Shiny Perrserker: How to Get This Yellow Viking Cat?
Shiny Perrserker is obtained by breeding a Shiny Galarian Meowth using the Masuda Method with a Shiny Charm, then evolving it at level 28. Its distinctive yellow and black coloration makes it a prized addition to any shiny collection.
What is Perrserker?
Perrserker is a Steel-type Pokémon introduced in Generation VIII of the Pokémon games. It evolves from Galarian Meowth starting at level 28. Unlike the traditional evolution path where Meowth evolves into Persian, Galarian Meowth takes a different evolutionary route to become Perrserker. This Viking-inspired Pokémon has a unique appearance and battle capabilities that make it stand out among other Steel-type Pokémon.
Physical Appearance and Characteristics
Perrserker is a bipedal feline Pokémon with a distinctive appearance. Unlike Persian, Perrserker maintains a bipedal stance similar to its pre-evolved form, Galarian Meowth. What appears to be an iron helmet on its head is actually hardened hair that has formed into natural armor. This helmet-like structure resembles a stereotypical horned Viking helmet, covering its ears and part of its eyes while incorporating its coin.
The Pokémon’s claws have grown longer and harder compared to Galarian Meowth, and they can come together to form dagger-like weapons that Perrserker uses effectively in battle. This physical adaptation aligns with its battle-oriented nature.
In terms of temperament, Perrserker has a violent and barbaric demeanor, living for the thrill of battle. This aggressive nature creates a relationship of mutual disdain between Perrserker and Persian due to their irreconcilable differences in temperament. This contrast in personality traits between the two evolutionary paths of Meowth adds depth to the Pokémon’s lore.
Origin and Design Inspiration
The design of Perrserker draws inspiration from several sources. It appears to be based on a cat combined with the stereotypical image of Vikings. Its behavior may be inspired by berserkers, Norse warriors who fought in a trance-like fury.
Another possible inspiration is Freyja’s cats from Norse mythology, which were gifted by Thor and pulled her chariot. These cats were commonly named Bygul (honey) and Trjegul (amber), which might explain the color choices for both regular and shiny Perrserker.
The Steel typing of Perrserker likely references the Vikings’ use of iron in their weapons and helmets. Additionally, its horn-like ears and connection to Vikings may be based on the Norwegian forest cat, a breed from Scandinavia known for its long, tufted ears. The grinning expression of Perrserker also brings to mind the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.
The name “Perrserker” is a clever combination of “purr” (the sound cats make), “Persian” (the traditional evolution of Meowth), and “berserker” (the Norse warriors). In Japanese, it’s called “Nyaiking,” which combines “nyā” (the Japanese onomatopoeia for a cat’s meow), “Viking,” and “king”.
Shiny Perrserker: Appearance and Rarity
Shiny Perrserker features a striking color difference compared to its regular form. While the regular Perrserker has a gray and brown color scheme, the shiny variant showcases a vibrant yellow and black combination. This color change gives Shiny Perrserker a more fierce and distinctive appearance, making it a highly sought-after Pokémon among shiny hunters.
Visual Differences Between Regular and Shiny Forms
The most noticeable difference in Shiny Perrserker is the change from its normal gray and brown coloration to a vibrant yellow and black scheme. This dramatic color shift transforms the Pokémon’s appearance significantly, giving it a more striking and eye-catching look. The yellow coloration somehow makes Perrserker look even more berserk, enhancing its Viking warrior aesthetic.
Many Pokémon fans have expressed positive opinions about this shiny variant. Comments from the Pokémon community include descriptions like “sick af,” “yellow = nice,” and “the yellow somehow makes him look even more berserk”. Some fans have noted that the shiny version seems to give Perrserker a younger appearance compared to the regular version, which has been described as looking like “a stoned old guy”.
The color combination of yellow and black is particularly effective for a Viking-themed Pokémon, as it creates a bold, warrior-like appearance that aligns well with Perrserker’s battle-loving nature. This color scheme may also reference the names of Freyja’s cats in Norse mythology – Bygul (honey) and Trjegul (amber).
Rarity and Value Among Collectors
As with all shiny Pokémon, Shiny Perrserker is extremely rare in the games. The standard encounter rate for shiny Pokémon is approximately 1 in 4,096, making them highly valuable among collectors. This rarity is part of what drives many players to dedicate significant time to shiny hunting.
In Pokémon GO, the shiny version of Perrserker was released on August 15, 2021. This release date is significant for collectors who track the availability of shiny variants across different Pokémon games.
The unique appearance and rarity of Shiny Perrserker make it a prized addition to any shiny collection. Its distinctive yellow and black coloration, combined with its Viking-inspired design, creates a visually appealing Pokémon that stands out among other shinies.
How to Obtain Galarian Meowth in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Before you can get a Shiny Perrserker, you first need to obtain a Galarian Meowth. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Galarian Meowth is not available through regular wild encounters but is instead obtained as a special reward.
