Guide: Pokémon GO Shiny Pokémon And How To Catch Them

Rise and Shiny

by Glen Fox Mon 24th Sep 2018

Shiny Pokémon are as elusive and mysterious in Pokémon GO as you'd expect. They started rolling out last year in March with Shiny Magikarp and Red Gyaradaos, but now number at almost 100.

They're so rare though, that it might well be a long while before you encounter one – if you encounter one at all. In this guide, we're going to list all of the Shiny Pokémon available in the game so far, detail how you can get a chance at catching them, and include a few tips to help make your life easier.

What Is A Shiny Pokémon?

A Shiny Pokémon is an incredibly rare version of a normal Pokémon with a special coloration. For example, a Shiny Gyarados is a deep red as oppose to its traditional blue colour.

The different colours aren't always so pronounced though, and sometimes the differences can be as small as different eye colours. It really depends on the Pokémon.

Aside from this unique appearance, there's nothing special about a Shiny Pokémon. Statistically they're the same, and have no advantages in combat or anything like that.

How To Catch Shiny Pokémon In Pokémon GO

Shiny Pokémon are encountered in a variety of different ways, and each Pokémon species itself differs. It might be that you have to encounter the Pokémon in a Raid or through an Evolution.

However, there's no reliable method to catch a Shiny Pokémon. It's entirely up to chance, and even then they're incredibly rare to encounter. Your best bet is to focus on a particular few that you want and repeat the catch requirements until you get one. If you get one.

All Shiny Pokémon In Pokémon GO

Below, we've included a list of all of the Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO, what they look like, and the means with which they're encountered. It's important to note that there is no guarantee that you will encounter a Shiny Pokémon – even if you follow the instructions. You simply have a chance, and a slim one at that.

Pokémon	Appearance	How To Catch
Shiny Absol		Raids Research Encounter
Shiny Aerodactyl		Raids Research Encounter Wild
Shiny Aggron		Evolution
Shiny Altaria		Evolution
Shiny Ampharos		Evolution
Shiny Arcanine		Evolution
Shiny Aron		Eggs Wild
Shiny Articuno		Raids
Shiny Banette		Evolution
Shiny Bayleaf		Evolution
Shiny Blastoise		Evolution
Shiny Bulbasaur		Eggs Research Encounter Wild
Shiny Charizard		Evolution
Shiny Charmander		Eggs Research Encounter Wild
Shiny Charmeleon		Evolution
Shiny Chikorita		Eggs Wild
Shiny Cloyster		Evolution
Shiny Dragonair		Evolution
Shiny Dragonite		Evolution
Shiny Dratini		Eggs Wild

Shiny Dusclops		Evolution
Shiny Duskull		Eggs Raids Wild
Shiny Eevee		Eggs Wild
Shiny Espeon		Evolution
Shiny Flaaffy		Evolution
Shiny Flareon		Evolution
Shiny Forretress		Evolution
Shiny Geodude		Wild
Shiny Glalie		Evolution
Shiny Golem		Evolution
Shiny Granbull		Evolution
Shiny Graveler		Evolution
Shiny Grimer		Eggs Wild
Shiny Growlithe		Research Encounter Wild
Shiny Gyarados		Evolution
Shiny Hariyama		Evolution
Shiny Ho-Oh		Raids
Shiny Houndoom		Evolution
Shiny Houndour		Research Encounter Wild
Shiny Ivysaur		Evolution
Shiny Jolteon		Evolution
Shiny Kabuto		Eggs Raids Wild
Shiny Kabutops		Evolution
Shiny Kyogre		Raids

Shiny Lairon		Evolution
Shiny Larvitar		Evolution
Shiny Lugia		Raids
Shiny Luvdisc		Eggs Wild
Shiny Magby		Eggs
Shiny Magikarp		Raids Research Encounter Wild
Shiny Magmar		Evolution
Shiny Makuhita		Raids Wild
Shiny Mareep		Eggs Research Encounter Wild
Shiny Mawile		Raids
Shiny Medicham		Evolution
Shiny Meditite		Raids Wild
Shiny Meganium		Evolution
Shiny Mightyena		Evolution
Shiny Minun		Wild
Shiny Moltres		Raids
Shiny Muk		Evolution
Shiny Murkrow		Wild
Shiny Natu		Eggs Research Encounter Wild
Shiny Omanyte		Eggs Raids Wild
Shiny Omastar		Evolution
Shiny Pelipper		Evolution

