Pokémon Go Spotlight Hour: Can Magikarp be Shiny?

For May 17, 2022, Magikarp will be in the spotlight, and you’ll get double candy for transferring Pokémon. And yes, Magikarp can be shiny in Pokémon Go!

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Image sources: Niantic/The Pokémon Company

Notably, Magikarp has one of the highest catch rates in the game, so this is a great opportunity to break out your Go Plus devices for an easy Spotlight Hour.

If you want to evolve Magikarp, it takes a whopping 400 Magikarp Candy. Mega Evolving water-type Pokémon like Gyarados or Blatoise will help boost your candy gains.

Pokémon is about catching ’em all, and in Pokémon Go that means catching every variant, including rare Shiny versions of Pokémon. Every Tuesday in Pokémon Go, players will see a specific Pokémon spawning more frequently during Spotlight Hour, which runs from 6 p.m. to 6:59 p.m. local time. Spotlight Hour is your chance to load up on candy, a chance for high CP Pokémon, and, if you’re lucky, a Shiny Pokémon.

Are shiny rates boosted during Spotlight Hour?

Shiny rates do not appear to be boosted during Spotlight Hours, based on data gathered by Pokémon community The Silph Road. However, the sheer number of Pokémon that spawn during the hourlong weekly event will give you an improved chance of clicking on a random shiny. The more Pokémon you click on, the more opportunity you have to catch a Shiny Pokémon.

What can I do to attract more Shiny Pokémon?

Not much, unfortunately. It appears to be random chance. Shiny Pokémon catch rates are set by developer Niantic, and they are typically only boosted during special events like Community Days or Safari Zones, or in Legendary Raids. There are no consumable items that boost Shiny Pokémon rates.

Where can I find a list of available Shiny Pokémon?

LeekDuck keeps a list of currently available Shiny Pokémon. It’s a helpful visual guide that illustrates what all of the existing Shiny Pokémon look like.

For more tips, check out Polygon’s Pokémon Go guides.