Unveiling the Steel Will: Can Cobalion Be Shiny? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, absolutely! Cobalion can be shiny. This stalwart member of the Swords of Justice is indeed available in its shimmering, alternate color palette. However, obtaining a Shiny Cobalion is no small feat. It demands patience, dedication, and a healthy dose of luck. Prepare yourself for a journey of soft resets or relentless Raid battles, as that’s what it takes to add this prized Pokémon to your collection.

Hunting the Shiny: Where to Find Cobalion

The Old-School Method: Soft Resetting in Older Games

Back in the days of Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2, your primary method of hunting Shiny Cobalion (and its fellow Swords of Justice) involved the time-honored tradition of soft resetting. Here’s how it worked:

1. Save before the encounter: Ensure you save your game right before initiating the battle with Cobalion.
2. Engage in battle: Start the battle and see if Cobalion appears shiny.
3. If it’s not shiny, soft reset: If Cobalion isn’t sporting its alternate colors, perform a soft reset. This is typically done by pressing a combination of buttons (e.g., L+R+Start+Select on older Nintendo DS models). This restarts the game from your last save point.
4. Repeat: Repeat steps 2 and 3 until a Shiny Cobalion graces your screen.

The odds in these older games were a daunting 1/8192. Later games reduced the shiny odds, but this remains a valid (though lengthy) method for those playing on older consoles.

The Modern Approach: Raids in Pokémon GO and Sword/Shield

The introduction of Raids has offered alternative avenues for encountering Shiny Cobalion.

• Pokémon GO: During specific events in Pokémon GO, Cobalion appears in Five-Star Raids. Keep an eye on official announcements from Niantic regarding when Cobalion (and, crucially, its shiny form) is available. The shiny rate in Pokémon GO raids is significantly better than the 1/8192 of older games, often speculated to be around 1/20 or 1/25, but Niantic never officially publishes the specific shiny rates. The key is battling as many Cobalion raids as possible while it’s available.
• Pokémon Sword and Shield (Crown Tundra DLC): In the Crown Tundra DLC, you can encounter Cobalion as part of the Dynamax Adventures. While every legendary Pokémon is available through these adventures, the chances of finding a shiny are also significantly increased, especially if you have the Shiny Charm.
• Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (via Pokémon HOME transfers): You can transfer a shiny Cobalion from previous games like Pokémon GO or Sword/Shield, through Pokémon HOME, into Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.

Increasing Your Odds

While luck is undeniably a factor, you can take steps to improve your chances of finding a Shiny Cobalion:

• Shiny Charm: In games like Sword and Shield, obtaining the Shiny Charm significantly increases your shiny odds. This item is awarded for completing the Pokédex.
• Patience is Key: Shiny hunting can be time-consuming. Be prepared to invest a significant amount of time. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find it immediately.
• Stay Informed: Keep an eye on Pokémon news and community forums. This helps you understand when Cobalion is available in Raids and any events that might impact shiny rates.
• Maximize Raids: If shiny hunting in Pokémon GO, try to optimize your Raid passes and play during events that boost Raid rewards.
• Consider Pokémon HOME: Since Cobalion is not available in Scarlet and Violet, Pokémon HOME allows you to transfer your Shiny Cobalion from Pokémon Go, Sword, or Shield to Scarlet and Violet.

FAQs: All You Need to Know About Shiny Cobalion

1. What does Shiny Cobalion look like?

Shiny Cobalion features a subtle but distinct color change. Its dominant blue hue becomes a more greenish-turquoise, which makes its head appear a bit more vibrant.

2. Is Shiny Cobalion available in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

No, Cobalion is not natively available in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. However, you can transfer a Shiny Cobalion from other games like Pokémon GO or Sword/Shield via Pokémon HOME.

3. What are the best movesets for Cobalion?

Competitively, Cobalion can be tricky to build as a threat. Popular options include:

• Offensive: Sacred Sword (Fighting), Iron Head (Steel), Stone Edge (Rock), Swords Dance (raises Attack)
• Supportive: Volt Switch (Electric), Stealth Rock (Rock), Taunt (Dark)

4. Is Cobalion good competitively?

Cobalion is generally considered to be decent, not top-tier. Its dual Steel/Fighting typing can be both a blessing and a curse. While it has good physical defense, it’s vulnerable to common attacking types like Fire, Ground, and Fighting. Other Fighting-type options offer better attack stats and movepools. Terrakion is considered superior overall.

5. What are Cobalion’s weaknesses?

Cobalion is weak to Fire, Fighting, and Ground-type attacks.

6. What are Cobalion’s resistances?

Cobalion resists Normal, Grass, Ice, Dragon, Dark, Bug, Steel, and Rock-type attacks.

7. Can Cobalion be paralyzed?

Yes, Cobalion can be paralyzed, poisoned, burned, or frozen like most Pokémon. Status conditions can significantly hinder its effectiveness in battle.

8. What is the best Poké Ball to catch Cobalion in?

While any Poké Ball can catch Cobalion, some are more effective than others. The Ultra Ball is a solid choice. A Timer Ball becomes more effective the longer the battle lasts. A Master Ball guarantees a successful catch, but those are very rare, so should be saved for fleeing or difficult Pokémon.

9. What level does Cobalion appear at in the Crown Tundra?

Cobalion appears at level 70 in the Crown Tundra.

10. How do I change the weather in the Crown Tundra?

You can change the weather in the Crown Tundra by adjusting the date on your Nintendo Switch. Different dates correspond to different weather conditions. However, weather conditions are not important to catch Cobalion.

11. What Pokémon are better than Cobalion?

Many Fighting-type Pokémon are generally considered better than Cobalion, including Terrakion, Lucario, and Conkeldurr. Their higher attack stats and more diverse movepools give them a competitive edge.

12. Who are the other members of the Swords of Justice?

The other members of the Swords of Justice are Terrakion, Virizion, and Keldeo.

13. Is Cobalion a Mythical or Legendary Pokémon?

Cobalion is a Legendary Pokémon.

14. What is Cobalion’s strongest move?

Sacred Sword (Fighting-type) is Cobalion’s strongest standalone move.

15. What is the origin of Cobalion’s design?

Cobalion’s design appears to be inspired by the musketeer Athos from Alexandre Dumas’s novel The Three Musketeers. Each of the Swords of Justice members is loosely based on the characters from the novel. Exploring these connections, and the ways games intersect with literature and other media, is something educators and researchers are studying, and you can learn more about this at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Obtaining a Shiny Cobalion is a testament to a trainer’s dedication. While the odds can seem insurmountable, the reward of owning this rare and beautiful Pokémon is well worth the effort. So, steel yourself, embrace the grind, and embark on your shiny hunting adventure! Good luck, trainers!