Will Pokémon Auto Battle Shinies in Scarlet and Violet? A Deep Dive

The burning question for many Pokémon Scarlet and Violet trainers: can your Pokémon accidentally knock out a shiny during Auto Battles? The short and definitive answer is no. Your Pokémon will absolutely refuse to engage a shiny Pokémon in an Auto Battle. They’ll simply stand there, puzzled, while the sparkling wonder remains untouched. This has been thoroughly tested by numerous players and is a core mechanic designed to protect these elusive treasures. Let’s break down why this is the case and explore the related mechanics.

How Auto Battles Work in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Activating Auto Battle

Auto Battle (also known as “Let’s Go”) is activated by pressing the ‘R’ button. This sends out the lead Pokémon in your party to battle any wild Pokémon in the immediate vicinity. The outcome is determined by factors such as Pokémon types, levels, and stats. This feature allows you to efficiently farm experience, level up your team, and gather materials. However, Auto Battles differ significantly from manual battles.

Key Differences: Auto vs. Manual Battles

In manual battles, you have full control over your Pokémon’s moves and targets. With Auto Battles, your Pokémon acts independently, choosing their own targets and moves. This is a fast and effective way to clear out areas of wild Pokémon, but it lacks the precision of manual play. Critically, this independence comes with the caveat that shiny Pokémon are completely ignored. This is a crucial mechanic that prevents accidental knockouts of rare finds.

The Safeguard Against Shiny Loss

The safeguard is the core mechanic. No matter the circumstances, your Pokémon will never initiate an Auto Battle with a shiny Pokémon. This means you can happily send your team to auto-battle areas without fear of losing a rare shiny. Many trainers have shared stories of their Pokémon refusing to attack an unusual creature, only to discover it was indeed a shiny. This safeguard feature has significantly improved the experience of shiny hunting in the games by providing a safe mode.

Related FAQs About Auto Battling and Shinies

1. Does Auto Battling Increase Shiny Odds?

No, Auto Battling itself does not increase shiny odds. However, clearing large numbers of Pokémon through auto battles can help you reach a higher outbreak count. At 60 Pokémon defeated in a Mass Outbreak, shiny odds are improved to 1/1365. So, while not directly boosting shiny rates, Auto Battles facilitate reaching these boosted rates safely and efficiently.

2. How Can I Increase Shiny Odds in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

The best methods are:

• Clearing Pokémon in Mass Outbreaks: Defeating 60 Pokémon during an outbreak significantly boosts shiny odds.
• Eating Sandwiches for Sparkling Power: This further increases the shiny odds while the effect is active.
• Getting the Shiny Charm: This item, obtained by completing the Paldea Pokédex, permanently boosts shiny encounter rates.
• Using the Masuda Method for Breeding: Combining Pokémon from different language versions in breeding increases the chances of hatching a shiny.

3. Do Shiny Sandwiches Affect Egg Hatching?

No, Shiny Sandwiches do not affect egg shiny rates. While sandwiches boost wild encounter rates, the hatching rates are separate and are instead influenced by the Masuda Method and the Shiny Charm.

4. Will Running Away Break a Shiny Chain?

There is no chain to break in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. You can run away from battles, battle other Pokémon, or leave and return to the outbreak without affecting your odds. The only important number is the number of Pokémon defeated in the mass outbreak. Save your game after you’ve defeated at least 60, to maximize efficiency.

5. Can I Catch Pokémon During Auto Battles?

No, you cannot catch Pokémon while Auto Battling. This is one of the main drawbacks of using this feature. Auto Battles are purely for defeating wild Pokémon. If you want to catch a Pokémon, you will have to initiate a battle manually.

6. Does Auto Battle Give EVs (Effort Values)?

No, Auto Battles do not grant EVs. To gain EVs, you must participate in manual battles and actively engage in combat. If you are looking to build a strong competitive team, you will need to manually battle specific Pokemon known to give certain EV stats.

7. Does Auto Battle Give Less XP than Manual Battles?

Yes, Auto Battle gives significantly less experience points than manual battles. However, the speed of Auto Battles makes up for it, making it a faster overall method for levelling up your team.

8. What is the “R” Button Used for in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

The ‘R’ button is used to activate Auto Battle and send your first Pokémon out. It also acts as a target function in the wild.

9. What is the “ZR” Button Used For in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

The “ZR” button is also used to send out a Pokémon. Using this button counts toward your Pokémon’s evolution, where the ‘R’ button does not.

10. What is the Hardest Shiny to Find in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

Many players agree that Tynamo is one of the hardest shinies to find due to its small size and the subtle color change, where it switches from a dark to light blue. The difficulty stems from how visually similar it can be to its normal version.

11. How Rare are Shinies in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

The base rate for encountering a shiny Pokémon in the wild is about 1 in 4,000. This rate is improved with the methods described previously: outbreaks, sandwiches, and the shiny charm.

12. What Does a Shiny Rufflet Look Like?

A shiny Rufflet exchanges its blue for brown and has a slightly more saturated yellow tone. It’s a noticeable but not drastically different change.

13. Can Paradox Pokémon Breed?

No, Paradox Pokémon cannot breed in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. They are unique and legendary-like creatures that cannot be bred like regular Pokémon.

14. Is Gimmighoul Breedable?

No, Gimmighoul is genderless and cannot breed. This prevents players from accidentally breeding it. It can only be found in the wild or by collecting coins from its Chest Form.

15. Does a Shiny Ditto Increase Shiny Chance?

Yes, breeding with a shiny Ditto does increase the chance of hatching a shiny Pokemon. Specifically, it increases the shiny chance to 1 in 64 compared to the standard 1 in 8192 in the wild.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can rest easy knowing that your Pokémon will not auto battle shiny Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet. This is an intentional feature designed to safeguard these highly coveted creatures. While Auto Battling does not directly increase shiny odds, it is an essential tool for efficiently clearing out areas and preparing for shiny hunts. By understanding how Auto Battles work and using the available methods to boost shiny odds, you can optimize your hunt for these rare Pokémon. Remember to use outbreaks, sandwiches, and the Shiny Charm, and if you’re breeding, use the Masuda method to maximize your chances of finding that perfect sparkling Pokémon.