November 28, 2022: We're still hunting down Shinies!
Want to learn the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet shiny odds? Ever since players came face to face with the Red Gyarados at the Lake of Rage back in Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, many fell in love with shiny Pokemon. Having a different colour scheme and a very low chance of encountering one, these rare moments were a fun addition that many enjoyed.
It's no surprise to see that shinies will return in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. With a large map that makes up the Paldea region, it may be a while before players find their first uniquely-coloured monster along their journey. However, there are some tips and tricks for those looking to find these elusive Pokemon much easier.
For even more on the upcoming games, check out our full Pokedex list for Scarlet and Violet, as well as tips on how to catch iconic starters like Oshawott, Cyndaquil, and Rowlet.
What are the shiny odds in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?
The shiny rate, this time, has been confirmed by one of the teachers in the game: 1 in 4,000 Pokémon has a chance to be shiny. It's incredibly low as expected, meaning some trainers may never encounter a shiny in their time with the game.
However, if you're willing to put the work in and grind out wild encounters, you should bump into a shiny Pokemon sooner or later. We've also got some tips to help boost those odds, to give you a fighting chance of getting a super-rare Pokemon.
How do I catch shinies in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?
As with all other Pokemon games, in Scarlet and Violet you catch shinies just like normal. All you do is enter an encounter with a wild Pokemon, and hope you've got lucky. If so, the Pokemon will shimmer alongside its altered appearance. From there, it's a matter of ensuring you catch it!
One handy way to find shiny Pokemon is to make use of the Mass Outbreak feature that has returned from Pokemon Legends: Arceus. For those who may have missed out, each area contains multiple Pokemon appearing at once, with some even appearing in other areas that they wouldn't normally spawn in. It was also a great way for those to quickly find shiny Pokemon, as you can rattle through wild encounters very quickly.
It looks like it will be an effective way to find shinies in Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet, although it will hopefully be a much swifter approach to find these variants. By using the Let's Go battle mechanic, new Pokemon will spawn to replace those that have been knocked out by Pokemon in your party.
Eventually, it might be possible to come across a shiny Pokemon by using this method. Then, all it will take then is a Pokeball, and the monster could be yours.
Can I boost the shiny odds in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?
One way to make shiny Pokemon appear more frequently is to use the new picnic feature, crafting a delicious-looking sandwich. Each of these sandwiches will grant the player certain buffs and benefits once the picnic has been dismantled and they continue with their journey.
Among these Sandwich Buffs is Encounter Power: Shiny Boost. As the name implies, this will make shiny Pokemon appear a bit more than they normally would do. It is hard to say how much it will boost these rare encounters, but anything will help in the shiny grind.
However, these are just some of the earliest tips and tricks we know before its release. It's hard to say whether the Shiny Charm item will return, or if there are other Sandwich Buffs that will help, but these two methods should help and be an effective combo for finding rare and shiny Pokemon sooner rather than later.
For even more on the latest Generation 9 games, check out how to evolve Dunsparce and Bisharp. We've also got a look at how to get Rotom phone cases, as well as how to breed Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet.