Popular Shiny Hunting Guide: Where to Farm Popular Shinies in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

So, you’ve decided to dive into the glorious, time-consuming world of popular shiny hunting in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Excellent choice. While some trainers are out there chasing near-impossible targets, you’re looking for the fan favorites—the Pokémon that look amazing in their alternate colors and are actually attainable without sacrificing your entire social life. You want the payoff without the extreme pain. We get it. Let’s look at where to farm the most popular shinies Kalos has for you!

Charizard

You want a black Charizard, don’t you?! Everyone wants the popular shiny black Charizard. It’s the peak of cool, the stuff of playground legends, and a popular shiny. Since Charmander isn’t native to Kalos, you’ll need to look for specific spawn events. Your best bet will be Mass Outbreaks or the new equivalent in Legends: Z-A. Based on mechanics from Arceus, these events dramatically boost the appearance rate of a specific Pokémon, giving you a prime window to hunt for that coveted charcoal-colored dragon. Watch your map for a Charmander icon. Get ready to reset your spawns until that majestic black lizard appears.

Gardevoir

Gardevoir’s popular shiny form, with its striking black and blue “gown,” is a must-have for any collector who values elegance. Ralts, which is the first evolution form, is well-known for being timid but tends to appear in lush, green areas. We’re predicting the fields and meadows outside Lumiose City will be prime Ralts territory. Look for areas with tall grass where you can use stealth to your advantage. A Mass Outbreak of Ralts would be the jackpot, allowing you to encounter dozens in a short time. Otherwise, find a quiet spot, set up camp, and methodically clear the area to force respawns.

Gengar

The white shiny Gengar, slightly spooky, is an absolute classic popular shiny. To get one, you’ll need to hunt for its pre-evolution, Gastly. These ghostly Pokémon typically haunt abandoned or eerie locations. Keep an eye out for any spooky-looking districts within the re-imagined Lumiose City or any nearby ruins, especially at night. Gastly often appears in groups, making them a solid target for the Mass Outbreak mechanic. If an outbreak pops up, you can efficiently cycle through large numbers of them to find that pale purple gas ball that will eventually evolve into your phantom companion.

Umbreon

The sleek, black-and-blue popular shiny Umbreon is a fan favorite for a reason. But first, you have to get a shiny Eevee. Eevee is usually a rare spawn, often found in grassy plains or specific urban areas. The trick here is patience. Where does Eevee spawn? Find a known location. Then, you need to use the outbreak reset method if you’re lucky enough to get one. Once you’ve secured your shiny silver Eevee, the rest is easy: evolve it at night with high friendship, and the coolest-looking Eeveelution is all yours. No stones, no mossy rocks, just good old-fashioned friendship.

Greninja

With its all-black ninja look, popular shiny Greninja is arguably one of the best shinies ever designed. Since Froakie is a Kalos starter, hunting it will be a post-game affair. Just like with the other starters, you’ll likely need to wait for a Mass Outbreak to appear in a specific water-based biome, like a swamp or river area. This is going to be a grind, requiring you to have completed most of the main story. Unlock these special outbreaks, and you can focus-fire your efforts on finding that black frog! Get those bragging rights.

Hunting the popular shiny Pokémon is a rite of passage for any dedicated trainer. It’s a rewarding grind that leaves you with some of the most iconic alternate-colored Pokémon in the game. But if you’re the kind of player who scoffs at “popular” and wants a real test of will, you might be interested in the truly frustrating hunts. For those who crave a challenge, check out Total Apex Gaming’s guide on the Top 5 Hardest Shinies to Hunt in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.