If you’ve ever caught a Pokémon and noticed it looked a bit… different, congratulations — you may have just found a Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO.
Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO are one of the most exciting surprises. They don’t make your Pokémon stronger, they don’t unlock special abilities, and yet players go absolutely mad for them (including us here at The Click). Some people play for years, chasing certain shinies.
So what actually is a Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO, and why do they matter so much?
What Is a Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
A Shiny Pokémon is a Pokémon with an alternate colour appearance.
It’s the same Pokémon in every practical way — same stats, same moves, same CP potential — but it looks different from the normal version. Sometimes the difference is subtle, sometimes it’s dramatic, and sometimes it’s… questionable at best. Either way, a Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO is always exciting for trainers to encounter!
Shiny Pokémon are rare visual variants, not upgraded Pokémon, not often stronger, and this does surprise a lot of players.
They’re not faster or better in battle than normal Pokémon either… However… For most trainers, I think we can safely say their value is all about:
- Rarity
- Collection
- Bragging rights (this is a big one)
- Personal satisfaction – seeing that different-looking Pokémon when you least expect it is a great feeling, even when you sometimes already have one, that buzz is still there!
How Rare Are Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Shiny Pokémon are intentionally rare.
The odds depend on how you encounter the Pokémon, but in general:
- Wild shiny encounters are uncommon
- Some Pokémon have boosted shiny odds
- Events can increase shiny chances
- Community Days massively boost shiny rates
This randomness is part of the appeal — you never expect a shiny, which makes it exciting when one appears – we love them!
READ MORE: What are Pokémon GO collection challenges? A complete guide for trainers
How Can You Tell If a Pokémon Is Shiny?
You’ll know immediately.
When a shiny Pokémon appears:
- It has a different colour
- A sparkle animation plays when it appears
- The shiny symbol shows on its summary screen
Once you’ve caught a shiny Pokémon, it stays shiny forever — it won’t revert or change. Be sure to favourite any you don’t want to accidentally delete! It’s important to note that some Pokémon:
- Don’t have a shiny version released yet
- Can only be shiny during specific events
- Can only be shiny through raids, eggs, or research
When a shiny is released, it stays available permanently unless stated otherwise.
It’s also worth noting that Shiny Pokémon won’t make any difference in PVP battles.
Shiny Pokémon:
- Don’t gain battle advantages
- Don’t change damage output
- Don’t affect CP growth
However, some players enjoy using shinies in battles simply because they look cool. That’s personal preference, not optimisation. – Remember bragging? It’s sometimes the best part of owning Shiny Pokémon!
READ MORE: What is Hundo in Pokémon GO? – And why players get so excited!
What Is a Shundo?
You might hear players talk about a shundo, which put simply is a Shiny with perfect IVs!
These are extremely rare and highly prized. Functionally, they’re no better than a normal hundo — but visually and collectably, they’re top-tier trophies.
Should You Keep Shiny Pokémon?
Almost always, yes. We would keep a Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO even if:
- The IVs are bad
- The Pokémon isn’t useful
- You already have one
Most players keep shinies because they’re hard to replace. You can always decide what to do with them later. There is also a Shiny Pokedex to collect too, giving trainers another aim within the game too!
Common Shiny Pokémon Mistakes Players Make
- Thinking shiny means stronger
- Powering up shinies automatically
- Transferring shinies by accident
- Ignoring good non-shiny Pokémon
- Feeling disappointed by “bad” shinies – personally, we don’t think there is such a thing! A Shiny is rarer to find!
They’re the surprise element of Pokémon GO — the little moment where the game throws you something unexpected and exciting, a bit like a Ditto or a Zorua. Whether you collect them, battle with them, or just admire them, shinies add personality and fun to the experience.
They don’t make you stronger, but they do make the game more enjoyable — and sometimes, that matters more.
We hope this helps trainers understand a little more about Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO! As always, be sure to stay tuned here at The Click for all things Pokémon GO!
Pokémon GO is available to play on iOS and Android Handheld devices
