Shiny Detective Pikachu – Essential Things to Note!

by Aria Ford

Updated on 2024-06-21

907 views

5min read

Controversies surrounding the Shiny Detective Pikachu Pokémon have stirred discussions within the Pokémon Go gaming community. For newcomers, navigating conversations about this unique Pokémon and uncovering methods to encounter it can be daunting.

If you’re seeking insight into the Shiny Detective Pikachu Pokémon, our comprehensive guide will provide all the necessary information about this character. Continue reading to delve deeper into its mysteries.

Part 1: What is Shiny Detective Pikachu?

Shiny Detective Pikachu | shiny detective pikachu

Stat Value
HP 35
Attack 55
Defense 40
Sp. Atk 50
Sp. Def 50
Speed 90
Total 320

Shiny Detective Pikachu in Pokémon is a very rare Pokemon GO character that is derived from Pikachu Pokémon. This Pokemon was introduced to the game during the “Detective Pikachu Returns” event (which was between October 5, 2023, at 10:00 AM to October 9, 2023, at 8:00 PM local time), celebrating the release of the Pokemon Go game on Nintendo Switch.  During the event, players had the opportunity to encounter this rare variant by participating in event-specific activities, such as completing Timed Research tasks or using in-game items like Lure Modules, Incense, and benefiting from weather boosts to increase spawn rates.

The shiny version of Detective Pikachu is distinguished by its unique coloration, with a brighter shade of yellow, almost gold, and the iconic detective hat. And it can be evolved  into Shiny Raichu wearing a detective hat using 50 Pokémon GO Candy.

Part 2: How to Get Shiny Detective Pikachu Pokemon Go?

We’ve share three reliable ways you can get Shiny Detective Pikachu in Pokemon Go:

Option 1: Find a Wild Detective Pikachu: Throughout the Detective Pikachu Returns event, Pikachu wearing a Detective Hat will be a common wild spawn. This means players should be able to track one down by keeping an eye on the nearby Pokémon tab. There’s a chance that any of these Pikachu could be shiny.

find a wild detective pikachu | shiny detective pikachu

Option 2: Encounter Pikachu Wearing a Detective Hat from a Surprise Snapshot: Whenever players take a snapshot of a Pokémon during the Detective Pikachu Returns event, there’s a chance that Pikachu Wearing a Detective Hat will photobomb the snapshot. This will cause this costumed Pikachu to appear on the map, allowing players to catch it. Players can only encounter a Pikachu wearing a Detective Hat once per day from Surprise Snapshot encounters during the event. As the event runs for 5 days, this means you can get up to 5 of these costumed Pikachu via this method.

encounter pikachu | shiny detective pikachu

Option 3: Earn an Encounter with Detective Pikachu from the Detective Pikachu Returns Timed Research: By completing the Detective Pikachu Returns event Timed Research, you will earn a guaranteed encounter with the costumed Pikachu wearing a Detective Hat. This Timed Research must be completed before the event ends.

timed research | shiny detective pikachu

Part 3: How can I increase my chances of finding Shiny Detective Pikachu in Pokemon Go faster?

Although it’s extremely rare ( 0.2%, or 1 in 500 chance) to encounter a shiny Detective Pikachu, there are several things you do to enhance your chances of catching this Pokemon Go character faster. In this section, we’ve shared five different tricks that you can try.  

Method 1: Visit Hot Spots

Visiting hot spots is one of the best ways to find Shiny Detective Pikachu in Pokemon Go. However, you need a reliable location spoofing tool like the iWhere iPhone Location Changer Go to be able to achieve this. With the iWhere iPhone Location Changer, you can easily teleport to regions where Shiny Detective Pikachu Pokemon is likely to appear – thanks to its powerful location spoofing modes and flexible joystick.

The iWhere iPhone Location Changer offers 4 unique location spoofing modes, including one-stop mode, multi-stop mode, joystick mode, and modify location mode. And it supports tools like location history, import/export GPS GPX files, customizable moving speed, and lots more that can help you enhance your location spoofing operation. Besides, you don’t need to be tech-savvy to be able to navigate your way around the tool.

Key features

  • Supports many popular AR games, including Pokemon Go, Monster Hunter Now, etc.
  • Easily create a route in any location to enhance your chances of finding rare Pokemon.
  • Flexible joystick facilitates seamless Pokemon Go location spoofing using cursor or keyboard.
  • Allows the customization of in-game character moving speed, within the range of 1 m/s to 50 m/s.

Steps to use iWhere

Step 1: Install the iWhere iPhone Location Changer app on your Mac or Windows computer and launch it.

Step 2: Click the “Start” button from the main interface and connect your iPhone to the computer using it’s USB cable.

Step 3: Now, select a mode to spoof your location.  Choose “Multi-stop Mode”.

iwhere iphone location changer | shiny detective pikachu

Step 4: Click on the “Multi-stop Mode” icon at the top-left corner of the “Map” that appears on your screen.

iwhere iphone location changer 2 | shiny detective pikachu

Step 5: Select the “Hot Spots” you want to find “Shiny Detective Pikachu” from the map and click “Use This Spot” after every selection .

iwhere iphone location changer 3 | shiny detective pikachu

Step 6: The iWhere tool should create a route using the selected spots. You can click on “Start Move” to start finding “Shiny Detective Pikachu”.

iwhere iphone location changer 4 | shiny detective pikachu

Method 2: Use Incense and Lures

incense | shiny detective pikachu

Using both Incense and Lures simultaneously can maximize the number of Pokémon encounters, thereby increasing the chances of finding a Shiny Detective Pikachu.

