Aside from exploring, capturing Shiny Pokemon serves as one of the highlights of any Trainer's experience. After all, with over 890 Pokemon to collect, Trainers get positively giddy whenever they "crack" the jackpot of getting a Shiny. And thanks to Nintendo's recent Pokemon Sword and Shield, Trainers can fulfill their capturing desires in the new Pokemon game's Galar region.
However, Trainers who don't focus on capturing Shinies on the get-go only have a slim 1 in 4,096 chance of getting one. Thankfully, items like the Shiny Charm can increase the odds. Interestingly, several other factors come into play in determining the difficulty of getting a Shiny. For instance, the type of Pokemon may actually determine the difficulty of getting its Shiny variant. As such, just which Shiny Pokemon are worth the effort in Sword and Shield?
Updated on January 12th, 2021 by Russ Boswell: Pokemon Sword and Shield brought a lot of upgrades to shiny Pokemon thanks to its change in visual style, giving players a better look at some of the great Shiny options that have appeared over the years via the National Pokedex. That said, there are still a lot of great Shiny Pokemon from Sword and Shield that are native to the game. These Pokemon Sword and Shield shinies prove that Nintendo is still a bit hit-or-miss when it comes to a great color re-design. Here's a look at some of the absolute best shiny Pokemon to stem from Generation 8.
21 #840 - Applin
- Players can find Applin on Route 5, or in the Wild Area within the Dusty Bowl, Giant's Mirror, or the Stony Wilderness.
There are many out there that would argue that some Pokemon designs are simply uninspired. A lot of the "everyday object" Pokemon get the cold shoulder due to their non-sensical designs and lackluster appearance. That said, there are still some of these 'Mon out there that are so endearing that they capture the hearts of the fanbase. Applin is a prime example, a Pokemon modeled after an apple that manages to look both kooky and outright adorable.
Its shiny form is precious and practical, giving it a Granny Smith makeover that transforms its red hues into green ones. This carries over well into both of its evolutions and actually makes Flapple look a bit more appealing overall.
20 #873 - Frosmoth
- To snag a shiny Frosmoth, players will need to get their hands on a Shiny Snom, which can be found on Route 8 as an overworld spawn. Players can also find Snom in the tall grass on Route 10 and the Lake of Outrage.
When it comes to shinies, it's a bit of a mixed bag. There are some designs that completely transform a particular Pokemon into something much better than it originally was, while others have players scratching their heads as to what exactly was changed. These subtle nuances are very hit-and-miss, but some "slight changes" can make a world of difference. A great example of this phenomenon is Frosmoth, an already beautifully designed Pokemon that gets quite the upgrade through a rather simple design upgrade.
Those that catch a Shiny Snom and evolve it into its next form will be rewarded with a Frosmoth that appears similar but sports a set of wings that have a beautiful patterned and translucent design on the inside, this time with a slight green tinge that accentuates everything extremely well.
19 #870 - Falinks
- Falinks can be found wandering around Route 8, or grabbed in the Lake of Outrage.
Pokemon Sword & Shield brought some interesting new Pokemon designs with it but some stood out more than others. A great example of an often-overlooked but supremely interesting Pokemon is Falinks. This rank-and-file-inspired soldier-esque marching Pokemon has a simplistic yet eye-catching design and its red and yellow markings (and overall shape) are reminiscent of the iconic Wiggler enemies from Super Mario Bros.
Its shiny version is a drastic change, dropping the Wiggler-like design in favor of a brown and yellow motif that gives it a much more subdued appearance.
18 #834 - Drednaw
- Drednaw is located in Routes 2 and 6, Bridge Field, Dusty Bowl, Galar Mine, Giant's Cap, Giant's Mirror, Lake of Outrage, West Lake Axewell, Fields of Honor, Soothing Wetlands, Challenge Beach, Courageous Cavern, and Loop Lagoon.
Drednaw adds yet another turtle to the slate of Pokemon in the franchise. Arriving in Generation 8, Drednaw serves as the final form of Chewtle, achieved at Level 22. Befitting its stature, Drednaw possesses a larger and fiercer Gigantamax form. However, in its base form, Drednaw possesses teal scales inside a brown shell with golden highlights. It also has a yellow horn with two sections.
As a Shiny, Drednaw has a more fearsome appearance. Its skin becomes dark green, akin to a tortoise. Its shell becomes a harder gray with orange accents, which is a color shared in its horns. Players who want a Drednaw that packs more aggression will love its Shiny variant.
