To catch shiny Pokémon in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, hunt wild encounters, hatch eggs with the Masuda Method, or—if you have the Crown Tundra expansion—check catches from Dynamax Adventures. The Shiny Charm improves the odds for these methods. No number of encounters or eggs guarantees a shiny.
How do you get shiny Pokémon in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
Shininess is determined per eligible encounter, not earned after a fixed number of tries. Smogon University lists standard odds of approximately 1 in 4,096, or about 1 in 1,366 with the Shiny Charm. Those figures describe the chance for each encounter; they are not a guarantee or a pity counter.
The best method depends on what you want to catch. Eggs are suited to a particular breedable Pokémon, wild encounters let you target eligible overworld species, and Dynamax Adventures offer a chance at varied Pokémon, including legendary Pokémon. The odds and requirements differ:
| Method | Odds cited | Best fit | Requirement or trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard eligible encounter | About 1 in 4,096; about 1 in 1,366 with the Shiny Charm (Smogon University) | Targeting a Pokémon through eligible wild encounters | Species knockouts or captures affect Brilliant Aura frequency only for grass encounter slots and fishing. |
| Masuda Method eggs | About 1 in 683 without the Shiny Charm; about 1 in 512 with it (Serebii.net) | Hunting a specific breedable Pokémon | Requires compatible parents from games set to different real-world languages. |
| Dynamax Adventures | About 1 in 300 without the Shiny Charm; about 1 in 100 with it (Serebii.net) | Trying for a shiny among the Pokémon available in adventures, including legendary Pokémon | Requires the Crown Tundra expansion. Shininess is revealed at the end, and you can keep only one caught Pokémon per adventure. |
These cited figures come from specialist references; the official Pokémon pages reviewed explain raid play and capture but do not establish special shiny odds for ordinary Max Raid Battles. Odds alone do not tell you which method will take less time: the target Pokémon’s availability and the time each attempt takes matter too.
#1 Best Overall
- Catch, battle, and trade Pokémon on an all-new adventure in the Galar region
- Choose from three new partner Pokémon and encounter never-before-seen Pokémon
- Unravel the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta!
- Team up with other Trainers to participate in Max Raid Battles***!
- Battle wild Dynamax Pokémon in Max Raid Battles and try catching them***
What is the easiest shiny hunting method?
There is no universally easiest method. For a specific breedable target, the Masuda Method is a focused option. If you want a shiny legendary or like choosing among several catches, Dynamax Adventures may suit you, provided you own the expansion. For a Pokémon you can find in the overworld, wild encounters avoid the need to set up compatible parents.
- Choose eggs when you want to focus on one breedable Pokémon and can use compatible parents from different language games.
- Choose wild encounters when your target is available through an eligible overworld encounter and you prefer to meet it directly.
- Choose Dynamax Adventures when you have Crown Tundra and want the adventure’s range of catches rather than one specific egg target.
How to use the Masuda Method
The Masuda Method uses compatible Pokémon from games set to different real-world languages. Breed them and check the hatched Pokémon for shininess. Serebii.net cites odds of about 1 in 683 without the Shiny Charm and 1 in 512 with it. These are per-egg odds, not a promise that a shiny will hatch within a set batch.
Rank #2
- New entries in the main series of Pokémon RPGs arrive on Nintendo Switch simultaneously in late 2019
- The Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games take place in the newly discovered Galar Region
- Galar is an expansive region with diverse environments - an idyllic countryside, contemporary cities, thick forest and craggy, snow-covered mountains
- Fans will have the opportunity to visit Gyms in the Galar region in their quest to become Champion
- Newly discovered partner Pokémon join in this new iteration of the games - Grookey, Scorbunny and Sobble
How to hunt wild Pokémon
Find and encounter the species you want repeatedly. The Shiny Charm improves standard eligible encounter odds to about 1 in 1,366, according to Smogon University. Battling or catching the same species can make Brilliant Aura appearances more frequent, but that bonus is limited to overworld grass encounter slots and fishing; it is not an extra shiny roll for every encounter type.
How to check for shinies in Dynamax Adventures
Dynamax Adventures are part of the Crown Tundra expansion. You use rental Pokémon, can catch Pokémon you encounter, and choose one to keep when the adventure ends. A Pokémon’s shiny appearance is not shown during the battles: check each catch on the final selection screen. Serebii.net cites odds of about 1 in 300 without the Shiny Charm and 1 in 100 with it, determined separately for each player.
Rank #3
- A new generation of Pokemon is coming to the Nintendo Switch system.
- Become a Pokemon Trainer and embark on a new journey in the new Galar region!
- Choose from one of three new partner Pokemon: Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble.
- In this all new adventure, you'll encounter new and familiar Pokemon as you catch, battle, and trade Pokemon while exploring new areas and uncovering an all-new story.
- Get ready for the next Pokemon adventure in the Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield games.
Because shininess is revealed only at the end, an in-battle appearance cannot tell you whether a catch is shiny. You can keep only one caught Pokémon from an adventure, so make your choice after checking the available catches.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are Max Raid Battles a shiny hunting method?
Max Raid Battles let you team up against Dynamax Pokémon, and official Pokémon guidance says each participant has a chance to catch a Pokémon after defeating it. The official raid information reviewed does not substantiate a special shiny-rate increase for ordinary Max Raids, so do not assume a raid gives better shiny odds than the normal encounter rate.
Rank #4
![Pokémon Sword + Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51L+MTaoMmL._SL160_.jpg)
- Part 1 - The Isle of Armor releases June 17, 2020; Part 2 - The Crown Tundra is scheduled for release during the fall of 2020
- New Areas Discovered in the Galar Region and expand Your Pokémon Adventure
- This bundle includes both the Pokémon Sword game and the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass
- Catch, battle, and trade Pokémon on a new adventure in the Galar region
- If you purchase the Pokémon Sword + Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass, you'll get some in-game apparel as a bonus.
To start a raid, investigate an active den; Y-Comm stamps can help you join other players. The Pokémon Company’s Dynamax guidance explains that defeating a Dynamax Pokémon gives participants a chance to catch it. For official details on raid entry and joining, see its gameplay guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
![Pokémon Sword - Nintendo Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Hn46gyJvL._SL160_.jpg)
- Catch, battle, and trade Pokémon on an all-new adventure in the Galar region
- Choose from three new partner Pokémon and encounter never-before-seen Pokémon
- Unravel the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta!
- Team up with other Trainers to participate in Max Raid Battles
- Battle wild Dynamax Pokémon in Max Raid Battles and try catching them
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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