Pokémon Scarlet and Violet | Easiest Shiny Hunts for Beginners

Here are some of the easiest shiny hunts in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Whether you're trying it out for the first time or want a break from hunting that Three-Segment Dudunsparce, these hunts should provide a few quick and easy shinies. Just remember: all shinies are ultimately up to chance.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet | Easiest Shiny Hunts for BeginnersI’ve done my fair share of shiny hunts. From HeartGold & SoulSilver to Scarlet & Violet, I’ve amassed quite the collection of the little guys. But, when I first started out, it was kind of intimidating. Dedicating hours of your time for a 1 in 4,096 chance to find a different-colored Pokémon isn’t most people’s idea of fun. If you’re new to shiny hunting, here are a few of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s easiest shiny hunts for when you’re starting out.

And, if you’re more experienced, check out our guide on the best locations to hunt rare shinies in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Overview

Don’t get me wrong, things have gotten way better since the odds of 1 in 8,192 back in Generation III. Generation IV introduced the Masuda Method, Generation V added the shiny charm and, most recently, Generation IX added the “Sparkling Power” mechanic.

Making a sandwich with Sparkling Power 3 can certainly create some interesting results.

Making a sandwich with Sparkling Power 3 can certainly create some interesting results.

However, these extra mechanics can be confusing for new players. So, if you need some help, check out our guide on how to increase your shiny odds in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. I’ll be going over specific Pokémon to shiny hunt, so be sure to check out that guide if you’re looking for more general info.

Rellor

Heading to the west of the Asado Desert Watchtower, with a Bug Type sandwich, you’ll encounter a lot of Rellor. Rellor’s shiny is very noticeable, especially during the day. Compared to its typical ball of mud, shiny Rellor will have a golden ball it pushes around. It has a metallic texture, making it easier to spot when it’s bright.

Shiny Rellor changes its ball of mud to a ball of gold. - Easiest Shiny Hunts Pokémon Violet

Shiny Rellor comparison.

To evolve Rellor into Rabsca is pretty simple. Simply walk 1,000 steps in Let’s Go mode and then level up once. You enter Let’s Go mode by pressing the ZR button. That will allow you to throw out your Pokémon, which will then follow you. An easy way to do this is either in a city, where no Pokémon spawn, or by jumping on top of a Pokémon Center. While on top of the Pokémon Center, your Pokémon will run in circles below, allowing you to get tons of steps quickly.

The gold coloring of Rellor's ball switches over to Rabsca's body.

The gold coloring of shiny Rellor’s ball switches over to Rabsca’s body.

Larvesta

Also in the Asado Desert, Larvesta is the only spawn with a Fire Type sandwich; making it a very easy shiny hunt. It should be pretty easy to spot, with its dark orange horns turning a bright yellow. There will be some non-fire type Pokémon spawning. This doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have some guaranteed spawns, even with a sandwich.

Shiny Larvesta has yellow horns, rather than orange. - Easiest Shiny Hunts Pokémon Violet

Shiny Larvesta comparison.

To evolve Larvesta into Volcarona, simply level Larvesta up to level 59. Because of its late evolution, Volcarona’s base stats increase from 360 to 550 upon evolution. This can make it a nice late-game addition to your team.

Shiny Volcarona keeps its pre-evolution's green eyes.

Shiny Volcarona keeps its pre-evolution’s green eyes.

Magnemite & Magneton

Just about everywhere on Glaseado Mountain you can find Magnemite and Magneton. At night, it may be easier for you to spot these shinies, as they stand out more when it’s dark. These will be the only Electric Type Pokémon that spawn in most areas of the mountain. 

Shiny Magnemite's body becomes a light gold, with its magnets turning black. - Easiest Shiny Hunts Pokémon Violet

Shiny Magnemite comparison.

To evolve Magnemite, raise it up to level 30. Once you’ve evolved your Magnemite into Magneton, give it a Thunder Stone to evolve it into Magnezone. This is the first generation where Magneton exclusively evolves via Thunder Stone. In the past, you could get a Magnezone by leveling up in special areas. 

Shiny Magnezone loses its previous forms' golden coloring.

Shiny Magnezone loses its previous forms’ golden coloring.

Growlithe & Arcanine

Grolithe and Arcanine will spawn right around Fury Falls; a Fire Type sandwich will cause them to be the only spawns in this area. An easy way to do this hunt is to picnic reset right beside the waterfall. For those unaware, picnic resetting is simply starting and ending a picnic to reset the nearby spawns. This should be an easy one to spot, so you can probably just stand in one place for the entirety of this hunt.

When shiny, Growlithe's body changes from orange to yellow. Its beige tufts of fur turn slightly yellow as well. - Easiest Shiny Hunts Pokémon Violet

Shiny Growlithe comparison.

