Pokémon GO Shiny Odds (& Why Raids Are Best) Explained (2024)

The chances for finding and catching a Shiny in Pokémon GO are quite different and more difficult than the regular odds in other titles of the Pokémon series. Internal calculations for deciding the percentage chance of discovering a Shiny Pokémon, as well as the catch rate protocols that follow, can make successfully catching one of these alternate-color variants incredibly difficult in ways that Shiny hunters coming over from console games may not even realize. Although many traditional Shiny hunting methods are ineffective in Pokémon GO, the game does make up for this in some ways.

Shiny Pokémon are unique because of their nonstandard color schemes. While they're nice to look at, they're not any stronger or harder to catch once the player finds them; a Shiny Pokémon will always have similar stats to the average Pokémon of its species. That said, Shinies are highly prized for their rarity. More than anything else, each one is a badge of the player's persistence, know-how, and luck. Here's how their spawn and catch rates work in Pokémon GO, and what players can do to find Shinies easily and more often.

Pokémon GO's Shiny Odds Explained

Base & Special Event Shiny Rates

The mainline series of Pokémon games features numerous aspects that can be manipulated by players to improve the odds of finding a Shiny Pokémon. These have been fine-tuned over the history of the franchise based on player feedback, and as it makes sense for each game. On the other hand, the odds of finding a Shiny in Pokémon GO can’t be affected by the trainer. Shiny rates in Pokémon GO can fluctuate, with special events such as Pokémon GO’s Community Days having increased spawn rates for Shiny Pokémon appearances, and some raids and quests resulting in better chances.

Like other Pokémon games, Pokémon GO relies on a random number generator (RNG) system for determining if Pokémon found in the wild or encountered at the end of a raid will be Shiny, and each Pokémon's Shiny status is determined uniquely for each player. That means the same Squirtle seen by two people may be Shiny for one and not for the other.

Although the Pokémon GO community network, The Silph Road, shut down its website operations in 2023, an archive of Shiny odds calculated by The Silph Road still makes for the most exhaustive resource on this aspect of the game. These are the most recent findings, and while they are only estimates, enough data was involved in the calculations for an overall accurate result.

Community Day events, Timed Research events, and any ticketed event will give higher odds of finding a Shiny Pokémon of whichever creature is being highlighted at that time. Some events with optional tickets available for purchase may offer an increase in odds of finding Shinies, but it is important to always read the explanation of what is included in the ticket. Tickets for things such as the Pokémon GO Fest will state whether they include boosted Shiny rates during the event.

Although the odds for Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO are high, trainers will have to actively seek them out. Pokémon on the overworld always appear in their regular coloration, so the only way to find out if they’re shiny is to enter a battle with them.

This is also the case with Pokémon GO raid Pokémon, which always appear with their regular colors during the raid battle itself and will only appear shiny during the bonus challenge. Unsurprisingly, the same is true of Shadow Pokémon, which appear with normal colors when used by a Team Rocket member.

Certain Raids In Pokémon GO Are Great Shiny Catching Opportunities

Raids Increase Shiny Appearance & Catch Rates

In general, when a trainer wants to increase their Shiny Pokémon collection in Pokémon GO, looking at some of the more difficult raids or participating in a Raid Day event is a great place to start. Raid events can provide a 1 in 10 chance of seeing a Shiny, while a regular, everyday Five-Star Raid can have a 1 in 20 chance. Mega Raids, which are often less difficult than Five-Stars, will also see the odds change to 1 in 128. Additionally, if the raid involves a Pokémon that is rare to spawn in the wild, such as a baby Pokémon, it will see a Shiny rate of 1 in 64.

And besides just increasing the rates of Shinies appearing, most Pokémon GO raids actually make it easier to catch Shiny Pokémon, too. If a player hits a Shiny Pokémon with a Premier Ball during a raid or Team GO Rocket battle, they have a 100% chance of catching it. Shiny Pokémon aren't ordinarily any harder to catch than their non-Shiny counterparts. However, when randomly encountering a Shiny out in the wild, there's always the possibility of squandering that rare chance by running out of Poké Balls. Bringing a Premier Ball along on a raid can ensure the player catches a Shiny first time.

Why Pokémon GO's Shiny Chances Are Better Than Most

Less Control, Better Rates

Mainline Pokémon video games have much lower chances of finding a Shiny unless incorporating specific tactics to increase the chances. The original games started with a 1 in 8192 chance, approximately 0.01%, which required the use of things like objects such as Shiny Charm keys. Game-specific mechanics, like mass outbreaks in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, or chain fishing in the Gen 6 games could also increase the chances. Despite the various increases and unique methods of obtaining Shiny Pokémon, these elusive creatures have remained rare throughout the history of the Pokémon games.

On the other hand, Pokémon GO revolves around capturing many Pokémon for the sake of powering them up, so a higher Shiny rate can help continue a positive gameplay loop. Even in the circ*mstances where a trainer already has a particular Pokémon registered in their Pokédex and maxed out their CP, they will still want to check wild ones as they pass by just in case they encounter a Shiny. Shiny odds in Pokémon GO, therefore, benefit from being much higher than even Pokémon Legends: Arceus with all its methods of adding to the Shiny find rate.

Also, besides participating in raids and other limited events, it can be hard to control the rate of Shinies appearing. Other Pokémon games let players use certain items or strategies to maximize their Shiny probability, but in Pokémon GO, there aren't as many options to do so. Instead, Shinies are more common across the board, with occasional rate increases brought on by timed events. This pure rate increase balances out the general lack of control offered over finding or hatching Pokémon in the game.

New Shiny Pokémon come to Pokémon GO all the time, and any list of available Shinies quickly becomes incorrect or out-of-date. Although this can be disorienting at times, it also helps to keep the Shiny hunt in Pokémon GO fresh and surprising. Often, when Shiny Pokémon are introduced to the game, they will get their own Community Day, Raid hours, or special Research events to celebrate their inclusion into Pokémon GO, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye out for what event is coming up next.

Source: The Silph Road/Internet Archive

Pokémon GO

Created by Niantic,Pokémon GO is an augmented reality RPG where players can wander around catchingPokémon as they pass by various landmarks in real life. Players can engage in a traditional Pokémon experience via battles with other trainers, catchingPokémon to breed new ones,and even trade themwith other trainers they come across.

Augmented Reality

Franchise

Pokemon

Platform(s)

iOS , Android

Released

July 6, 2016

Developer(s)

Niantic , The Pokemon Company

Publisher(s)

Niantic

ESRB

e