Key Takeaway
There are four main ways to increase your shiny encounter odds: by Masuda Method breeding, getting the Shiny Charm, through Mass Outbreaks, and by making sandwiches with high Sparkling Power. The shiny odds are is still 1 in 4,096, though those odds can be manipulated.
The base mechanics to find shiny Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet are similar to the recent main series games. However, this generation has a couple of new tricks for you to use! Take advantage of them to locate rarely-colored Pokémon.
Table Of Contents
What Are the Shiny Odds in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet?
As in the more recent main series Pokémon games, the odds of encountering a shiny in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is still 1 in 4,096. With that said, there are a few main ways to affect these odds. The most straightforward tactics involve the Shiny Charm, Mass Outbreaks, and Meal Powers. Also, there is a breeding trick (Masuda Method) that can help you get a shiny Pokémon as well.
Shiny Odds With Multipliers
| Method | No Shiny Charm | With Shiny Charm |
|---|---|---|
| Base Odds | 1 in 4,096 | 1 in 1,365.67 |
| Clearing more than 30 Pokémon in a Mass Outbreak | 1 in 2,048 | 1 in 1,024.38 |
| Clearing more than 60 Pokémon in a Mass Outbreak | 1 in 1,365.67 | 1 in 819.60 |
| Base Odds with Sparkling Power at Level 3 | 1 in 1,024.38 | 1 in 683.08 |
| Clearing more than 30 Pokémon in a Mass Outbreak with Sparkling Power at Level 3 | 1 in 819.6 | 1 in 587.57 |
| Clearing more than 60 Pokémon in a Mass Outbreak with Sparkling Power at Level 3 | 1 in 683.08 | 1 in 512.44 |
| Breeding by using the Masuda Method | 1 in 682.6 | 1 in 512.44 |
How to Get the Shiny Charm and What it Does
Like in previous games where the Shiny Charm appeared, you can only get it after completing the regional Pokédex. Also similar to recent main series games, the Shiny Charm gives you a 300% increase in the shiny appearance rate. Put another way, this drops the 1 in 4,096 odds all the way down to 1 in 1,365.67.
On a related note, the Shiny Charm’s increased odds stack with the increased odds of Mass Outbreaks, Meal Power, and Masuda Method breeding. Overall, it’s best to combine all of these techniques for the ideal shiny encounter chances.
How Mass Outbreaks Help You Find Shiny Pokémon
The Mass Outbreak mechanic returns—and works similarly to previous main series games. On the map, you can spot either an icon of a Pokémon or a question mark. When you see such things far from your player’s position, that means there is a Mass Outbreak there.
If you see the icon of a Pokémon, that means the Mass Outbreak mostly features that species. If you see a question mark, it means the Mass Outbreak mostly features a Pokémon species that you have not yet encountered.
Each Mass Outbreak contains between 100 to 120 Pokémon. After you defeat or catch 30, your shiny encounter odds for that specific Pokémon species increase to 1 in 2,048. Then, after you defeat or catch another 30 (60 total), the shiny encounter odds for that specific Pokémon species further increase to 1 in 1,365.67.
Every 30 or so Pokémon defeated or captured, you will get a small notification about how many Pokémon are left in the Mass Outbreak. The increased odds of finding a shiny Pokémon only last for that Mass Outbreak; it is not a permanent increase.
To speed up how quickly you defeat these wild pocket monsters, you can use the Let’s Go feature. To do so, press the R button to send out the first Pokémon of your party. They will temporarily act on their own to fight nearby wild Pokémon. Thankfully, your Pokémon will never attack a wild shiny Pokémon.
How Meal Power (Sparkling Power) Helps You Find Shiny Pokémon
The sandwich-making mechanic is a new feature of this generation. By putting a sandwich together yourself—or buying them from a shop—you get various benefits. These benefits are listed next to the recipe you are about to make or buy, so you always know what you’re getting. With that said, such boons are not clearly stated if you are in the creative sandwich mode.
The benefit you’re looking for to increase shiny encounter odds is called Sparkling Power. Sparkling Power comes at levels 1, 2, and 3. Also, it will target only one type of Pokémon at a time. For example, a sandwich that has Fire Sparkling Power will increase the odds of finding shiny Fire-type Pokémon only. Just keep in mind that the effects of a sandwich only last 30 minutes.
Only Herba Mystica ingredients can give your sandwiches Sparkling Power. You get these by completing 5-star Tera Raid Battles—which are only available during the late game. As such, you won’t be able to properly go shiny hunting until then if you want to use Sparkling Power sandwiches.
How Masuda Method Breeding Helps You Get Shiny Pokémon
This method of breeding Pokémon—named after former Game Freak director Junichi Masuda—refers to breeding Pokémon who are from different languages of origin. For example, breeding a Japanese Charizard with an American English Charizard will give you higher odds of getting a shiny Charmander.
To get a Pokémon who has a different language of origin than your normal pocket monsters, you need to trade online with someone from a country that has a different language.
This technique has been around since the Generation IV games and got its name when Junichi Masuda mentioned it in a December 2007 blog entry. It was implemented to get people to use the Global Trading System more.