17 #861 - Grimmsnarl
- Grimmsnarl is located in Lake of Outrage, Stony Wilderness, Slippery Slope, Giant's Bed, and Snowslide Slope.
Who would’ve thought that mischievous Impidimp will evolve into the monstrous Grimmsnarl? When players achieve this evolution at Level 42, Grimmsnarl will boast swirling purple skin with fearsome green details. This Dark/Fairy Pokemon also boasts a Gigantamax Form, giving it a much scarier appearance.
However, perhaps more awesome would be acquiring Shiny Grimmsnarl. Opposite its normal variant, Shiny Grimmsnarl boasts white-purple skin with violet accents. This color scheme gives Shiny Grimmsnarl a more imposing and “whole” appearance that emphasizes its Fairy typing more than its Ghost roots.
16 #818 - Inteleon
- Being a Starter Pokemon, Inteleon can only be evolved from Sobble.
Opposite Fire Type Charmeleon is Water Type Inteleon. However, whereas Charmeleon is the second form of Charmander, Inteleon is the final evolution of starter Sobble. Achieved at Level 35, Inteleon boasts the appearance of a slim chameleon, with a blue upper torso, black lower limbs, and yellow accents. It also has a Gigantamax Form, that of a long snake form wrapped around a tower.
Fans who want a stylish take on Sobble’s final form might want Shiny Inteleon. Instead of the light blue skin and dark blue torso of the original, Shiny Inteleon boasts royal blue skin and a lighter blue top. Instead of black as a secondary color, Shiny Inteleon gets a white sub-color instead. Lastly, it replaces its yellow highlights with that of purple. Overall, this gives Shiny Inteleon a more sleek appearance.
15 #858 - Hatterene
- Hatterene is located in Lake of Outrage, Frostpoint Field, Giant's Bed, Frigid Sea, and Ballimere Lake.
Hatterene is already a fan favorite of many, so it's no surprise that many would be on the hunt for a shiny version of the "Silent Pokemon." Many Pokemon palettes and designs are dictated by their type, and Hatterene's dual Psychic/Fairy-type almost guaranteed it would be pink in some form, but this also applies to its shiny form.
Not only is its middle body a flattering deeper shade of pink, but the absence of blue on its top half makes the pink appear more like a dress than its non-shiny form, a unique decision choice for such a humanoid-looking Pokemon. Hatterene looks different enough from its non-shiny form, but still a good design, which is really what every trainer wants of their favorite Pokemon.
14 #263 - Zigzagoon
- Zigzagoon is located in Route 2, Bridge Field, Giant's Cap, and Stony Wilderness.
Players first encounter Zigzagoon and eventually its evolved form,#264 Linoone, in Generation 3 games. Moreover, Zigzagoon sports an innocent look that makes it one of the cutest out there. Their regular Shiny variants give them orange fur instead of brown, which remains quite ordinary for Shiny standards.
It's Galarian Zigzagoon that makes its Shiny worth the while. After all, the Galarian Zigzagoon in Generation 8 sports red eyes, a mischievous look, and black-and-white fur that fit its Dark/Normal classification. Linoone and newcomer #862 Obstagoon sport the same impish look, enhanced with their red-and-white Shiny form.
13 #878 - Cufant
- Cufant is located in Bridge Field and Giant's Foot.
Of all new Pokemon in Generation 8, #878 Cufant and #879 Cooperajah sport quite a cute and unique elephant-like appearance. Their Steel classification remains obvious with their metallic details and appendages. Cufant sports a light orange look with dark teal accents, while Cooperajah has an imposing dark teal main color with golden accents.
However, despite the simplicity of their Shiny variants' visuals, they do exude a more regal look. Instead of orange, Shiny Cufant has brighter yellow skin with green accents. Meanwhile, Cooperajah sports a moss-like green skin with golden accents, as though there's hidden treasure beneath its appearance.
12 #837 - Rolycoly
- Rolycoly is located on Route 3, Galar Mine, Giant's Cap, and Motostoke Riverbank.
There aren't any Rock-type or Rock-looking Pokemon in the entire series, which makes #837 Rolycoly a welcome change of pace. Moreover, its evolutions #838 Carkol and #839 Coalossal all share the Golem motif. Thanks to their coal make-up, they all share dark gray rocks as bodies with burning charcoal as details. Rolycoly grows eyes and a mouth once it turns into Carkol. Lastly, Coalossal grows a massive body out of rock with charcoal forming its top portion.
