Shiny Electabuzz: Catch, Evolve, and Battle Guide
Shiny Electabuzz is a rare Electric-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. It has a distinct orange coloration instead of the usual yellow. This guide covers how to find, catch, and use shiny Electabuzz effectively in battles.
What is Shiny Electabuzz?
Shiny Electabuzz is a variant of the regular Electabuzz with a different color scheme. In Pokémon GO, shiny Electabuzz has a burnt orange body instead of the usual yellow. This rare form was first introduced to the game on November 14, 2018, during a special Hatchathon event.
Appearance and Characteristics
The most noticeable difference between a regular Electabuzz and its shiny form is the color change. While a normal Electabuzz has a bright yellow body, the shiny version sports a darker, burnt orange hue. This color shift extends to its entire body, including its stripes and other markings.
Rarity and Significance
Shiny Pokémon, including shiny Electabuzz, are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts due to their rarity. The chance of encountering a shiny Pokémon in the wild is generally very low, making each shiny capture a special event for most players.
How to Catch Shiny Electabuzz
Catching a shiny Electabuzz requires patience, strategy, and a bit of luck. Here are some methods to increase your chances of encountering this rare Pokémon:
Community Day Events
Pokémon GO occasionally features Community Day events that spotlight specific Pokémon. On November 14, 2020, Electabuzz was the featured Pokémon for a Community Day event. During these events, the spawn rate of the featured Pokémon increases significantly, and the chance of encountering its shiny form is also boosted.
Regular Wild Encounters
Outside of special events, Electabuzz can be found in the wild, particularly in areas with an electric biome. While the chances of encountering a shiny are much lower during regular gameplay, consistent hunting in Electabuzz-rich areas can eventually yield results.
Raid Battles
Electabuzz sometimes appears in raid battles. Participating in these raids not only gives you a chance to catch Electabuzz but also provides a slight increase in shiny odds compared to regular wild encounters.
Egg Hatching
Elekid, the pre-evolution of Electabuzz, can hatch from eggs. During certain events, Elekid may have an increased hatch rate from 2km eggs. Hatching Elekid gives you a chance at a shiny, which can then be evolved into a shiny Electabuzz.
Tips for Shiny Hunting
- Use incense to attract more Pokémon to your location.
- Activate lure modules at PokéStops to increase spawn rates in a specific area.
- Participate in events that feature increased Electabuzz spawns or shiny rates.
- Check every Electabuzz you encounter, as the shiny form isn’t visible on the map.
- Be patient and persistent, as shiny hunting often requires checking many Pokémon.
Evolving Shiny Electabuzz
Shiny Electabuzz is part of an evolutionary line, which adds to its appeal for collectors and battlers alike. Understanding its evolution chain and the requirements for each stage is crucial for trainers looking to complete their shiny collection or build a powerful team.
Evolution Chain
The complete evolution chain for shiny Electabuzz is as follows:
- Shiny Elekid (Baby form)
- Shiny Electabuzz (Basic form)
- Shiny Electivire (Final form)
Evolution Requirements
To evolve a shiny Electabuzz into a shiny Electivire, you need:
- 100 Electabuzz candy
- A Sinnoh Stone
Sinnoh Stones are special evolution items that can be obtained through various methods in Pokémon GO, including:
- Completing seven-day Research Breakthroughs
- Winning PvP battles
- Defeating Team GO Rocket leaders
It’s important to note that evolving a shiny Pokémon maintains its shiny status. This means a shiny Electabuzz will always evolve into a shiny Electivire.
When to Evolve
Before evolving your shiny Electabuzz, consider the following:
- CP and IV values: If you plan to use Electivire in battles, wait until you have a shiny Electabuzz with good IVs (Individual Values) before evolving.
- Special moves: During certain events, evolving Electabuzz might give Electivire access to special moves. Keep an eye out for these opportunities.
- Candy availability: Ensure you have enough candy not just for evolution, but also for powering up Electivire if needed.
Shiny Electabuzz in Battles
While the shiny status of a Pokémon doesn’t affect its battle performance, many trainers enjoy using their rare shiny Pokémon in battles. Understanding how to effectively use Electabuzz and its evolution, Electivire, can make your shiny capture even more rewarding.
Stats and Abilities
In Pokémon GO, Electabuzz has the following base stats:
- Attack: 198
- Defense: 158
- Stamina: 163
These stats make Electabuzz a decent attacker, but its evolution, Electivire, is generally preferred for serious battling due to its higher stats.
