Are Starters Shiny-Locked in Pokémon Legends: Z-A?

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Will the starter Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A be impossible to find as shiny versions? Players hoping to complete their shiny Pokémon collection in the new game would love to be able to get a shiny starter early on.

The special sound and visual effect that first appeared in Pokémon Legends: Arceus are back to confirm when you’ve found a shiny Pokémon. But how do you actually catch the shiny versions of Tepig, Totodile, and Chikorita?

Here is your answer to whether or not starters are shiny-locked in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Can Starters Be Shiny in Pokémon Legends: Z-A?

Sadly, you won’t be able to start Pokémon Legends: Z-A with a shiny starter Pokémon. None of the three starting Pokémon options can be found in their shiny form at the beginning of the game.

Even though you won’t be able to start with a shiny version of your first Pokémon, you’ll still have chances to find and catch shiny Tepig, Totodile, and Chickorita as you explore the game, similar to Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A doesn’t have the traditional breeding methods found in other Pokémon games. This means the only ways to get shiny starter Pokémon are to find them randomly in the wild or trade with a friend who’s managed to catch a shiny one – which can be pretty difficult!

Pokémon Legends: Z-A builds upon the gameplay introduced in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, rather than following the traditional Pokémon game formula.

Are Legendaries, Mythics, and Gift Pokémon Shiny-Locked in Pokémon Legends: Z-A?

Similar to starter Pokémon, you won’t be able to find shiny versions of legendary, mythic, or gift Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

I’m so excited for Pokémon Legends: Z-A! It looks like throughout the main story and by completing certain side quests, you’ll run into some really amazing Pokémon. But here’s the thing – all the legendary Pokémon from X and Y, like Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, and even Mewtwo, are only available as their shiny versions if you get really lucky. And it’s the same with the mythical Pokémon too – Diancie, Hoopa, and Volcanion will *only* appear as shiny Pokémon. It’s a bit frustrating, but I guess it makes finding them even more special!

As a Pokémon fan, I’m excited to hear that you can get starter Pokémon like Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie as gifts! But just so you know, any Pokémon you get as a gift, including those starters, won’t be shiny when you first receive them. Don’t worry though, you’ll still have a chance to find shiny versions of them out in the wild later on, just like with the current starters in the game!

Finishing the Pokédex in Pokémon Legends: Z-A and finding all the shiny Pokémon will be similar to how it was done in Arceus. While you won’t be able to breed Pokémon, and some shinies are harder to find than others, you should expect that collecting them will always take a significant amount of time and effort.

Are you assisting Mable with her research? Here’s a breakdown of the rewards you’ll earn as you complete those tasks. Plus, we’ve included the full Pokédex from Legends: Z-A, so you can see which Pokémon have shiny forms.

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2025-10-15 21:48