Professor Salvatore’s Questline
In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Galarian Meowth is exclusively available as a reward from Professor Salvatore, who serves as the language professor at the Academy. To receive this special Pokémon, you must complete all of Professor Salvatore’s friendship events and questline.
Professor Salvatore, often referred to as Mr. Salvatore in the game, will give you a Galarian Meowth once you’ve built up enough friendship with him through completing his events. These friendship events are part of the Academy storyline and involve interacting with the professor multiple times throughout your journey.
It’s important to note that Galarian Meowth is considered an exclusive reward Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet. This means it cannot be found in the wild or through other means, making Professor Salvatore’s questline the only way to obtain this Pokémon legitimately within these games.
Special Characteristics of Galarian Meowth
Galarian Meowth differs significantly from its Kantonian counterpart in both appearance and type. While the original Meowth is a Normal-type Pokémon, Galarian Meowth is a Steel-type, foreshadowing its evolution into the Steel-type Perrserker.
In terms of appearance, Galarian Meowth has a scruffier look with a beard-like growth of steel whiskers, giving it a more rugged appearance compared to the sleek design of Kantonian Meowth. This regional variant was introduced in Generation VIII as part of the Galar region’s unique Pokémon.
An interesting note about Galarian Meowth and its evolution Perrserker is that they don’t appear in the standard Pokédex in Scarlet and Violet. Despite this, many players still consider them part of their “Shiny Dex” collection, as they represent unique variants that can be obtained within the games.
Methods to Obtain Shiny Perrserker
There are several methods to increase your chances of obtaining a Shiny Perrserker in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Each method has its own advantages and requirements, so you can choose the one that best fits your playstyle.
The Masuda Method
The Masuda Method is one of the most popular and effective ways to breed shiny Pokémon, including Galarian Meowth for evolving into Perrserker. This method involves breeding two Pokémon from games of different languages, which significantly increases the odds of hatching a shiny Pokémon.
To use the Masuda Method for obtaining a Shiny Galarian Meowth:
- Obtain a Ditto from a game with a different language than your own. Japanese Ditto is commonly used for English games.
- Make sure your Galarian Meowth (or Perrserker) is holding an Everstone while breeding. This is crucial because without an Everstone, it will breed into a regular Meowth rather than maintaining its Galarian form.
- Place the foreign Ditto and your Everstone-holding Galarian Meowth or Perrserker in the Daycare to produce eggs.
- Collect and hatch the eggs until you obtain a Shiny Galarian Meowth.
The Masuda Method increases the shiny odds from 1/4096 to approximately 1/683, making it about six times more likely to hatch a shiny Pokémon. When combined with the Shiny Charm (discussed below), these odds improve even further to about 1/512.
Using the Shiny Charm
The Shiny Charm is a key item that further increases your chances of encountering or hatching shiny Pokémon. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you can obtain the Shiny Charm by completing your Pokédex.
When used in combination with the Masuda Method, the Shiny Charm significantly improves your odds of hatching a Shiny Galarian Meowth. The combined effect of the Masuda Method and Shiny Charm increases the shiny odds to approximately 1/512, making your shiny hunting much more efficient.
To maximize your efficiency when breeding for a Shiny Galarian Meowth with these methods:
- Complete your Pokédex to obtain the Shiny Charm.
- Use the Masuda Method with a foreign Ditto and an Everstone-holding Galarian Meowth.
- Consider making a “Level 3 Egg Power” sandwich to increase the rate at which you receive eggs from the Daycare.
- Collect a batch of eggs, then hatch them all at once to streamline the process.
Egg Hatching Strategies
Efficient egg hatching is crucial when breeding for a Shiny Galarian Meowth. Here are some strategies to optimize your egg hatching process:
- Sandwich Power: In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you can make sandwiches that provide “Egg Power,” which increases the rate at which you receive eggs from the Daycare. A Level 3 Egg Power sandwich is recommended for efficient breeding.
- Resource Management: If you don’t get a shiny after 30 minutes of egg hatching, consider resetting the game. This allows you to recover the resources used for making the Egg Power sandwich, making the process more sustainable for long hunting sessions.
- Party Optimization: Having a Pokémon with the Flame Body or Steam Engine ability in your party will halve the number of steps required to hatch eggs. This significantly speeds up the hatching process.
- Efficient Movement: Utilize the auto-run feature and circular routes near the Daycare to maximize the efficiency of your egg hatching. The large open areas in Paldea are perfect for this.
Once you successfully hatch a Shiny Galarian Meowth, you’ll need to evolve it into Perrserker by leveling it up to 28. Make sure not to accidentally evolve it into Persian by using a friendship-based evolution method, as Galarian Meowth specifically evolves into Perrserker at level 28.
Perrserker in Battle
Perrserker isn’t just a collector’s item in its shiny form; it’s also a capable battler with unique abilities and movesets that make it valuable in certain battle scenarios, particularly in Tera Raids.
Best Abilities and Movesets
Perrserker has three possible abilities: Battle Armor, Tough Claws, and its hidden ability, Steely Spirit. Among these, Steely Spirit stands out as particularly valuable, especially in team battles like Tera Raids.
