Cracking the Crown Tundra: A Shiny Hunter’s Guide to Odds and Ends

So, you’re venturing into the icy depths of the Crown Tundra in Pokémon Sword and Shield with dreams of sparkling, alternate-colored Pokémon dancing in your head? Excellent! Let’s cut right to the chase: The odds of encountering a shiny Pokémon in the Crown Tundra heavily depend on the specific method you’re using and whether you possess the Shiny Charm.

For Dynamax Adventures, the odds are significantly boosted. Without the Shiny Charm, the chance of a Pokémon being shiny is approximately 1 in 300. However, equip that coveted Shiny Charm, and the odds skyrocket to an incredible 1 in 100 for each Pokémon at the end of the adventure. That’s a 4 in 100 chance, meaning 1 in every 25 Pokémon could potentially be shiny. This makes Dynamax Adventures the most efficient shiny hunting method in the Crown Tundra.

Now, let’s delve deeper into the nuances and address some burning questions you might have as you embark on your shiny hunting quest.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Shiny Hunting in the Crown Tundra

Here are the answers to the most common questions about the Crown Tundra and shiny hunting:

1. What exactly are Dynamax Adventures?

Dynamax Adventures are a unique gameplay mode in the Crown Tundra DLC. You team up with three other players (either real people or AI) to battle through a series of Dynamax Pokémon dens. You choose a rental Pokémon at the start and must keep it alive as you progress, switching Pokémon after each successful battle. At the end of the adventure, you get to choose one of the four Pokémon you encountered to keep. Since you see four Pokémon at the end, your shiny chances are increased, especially with the Shiny Charm.

2. How do I unlock Dynamax Adventures?

Unlocking Dynamax Adventures is simple! All you need to do is purchase the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass (which includes the Crown Tundra and the Isle of Armor). Once you arrive in the Crown Tundra, head to the Max Lair, and you’ll be ready to start your Dynamax Adventures.

3. What is the Shiny Charm, and how do I get it?

The Shiny Charm is a key item that significantly increases your chances of encountering shiny Pokémon. To obtain it, you need to complete your Galar Pokédex (which means catching or evolving all 400 Pokémon in the base game). Once you’ve done that, visit the Game Freak director in a hotel in Circhester. He’ll congratulate you and award you the Shiny Charm.

4. Do Shiny Sandwiches from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet affect Dynamax Adventures in Sword and Shield?

No, Shiny Sandwiches and other mechanics from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have no effect on the shiny odds in Dynamax Adventures. These are mechanics exclusive to Scarlet and Violet. Your shiny hunting success in the Crown Tundra will depend on the Shiny Charm and the inherent odds of Dynamax Adventures.

5. Are all Legendary Pokémon in Dynamax Adventures obtainable as shiny?

Almost, but not quite. While Dynamax Adventures offer a fantastic opportunity to hunt shiny Legendaries, some are “shiny locked.” This means their shiny forms are intentionally disabled in the game data. Check reputable sources to know which legendaries are currently available for you to hunt.

6. Are the Galarian Birds (Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres) shiny locked in the Crown Tundra?

No, the Galarian forms of Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres are not shiny locked in Sword and Shield’s Crown Tundra. However, encountering them in the overworld is a one-time opportunity, so you can’t repeatedly battle them until a shiny appears. This is why hunting them in the Crown Tundra is very rare.

7. Can the initial Kubfu you receive be shiny?

No, the Kubfu you receive as part of the Crown Tundra story cannot be shiny. It is shiny locked when you receive it, and since you can only get one per save file, there is no legitimate way to obtain a shiny Kubfu in Sword and Shield.

8. Are the new Crown Tundra Legendaries (Calyrex, Glastrier, Spectrier) shiny locked?

Yes, the three brand-new legendaries introduced in The Crown Tundra – Calyrex, Spectrier, and Glastrier – are all shiny locked. Therefore, players cannot obtain shiny versions of them.

9. Once I catch a Legendary in a Dynamax Adventure, can I catch it again?

No, once you’ve caught a specific Legendary Pokémon in a Dynamax Adventure, you cannot catch it again in that game save. However, you can still participate in Dynamax Adventures featuring that Legendary to help other players and potentially find other shiny Pokémon.

10. What happens if I encounter a shiny Legendary, but I’ve already caught it?

If you encounter a shiny version of a Legendary you’ve already caught, you won’t be able to keep it. Since you can only catch each legendary once, you will have to choose one of the other three Pokémon that you battled.

11. Is there a trick to make Shiny Pokémon appear more often?

Aside from having the Shiny Charm equipped, there’s no magic trick to guarantee shiny encounters. However, understanding the mechanics and using efficient hunting methods (like Dynamax Adventures) will significantly increase your chances of success. Patience is key!

12. What makes Dynamax Adventures so good for Shiny Hunting?

Several factors make Dynamax Adventures ideal for shiny hunting:

• Increased Shiny Odds: As mentioned, the base odds are already better than standard encounters, and the Shiny Charm dramatically improves them.
• Multiple Encounters: You encounter four Pokémon in each adventure, essentially giving you four rolls of the dice for shininess.
• Guaranteed Rare Pokémon: Dynamax Adventures offer a reliable way to encounter Legendary and Ultra Beast Pokémon, many of which are highly sought after as shinies.

13. Are there any Pokémon that I should specifically target in Dynamax Adventures for their shiny forms?

This is entirely a matter of personal preference! However, some popular targets include:

• Legendary Pokémon with striking shiny forms (like Rayquaza, Kyogre, or Xerneas).
• Ultra Beasts, as they were previously difficult to shiny hunt.
• Pokémon that are rare or difficult to obtain in other games.

14. How does the cryptographically secure randomness impact shiny hunting?

The article mentions cryptographically secure randomness for shiny odds. This primarily affects Pokémon GO and means that the game uses a robust random number generator, making it virtually impossible to predict or manipulate shiny encounters. In Sword and Shield, the randomness is still random, but the key takeaway is that there’s no way to “game” the system or influence the shiny odds beyond using the Shiny Charm.

15. What other resources can I use to learn more about Pokémon and Shiny Hunting?

Beyond this guide, there are many excellent resources available:

• Serebii.net: A comprehensive Pokémon database with information on every game, Pokémon, and move.
• Bulbapedia: A community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia with detailed articles on all aspects of the franchise.
• GamesLearningSociety.org: For insights into how games like Pokémon can enhance learning and skills development, visit the Games Learning Society.
• YouTube Channels: Many Pokémon content creators offer tutorials, tips, and shiny hunting strategies.

Shiny hunting in the Crown Tundra can be a rewarding, albeit time-consuming, experience. By understanding the odds, utilizing efficient methods like Dynamax Adventures, and equipping the Shiny Charm, you’ll significantly increase your chances of finding those elusive sparkling Pokémon. Happy hunting!