Although Pokemon fans are currently looking forward to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl releasing later this year, 2019's Pokemon Sword and Shield continue to receive regular updates for players to enjoy. The 8th generation games introduced fans to the mega-sizing Dynamax phenomenon, along with co-op Max Raid Battles for players to partake in with each other in the Galar region's all-new Wild Area.
Game Freak tends to introduce monthly Max Raid Battle events featuring certain Pokemon, as well as some flash Max Raid events that last about a few days. Just last week, the games announced a special event featuring the Ice-type penguin Pokemon Eiscue in celebration of World Penguin Day. Now, the latest Max Raid Battle update is giving fans the chance to encounter Shiny Galarian Meowth.
Being one of the most iconic monsters in the series next to fan-favorites like Pikachu and Charizard, Meowth has a number of different regional variants. The newest event will feature all kinds of Meowth, including Kantonian Meowth, Alolan Meowth, and Galarian Meowth, which can be Shiny if players are lucky enough. The Sword and Shield event starts today and will last until this Sunday, May 2.
According to Serebii, players will see nothing but the Scratch Cat Pokemon for the next few days in Max Raid Dens. Players hoping to encounter a Shiny Galarian Meowth will have a slim 2% chance of doing so, and it is will also be possible for any Kantonian Meowth encountered to be in its Gigantamax form, which is an 8% encounter rate. While Galarian Meowth normally has gray-brown-colored fur and bright yellow eyes, Shiny Galarian Meowth has more pastel yellow-colored fur and white eyes instead. Of course, players should remember that a Galarian Meowth won't evolve into Persian, but instead the Viking Pokemon Perrserker, which was introduced as a new regional evolution for Meowth in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
In the 7th generation Pokemon games, Sun and Moon, regional variants for pre-existing Pokemon were introduced to the series as a way to breath fresh life into some older monsters, and the trend continued in Sword and Shield. Past Max Raid Battle events have given players the chance to encounter the Shiny versions of other Pokemon like Wailord.
This year, the Pokemon franchise celebrates its 25th anniversary. So far, celebrations have included a jam-packed Pokemon Day presentation, a virtual concert and new music from Post Malone, a slew of new commemorative merchandise, and more. It will be interesting to see how else Pokemon's 25th birthday is celebrated this year.
Pokemon Sword and Shield are available exclusively for Nintendo Switch.