Steely Spirit increases the damage of Steel-type moves used by the Pokémon and its allies by 50%. This ability makes Perrserker an excellent support Pokémon in team battles, particularly when paired with other Steel-type attackers.
For an optimal battle build, especially in Tera Raids, the following moveset is recommended:
- Iron Head: A powerful Steel-type physical attack that benefits from Steely Spirit.
- Screech: Lowers the target’s Defense stat sharply, making it more vulnerable to physical attacks.
- Taunt: Prevents the opponent from using status moves, which is particularly useful against raid bosses that might try to buff themselves or debuff your team.
- Helping Hand: Boosts the power of an ally’s move, further enhancing team damage output.
This moveset allows Perrserker to function as both an attacker and a support Pokémon, making it versatile in team battles.
Optimal Nature, EVs, and Held Items
For the most effective Perrserker build, particularly for Tera Raids, the following specifications are recommended:
Nature: Adamant nature is ideal, as it increases Attack while decreasing Special Attack. Since Perrserker primarily uses physical attacks, this nature maximizes its offensive capabilities.
EV Spread:
- HP: 252 (to increase survivability)
- Attack: 252 (to maximize damage output)
- Special Defense: 4 (remaining points)
This EV spread focuses on making Perrserker both hard-hitting and durable, which is essential for surviving the powerful attacks used by Tera Raid bosses.
Held Item: Metal Coat is the recommended held item for Perrserker. This item boosts the power of Steel-type moves by 20%, which complements Perrserker’s Steely Spirit ability and Iron Head move for maximum damage output.
Tera Raid Strategy
Perrserker shines particularly bright in Tera Raids, where its Steely Spirit ability can benefit the entire team. Here’s a strategy for using Perrserker effectively in Tera Raids:
- Team Composition: If possible, coordinate with friends to all bring Perrserkers with Metal Coats and Steely Spirit. This creates a multiplicative effect where each Perrserker boosts the Steel-type moves of all others.
- Opening Moves: If you’re the only one with a Perrserker, start with Taunt to prevent the raid boss from using status moves or stat boosts. Then Terastallize your Perrserker (preferably to Steel-type) to further boost your Iron Head attacks.
- Support Role: If you’re playing as support, use Screech to lower the enemy’s defense and Helping Hand to boost your allies’ attacks.
- Attack Coordination: Coordinate with your team to use Iron Head attacks simultaneously after setting up with Screech and Helping Hand for maximum damage output.
This strategy can be devastatingly effective against Tera Raid bosses, particularly those weak to Steel-type moves. The combination of multiple Perrserkers with Steely Spirit can lead to one-shot victories against many raid bosses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is Shiny Perrserker in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
Shiny Perrserker is extremely rare in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. The base odds of encountering or hatching any shiny Pokémon are 1 in 4,096. These odds can be improved to approximately 1 in 683 using the Masuda Method, and further to about 1 in 512 when combining the Masuda Method with the Shiny Charm.
Given that Galarian Meowth is only available as a reward from Professor Salvatore, obtaining a Shiny Perrserker requires breeding for a shiny Galarian Meowth and then evolving it.
Can Perrserker be found in the wild in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
No, neither Perrserker nor its pre-evolution Galarian Meowth can be found in the wild in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Galarian Meowth is exclusively available as a reward from Professor Salvatore after completing his friendship events and questline. Once you have Galarian Meowth, you can evolve it into Perrserker at level 28, but there is no way to directly catch Perrserker in the wild.
What is the difference between regular Meowth and Galarian Meowth?
Regular (Kantonian) Meowth is a Normal-type Pokémon with a sleek, cream-colored body and a gold coin on its forehead. It evolves into Persian at level 28. Galarian Meowth, on the other hand, is a Steel-type Pokémon with a scruffier appearance, featuring steel-like whiskers that resemble a beard.
Galarian Meowth evolves into Perrserker at level 28, not Persian. The two forms have different base stats, movesets, and abilities, reflecting their different types and evolutionary paths.
How do I evolve Galarian Meowth into Perrserker?
To evolve Galarian Meowth into Perrserker, you simply need to level it up to level 28. Unlike some evolutions that require specific items, locations, or conditions, Galarian Meowth’s evolution is straightforward and only requires reaching the specified level. Make sure you’re leveling up Galarian Meowth specifically, as regular Meowth will evolve into Persian instead.
Is Shiny Perrserker good in competitive battles?
Shiny Perrserker has the same stats and abilities as regular Perrserker, so its competitive viability is the same. Perrserker can be effective in certain competitive formats, particularly in doubles battles where its Steely Spirit ability can benefit teammates using Steel-type moves. It has solid Attack and Defense stats but is hampered by low Speed.
In singles formats, it can function as a physical attacker or a trick room sweeper due to its low Speed and high Attack. However, it faces competition from other Steel-types with better overall stats or abilities. In Tera Raids, Perrserker can be exceptionally effective when used in a coordinated team strategy.
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