Shiny Pichu		Eggs
Shiny Pikachu		Evolution Research Encounter Wild
Shiny Pineco		Eggs Research Encounter Wild
Shiny Plusle		Wild
Shiny Poochyena		Eggs Wild
Shiny Pupitar		Evolution
Shiny Raichu		Evolution
Shiny Roselia		Wild
Shiny Sableye		Eggs Raids Wild
Shiny Shellder		Raids Research Encounter Wild
Shiny Shuppet		Eggs Raids Wild
Shiny Snorunt		Eggs Raids Wild
Shiny Snubbull		Research Encounter Wild
Shiny Squirtle		Eggs Research Encounter Wild
Shiny Sunflora		Evolution
Shiny Sunkern		Eggs Research Encounter Wild

Shiny Swablu		Eggs Raids Wild
Shiny Togepi		Eggs
Shiny Togetic		Evolution
Shiny Tyranitar		Evolution
Shiny Umbreon		Evolution
Shiny Vaporeon	/	Evolution
Shiny Venusaur		Evolution
Shiny Wailmer		Eggs Raids Research Encounter Wild
Shiny Wailord		Evolution
Shiny Wartortle		Evolution
Shiny Wingull		Eggs Wild
Shiny Wobbuffet		Evolution
Shiny Wynaut		Eggs
Shiny Xatu		Evolution
Shiny Zapdos		Raids

1
HipsterDashie
Tue 17th Apr 2018

I'm not going to try and complete a shiny collection because that will kill me. However, I'm very pleased I managed to get 5 shiny Mareep on Sunday, and I was successful in the previous community days at getting enough shinies to have one of each evolution.

However my real pride and joy is my beautiful shiny Lugia! I was so pleased to make that catch given Lugia is my favourite Pokémon. I nicknamed her "Mochi." 🤣

2
olrodlegacy
Tue 17th Apr 2018

Only had 20 mins out of work to do Community Day on Sunday but still managed one shiny Mareep.

Got plenty of Bulbasaur the previous day and a Shiny Magikarp on the last few mins of the very first shiny event.

Luckiest one I’ve had though was my Shiny Togepi hatch, not seen many of them about...

3
OnBeingHuman
Tue 17th Apr 2018

The only shiny I’m proud of is my shiny Lugia that spawned at a legendary raid. ‘Twas sweet.

4
Dogorilla
Tue 17th Apr 2018

I didn't actually realise there were this many shinies in the game! I only have Swablu and Dratini.

5
SmaMan
Tue 17th Apr 2018

I spent a good hour in the park on Community Day and didn't find a single Mareep, Purple or otherwise.

Also this list could use some serious organization. Bulbasaur and its evolutions are haphazardly scattered around.

6
Inc
Tue 17th Apr 2018

@SmaMan Were you out at the right time? 10am to 1pm in the UK

7
GloverMist
Tue 17th Apr 2018

I have one Shiny Ivysaur, one Shiny Mareep and two Shiny Flaaffy after the last two Community Days! Happy with that!

Although I do think that this list would do well to be organised in Pokédex order, maybe, to group evolutions together?

8
SmaMan
Tue 17th Apr 2018

@Incarta That would be about 4am to 7am here, so I'm pretty sure the hours were different. But I didn't know it was limited to three freaking hours! That's not Community Day, that's practically Community Happy Hour!

9
Inc
Tue 17th Apr 2018

@SmaMan It does seem short to me too. I could understand them restricting it to daylight hours to stop the kids running around the park at night. But finishing at 1pm? Community Extended Lunch.
Hope you have better luck next time dude.

10
SmaMan
Tue 17th Apr 2018

@Incarta Especially on Sundays, a lot of us are at church around those times.
I could see something like maybe 10am to 6pm, or even a bit later since the sun doesn't set till 8pm these days.

11
JoeyJoey95
Wed 18th Apr 2018

Currently sitting at 21 shinies (Dratini, Dragonair, Dragonite, Magikarp, 2 Gyarados, Pichu, Pikachu, Murkrow, Venusaur, Aggron, Swablu, Altaria, 5 Mareep, Flaaffy, and 2 Ampharos). No clue how I managed to snag 8 shiny Mareep during Community Day!

12
LARSUSMAKSIMUS
Wed 18th Apr 2018

And I thought the main series shiny locking was annoying LOL

13
Inc
Wed 18th Apr 2018

@SmaMan The church near me is a also a Pokemon Gym! I don't know if they know or care. Maybe it boosts their congregation numbers!

14
Prowl007
Wed 20th Jun 2018

You missed one on your shiny list there, shiny shellder which I caught in the wild it’s pretty with its golden shell. Just thought I’d pass that along and wonder if anyone else has caught a shiny shellder too.