Unlocking the Mystery: A Deep Dive into Shiny Locked Pokémon in Generation 9
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Generation 9, encompassing Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, brought a fresh wave of excitement to the Pokémon world. New regions, new mechanics, and of course, a whole host of new Pokémon to hunt. However, as any seasoned Pokémon trainer knows, the quest for shiny Pokémon is a central part of the experience. Unfortunately, not every Pokémon can be obtained in its shiny form within these games.
So, which Pokémon are locked out of their shiny variations in Gen 9? The core shiny locked Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are:
- Koraidon
- Miraidon
- Wo-Chien
- Chien-Pao
- Ting-Lu
- Chi-Yu
- Gimmighoul
- Gholdengo
These Pokémon are specifically coded to never appear as shiny in the wild or through any in-game events. Keep in mind that this information can change with future game updates or events. Let’s explore this in greater depth with some frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Gen 9 Shiny Locks
1. Are all Legendaries in Gen 9 shiny locked?
Not all Legendaries, but most of the major story-related Legendary Pokémon are shiny locked in Scarlet and Violet. Specifically, the Treasures of Ruin quartet (Wo-Chien, Chien-Pao, Ting-Lu, and Chi-Yu) and the box art Legendaries (Koraidon and Miraidon) cannot be shiny. This means they can’t be shiny when you encounter them during the story. You can, however, trade for or transfer other Legendary Pokémon from previous generations using Pokémon HOME, and those Pokémon are not necessarily shiny locked if they were obtainable shiny in their original games.
2. Can I breed shiny Gen 9 starters?
Yes, you can breed shiny Gen 9 starters! While the initial starter Pokémon you receive from the professor are not shiny locked, meaning that, technically, you could soft reset for them, the most efficient way to get a shiny Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly is through breeding. Using the Masuda method (breeding with a Pokémon from a game of a different language) significantly increases your chances. This means you will increase your chances of getting a shiny through breeding.
3. What are the shiny odds in Gen 9?
The base shiny odds in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are 1/4096. However, this can be improved in several ways:
- Shiny Charm: Obtaining the Shiny Charm, awarded for completing the Paldea Pokédex, reduces the odds to 1/1365.64.
- Mass Outbreaks: Encountering Pokémon at Mass Outbreaks increases the chance of finding a shiny significantly. Defeating or catching a certain number of Pokémon in an outbreak further increases the odds.
- Shiny Sandwiches: Crafting sandwiches with specific ingredients, including Herba Mystica, can grant a Shiny Power boost, further improving the odds. Combining all these methods can get you as low as 1/512.44 using the Masuda method.
4. Is Tera Charizard shiny locked?
Yes, the 7-Star Tera Raid Charizard was shiny locked. This event was designed to give players a powerful Charizard for battling, not a shiny one. Special event Pokémon like this are often shiny locked to maintain rarity and control distribution.
5. What are the shiny odds with the Masuda Method in Gen 9?
The Masuda Method, as mentioned earlier, dramatically improves shiny odds. Without the Shiny Charm, the odds are approximately 1/682. With the Shiny Charm, the odds improve even further to about 1/512. The Games Learning Society has conducted several research projects on the mathematical probabilities within games. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information. This method, combined with the Shiny Charm, is the preferred way for many players to breed shiny Pokémon.
6. Is the second Koraidon/Miraidon shiny locked?
Yes, the second Koraidon or Miraidon that you receive after completing the main story is also shiny locked. This is consistent with how these legendary Pokémon are handled within the game’s code.
7. Can transferred Pokémon from older games be shiny in Gen 9?
Yes, Pokémon transferred from older games via Pokémon HOME can retain their shininess in Gen 9. If a Pokémon was legitimately obtained as a shiny in a previous game, it will remain shiny when transferred to Scarlet or Violet. However, illegitimate or hacked shinies may be flagged and prevented from being used in online battles or trades.
8. Are any Paradox Pokémon shiny locked?
No, the Paradox Pokémon that you encounter in the wild are not shiny locked. This includes both the past forms exclusive to Scarlet and the future forms exclusive to Violet. They can be found as shiny through normal shiny hunting methods such as mass outbreaks and shiny sandwiches.
9. Is there a sandwich to increase shiny odds?
Yes, specific sandwich recipes can increase shiny odds for certain Pokémon types. These sandwiches require Herba Mystica, rare ingredients obtained from high-level Tera Raid battles. By combining specific ingredients with the Herba Mystica, you can create sandwiches that grant a Shiny Power boost for specific types, increasing the likelihood of encountering shiny Pokémon of that type in the wild.
10. What does a shiny Rufflet look like?
A shiny Rufflet has a noticeable color change. Its blue feathers are replaced with brown feathers, and its yellow markings are slightly more saturated. It is a subtle change, but noticeable.
11. What Legendary Pokémon are always shiny locked across all generations?
Certain Mythical Pokémon have historically been shiny locked across all generations. These often include Pokémon distributed through special events or those with unique story significance. Examples include:
- Victini
- Keldeo
- Meloetta
- Hoopa
- Volcanion
It’s important to note that this can change with future events or game releases.
12. Are there any guaranteed shiny Pokémon encounters in Gen 9?
No, there are no guaranteed shiny Pokémon encounters in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Every shiny encounter relies on chance and the various methods used to boost those odds. Even with the Shiny Charm and Shiny Power sandwiches, finding a shiny still requires patience and dedication.
13. Is shiny Hoopa legal in competitive play?
No, shiny Hoopa is not legal in most competitive formats. This is because Hoopa has never been officially distributed as a shiny through any legitimate means. Any shiny Hoopa encountered is likely hacked and therefore considered illegal for competitive play.
14. How rare is a shiny in Pokémon Black 2?
In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, the base shiny odds are 1 in 8192. This is significantly higher than the odds in more recent games. However, the Shiny Charm, introduced in these games, reduces those odds to 1 in 2730.7.
15. Can I use Ditto to breed for shinies?
Yes, Ditto is an invaluable tool for breeding shiny Pokémon. Ditto can breed with almost any breedable Pokémon, making it easier to apply the Masuda Method for increased shiny odds. The key is to use a Ditto from a game of a different language than your own to trigger the Masuda Method.
Understanding which Pokémon are shiny locked and how to improve your odds is crucial for any serious shiny hunter in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. While certain Pokémon are out of reach in their shiny forms, the vast majority of the Paldea region’s Pokémon are fair game. Happy hunting!