--- title: "Shiny Pokémon: Pokémon Mechanics Explained | pokee.si" url: "https://pokee.si/guide/mechanics/shiny-pokemon" description: "Rare alternative colours: the odds in each generation and the methods that make them easier to find. Guide on pokee.si." last_updated: "2026-10-19" publisher: "pokee.si: a Pokédex for families (unofficial fan site)" --- # Shiny Pokémon Rare alternative colours: the odds in each generation and the methods that make them easier to find. A Shiny Pokémon is a rare version of a Pokémon with a different colour scheme. It plays exactly like a normal one, but finding one is a classic collector's goal. Shinies were introduced in Gold and Silver, and the red Gyarados you meet at the Lake of Rage in the story is the classic first one. ## The odds In Generations II to V, any wild Pokémon had a 1 in 8,192 chance of being Shiny. From Generation VI on, the chance doubled to 1 in 4,096. Behind the scenes, the game combines the Trainer ID with a hidden number for the Pokémon. If the result of that test is small enough (under 8 in Generations III to V, under 16 from Generation VI), the Pokémon is Shiny. A Shiny stays Shiny when it evolves and cannot be changed. ## Extra rolls Many methods work by giving the game extra chances to find a Shiny, called rolls: - Shiny Charm: from Generation V, two extra rolls. About 1 in 2,731 in Generation V, and about 1 in 1,366 from Generation VI. You earn it for completing a Pokédex (in Scarlet and Violet, the Paldea Pokédex). - Masuda method: breeding two Pokémon from different language games. About 1 in 683 from Generation VI (1 in 1,639 in Generation IV and 1 in 1,366 in Generation V). - Both together: about 1 in 512 from Generation VI. - Poké Radar chaining in Diamond, Pearl and Platinum: a long chain can reach about 1 in 200. - Chain fishing and the Friend Safari in X and Y: about 1 in 100 for a long fishing chain, and about 1 in 820 in the Friend Safari. - SOS Battle chaining in Sun and Moon: about 1 in 315 after a long chain. ## Scarlet and Violet In Paldea, shiny Pokémon show up in the overworld, but without a sparkle effect to warn you. Two things help: mass outbreaks (after 30 Pokémon are cleared you get one extra roll, after 60 you get two) and Sparkling Power sandwiches, from level 1 (one extra roll) up to level 3 (three extra rolls). With a Shiny Charm, Sparkling Power level 3 and a 60-Pokémon outbreak, the odds reach 1 in 512. Wild Tera Pokémon, Tera Raid bosses and a few fixed overworld Pokémon are not helped by the Charm or sandwiches, and legendaries and other one-off encounters are coded never to be Shiny. ## Other games In Legends: Arceus, the Shiny Charm gives three extra rolls, for about 1 in 1,024, and Shiny Pokémon are visible in the area with a special sound. In Sword and Shield, Dynamax Adventure Pokémon have a 1 in 300 chance of being Shiny. In Legends: Z-A, the Shiny Charm also gives three extra rolls, and most one-off gifts and static encounters are designed never to be Shiny. ## Always, never, and special cases Some Pokémon are locked and can never be Shiny in a given game. In Scarlet and Violet that covers every Legendary Pokémon and all gifts, and in Legends: Z-A most one-off encounters and gifts are locked too. A few are guaranteed: the red Gyarados of Generation II, and a Shiny Mareep in a Legends: Z-A side mission. In Generation II, Shininess depended on a Pokémon's DVs, so only certain values (a Speed, Defense and Special DV of 10, and an Attack DV from a short list) were Shiny. ## What it looks like Shiny Pokémon use a different colour palette. In Generation II, Charizard turned purple and green, and from Generation III its palette became black. When a Shiny appears, it is usually surrounded by stars or light with a chime. Sword and Shield used two sparkle styles, stars and squares, and the square kind marks an especially rare roll or an event Pokémon. Scarlet and Violet dropped the square style. ## Related - [Breeding and Eggs](https://pokee.si/guide/mechanics/breeding) - [Browse shiny art](https://pokee.si/pokedex) --- Source: https://pokee.si/guide/mechanics/shiny-pokemon (HTML page). pokee.si is an unofficial fan site and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK or The Pokémon Company. Pokémon and all related names and images are © their respective owners.