How to Tell if a Raid Boss is Shiny: The Complete Guide for Pokémon Hunters
As a long-time Pokémon Go player and self-proclaimed “Shiny Hunter”, few things get me more excited than spotting the telltale sparkle of a Shiny Raid Boss. After hundreds of Tier 5 and Mega Raids, I‘ve picked up some key tips for identifying and successfully catching these ultra rare variants. So fellow trainers, let’s delve into the glittering world of Shiny Raid Bosses!
Know the Visual Signs of a Shiny Raid Boss
When you enter a raid lobby and the Boss first pops up, pay close attention to any visual cues that signal “Shiny!” Compared to their normal versions, Shiny Pokémon have alternate colorations that range from subtle lightening to radically different palettes. Some dead giveaways include:
- A splashy animation with stars and sound effects
- The CP number marked with a colorful Shiny icon
- Noticeably different colors on the Boss itself
For example, Shiny Mewtwo trades its signature purple for a light turquoise. Regular Charizard is orange, but its Shiny form turns black with red wings. To demonstrate, here are some other memorable Shiny shifts:
| Pokémon | Regular Color | Shiny Color |
|---|---|---|
| Rayquaza | Green with yellow accents | Black with red accents |
| Giratina | Gray with gold accents | White with red accents |
| Genesect | Purple with red eyes | White with blue eyes |
So when that raid timer clicks down, keep your eyes peeled for these iconic changes!
Master Catch Mechanics for All Shiny Bosses
The excitement of spotting a Shiny Raid Boss gives way to nervousness…will you catch it?! Not to worry, as Shiny Legendaries and Megas have a 100% catch rate when hit with Premier Balls.
However, use these tips to make every ball count:
- Golden Razz Berries – giving your target a snack makes any ball more likely to stick. I haven’t missed a Shiny yet with consistent Golden Razz feeds!
- Curveballs – spinning the ball pre-throw adds a 1.7x catch modifier. For Shiny bosses, I religiously Curve.
- Type Medals – your Catch Bonuses for normal and flying Pokémon lead to better odds across battle types.
- Set the circle – expertise that takes practice, but allows consistent “Excellent” throws for a 1.85x modifier.
Follow those guidelines, and you’ll catch ‘em all…Shinies included!
Spawn Rates and Shiny Odds for Raid Bosses
While Shinies from raids have high catch rates, finding them comes down to chance. Standard bosses have the base 1 in 450 Shiny rate, while the rarest Legendarily encounters are closer to 1 in 20. Certain Mythical releases like Shiny Mew see boosted 1 in 60 odds during special events.
For a detailed breakdown, check the table below. I’ve included the latest Community Day featured Pokémon as prime raid targets:
| Pokémon | Type | Shiny Rate | Shiny Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandshrew | Standard | 1 in 450 | Raid or wild spawn |
| Machop | Standard | 1 in 450 | Raid or wild spawn |
| Magikarp | Standard | 1 in 450 | Raid or wild spawn |
| Mewtwo | Legendary | 1 in 20 | 5-star raid |
| Genesect | Mythical | 1 in 125* | EX Raid |
*With Shiny Charm
As you can see, the rarest Shinies only come from elite raids. So gather your friends and get raiding for the best odds!
Egg Colors, Recommended Players, and Raid Rewards
Before hunting a Shiny Boss specifically, let’s review some key raid mechanics:
Raid Egg Colors
Pink level 1-2 raids are the easiest, while Golden level 5+ raids require large groups to complete:
- Pink – 17,000+ CP
- Yellow – 24,000+ CP
- Brown – 29,000+ CP
- Golden – Over 40,000+ CP
The tougher the raid, the better chance of hidden Shiny surprises!
Recommended Party Size
To successfully beat a raid boss and roll for a Shiny, make sure to battle alongside:
- Level 1-2 raids: 1-2 trainers
- Level 3-4 raids: 3-5 trainers
- Level 5/Mega: 5+ trainers (10+ if under-leveled)
Rewards: Rare Candy, TMs, and IVs
Defeating a Shiny-holding raid nets item bundles with:
- Rare Candy – Level your Pokémon!
- TMs – Teach exclusive moves
- Minimum 10/10/10 IVs – Strong base stats
Stack these rewards by battling in large Friendship Raid groups!
Concluding Shiny Hunting Tips
As a Pokémon Go expert chasing the endgame goal of a complete Shiny Raid Boss collection, I hope this guide gives fellow enthusiasts the knowledge to keep up the hunt!
In summary, remember to:
- Inspect raid bosses closely for shiny visual tells
- Master useful catch mechanics to guarantee keeping them
- Target rare legendaries and mythicals for the best shiny odds
- Come prepared with optimal counters and friend groups
Stay observant, determined and raid until your army shines. That jaw-dropping moment when the stars align and a shiny Legendary appears makes all the effort worthwhile. So gather your Ultra Balls and berries, comrades—adventure awaits!
Let me know if your shiny raid journey nets some sparkling additions to your Pokédex!
