Owning a Shiny Pokémon is one of the ultimate flexes you can have as a trainer. There is only a 0.02% chance of encountering one in the field. However, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet has made Shiny hunting a little bit easier with sandwich encounter buffs and multi-spawning of Pokémon in the overworld. Still, how can you tell a Pokémon is Shiny from a glance? Let’s find out.
Is there a way to know if a Shiny Pokémon spawns in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet?
Aside from noticing the color difference from afar, there’s no other way to tell Pokémon is a Shiny outside of battles. This isn’t like Pokémon Legends: Arceus, where a unique sound effect plays when a Shiny Pokémon spawns on the map. Walk or ride Koraidon/Miraidon slowly if you’re Shiny hunting. Enter areas with Mass Outbreaks as much as possible to increase your chances of encountering one.
Related: Does the Masuda method work in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet?
However, once you enter into a battle with a Shiny Pokémon, there will be a star confetti animation to show that it’s one. So, if you’re not sure if a Pokémon is Shiny, just enter into a battle with it to check. This is especially true for Shiny Pokémon that are just a shade off the original’s color scheme like Ghastly, Quaxly, and Sprigatito.
Are there Shiny locked Pokémon in Scarlet & Violet?
If you’re planning to Shiny hunt Pokémon, know that there are Pokémon that are Shiny locked in the game. Specifically, these are the NPC-given Pokémon (like starters and NPC-traded Pokémon) and the box art legendaries. Although, Fuecoco, Quaxly, and Sprigatito can later be Shiny hunted in the wild.
For more help with Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, take a look at Pokémon Scarlet & Violet – Who is better Koraidon or Miraidon? Can you get both? and Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Breeding Guide here at Pro Game Guides.
Bianca Versoza is Pro Game Guides' Weekend Editor. With over three years of experience in gaming journalism, she specializes in anything remotely turn-based and strategic, like Pokémon, Valkyria, and Honkai: Star Rail. Bianca is a huge fan of Square Enix, RPGs, party games, and visual novels, but will play anything with a banger OST. She's a proud early bird.