How to Shiny Hunt with Sandwiches and Outbreaks in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Welcome, trainers! One of the most thrilling pursuits in any Pokémon game is finding a shiny—a rare, alternately-colored version of a Pokémon. In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, the hunt has never been more accessible or exciting, thanks to Mass Outbreaks and the power of a well-made sandwich.

This guide will walk you through the most effective method to find shinies in Paldea, combining two powerful mechanics to give you the best odds possible. Let’s get started!

Understanding Shiny Odds

First, let’s look at the numbers. The base chance of encountering a shiny Pokémon is 1 in 4096. While you can always get lucky, we can dramatically improve those odds.

Here’s how various boosts stack up:

As you can see, combining the Shiny Charm, a Mass Outbreak, and a Level 3 Sparkling Power Sandwich gives you the best possible odds in the game.

Step 1: Master the Mass Outbreak

Mass Outbreaks are events where a large number of a single Pokémon species appear in one area. They are marked on your map with a small, glowing icon of the Pokémon.

How to Use Outbreaks for Shiny Hunting:

1. Find Your Target: Open your map and look for an outbreak of a Pokémon you want to shiny hunt. If you don’t see one you like, you can reset the outbreaks by changing your Switch’s internal clock forward one day and restarting the game.
2. The “60 KO” Rule: Travel to the outbreak. Your goal is to defeat at least 60 Pokémon within that outbreak. You can do this quickly using the “Let’s Go!” feature to auto-battle. As you defeat them, you’ll see messages in the top-right corner:
   • “The number of [Pokémon] in the outbreak is dwindling…”
   • “There are not many [Pokémon] left from the outbreak…”
   • After 60 KOs, the game stops giving you population messages, and you’ve successfully maxed out the outbreak’s shiny odds!
3. Save Your Game: After defeating 60 Pokémon, turn off auto-save in your settings and manually save your game. This is the most important step!

Expert Tip: Your lead Pokémon in “Let’s Go!” mode will never defeat a shiny Pokémon. This is a fantastic, stress-free way to clear outbreak numbers without accidentally knocking out your prize.

Step 2: Craft the Perfect Shiny Sandwich

Sandwiches are the secret sauce of Paldean shiny hunting. By using rare ingredients called Herba Mystica, you can create a meal that grants Sparkling Power Level 3, the highest shiny-boosting effect.

Easy Level 3 Sandwich Recipes

The simplest way to make a Level 3 sandwich for any type is to combine two Salty Herba Mystica with a single ingredient that matches your target Pokémon’s type. If you don’t have Salty, most other Herba Mystica combinations work too, but the two-salty method is the most reliable.

Here are a few examples:

• Flying: 1 Prosciutto + 2 Salty Herba Mystica
• Fire: 1 Basil + 2 Salty Herba Mystica
• Water: 1 Cucumber + 2 Salty Herba Mystica
• Grass: 1 Lettuce + 2 Salty Herba Mystica
• Dragon: 1 Avocado + 2 Salty Herba Mystica

Where to get Herba Mystica: You can earn Herba Mystica as rare rewards from completing 5-Star and 6-Star Tera Raids.

Crucial Tip: Always save your game before making your sandwich. Herba Mystica are valuable, and if you don’t find a shiny within the 30-minute sandwich timer, you can simply reset your game to get your ingredients back.

The Ultimate Method: Combining Outbreaks and Sandwiches

Now it’s time to put it all together for the most efficient shiny hunt in Pokémon history.

1. Find the Outbreak: Locate an outbreak of your target Pokémon on the map.
2. Clear 60 Pokémon: Go to the outbreak and defeat at least 60 of the Pokémon.
3. SAVE YOUR GAME: Turn off auto-save and perform a manual save.
4. Set a Picnic & Make Your Sandwich: Set up a picnic and craft your Sparkling Power Level 3 sandwich for the correct type. The 30-minute timer starts now!
5. The Picnic Reset: This is the core of the hunt. After exiting the picnic, a fresh batch of Pokémon will spawn around you.
   • Look around for a shiny.
   • If you don’t see one, simply open and immediately close your picnic again. This despawns all nearby Pokémon and forces a new set to spawn instantly.
6. Scan and Repeat: Continue the picnic reset method, scanning each new group of spawns for your shiny. This is much faster than running around.
7. Success or Reset:
   • If you find a shiny: Congratulations! Save your game immediately.
   • If the 30-minute timer runs out: Don’t worry! Just close your game without saving, and restart. You will be back to the moment before you made your sandwich, with all your Herba Mystica intact. You can then try again.

Final Thoughts for the Dedicated Trainer

This method of combining Mass Outbreaks with Sparkling Power sandwiches is, without a doubt, the most powerful tool a shiny hunter has in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. It transforms a monumental task of luck into a manageable and rewarding process.

Remember to get the Shiny Charm by completing your Paldea Pokédex to maximize your efficiency. Some shinies are subtle (like Tandemaus or Minior), so keep a sharp eye out.

With a little preparation and patience, you’ll be adding beautiful, rare Pokémon to your collection in no time. Happy hunting