To evolve Growlithe into Arcanine, you’ll just need to use a Fire Stone. You can find Fire Stones in various places throughout Paldea, although it’s up to luck. You can also buy Fire Stones at Delibird Presents. 

Shiny Arcanine keeps all of its colors from Growlithe.

Shiny Arcanine keeps all of its colors from Growlithe.

Chansey

Chansey can be found along the beach and pathway near the northernmost lighthouse. With a Normal Type sandwich, you’ll be finding exclusively Chansey. This is also a great way to farm EXP, as Chansey gives a ton of experience. It may take a bit longer to hunt this way, though.

Chansey's shiny changes from pink to a pale green. - Easiest Shiny Hunts Pokémon Violet

Shiny Chansey comparison.

To evolve Chansey into Blissey, you’ll need to raise its happiness up to 220. Unfortunately, there’s no way to see the exact value in-game, so you’ll have to head to the Friendship Checker in Cascarrafa. Alternatively, if you’d like to keep the unique green coloring, Chansey is a great user of the Eviolite. The Eviolite boosts the defenses of any unevolved Pokémon.

Shiny Blissey is only a slightly lighter color than its normal form.

Shiny Blissey is only a slightly lighter color than its normal form.

Marill & Azumarill

To the east of Casseroya Lake (Islet), you’ll find the island of the False Dragon Titan. On this island, with a Fairy Type sandwich, you’ll exclusively see Marill and Azumarill. Some will spawn in the water, but you’ll want to stay on the island to preserve your framerate.

Marill changes from blue to green when shiny. - Easiest Shiny Hunts Pokémon Violet

Shiny Marill comparison.

To evolve Marill into Azumarill, you’ll need to raise it to the surprisingly low level 18. Azumarill is certainly a powerhouse with its access to the ability Huge Power. Huge Power doubles the Pokémon’s attack stat, making it an incredibly valuable ability to have.

Shiny Azumarill completely changes things up, going from green to a golden yellow.

Shiny Azumarill completely changes things up, going from green to a golden yellow.

Impidimp

In the Tagtree Thicket, Impidimp will be the sole Fairy Type encounter. In the northern section of the area, you can also find Morgrem, Impidimp’s evolution. While Tagtree Thicket may not be the best place for shiny hunting due to its low framerate, Impidimp stands out a lot, with both pink and blue contrasting the green very well.

Impidimp's shiny changes its pink to a blue, with its purple turning white. - Easiest Shiny Hunts Pokémon Violet

Shiny Impidimp comparison.

To evolve Impidimp into Morgrem, simply raise it to level 32. Alternatively, you could just look for a Morgrem on its own in the northern section of Tagtree Thicket. To evolve Morgrem into Grimmsnarl, you’ll raise it another 10 levels up to 42. Grimmsnarl gets access to some great moves, including False Surrender and Spirit Break.

Shiny Grimmsnarl has the blue of Impidimp in a small section on its body. The main color of its body becomes a dark pink.

Shiny Grimmsnarl has the blue of Impidimp in a small section on its body. The main color of its body becomes a dark pink.

Mankey

Just below Icerend Shrine, is a great place to hunt Mankey. It should be the sole Fighting Type spawn. You can easily picnic reset here, making the hunt pretty simple. There should only be around 10-15 Mankey spawning at a time. Just make sure you’re paying enough attention, because this shiny can be easy to miss with certain lighting.

Mankey's shiny changes from its usual beige to a pale green. - Easiest Shiny Hunts Pokémon Violet

Shiny Mankey comparison.

To evolve Mankey into Primeape, raise it to level 28. Evolving into Annihilape is a bit more of a time investment. At level 35, Primeape learns the move Rage Fist. After that, you’ll need to have your Pokémon use the move 20 times before it’ll evolve. However, Annihilape is a Pokémon that’s frequently useful for difficult raids, so it’s certainly worth it.

The whole Mankey line have very different shinies. Going from green to brown to blue.

The whole Mankey line have very different shinies. Going from green to brown to blue.

Rockruff

In the same areas right below Icerend shrine, Rockruff will be the only Rock Type spawn. Much like Mankey, you’ll want to wait until all of the Rockruff spawn and then picnic reset. Unlike Mankey, this shiny is super easy to spot, so you should be all set on that front.

Shiny Rockruff turns a pale blue. - Easiest Shiny Hunts Pokémon Violet

Shiny Rockruff comparison.

Rockruff is one of only four Pokémon that has a branched evolution line with more than two end results. The others being Eevee, of course, along with Burmy and Tyrogue. To evolve Rockruff into Midday Lycanroc, raise it to level 25 during the day. To get Midnight Lycanroc, do the same during the night.

