Are Pokemon Scarlet & Violet starters shiny locked?

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet has continued the trend of having some Pokemon that can never be encountered as Shiny, which can cause some players a lot of wasted time. As such, here is everything to know about getting Shiny starter Pokemon in Paldea.

Now that Pokemon Scarlet & Violet have been out for quite some time, plenty of players have explored the Paldea region to its fullest. After the main adventure, many fans turn to Shiny hunting, which has become more accessible than ever thanks to new Shiny mechanics.

Shiny hunting has come in many forms in past generations of the Pokemon games. Fans can “chain” the rare encounters in Sword & Shield, search out Mass Outbreaks in Legends: Arceus and even soft reset Legendary and Starter encounters in earlier games for a chance to begin a journey or catch a powerful companion with rare colors.

However, many new and returning fans may wonder if Pokemon Scarlet & Violet will follow a trend in recent games, implementing “Shiny Locks” on certain species like Starter, Legendary, and Mythical Pokemon. Below is everything trainers need to know about getting Shiny versions of the Starters in Gen 9.

Are the Paldean Starter Pokemon Shiny Locked in Scarlet & Violet?

The Gen 9 starter Pokemon Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly are all Shiny locked in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.

The Pokemon Company

While it used to be possible to soft reset games repeatedly to try and get a Shiny starter, recent generations have removed it. This is likely due to the numerous cutscenes that now make up the start of these stories, as well as to encourage people to start playing the games – instead of trying their luck at a full odds Shiny starter.

However, players can breed a Shiny Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly later in the game — most easily by catching a Ditto. While this isn’t the same as starting out with a Shiny companion right from the beginning, it does offer a fun challenge once breeding is unlocked.

And that’s it! Those looking to find out more about Pokemon Scarlet & Violet can check out our other guides below:

How to get Marks in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | Are Pokemon Scarlet & Violet compatible with Pokemon Home? | Unlocking 5 & 6-star Tera Raids in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | How to unlock Rotom Phone cases in Scarlet & Violet | How to get all starters in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | How to get Sprigatito, Floragato & Meowscarada | How to get Fuecoco, Crocalor & Skeledirge | How to get Quaxly, Quaxwell & Quaquaval | How to change clothes in Scarlet & Violet | How to co-op with friends in Scarlet & Violet | All Shiny forms in Scarlet & Violet | Sandwich recipes in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | Pokemon Scarlet & Violet egg breeding guide | How to get Rare Candy in Scarlet & Violet