10-14-2007, 10:22 AM
Ok, I have seen a lot of threads recently saying how do you catch shinies etc, so I thought I would give a guide, that should help people out.
Ok, first of all, Shiny Pokemon
Shiny Pokemon
Shiny pokemon are just pokemon of a different colour. There are no stat differences, and there is no higher chance of having better IV's (except in Gold/Silver/Crystal, where shiny pokemon have a higher chance of better IV's). Shininess is determined by a pokemons Personality value and the trainers ID. You can find a shiny pokemon anywhere and everywhere. The chance of finding one is 1 in 8192. This means that even if you have seen the pokemon 8191 times, the next time is not a guaranteed shiny. The chance is still 1 in 8192. This also applies to breeding. If you breed a shiny pokemon, the offspring will not nescacerily be shiny. The chance is still 1 in 8192.
Shiny legendaries (that are legit) are considered some of the most valuable things out there. An easy (relatively) way to catch a legit shiny legend is to save before the fight, and keep restarting the game if it is not a shiny. Legendaries that move (i.e. mesprit and cresselia) are considerably harder to catch as shinies. I wouldn't reccomend going after it because it will most likely take years to catch. If you do manage to get a legit one, kudos to you.
To see how shininess is determined, read the next paragraph, otherwise, ignore it. It is pretty complicated.
The Trainer ID value and the pokemons personality value are XOR'ed together (Xor is just a function, like multiplying or dividing but different. If you want to understand this, the easiest way is to look at logic gates in electronic systems). The first byte and the second byte are then also XOR'ed together. If the final value is less than 8, then the pokemon is shiny. The chance of this happening is 8 in 65536, which cancels down to 1 in 8192. Do not worry if you do not understand this, it's not really important anyway, just a few game mechanics.
Pokeradar
The pokeradar is a key item that you recieve from Professer Rowan in Sandgem town, after you have completed the sinnoh dex (150 pokemon). You do not have to have beaten the elite four, but I would reccomend you do so because it is an easy way to see pokemon such as Spiritomb or Garchomp.
To use the pokeradar, you must be standing in a normal grassy patch. You must not be on your bike. The pokeradar does not work in caves or when you are surfing. Also you can not be standing in long grass.
First, lets get things straight. The pokeradar does not statistically increase your chance of seeing shinies. Essentially the chance is still 1 in 8192.
EDIT: I did not explain this very well first time, here is the revised section for the last paragraph
Basically, whenever you physically use the pokeradar (i.e. press Y), the chance of getting a shiny is 4 in 8192 (assuming 4 patches of grass rustle)
However, when you chain, by finishing battles, the probability of finding a shiny goes up. The radar does not increase the chances, chaining does.
Here is the formulae for finding a shiny during chaining
Basically, N is the length of the chain so far, and P is the probability of finding a shiny.
This formulae shows us that the optimum chain length is 40. (If the chain is 41, the bottom line will be 0, and you can�t divide by 0) so the game compensates by keeping the probability as if the chain length were 40. If n increases past 40 the probability of finding a shiny goes up a lot less than before.
14747 - 40(n)
------------------------- = P(shiny)
2621440 x (41 - n)
EDIT END
The pokeradar is used for catching shinies, due to a technique called chaining, which we will see more of later. Basically, the radar is used for chaining because it allows you to see lots of the same pokemon in a row, making it easier to find a shiny.
When you use the pokeradar (I reccomend setting it to the y button), you will see patches of grass around you shake. This shaking means that there is definitaly a pokemon there. There are three types of grass shakes:
1. The normal shake. The grass retains it's colour, and just vibrates. Pretty easy to spot.
2. The flashing shake. This time the grass vibrate, but white flashes can also be seen. This indicates a chance of seeing a rarer pokemon. I generally start my chains on white flashing patches.
3. The shiny shake (great name, eh). This time, the grass shakes, but sparkles can be seen. This indicates that a shiny pokemon is definitaly hiding there. If you see one, go there. NOW. (but make sure you dont walk through any other rustling patches on the way there. They look a pure white in colour, and flash white twice.
Okay, now thats done, lets get onto the most important part. Chaining.
Chaining
Okay, first things first. What is chaining? Chaining is the art of using the pokeradar to see the same pokemon over and over again, and hopefully, eventually see a shiny one.
A small example:
:: You use the pokeradar to make some patshes of grass shakes. You see one shake and go to it. You find a shinx. Once you KO that shinx and the battle screen is exited, more patches of grass will shake. You go to the next patch of grass that has shaken. it is another shinx. You KO this shinx and as you exit the battle screen more patches of grass shake. ::
So on and so forth. In this example, shinx is being chanied, and because you see more of a certain pokemon, there is more chance you will see a shiny one.
