If you’ve already spent some time exploring Lumiose City and its surrounding Wild Zones in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, you’ve probably noticed just how thrilling shiny hunting can be in this new open-world format. With multiple methods and new mechanics introduced in this game, finding a shiny Pokémon is more strategic—and satisfying—than ever. This guide summarizes every major shiny hunting method discussed in PanfroGames’ detailed breakdown, along with practical tips to maximize your odds.

Understanding Shiny Odds and Game Mechanics

In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the base shiny odds are 1 in 4,096, just like in previous titles. These odds can be improved if you obtain the Shiny Charm, which adds three extra shiny rolls to every encounter. However, completing Maple’s research to unlock the Shiny Charm is a long grind, so most players will begin hunting without it.

Static Pokémon such as starter gifts and some event Pokémon are shiny-locked, but fossils and overworld spawns can still be shiny. Notably, Legends: Z-A introduces a unique feature—the game saves your shiny spawns automatically. Up to ten shiny Pokémon can exist in the world at once, and they will persist even if you close and reload the game. If you find an eleventh shiny, one of the previous ten will despawn automatically.

Because the autosave system preserves shiny spawns, it’s always smart to manually save before catching a shiny Pokémon in case the capture fails or the Pokémon flees.

Wild Zone Completion and Alpha Shinies

Before diving into serious shiny hunting, it’s highly recommended to fully complete your Wild Zones. Once each area reaches 100% completion, Pokémon spawns become randomized and Alpha variants can appear, increasing the chance of encountering a rare or shiny Alpha Pokémon. This step is essential for efficient shiny farming later on.

Fast Travel Shiny Reset Method

One of the simplest shiny hunting techniques involves fast traveling between Wild Zones or local landmarks. Each time you fast travel, all nearby Pokémon respawn, and each new spawn rolls for shiny odds.

In Wild Zone 3, for example, flying in repeatedly can refresh spawns for Pokémon like Skiddo, Scatterbug, or Pidgey. However, only Pokémon within your visible render distance can spawn shiny—those too far away won’t roll for shiny odds.

A similar technique can be used in Wild Zone 6, where flying to the café resets spawns for Houndour, Alpha Houndoom, and Pikachu on the rooftop. This method works best when you memorize spawn points and maintain consistent flight paths to reset efficiently.

The Stair Reset Exploit (Wild Zone 3)

Wild Zone 3 features a tower that can be exploited for continuous shiny checks. By walking down the stairs repeatedly (or holding down the left stick), the game reloads nearby spawns in real time. Every reload gives all visible Pokémon another shiny roll, including those on rooftops.

Players have discovered that this can even be automated with a rubber band setup on the controller, allowing you to AFK shiny hunt while doing other things. While Pikachu spawns are too far away to benefit from this exploit, other nearby species like Scatterbug, Vivillon, or Fletchling are perfect for this method.

Bench Reset Method

Another efficient approach is bench resetting, available in multiple Wild Zones such as Zone 5 and Zone 16. Sitting on a bench advances time from day to night (and vice versa), which also resets all Pokémon spawns in the area.

This method is ideal for Pokémon that appear in consistent locations, such as Bellsprout, Venipede, or Bunnelby. Later-game benches can even spawn Flaaffy or Alpha Ampharos. Using a controller with turbo or macro functionality can automate this process for near-AFK shiny farming.

The bench reset method also works for special spawn Pokémon, including Ralts and Eevee, which can be hunted simultaneously in certain areas.

Running Despawn Method

For players who prefer an active hunting style, simply running far enough away from a spawn point can cause a despawn and respawn cycle without fast traveling or bench resting.

A prime example is Wild Zone 16, where Froakie and its Alpha variant appear. By running to a specific distance marker and returning, players can repeatedly reset spawns for shiny Froakie or even other Pokémon like Fennekin. It’s a simple, hands-on method that avoids excessive menuing and keeps the gameplay fluid.

Fossil Shiny Hunting

Fossil Pokémon add a different twist to shiny hunting. You can purchase fossils at the Stone Emporium—20,000 for Jaw or Sail Fossils and 30,000 for Old Amber. After buying multiple fossils, head to the Research Lab’s second floor, where you can revive them.

Because the game doesn’t autosave after reviving fossils, you can save beforehand and reset repeatedly until you obtain a shiny result. While it’s money-intensive, players who buy Pokémon for Legends ZA or stockpile fossils will find this a reliable way to target rare species like Tyrunt or Aerodactyl.

Special Spawn Shiny Hunting

Not all shiny targets appear in Wild Zones. Certain special spawns, such as Ralts, Eevee, and Hawlucha, can be found using the same bench reset method in specific city locations. Since these Pokémon spawn close enough to benches, the reset cycles work consistently.

Even if you aren’t specifically aiming for these Pokémon, the proximity of multiple spawn points means you might stumble upon a random shiny—like Fletchling or Dedenne—while resetting. This makes special spawn hunting both efficient and exciting.

Whether you prefer manual hunting or semi-AFK strategies, the key is understanding spawn radii, timing your resets, and keeping a close eye on shiny indicators. The new autosave mechanic makes shiny hunting in Pokémon Legends: Z-A far less stressful than in earlier games, and with patience, you can build a full shiny collection. For collectors or players looking to fill their boxes faster, some also choose to buy shiny Pokémon to complete their living shiny dex, but half the fun is still in the hunt itself.