Master the Art of Shiny Hunting in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Capturing a shiny Pokemon has become a sought-after achievement in the Pokemon franchise since their debut in 1999's Pokemon Gold & Silver for the Game Boy Color. In almost every core-series game, there is a method to increase the likelihood of finding a shiny, and Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are no exception. These new games introduce a couple of exclusive methods to increase the chances of encountering shiny Pokemon. Luckily, players don't need to actively hunt for them to come across these rare creatures, as the base shiny odds in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are 1/4096, even without the shiny charm or boosted rates from making sandwiches. With multiple Pokemon spawning wherever the player goes, the odds of finding a shiny are higher than ever before.

Tip 1: Obtain The Shiny Charm

Obtaining the elusive shiny charm is a surefire way to increase your chances of encountering shiny Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. However, this feat is not for the faint of heart, as it requires players to complete the entire Paldea Pokedex, which includes catching or owning all 400 unique Pokemon available in the game. Fortunately, this number excludes any Pokemon exclusive to Tera Raid events, making the task slightly less daunting.

Once the Pokedex is complete, players can return to Naranja Academy and speak to Professor Jacq in the Biology Lab to receive the coveted Shiny Charm. This item is an invaluable tool for avid shiny hunters, as it boosts the base game's shiny rates from 1/4096 to 1/1365.67, effectively tripling the odds of encountering a shiny Pokemon in the wild. It's important to note that this increase in shiny odds is without the use of any additional shiny hunting methods.

Tip 2: Hunt For Pokemon Spawning In Mass Outbreaks

For those who are unable to obtain the shiny charm, fear not! There is another relatively simple method for shiny hunting that can be done regardless of the completion of the main story in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: mass outbreaks. On the Paldea map, players may notice sprites of certain Pokemon appearing in different areas, indicating the start of a mass outbreak.

Similar to shiny hunting hoards in Pokemon X & Y, players can efficiently hunt for shinies in mass outbreaks by knocking out between 30 and 60 of the Pokemon in the area, leaving the area, then returning to repeat the process. This increases the chances of finding a shiny within the mass outbreak, and can even be combined with the shiny charm to further boost the odds.

Tip 3: Eating Sparkling Power Sandwiches

In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, players have the unique opportunity to create sandwiches while picnicking with their Pokemon. This feature is comparable to cooking while camping in Pokemon Sword & Shield, but with added benefits. Eating certain sandwiches can trigger various effects, such as an increased chance of finding eggs during picnics or bonus items at the end of Tera Raids. Most notably, using the "sparkling power" to create sandwiches can increase the odds of encountering shiny Pokemon. There are three levels of sparkling power sandwiches available for players to create.

Eating a sandwich with Sparkling Power Level 1 will increase your chances of encountering a shiny Pokemon to 1 in 2048. If you opt for a sandwich with Sparkling Power Level 2, your odds will be tripled to 1 in 1365.67. And for those who really want to up their shiny game, a sandwich with Sparkling Power Level 3 will quadruple your odds to 1 in 1024.38. Keep in mind that these rates do not factor in the use of a shiny charm or mass outbreaks, which could potentially boost the rate to an impressive 1 in 512.44. However, even with such favorable odds, catching a shiny Pokemon ultimately comes down to luck and the game's RNG.