However, if you are chaining a pokemon and you run away, the chain is broken. Also, if you are chaining a pokemon and a different pokemon appears (say you are chaining shinx and a bidoof appears) the chain is broken. The chaining poketech application, which is available from Professor Oak at the pal park (when all 150 pokemon have been seen).
However, there are a few things that every trainer should know before they start chaining;
1. Repels. Get loads and loads of repels. I personally use supers as they are cheaper. You do this because even when you use the radar, wild pokemon still do appearm, and chances are, that'll break your chain.
2. Make sure you only go to patches of grass that are the same type as the first patch of grass you went to.
3. If no grasses of the same kind shake, just walk 50 paces and use the radar again. This will not break your chain in any way.
4. Never move straight up after a battle. Chances are, that piece of grass shook and you didn't see it as your charater is in the way.
5. Always go to patches of grass that are furthest away from the place you are when a battle ends. Their is more chance of a shiny being there
6. Have a decent pokemon at the front. You probably want a strong pokemon with plenty of pp (for non shinies) that also has a status move (preferbly sleep) or false swipe, so you can catch the shiny easily. If searching for a pokemon with a certain nature, have a pokemon with synchronise at the front as there will be a 50% chance of wild pokemon having the same nature as the pokemon with synchronise. If searching for an electric pokemon, have a pokemon with static ability at the front (increases chance of seeing electric pokemon by 150%). If searching for a steel pokemon, have a pokemon with magnet pull at th front (same effect as static but for steels). If the pokemon with synchronise etc is unsuitable to fight with, make it faint but keep it at the front of your party. The ability will still affect wild encounters, but the second pokemon will be sent out.
7. Have plenty of pokeballs!! This may sound obvious but do you know how annoying it can be when you encounter a shiny and have no pokeballs left...
8. If you have no repels left, use a pokemon with intimidate as your first as it reduses the chance of wild encounters, but not encounters induced by the pokeradar.
It is widely acknowledged that a chain of 40 will give the best chance of giving a shiny pokemon. After 40, the increased chance of finding a shiny is minimal.
Feel free to add more info to the guide
Phew, that took longer than expected!
Ok, first of all, Shiny Pokemon
Shiny Pokemon
Shiny pokemon are just pokemon of a different colour. There are no stat differences, and there is no higher chance of having better IV's (except in Gold/Silver/Crystal, where shiny pokemon have a higher chance of better IV's). Shininess is determined by a pokemons Personality value and the trainers ID. You can find a shiny pokemon anywhere and everywhere. The chance of finding one is 1 in 8192. This means that even if you have seen the pokemon 8191 times, the next time is not a guaranteed shiny. The chance is still 1 in 8192. This also applies to breeding. If you breed a shiny pokemon, the offspring will not nescacerily be shiny. The chance is still 1 in 8192.
Shiny legendaries (that are legit) are considered some of the most valuable things out there. An easy (relatively) way to catch a legit shiny legend is to save before the fight, and keep restarting the game if it is not a shiny. Legendaries that move (i.e. mesprit and cresselia) are considerably harder to catch as shinies. I wouldn't reccomend going after it because it will most likely take years to catch. If you do manage to get a legit one, kudos to you.
To see how shininess is determined, read the next paragraph, otherwise, ignore it. It is pretty complicated.
The Trainer ID value and the pokemons personality value are XOR'ed together (Xor is just a function, like multiplying or dividing but different. If you want to understand this, the easiest way is to look at logic gates in electronic systems). The first byte and the second byte are then also XOR'ed together. If the final value is less than 8, then the pokemon is shiny. The chance of this happening is 8 in 65536, which cancels down to 1 in 8192. Do not worry if you do not understand this, it's not really important anyway, just a few game mechanics.
Pokeradar
The pokeradar is a key item that you recieve from Professer Rowan in Sandgem town, after you have completed the sinnoh dex (150 pokemon). You do not have to have beaten the elite four, but I would reccomend you do so because it is an easy way to see pokemon such as Spiritomb or Garchomp.
To use the pokeradar, you must be standing in a normal grassy patch. You must not be on your bike. The pokeradar does not work in caves or when you are surfing. Also you can not be standing in long grass.
First, lets get things straight. The pokeradar does not statistically increase your chance of seeing shinies. Essentially the chance is still 1 in 8192.