Dusk Lycanroc can only be obtained with a Rockruff that has the special ability Own Tempo. This is a very rare ability on Rockruff, so it’s unlikely you’ll find it first try. Once you do find one, you’ll need to evolve it between 7pm and 8pm.

All three of Rockruff's potential evolutions have blue shinies.

All three of Rockruff’s potential evolutions have blue shinies.

Deerling & Sawsbuck

Right above Groundblight Shrine there’s a small ledge. The next few hunts will all be in this area. Eating a Normal Type sandwich will cause exclusively Deerling and its evolution Sawsbuck to spawn. Deerling is a bit hard to notice. Its yellow flower turns pink, which is its only change. Sawsbuck is also hard to see. Its fur turns light brown, compared to its normal dark brown fur.

Deerling's shiny is a bit hard to see. Its yellow flower changes to pink. - Easiest Shiny Hunts Pokémon Violet

Shiny Deerling comparison.

To evolve Deerling into Sawsbuck, raise it to level 34. While Deerling and Sawsbuck have four forms, which are based on the four seasons, this location will only yield the Autumn Form.

Shiny Sawsbuck doesn't keep any of Deerling's pink. It instead changes its dark brown fur to a lighter brown.

Shiny Sawsbuck doesn’t keep any of Deerling’s pink. It instead changes its dark brown fur to a lighter brown.

Foongus & Amoonguss

Once again above Groundblight Shrine, Foongus and Amoongus will be the only Poison Type spawns. They should be pretty easy to spot with their bright blue caps. You’ll probably want to picnic reset for this hunt.

Shiny Foongus changes from red to blue. - Easiest Shiny Hunts Pokémon Violet

Shiny Foongus comparison.

To evolve Foongus into Amoonguss, raise it up to level 39. Amoonguss is a valuable Pokémon if you’re looking to get into competitive. With its access to Spore and Rage Powder, its one of the most used Pokémon out there.

Just like Foongus, shiny Amoongus changes from red to blue.

Just like Foongus, shiny Amoongus changes from red to blue.

Maschiff & Mabosstiff

Still above Groundblight Shrine, Maschiff and Mabosstiff are the only Dark Type spawns. They’re very different looking when shiny, just be careful at night. When it’s dark out, shiny Maschiff can be easy to miss.

Shiny Maschiff's body changes to a light purple, while its tuft of hair changes to a dark purple. - Easiest Shiny Hunts Pokémon Violet

Shiny Maschiff comparison.

To evolve Maschiff into Mabosstiff, raise it to level 30. Mabosstiff has two very interesting abilities in Guard Dog and Stakeout. Guard Dog inverts the affect of Intimidate and prevents Mabosstiff from being forced to switch out. Stakeout will double damage dealt to a Pokémon that has just switched in. In addition to these two unique abilities, it also has the just generally great ability Intimidate.

Shiny Mabosstiff keeps the same color scheme as Maschiff.

Shiny Mabosstiff keeps the same color scheme as Maschiff.

Toedscool & Toedscruel

Our final Pokémon is once again right above Groundblight Shrine. Toedscool & Toedscruel are both the only Ground Type Pokémon in this area. They’re both extremely unique with Toedscool being totally white and Toedscruel being hot pink.

Shiny Toedscool turns completely white, making it stand out a lot. - Easiest Shiny Hunts Pokémon Violet

Shiny Toedscool comparison.

To evolve Toedscool into Toedscruel, just raise it up to level 30. Toedscruel has a unique ability: Mycelium Might. This ability can use status moves regardless of its opponent’s ability. Unfortunately, those moves will always go last. Many fans feel this is a bit of an underwhelming ability. Even so, Toedscruel’s shiny is really fun and would still make a great addition to any team.

Shiny Toedscruel completely changes its colors from Toedscool. Instead of being totally white, it turns black and pink, with white spots.

Shiny Toedscruel completely changes its colors from Toedscool. Instead of being totally white, it turns black and pink, with white spots.

Conclusion

While these shiny hunts may be some of the easiest, if you’re new and not interested in any of them, just go for a Pokémon you like. I would definitely recommend looking up guides for whatever you pick, because some hunts are so hard they might turn you off of shiny hunting forever.

This is what it's all about. Four shiny Snorunt and a picnic.

This is what it’s all about. Four shiny Snorunt and a picnic.

Either way, just have fun with it. If you want to be like me and hunt for a full team of shiny Snorunt just because you love the little guy, go for it. Because, at the end of the day, having a shiny should be a sign that you really love that Pokémon.

Many of the Pokémon images are courtesy of Serebii.

Special thanks to Austin John Plays for his video on this subject. Quite a few of these hunts were discovered thanks to him.

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