For March 28, 2023, Popplio will be in the spotlight, and you’ll get double XP for catching Pokémon. And no, Popplio cannot be shiny in Pokémon Go (yet)!
Just like the previous Alolan starters that saw Spotlight Hours in the last few weeks, Popplio isn’t available shiny yet. Its shiny version probably won’t release until we get a Popplio Community Day in coming years. With the Chespin Community Day in January 2023, we’ve only started getting into Community Days for the Kalos region starters, meaning that Alolan starters are probably ways out.
Even so, it’ll be worth seeking out a Popplio with good IVs, as you can hold on to it and evolve it whenever Popplio Community Day does come along. Evolving Popplio into its final evolution, Primarina, will likely teach it Hydro Cannon, a powerful water-type move that is only learned by starter Pokémon.
Pokémon is about catching ’em all, and in Pokémon Go, that means catching every variant, including rare shiny versions of Pokémon. Every Tuesday in Pokémon Go, players will see a specific Pokémon spawning more frequently during Spotlight Hour, which runs from 6 p.m. to 6:59 p.m. local time. Spotlight Hour is your chance to load up on candy, a chance for high CP Pokémon, and, if you’re lucky, a shiny Pokémon.
Are shiny rates boosted during Spotlight Hour?
Shiny rates do not appear to be boosted during Spotlight Hours, based on data gathered by Pokémon community The Silph Road. However, the sheer number of Pokémon that spawn during the hourlong weekly event will give you an improved chance of clicking on a random shiny. The more Pokémon you click on, the more opportunity you have to catch a shiny Pokémon.
What can I do to attract more shiny Pokémon?
Not much, unfortunately. It appears to be random chance. Shiny Pokémon catch rates are set by developer Niantic, and they are typically only boosted during special events like Community Days or Safari Zones, or in Legendary Raids. There are no consumable items that boost shiny Pokémon rates.
Where can I find a list of available shiny Pokémon?
LeekDuck keeps a list of currently available shiny Pokémon. It’s a helpful visual guide that illustrates what all of the existing shiny Pokémon look like.
For more tips, check out Polygon’s Pokémon Go guides.