Shiny Pokémon are one of the rarest sights in the Pokémon series, but players have figured out various ways to increase the odds of getting a shiny Pokémon. One method is called the Masuda Method, which requires getting a foreign Pokémon, typically a Ditto. This may leave you wondering how to get a foreign Ditto in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
How to get a foreign Ditto for shiny breeding in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
To get another language Ditto for shiny breeding, you will need to use trade codes during Link Trading. The trade code for foreign Ditto is 4448-4448. When making this trade, you will need to trade a Ditto of your own; otherwise, the other player will likely cancel the trade. So make sure you catch a Ditto to complete this trade and get a foreign Ditto.
How to breed a shiny Pokémon with a foreign Ditto in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Once you have a foreign Ditton in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you can start breeding for shiny Pokémon using the Masuda Method. To do this, place the foreign Ditto in your party and the Pokémon you want to breed—put all other Pokémon in your box. Then, you will need to start a picnic. We recommend cooking a sandwich that increases Egg Power, like the Jam Sandwich.
Once you make the sandwich, you can simply set your Switch down and wait. Check the basket on the ground periodically to collect the eggs. The basket can only hold a maximum of ten eggs at a time. After collecting the number of eggs you want, place a Pokémon with Flame Body in your party along with the eggs. Ride around on Koraidon or Miraidon to quickly hatch the eggs, replacing any that hatch with more. It took us around 130 eggs to hatch a shiny Frigibax with this method.
What is the Masuda Method in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
The Masuda Method refers to an in-game method in the Pokémon series named after Junichi Masuda, a Game Freak director who described the method in a blog post. The method involves using a foreign Pokémon in breeding, cutting the odds of getting a shiny Pokémon from 1/4096 to 1/683. This greatly reduces the time required to get a shiny Pokémon.
One thing to note is that you will still likely have to spend quite some time hatching eggs to get a shiny Pokémon. As stated above, it took us 130 eggs to hatch a shiny, but some players may see a shiny Pokémon after fewer or more eggs are hatched. We recommend using this method in the background while doing other things to make it more enjoyable.
For more information on Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, check out Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Breeding Guide and Can you get a Shiny Starter Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet? on Pro Game Guides.
Justin has been diving into fantasy worlds since he can remember. He is a certified nerd who has a deep love of reading, writing, and hiking. He has been writing since his college days, but specifically in gaming for two years. His favorite games are The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, Hollow Knight, Celeste, and Banjo Kazooie.