About Incense

about incense | shiny detective pikachu

  • Personal Spawn Rate Increase: Incense lures Pokémon exclusively to your location, disregarding other nearby players. They remain effective for 30 minutes, represented by a pink aura surrounding the player. It is particularly useful for catching more Pokémon, including the possibility of a Shiny Detective Pikachu. This item is more effective when the player is moving, as it will spawn one Pokémon every minute or every 200 meters, compared to one Pokémon every five minutes while standing still.
  • Rarity Attraction: Incense has the added benefit of potentially attracting rarer Pokémon that might not commonly appear in the player’s area
  • Exclusive Visibility: Pokémon attracted by Incense are usually surrounded by a purple swirl and are only visible to the player who used the item, eliminating competition from nearby players.

About Lures

exclusive visibility | shiny detective pikachu

  • Pokestop Enhancement: Lure Modules draw Pokémon to a PokéStop, benefiting all nearby players by increasing the number of Pokémon available to catch. This can be used strategically to create a Pokémon-catching hotspot, which may include Shiny Detective Pikachu.
  • Urban Advantage: In urban areas with many Pokéstops, you can benefit from multiple Lures at once, potentially increasing the chances of encountering a Shiny Detective Pikachu without having to move around.
  • Weather Boost: The spawn rate of Electric-type Pokémon like Pikachu can be boosted during rainy weather, which can be further enhanced by using Lures.

Method 3: Check Nests

check nests | shiny detective pikachu

Checking nests is a method used by Pokémon GO players to find specific types of Pokémon, including Detective Pikachu, which can potentially be shiny. Here are some key things about “Nests” in Pokemon Go that you might not know:  

  • Defined Locations: Nests are locations where a particular type of Pokémon spawns more frequently than usual. These are often found in public parks and similar open areas.
  • Regular Changes: The Pokémon that nest in these locations change every two weeks with the game’s migration pattern. Ensure to keep track of these changes to enhance your chances of finding new nesting Shiny Detective Pikachu Pokémon.
  • Increased Encounters: By visiting nests known to spawn Pikachu, players can increase their chances of encountering a Pikachu, and consequently, the odds of finding a shiny variant.

Strategy for Using Nests to Catch Shiny Detective Pikachu

Step 1: Research Nest Locations: You can use online communities, local groups, or dedicated Pokémon GO mapping services to find current Pikachu nest locations.

Step 2: Visit Multiple Nests: To maximize your chances of encountering a Shiny Detective Pikachu, you should visit multiple nests if possible.

Step 3: Frequent Visits: Regularly visiting nests during the event period increases the number of Pikachu encounters, increasing your chances of finding a shiny one.

Method 4: Join Raids

join raids | shiny detective pikachu

Joining raids in Pokémon GO is a popular method for catching rare and powerful Pokémon, including their shiny variants. And when it comes to catching a Shiny Detective Pikachu, you can use this technique to enhance your chances of finding the Pokemon.

How Raids work

  • Group Battles: Raids are cooperative group battles against a powerful Pokémon, known as a Raid Boss, at a Gym location. Upon defeating the Raid Boss within the time limit, participants get a chance to catch the Pokémon.
  • Shiny Chances: For many Pokémon featured in raids, there is a chance that the Pokémon you encounter for capture after the raid can be shiny. The shiny rates for Pokémon encountered in raids can be higher compared to those found in the wild.
  • Event-Specific Raids: During special events, Niantic often changes the lineup of Pokémon available in raids, sometimes including rare or event-specific Pokémon.

Strategy for Catching Shiny Detective Pikachu via Raids

  • Event Availability: The key factor for using raids to catch a Shiny Detective Pikachu is whether Detective Pikachu is made available as a Raid Boss during an event. Pokémon GO events often feature themed Pokémon in raids, and if Detective Pikachu is included, raids become a viable method for attempting to catch one.
  • Increased Encounters: Participating in raids that feature Detective Pikachu would provide you with direct encounters, thereby giving you opportunities to catch a shiny variant, assuming it is available.
  • Collaboration and Strategy: Raids require teamwork, especially for higher-level raids. Players often organize through social media or messaging apps to gather enough participants. This collaboration can also help in quickly identifying raids that feature Detective Pikachu.

Method 5: Complete Field Research Tasks

complete field research tasks | shiny detective pikachu

Field Research tasks are small quests that players can complete to earn rewards. Although this is not a direct method to catch a Shiny Detective Pikachu in Pokémon GO, some Field Research tasks may reward you with encounters with Pikachu or other Electric-type Pokémon. These encounters could potentially lead to a shiny variant, but the chance is still low.

Strategy for Catching Shiny Detective Pikachu via Field Research Tasks

  • Complete Event-Specific Field Research Tasks: Focus on completing Field Research tasks that are specific to the Detective Pikachu Returns event. These tasks have a higher chance of rewarding players with encounters with Detective Pikachu.
  • Complete General Field Research Tasks: Don’t ignore general Field Research tasks that reward players with encounters with Pikachu or other Electric-type Pokémon. These tasks can also lead to a shiny encounter, but the odds are not increased compared to wild encounters.
  • Complete as Many Tasks as Possible: The more tasks you complete, the more chances you have to encounter a Shiny Detective Pikachu or a regular Pikachu that could potentially be shiny.

Conclusion

We hope you find our article helpful in your quest to catch the Shiny Detective Pikachu Pokémon. The information we’ve provided is based on proven tricks from professional gamers. It is also suitable for capturing other rare Pokemon. So, ensure to make use of the techniques we discussed efficiently to find Shiny Detective Pokemon Go.

Also, the iWhere iPhone Location Changer offers a lots of features you can use to spoof your iPhone location in different circumstances. Don’t hesitate to try it out.

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