A vibrant new event has emerged in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, spotlighting the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza. Since the game’s debut in 2022, end-of-year events featuring Legendary Pokémon have been a tradition. Last year showcased the powerful Mewtwo and Mew, while 2023 brought forth Palkia, Dialga, and Darkrai. This year’s festivities introduce a fresh twist and an exciting opportunity for players to capture not only a special Legendary Pokémon but also a variety of Shiny Pokémon.
This year, the spotlight is on the elusive Shiny Rayquaza, a striking black-scaled variant of the iconic Legendary creature. From now until January 5, 2025, Shiny Rayquaza can be found in 5-Star raids, available to all players. Although players can only catch Shiny Rayquaza once, they can engage in multiple challenges. Additionally, there will be Mass Outbreaks of Cetoddle, Carbink, and Fraxure, each offering enhanced chances for these species to appear in their Shiny forms.
Unpacking the Shiny Rayquaza Event in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Important: One Time Only Capture of the Legendary Pokémon
Shiny Rayquaza is classified as a Dragon Tera-type Pokémon, making it particularly susceptible to Dragon, Fairy, and Ice-type attacks. Like other formidable 5-Star Raid Pokémon, it possesses multiple moves beyond the typical four, including Dragon Pulse, Hurricane, Earthquake, Extreme Speed, Dragon Ascent, Draco Meteor, and Dragon Dance. Given its Dragon Tera-Type, several of these moves receive notable enhancements. Strategically, incorporating a Fairy-type Pokémon is advisable, as it can neutralize Rayquaza’s attack options. However, due to its 5-star rating, most adept players should find it relatively manageable to conquer this raid.
In conjunction with the Shiny Rayquaza challenge, players will have increased odds of encountering specific Shiny Pokémon through Mass Outbreaks. Expect to find Cetoddle in the Paldea region, Carbink in Kitikami, and Fraxure in the Blueberry Terarium. Notably, all three Pokémon boast Shiny forms that are also black, aligning with the distinct appearance of Shiny Rayquaza. While these Mass Outbreaks will recur, players should note that the emergence of Shiny Pokémon is not guaranteed. Utilizing Sandwiches can enhance their odds of encountering Shiny versions.
Editorial Perspective: Increasing the Frequency of Legendary Pokémon Events
How Regular Events Would Enhance the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Experience
As someone who has actively participated in previous Legendary Pokémon events in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, I can affirm that these challenges foster community engagement and provide exhilarating experiences for players. It is disappointing that occurrences like the Shiny Rayquaza event are not more frequent.
There is a strong case for integrating more regularly scheduled, high-profile events into the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet framework. Such a move could significantly enhance the game’s legacy and engagement levels. I sincerely hope that Game Freak and The Pokémon Company take note and continue to offer these exciting Legendary Pokémon events in future iterations of Pokémon titles.
Source: Serebi , The Official Pokémon YouTube Channel
Leave a Reply