For methods that have better odds and generally take less time, see Increased Odds Methods.
The base odds of finding a shiny in Generations 2-5 (Gold and Silver through Black 2 and White 2) is 1/8192, while the odds afterward were improved to 1/4096. These methods do not have their odds increase, and stay at the base odds the whole time.
Later on, there will be pages made for every method individually.
Random Encounters[]
-WSHC -4- LIVE!! -Repel Trick- Shiny Corsola in Platinum after Only 909 REs
This method involves going to a route with a Pokémon they like, going into the grass, and constantly encountering the Pokémon. To increase the chances of getting an encounter, people put a Pokémon with the Ability Illuminate in the front of their party. In Generation 6, you can also use the Encounter O-Power to increase the chances of getting an encounter; in USUM, a Roto-Encounter produces the same result.
Soft Resets[]
LIVE!! Shiny Giratina in Platinum after Only 1091 SRs
Soft Resetting is also a popular full odds method. To start a Soft Reset hunt, save in front of an object which results in getting a Pokémon (i.e. gifts or interactable Pokémon), and then encounter it. If the Pokémon is not shiny, you can quickly press a button combination on your console to soft reset it and thus reappear at the title screen. The button combinations differ per console, and are the following:
- In Generations 2 and 3, press A+B+Start+Select at the same time.
- In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, press B+X+Start.
- In Generations 4 and 5, press L+R+Start+Select at the same time.
- In Generations 6 and 7, press L+R+Start or Select at the same time.
Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee do not have a soft reset button combination.
This method does not work with some Pokémon starting in Black 2 and White 2, and a list of these Pokémon can be viewed here.
Run-Aways[]
Run-Aways are similar to Soft Resets, in the sense that they also only work on specific overworld Pokémon. Run-Away hunts are, however, very limited, due to the small amount of Pokémon that reappear after being ran away from.
Run-Away hunting works as follows:
- Save in front of your target
- Interact with the Pokémon
- If the Pokémon is not shiny, press the Run Away option
- Repeat steps 2 and 3
Some Pokémon, such as the event Shaymin in Diamond and Pearl and the event Mew in Emerald, require quickly moving the Pokémon off screen to make it reappear.
Fishing Encounters[]
Fishing Encounter hunts are often considered decently tedious, and thus are also seen as a lot more rewarding. Fishing Encounter hunts exist in nearly every generation, but the fishing mechanics received major changes over the years. In Generation 2 and 3, the player could simply throw out their fishing rod until there was a Pokémon on the line, but from Generation 4 and onward the player must press A when the exclamation marks appear over the trainer's head. In Generation 7, stand-still fishing was removed and the player is thus required to move around on the ride Lapras between each encounter. Generally speaking, the formula stayed the same:
- Save on the desired Pokémon's route or location
- Cast the required fishing rod until a Pokémon lands
- If the Pokémon is not shiny, end the battle by either catching the Pokémon, running away or defeating the opposing Pokémon
- Repeat steps 2 and 3
Due to Chain Fishing mechanic which is present in the 6th Generation, it is required to either move around or miss the quick-time-event between each encounter. Doing either of these actions breaks the chain, making it full odds again.
