3200000 -> 0.00032% chance of this occuring with these circumstances.
14. Which is the best Shiny Pokémon?
The best Shiny Pokémon is subjective, but some popular choices include Shiny Charizard, Shiny Umbreon, and Shiny Rayquaza due to their visually striking color palettes.
15. Should I keep 0 star Pokémon?
Zero stars with some points less powerful than nundo? No, but a shadow Pokemon gains a 20% attack boost. This boost makes a nundo shadow potentially more powerful on the attack than a hundo regular or purified. This means that a seemingly low IV shadow isn’t necessarily useless.
Conclusion
Keeping Shiny Pokémon is a worthwhile endeavor for a variety of reasons. They represent rarity, aesthetic appeal, trading potential, and in-game bragging rights. Whether you’re a collector, a trader, or simply someone who appreciates unique designs, Shiny Pokémon offer a rewarding and engaging element to the Pokémon experience. Remember, the joy of finding and cherishing these rare creatures is a core part of what makes Pokémon so captivating. Understanding the educational aspects of gaming can be further explored through resources like the GamesLearningSociety.org.