Best Movesets
For Electabuzz:
- Fast Move: Thunder Shock
- Charge Move: Thunder Punch or Thunderbolt
For Electivire:
- Fast Move: Thunder Shock
- Charge Move: Wild Charge and Ice Punch (for coverage)
Battle Strategies
- Gym Battles and Raids: Electivire, the evolution of Electabuzz, is a strong choice against Water and Flying-type Pokémon. Its high attack stat makes it a good option for taking down gym defenders quickly.
- PvP Battles: In the GO Battle League, Electivire can be a powerful closer due to its hard-hitting moves. However, its relatively low defense means it needs to be used carefully.
- Team Composition: Pair Electivire with Pokémon that can cover its weaknesses to Ground-type moves for a well-rounded team.
The Significance of Shiny Pokémon in the Community
Shiny Pokémon, including shiny Electabuzz, hold a special place in the Pokémon GO community. They represent more than just a color variation; they’re a symbol of dedication, luck, and sometimes, community participation.
Collector’s Value
For many players, collecting shiny Pokémon is a game within the game. Some aim to build a complete shiny Pokédex, while others focus on obtaining shinies of their favorite Pokémon. Shiny Electabuzz, with its striking orange color, is a prized addition to any collection.
Trading Value
In the Pokémon GO trading system, shiny Pokémon are often highly valued. Players who have extra shiny Electabuzz might find them to be valuable trading chips for obtaining other rare Pokémon they’re missing from their collection.
Community Day Memories
For many players, their shiny Electabuzz might be a reminder of the November 2020 Community Day event. These events often create lasting memories of playing with friends, exploring local areas, and the excitement of shiny hunting as a community.
Showcase Opportunities
Pokémon GO occasionally features events where trainers can showcase their rare Pokémon. A shiny Electabuzz or Electivire can be a standout choice in these situations, allowing trainers to display their luck and dedication.
Tips for New Shiny Hunters
If you’re new to shiny hunting in Pokémon GO, here are some additional tips to help you on your quest for a shiny Electabuzz:
Understand Shiny Rates
The base shiny rate for most Pokémon in the wild is approximately 1 in 450. However, this rate can change during events. Community Days, for example, typically feature much higher shiny rates.
Use the “Check and Run” Method
When shiny hunting, you don’t need to catch every Pokémon you see. Simply tapping on a Pokémon to check if it’s shiny and then running away if it’s not can be an efficient method, especially during events with increased spawn rates.
Maximize Your Playtime During Events
When events featuring increased Electabuzz spawns or shiny rates are happening, try to play as much as possible during these times. These events often represent your best chance at finding a shiny Electabuzz.
Join Local Communities
Many areas have local Pokémon GO communities that share information about rare spawns, including shinies. Joining these groups can help you stay informed about the best places and times to hunt for shiny Electabuzz.
Don’t Get Discouraged
Shiny hunting can sometimes be a test of patience. Remember that each encounter is an independent event, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t find a shiny right away. Persistence is key in shiny hunting.
Frequently Asked Questions
To address some common queries about shiny Electabuzz, here are answers to frequently asked questions:
Can Electabuzz be shiny in all Pokémon games?
While shiny Electabuzz exists in most Pokémon games, its availability can vary. In Pokémon GO, shiny Electabuzz has been available since November 2018.
Does weather boost affect shiny rates?
Weather boost increases the spawn rate and level of certain Pokémon, but it doesn’t affect the shiny rate. However, more spawns mean more chances to encounter a shiny.
Can I get a shiny Electabuzz from Team GO Rocket?
As of now, Team GO Rocket does not offer shiny Electabuzz. Their Shadow Pokémon have separate shiny availability, which is announced by Niantic when introduced.
Is shiny Electabuzz available year-round?
Yes, once a shiny is released in Pokémon GO, it remains available. However, Electabuzz spawns may vary depending on events and seasons.
Does using a lure or incense increase shiny chances?
Lures and incense increase overall spawn rates but do not directly increase shiny odds. They can be helpful by providing more Pokémon to check for shinies.
Samantha Yates is a creative writer and journalist with expertise in content creation and editing. She holds an MA in Creative Writing and brings professional experience from Lionbridge, where she developed engaging content for leading technology companies
