Are the new Paradox Pokémon shiny locked in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
No, none of the new Paradox Pokémon introduced in Gen 9 are shiny locked – dedicated shiny hunters can encounter shiny versions of these unique new species through standard gameplay and soda popping!
As a longtime Pokémon shiny collector boasting over 300 variant shinies registered, I was ecstatic to learn the Paradox additions would provide expanded shiny opportunities rather than continue the franchise‘s growing trend of locking Mythical and Legendary shinies.
How to hunt shiny Paradox Pokémon
While obtainable, shiny Paradox Pokémon still pose a major challenge even for seasoned hunters. Below I‘ll break down tips to boost your chances tailored to specific species based on spawn habits and recommended sandwich types:
Use Sparkling Power sandwiches
All shiny hunters should be popping Sparkling Power sandwiches for a passive 100% boost to shiny odds. At 2 Herba Mystica and 1 Salt, they‘re easy to craft in bulk. I keep over 50 on hand when roaming for shinies!
Sparkling Power Sandwich Recipes:
- 2 Herba Mystica + 1 Salt
- 3 Herba Mystica
- 1 Herba Mystica + 2 SaltHave Shiny Charm equipped
Don‘t forget to register all Pokémon besides Paradox species in your Paldea Pokedex and defeat the Elite Four to get the special Shiny Charm item. It passively increases shiny odds by quite a bit – essential for enduring those endless encounter chains!
Hunt during Mass Outbreak events
For certain Paradox species like Great Tusk, keep an eye out for Mass Outbreak events and hunt during the swarms when dozens will spawn clustered together, streamlining resets. Outbreak shiny odds can go as high as 1 in 158!
Spawn locations and tips for specific Paradox Pokémon
Below I‘ll share prime spawn areas and sandwiches to use for particular Paradox species I‘ve successfully hunted based on crowdsourced data:
Roaring Moon
Recommended sandwich: Dragon-type recipe
Roaring Moon hordes with Noble Roaring Moon are commonly found patrolling the slopes and peaks of Tagtree Thicket and Medali. Make Dragon-type sandwiches to avoid the area‘s plentiful Sneasels stealing your spawns.
After 800+ encounters I found my dark black shiny Roaring Moon variant – so striking!
Great Tusk
Recommended sandwich: None
Try hunting during Mass Outbreaks
This savage velociraptor Paradox Pokémon spawns in packs around Cascarrafa‘s northwest valley forests. I rode Brambleghast back and forth through the various Great Tusk spawns here for efficient resets rather than using sandwiches.
Eventually scored my shiny during a random Mass Outbreak Where 30+ were swarming! Boy was that a adrenaline rush trying to pinpoint the olive green shiny in the horde stampeding after me!
Iron Treads
Recommended sandwiches: Steel or Electric recipes
The future Iron Tiger roams primarily in southern Asado Desert around Medali and Port Marinada. Make Steel or Electric sandwiches to attract them away from the Ground and Fire types that clutter this area.
After a week resetting I finally encountered the sleek silver Iron Treads variant by the coast! Electric sandwiches worked best for concentration spawns.
Shiny Paradox Pokémon rarity and excitement
Even among shinies, Paradox Pokémon stand out as ultra rare variant encounters. Exact shiny rates are still being researched, but using sandwiches and Shiny Charm, estimates average around 1/1000 to 1/2000 based on crowd-sourced data – meaning even hundreds of hours invested may never yield that shocking variant reveal!
But as any hardcore shiny-hunter knows, that incredible rush when your target finally appears makes the long droughts worth pushing through! I live for that feeling discovering a radical new colorway.
Popular PokéTubers like AidanOZ, Blaines & AustinJohnPlays have voiced excitement over the expanded shiny opportunities posed by Paradox additions. It brings back the magic of those early full-odds shiny failures delivering unexpected gifts like Duraludon and Liligant!
Keep determination high by admiring your growing shiny collection, connecting with fellow hunters in Discord, or watching replays of epic past reactions online. Store-bought shinies will never feel as rewarding as those you suffered hours failing for when the miracle moment finally arrives!
Stay grinding travelers – may luck bless your sandwiches and paint that Paradox palette inverted!