The Rolycoly evolutionary tree looks awesome as it is, but its Shiny variant adds a glimmer of sophistication. At first glance, Shiny Rolycoly sports blue rocks instead of dark gray, as though it's made of a hard mineral. Others might think this change is a bit too generic for a Shiny. However, Shiny Rolycoly becomes more pristine when laid side-by-side with a typical Rolycoly.
11 #821 - Rookidee
- Corviknight is located on Route 7, Dusty Bowl, Giant's Cap, Hammerlocke Hills, Lake of Outrage, Motostoke Riverbank, North Lake Miloch, Slumbering Weald, Watchtower Ruins, and Ballimere Lake.
Unlike other Flying Pokemon, Rookidee seems like an unimposing tiny Pokemon that evolves into a sheer badass with #822 Corvisquire and #823 Corviknight. Their evolutionary tree remains consistent with the red eyes and the navy blue feathers, as well as black-and-yellow accents. However, Corviknight transforms most of its feathers into metal alongside menacing red eyes that fit its Flying/Steel classification.
According to Lore, Corviknight becomes the "best" Pokemon living in Galar's skies. And this dominance reflects even in Rookidee's Shiny variants, of which the navy blue becomes a deathly brown. Trainers won't notice this immediately, as Rookidee has shiny yellow feathers at first. However, Corviknight becomes a harbinger of darkness as it grows to have a crow-like appearance.
10 #855 - Polteageist
- Polteageist is located in the Old Cemetery.
Ghost-type Pokemon are versatile in the fact that Ghosts can possess nearly anything. Want a haunted doll? Banette. How about a spooky candle? Litwick, of course. What about a cracked and abandoned teapot that became a new home to a Ghost-Pokemon? That's how you get Polteageist, complete with its intricate teapot design.
What's great about Polteageist is that only the teapot it inhabits changes in color with its shiny form, which makes logical sense considering the number of teapots lying around in the world for ghosts to possess. Polteageist's pot changes from a contrasting light blue to soft light pink, complementing the purple, unchanging hue of its body.
9 #810 - Grookey
- Being a Starter Pokemon, Grookey isn't in the wild.
Starter Grookey and its evolutionary members, #811 Thwackey and #812 Rillaboom, all sport the Grass-Monkey hybrid look that fits its Grass classification. As with other Starters, mid-evolution Thwackey has a fiercer look. Lastly, final form Rillaboom sports an awesome mane of grass and a mean expression.
However, their Shiny versions definitely spice up their look. Instead of focusing on heavy greens, the Shiny Grookey family focuses on a mix of vibrant yellow grass-hair and reddish-brown skin. As such, they get a Shiny that nails that exotic look but doesn't stray too far from the Grookey's key visual traits.
8 #827 - Nickit
- Nickit is located in Routes 1 and 2, Dusty Bowl, Giant's Mirror, and Stony Wilderness.
Nickit and its evolution #828 Thievul both sport that foxy look, reflecting their classification as Dark-type Fox Pokemon. Unlike other newer Pokemon, their designs remain uncomplicated and faithful to traditional foxes. They have reddish-orange fur with dark brown accents and white brows and highlights. Moreover, they have recognizable yellow eyes that emphasize their coy appearance.
However, it's their Shiny variants that enhance their noir theme. Shiny Nickit sports a warm grayish coat with navy blue accents, completed with beige highlights that just exude style. The look perfectly matches their yellow eyes and natural coy grin. If the Hope Diamond got stolen and no one has seen the culprit, it's this Shiny Nickit.
7 #848 - Toxel
- Toxel is located in Route 7, Bridge Field, Giant's Cap, Hammerlocke Hills, Motostoke Riverbank, and Stony Wilderness.
Players who want a Pokemon with a "meh" attitude will enjoy the punky appearance of #848 Toxel and #849 Toxtricity. This lizard-like Electric/Poison Pokemon emits both poison and electricity that can induce paralysis to opponents, as reflected with Toxel's small spark on its forehead. Toxtricity amps up the thrill with lightning spikes on its forehead and back said to produce humming like a bass guitar.
