With each new generation adding to the ever-growing Pokedex so too does the number of shinies players can hunt for, but Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have caused a stir among fans with some of the most problematic shiny Pokemon the series has seen to date. Thanks to the advent of the internet with content showcasing and explaining how to shiny hunt, shiny Pokemon have become less of a novel rarity since their debut in Gold and Silver and more of a status symbol for the most determined players. This might explain why Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have made some shiny hunts just that little bit more long-winded.
For instance, as shiny forms are just changes to a Pokemon's color palette, most players will typically be satisfied with encountering and capturing the first instance they come across. As a result, shiny hunting has become so commonplace among players that even Legends: Arceus had a side quest with a guaranteed shiny Ponyta encounter. Whether the addition of new Gen 9 Pokemon was intended to upend this or not will likely never be known. Yet, there are multiple forms of various Pokemon like Squawkabilly or Dudunsparce, the near impossible-to-tell shinies of others like Tandemaus or Charcadet and its evolutions, or even those who suffer both like Paldean Tauros.
Scarlet and Violet's Many Pokemon Forms Bring Many Problems
Though not unique to Gen 9, Scarlet and Violet introduced several Pokemon with different forms that varied in looks, uses, and even rarity, and alongside these were just as many new shiny forms. For example, Squawkabilly has four distinct forms of Green, Blue, Yellow, and White Plumage, meaning that it equally has four additional shiny forms for players to capture.
But while shiny Squawkabillys are slow-going but straightforward to traditionally hunt, others like Dudunsparce and Maushold require luck. Since both have two distinct forms which are dependent on in-game odds, they are among Pokemon's rarest shinies, though Dudunsparce's shiny base form is at least easily spotted by its bright purple.
However, while the forms of Squawkabilly and Dundunsparce are virtually identical, other Pokemon complicate things with forms that are not only visually different but functionally too. For instance, Tatsugiri with its distinctive Curly, Droopy, and Stretchy forms. Each provides a specific stat boost of Attack, Defense, and Speed respectively when paired with Dondozo's Order Up.
But with these are three distinct shiny forms, worsened further when a few of these look alarmingly similar to the originals. This is the same with Paldean Tauros and its forms, where its Combat Breed and rarer Blaze and Aqua Breeds bring with them three shinies that are practically indistinguishable at a glance.
New Gen 9 Pokemon Don't Look "Shiny"
Critically, while Paldean Tauros can hinder shiny hunting because of its dual-type Fighting/Fire and Fighting/Water breeds, both due to in-game rarity and version exclusivity, the more immediate challenge players will face is actually identifying a shiny Tauros. Unlike Kantonian Tauros' green shiny dating back to Gen 1, Paldean Tauros' black and gray color palette appears to frustratingly invert for its shiny forms. This would be difficult enough to spot in Scarlet and Violet's overworld on its own but is made far harder when factoring in day-night cycles and Tauros' constant charges at the player initiating needless battles.
But Paldean Tauros isn't the only new Pokemon to Scarlet and Violet where shiny forms are nearly impossible to spot. Other examples include Tadbulb, whose orange to red tail-tip change is easily missed, the Charcadet line and its almost imperceptible shift in eye color, or even the aforementioned Tandemaus and Maushold's two forms where their clothing subtly changes shades. Though not the first Pokemon game with disappointing shiny forms, Scarlet and Violet have made it problematic when these distinct Pokemon can appear without being battled and be missed altogether, especially if they're rare and impossible to identify.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.
