There’s never been an easier way to achieve Shiny Hunting than what is possible in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. This Pokémon Legends: Arceus Shiny Hunting Guide explains the rates, how to get your Shiny Charm, and of course, find and catch Shiny Pokémon.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is available exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
What is the shiny rate in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?
According to data made publically available on Serebii.net, the Shiny rate in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is 1/4096, identical to other games in the franchise.
Mass Outbreaks
The ancient Hisui region allows you to quickly sort through, locate, and catch Shiny Pokémon through the power of Mass Outbreaks. This increases the chance of encountering Shinies up to 1/158.2, making it the ideal strategy for going after Shiny Pokémon.
Massive Mass Outbreaks
Daybreak Content Update 1.1.0 introduces Massive Mass Outbreaks, which require the completion of Request 95: A New Anomaly.
Massive Mass Outbreaks only occur during certain weather conditions and will end once the condition passes. General hunting odds are 1/316.
While regular Mass Outbreaks have better Shiny encounter odds, the additional Pokémon you will encounter in Massive Mass Outbreaks compensates for the difference.
Completion of the Pokédex
Completing the Pokédex entry for your intended Shiny (level 10) further increases the rate. General hunting doubles it to 1/2048.5. Additionally, Mass Outbreaks increase the encounter rate by 1/152.9.
Shiny Charm
After getting the Shiny Charm, you maximize your chances of finding Shiny Pokémon. Because a completed Pokédex (level 10 for all Pokémon in the game) is required to receive the Shiny Charm, you increase the standard Shiny encounter rate to 1/819.6. For Mass Outbreaks, the rate increases to 1/137.02.
Best Odds, Rates Compared
Perfect completion of the Pokédex and ownership of the Shiny Charm increases the standard Shiny rate to 1/585.57 and the Mass Outbreak rate to 1/128.49. These are the absolute best odds attainable in the game.
| (%) In-Game Completion | Base Rate | Mass Outbreak Rate | Massive Mass Outbreak Rate |
| Default | 1/4096 | 1/158.2 | 1/316 |
| Complete Pokédex, no Shiny Charm | 1/2048.5 | 1/152.9 | 1/293 |
| Complete Pokédex + Shiny Charm | 1/819.6 | 1/137.02 | 1/241 |
| Perfect Pokédex + Shiny Charm | 1/585.57 | 1/128.49 | 1/216 |
How to find shinies in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?
You can encounter Shiny Pokémon at any time while exploring the Hisui region. However, Mass Outbreaks represent the best way to maximize your chances and encounter specific Shiny Pokémon you may want to catch as part of your collection.
- Read more: Pokémon Legends: Arceus Wisp Locations
Prepare as many Poké Balls as possible before going hunting. They can be purchased and crafted.
Every time you leave Jubilife Village, the guard stationed near the entrance will notify you when a Mass Outbreak occurs, along with the icon of the Pokemon species over the area where the outbreak is taking place.
- Read more: Pokémon Legends: Arceus Characters
After navigating to the base camp of the area containing the outbreak, perform the following steps to easily hunt Shiny Pokémon:
- Disable auto-save in the game’s settings.
- Navigate to the area containing the Mass Outbreak.
- Manually save the game.
- Go to the spot containing the outbreak.
- Keep catching or fighting the Pokémon until they cease to respawn. Four will appear at any given time, but once there are less than four, this is a sign that the outbreak is ending.
- If you do not encounter any Shiny Pokémon, close and relaunch your game. If you encounter a Shiny and fail to catch it, restart the game and go straight back to the outbreak area.
- After relaunch, return to Jubilife Village and check if the Mass Outbreak is still going on.
- Repeat the steps as necessary until you get your intended Shiny Pokémon.
How to get the shiny charm in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?
You need a fully completed Pokédex to receive the Shiny Charm as a reward from Professor Laventon in the Galaxy Hall.
Completing the Hisuian Pokédex means maxing out the Research level for every entry to 10. This is accomplished by catching the same species over and over again, feeding them, having them use different moves, and battling them.
Perfecting the Hisuian Pokedex means maxing out the Research level for every entry to 10 and fulfilling all Research tasks for each Pokémon. Research tasks require the completion of objectives unique to individual Pokémon.
Which Pokemon cannot be shiny?
Several Pokémon you get in Pokémon Legends: Arceus are Shiny-locked, which cannot be acquired in Shiny form. The list of Shiny-locked species includes:
- Cyndaquil, Oshawott, Rowlett (the ones you receive from Professor Laventon)
- Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie
- Dialga and Palkia
- Cresselia, Regigigas, Heatran
- Giratina
- Enamorus, Landorus, Thundurus, and Tornadus
- Shaymin
- Phione and Manaphy
- Darkrai
- Arceus