This look, coupled with a dull bluish-purple color scheme, solemn eyes, and general "whatever" expression makes Toxel a great Pokemon for Trainers who just don't give a hoot. Interestingly, a Toxel with an "amped up" nature gets a yellowish undertone and lightning sparks instead, denoting energy.
However, players who want a change of pace can count on Shiny Toxel to transform this image. Instead of its original dull hue, it gets a vibrant pinkish look. Perhaps more interesting is its amped-up Shiny variant, as Shiny Toxtricity gets bright yellow electric spikes that just screams rock 'n' roll.
6 #813 - Scorbunny
- Being a Starter Pokemon, Scorbunny isn't in the wild.
Scorbunny definitely nails the list as one of the cutest starter Pokemon ever to grace the series, though the Fire-type category always has fierce competition. This rabbit Pokemon sports a diminutive and cutesy appearance. However, it also has sleek evolutions with #814 Raboot and #815 Cinderace. Both forms remain consistent with Scorbunny's "athletic" motif, as Raboot gets a sweater-like mane and Cinderace looks like a marathon runner.
However, its Shiny variant definitely turns up the heat, with a white-yellow-orange theme. Scorbunny focuses on an innocent white candle-like appearance that grows in intensity as it evolves.
5 #077 - Ponyta
- Players can obtain Ponyta in Glimwood Tangle and Old Cemetery.
Most folks would agree that Ponyta is cute in its original form, but its new Galarian form makes it so reminiscent of My Little Pony that the cuteness dial is turned all the way up to ten. With its bright, anime eyes, cloud-like mane, and unicorn horn, Galarian Ponyta embodies all the traits that make both unicorns and ponies so beloved in fantasy narratives and pop culture.
With Ponyta's shiny form, it manages to keep its cuteness while bringing a whole different feel to the Pokemon. This shiny form brings back the yellow shade of the original Ponyta's body, contrasting it with the soft green in its mane and the pure white hue of its coat.
4 #083 - Farfetch'd
- Farfetch'd, which is obtainable in Route 5 and Giant's Mirror, can only evolve into Sirfetch'd by performing a certain number of critical hits in a single battle.
Fans know #083 Farfetch'd as "that duck with the vegetable." However, while its normal form consists of a happy look with its brown feathers, Galarian Farfetch'd have darker feathers and a more imposing appearance. Moreover, Farfetch'd get sword-and-shield vegetables as it evolves into #865 Sirfetch'd, this time with white feathers and the same stern look. Given its weapons, it makes sense for Farfetch'd and Sirfetch'd to be classified as Fighting Pokemon.
Funnily enough, Sirfetch'd have a Shiny variant that gives it a kinship with #054 Psyduck, as they share yellowish feathers. Players who want a goofy-looking character that has the same prestige as a Shiny should go for a Shiny Farfetch'd.
3 #869 - Alcremie
- Alcremie is only obtainable by evolving Milcery, which in turn is obtainable in Route 4, Bridge Field, and Giant's Mirror.
Ideally, the main goal of a successful shiny form is to have a design that is both different enough from the original and still appealing to the eye (bonus points if it makes logical sense for the specific Pokemon.) Alcremie is a great example of how a shiny form can work on Pokemon that already have different forms, as it is distinct but still aesthetically appealing.
What makes Alcremie so great is how its shiny form still makes each of its individual forms distinct enough to be recognized through its accessories and its eye color. Furthermore, Alcremie's black pastry body is reminiscent of unique ice cream flavors such as black sesame or charcoal ice cream, which has become more popular in recent times.
2 #831 - Wooloo
- Players can obtain Wooloo in Route 1 and 4, Motostoke Riverbank, Slippery Slope, Frostpoint FIeld, Giant's Bed, Snowslide Slope, and Three-Point Pass.
The adorable sheep Pokemon that everyone fell in love with, Wooloo was one of the first Galar Pokemon revealed during Sword and Shield's promotional period, used to tease and entice fans before the game had been released. Wooloo became an instant favorite, evidenced by the amount of fan-art that flooded the internet shortly after its reveal.
Wooloo's shiny form is so excellent because it is exactly what you would expect and hope it to be: the black sheep from children's nursery rhymes. Having Wooloo be a black sheep is not only a reference to an old cultural text but also references the concept of the "black sheep", someone who is the odd one out in a group or family. Many people gravitated towards Wooloo because of the softness and kindness it represents, something that many "black sheep" may lack in their lives.