EDIT: I did not explain this very well first time, here is the revised section for the last paragraph
Basically, whenever you physically use the pokeradar (i.e. press Y), the chance of getting a shiny is 4 in 8192 (assuming 4 patches of grass rustle)
However, when you chain, by finishing battles, the probability of finding a shiny goes up. The radar does not increase the chances, chaining does.
Here is the formulae for finding a shiny during chaining
Basically, N is the length of the chain so far, and P is the probability of finding a shiny.
This formulae shows us that the optimum chain length is 40. (If the chain is 41, the bottom line will be 0, and you can�t divide by 0) so the game compensates by keeping the probability as if the chain length were 40. If n increases past 40 the probability of finding a shiny goes up a lot less than before.
14747 - 40(n)
------------------------- = P(shiny)
2621440 x (41 - n)
EDIT END
The pokeradar is used for catching shinies, due to a technique called chaining, which we will see more of later. Basically, the radar is used for chaining because it allows you to see lots of the same pokemon in a row, making it easier to find a shiny.
When you use the pokeradar (I reccomend setting it to the y button), you will see patches of grass around you shake. This shaking means that there is definitaly a pokemon there. There are three types of grass shakes:
1. The normal shake. The grass retains it's colour, and just vibrates. Pretty easy to spot.
2. The flashing shake. This time the grass vibrate, but white flashes can also be seen. This indicates a chance of seeing a rarer pokemon. I generally start my chains on white flashing patches.
3. The shiny shake (great name, eh). This time, the grass shakes, but sparkles can be seen. This indicates that a shiny pokemon is definitaly hiding there. If you see one, go there. NOW. (but make sure you dont walk through any other rustling patches on the way there. They look a pure white in colour, and flash white twice.
Okay, now thats done, lets get onto the most important part. Chaining.
Chaining
Okay, first things first. What is chaining? Chaining is the art of using the pokeradar to see the same pokemon over and over again, and hopefully, eventually see a shiny one.
A small example:
:: You use the pokeradar to make some patshes of grass shakes. You see one shake and go to it. You find a shinx. Once you KO that shinx and the battle screen is exited, more patches of grass will shake. You go to the next patch of grass that has shaken. it is another shinx. You KO this shinx and as you exit the battle screen more patches of grass shake. ::
So on and so forth. In this example, shinx is being chanied, and because you see more of a certain pokemon, there is more chance you will see a shiny one.
However, if you are chaining a pokemon and you run away, the chain is broken. Also, if you are chaining a pokemon and a different pokemon appears (say you are chaining shinx and a bidoof appears) the chain is broken. The chaining poketech application, which is available from Professor Oak at the pal park (when all 150 pokemon have been seen).
However, there are a few things that every trainer should know before they start chaining;
1. Repels. Get loads and loads of repels. I personally use supers as they are cheaper. You do this because even when you use the radar, wild pokemon still do appearm, and chances are, that'll break your chain.
2. Make sure you only go to patches of grass that are the same type as the first patch of grass you went to.
3. If no grasses of the same kind shake, just walk 50 paces and use the radar again. This will not break your chain in any way.
4. Never move straight up after a battle. Chances are, that piece of grass shook and you didn't see it as your charater is in the way.
5. Always go to patches of grass that are furthest away from the place you are when a battle ends. Their is more chance of a shiny being there
6. Have a decent pokemon at the front. You probably want a strong pokemon with plenty of pp (for non shinies) that also has a status move (preferbly sleep) or false swipe, so you can catch the shiny easily. If searching for a pokemon with a certain nature, have a pokemon with synchronise at the front as there will be a 50% chance of wild pokemon having the same nature as the pokemon with synchronise. If searching for an electric pokemon, have a pokemon with static ability at the front (increases chance of seeing electric pokemon by 150%). If searching for a steel pokemon, have a pokemon with magnet pull at th front (same effect as static but for steels). If the pokemon with synchronise etc is unsuitable to fight with, make it faint but keep it at the front of your party. The ability will still affect wild encounters, but the second pokemon will be sent out.
7. Have plenty of pokeballs!! This may sound obvious but do you know how annoying it can be when you encounter a shiny and have no pokeballs left...
8. If you have no repels left, use a pokemon with intimidate as your first as it reduses the chance of wild encounters, but not encounters induced by the pokeradar.
It is widely acknowledged that a chain of 40 will give the best chance of giving a shiny pokemon. After 40, the increased chance of finding a shiny is minimal.
Feel free to add more info to the guide
Phew, that took longer than expected!
