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Why Do Pokémon Glow in the Wild Area? A Comprehensive Guide

Have you ever been exploring the vast wild areas of a Pokémon game and noticed that some Pokémon seem to have a visible aura or glow around them? This isn’t just a visual quirk; these glows often signify special traits and characteristics of the Pokémon, adding another layer of intrigue to your adventures. The reasons for these glows are varied, depending on the specific game and the type of glow. In general, glowing Pokémon indicate something unique about their stats, abilities, or even their very nature.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common reasons why you might encounter a glowing Pokémon in the wild:

Brilliant Pokémon: These Pokémon, often found in Pokémon Sword and Shield, are characterized by a golden aura around them. They aren’t just visually appealing; they are stronger than their standard counterparts. Brilliant Pokémon have at least 2 or 3 perfect Individual Values (IVs), which are hidden stats that influence a Pokémon’s overall strength. They may also know Egg Moves, which are normally only obtainable through breeding. Encountering these radiant Pokémon is a great way to find competitively viable creatures in the wild.
Size Auras: Some Pokémon are surrounded by either red or blue auras, signifying their size. A red aura indicates that the Pokémon is larger than normal, while a blue aura means it’s smaller than normal. This visual indicator helps differentiate size variations, adding to the diversity you see in wild encounters.
Tera Pokémon: In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you might encounter Pokémon glowing with a unique crystalline aura – these are Wild Tera Pokémon. These aren’t just your average wild encounters; they are typically stronger than other Pokémon in their surroundings and possess a unique Tera type that’s different from their usual type. For example, you might find a Water-type Jigglypuff that knows the move Water Pulse. Wild Tera Pokémon offer exciting challenges and an opportunity to add special Pokémon to your team.
Shiny Pokémon: The most sought-after glowing Pokémon are the Shiny Pokémon. When you encounter them in battle, they will sparkle with star-shapes and have alternate colors that distinguish them from their regular forms. A red star on their summary page confirms their shiny status when captured. Shiny Pokémon are incredibly rare, making encounters with them exciting and memorable.
Brief Battle Glows: It’s important to distinguish between these auras and the brief glows that some Pokémon emit before attacking. For example, your own Pokémon might briefly glow and make a ding sound before executing an attack. This is simply a visual indicator of its readiness to battle and not related to any hidden stats or traits.

Understanding these different glows can enhance your gameplay, allowing you to pursue specific types of encounters, whether it’s capturing the strongest Pokémon, hunting for rare shiny variants, or battling unique Tera Pokémon. It’s also worth noting that game mechanics vary across the different Pokémon titles, and the types of auras available differ across games.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Glowing Pokémon

Here are 15 FAQs to further clarify the topic and help you navigate the world of glowing Pokémon:

### What are Brilliant Pokémon in Pokémon Sword and Shield?

Brilliant Pokémon in Sword and Shield are easily recognized by their golden aura. They are guaranteed to have at least two or three perfect IVs, which significantly boosts their stats. They also have a chance of knowing Egg Moves, which are usually only attainable via breeding, making them highly sought-after.

### What do Red and Blue Auras Around Pokémon Mean?

These auras indicate the size of the Pokémon. A red aura denotes that the Pokémon is larger than its standard size, and a blue aura indicates that the Pokémon is smaller than its standard size.

### How do I identify a Shiny Pokémon in the wild?

Shiny Pokémon have an alternate color palette compared to their normal counterparts. When encountered, they sparkle with star-shapes, and a red star appears on their summary page after capture to confirm their shiny status.

### What are Wild Tera Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

Wild Tera Pokémon have a unique crystalline aura and are stronger than other Pokémon in the area. They possess a Tera Type that is different from their normal typing and know at least one move specific to their Tera Type.

### Why does my Pokémon briefly glow before an attack?

This brief glow and sound is a visual indicator to show the Pokemon is ready to battle and is about to use an attack. It does not indicate any special stats or traits like Brilliant or Shiny Pokémon.

### Are Brilliant Pokémon Rare?

Yes, they are! The encounter rate for Brilliant Pokémon can be increased by having multiple encounters of the same species. Once you encounter a species of Pokémon 100 times you’ll max out your chances of finding Brilliant Pokémon of the same species at double the original odds.

### What’s the difference between a Shiny Pokémon and a Sparkling Pokémon?

Shiny Pokémon are recognized by their alternate color and sparkling animation when encountered. Sparkling Pokémon are found in the Pokémon TCG and often have a special foil pattern on the cards, but they do not relate to the game.

### Does purifying a Shadow Pokémon change its stats?

Purifying a Shadow Pokémon can improve its IVs, and will also cause the Pokemon to learn the move Return instead of Frustration. However, this does not cause any glow like brilliant or shiny Pokémon.

### Are Shiny Pokémon more powerful than regular Pokémon?

Shiny Pokémon are not inherently more powerful. Their uniqueness lies in their rare color variation and visual sparkle. They can still possess random stats like any regular Pokémon, but IV training is still recommended.

### What is the Masuda Method for breeding Shiny Pokémon?

The Masuda Method involves breeding Pokémon from different real-world regions. This increases the odds of hatching a Shiny Pokémon from the egg.

### What does the “Ki” or Aura mean in the Pokémon world?

In Japanese, “Ki” is the term for aura, representing the spiritual force within living beings. Some characters in the series, like Ash, can sense and control this aura. This ability is generally different from the glows seen around wild Pokémon.

### Can Pokémon glow in the dark?

Some Pokémon, like Raichu, can glow in the dark due to the electricity stored in their bodies. Others like Morelull can also create a glow using their spores, but these are not auras like with Brilliant, Shiny, or Tera Pokemon.

### What increases the chances of finding rare Pokémon?

Strategies for finding rare Pokémon include: Increasing your Trainer level, using Incense and Lure Modules, using your Daily Adventure Incense, Trading with other players, and hatching eggs. Note that these tips apply mostly to Pokemon Go, other methods exist for finding rare Pokemon in main series games.

### What is considered the rarest Pokémon card?

The “Pikachu Illustrator” card is often cited as the rarest Pokémon card. It was given as a prize for a Pokémon TCG illustration contest and there are very few in existence.

### Should I purify a 0 star Shadow Pokémon?

If a Shadow Pokemon has decent attack and CP, it is often better to leave it unpurified because the shadow bonus is very helpful for damage output. Even if it’s a zero star pokemon, its shadow damage boost can be more helpful than purifying.

By understanding the various reasons behind these glowing phenomena, you can better appreciate the rich tapestry of the Pokémon world. Whether it’s hunting for Brilliant Pokémon, pursuing elusive Shiny creatures, or challenging powerful Tera Pokémon, each glow adds a new dimension to your gameplay experience. Happy adventuring!

Why do Pokémon glow in the wild area?