Let’s dive into one of the biggest Pokémon GO hunts right now: the Shiny Galarian bird trio—Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. Their Shiny versions were just released, and these rare forms are as exciting to chase as they are tough to catch. If you’re wondering how to boost your odds and save time, this guide is for you. Grab your Daily Adventure Incense, and let’s talk about strategies to help you land one of these elusive birds.
Why the Daily Adventure Incense Is Key
To increase your odds of encountering a Shiny Galarian bird, you’ll need to make the most of your Daily Adventure Incense. This is your best (and really only) tool for getting them to spawn. The Daily Adventure Incense, which runs for 15 minutes, offers the rare chance of encountering Galarian Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres—and their Shiny forms are even rarer.
Now, here are some tips to get the most out of each incense run:
- Stay Moving: For the incense to work effectively, you need to keep walking. Find a nice, long route, preferably one with minimal stops or slowdowns. Maintaining a steady pace is crucial to make the most of those 15 minutes, as spawns can stall if you pause too often.
- Mind Your Speed: While you want to keep moving, try to stay below 7 mph (11 kph) to make sure the game registers your movement for spawns. If you move too quickly, the incense might not work as effectively, and you could miss out on possible encounters.
- Choose Open Paths: Parks, open trails, and areas with minimal interference from buildings are ideal. Pokémon GO spawns are sometimes influenced by the environment, so staying in open spaces where spawns aren’t crowded by landmarks may help increase the quality of spawns.
Targeting Weather Conditions to Boost Spawns
Weather in Pokémon GO is more than just cosmetic—it directly affects spawn rates, which can be crucial when hunting rare Pokémon like the Galarian birds. These birds are Flying-types, and their secondary types vary: Articuno is Flying/Psychic, Zapdos is Flying/Fighting, and Moltres is Flying/Dark.
To maximize your chances of spotting one of these Pokémon, try to head out when the weather is favorable for their types:
- Windy: This is the best all-around boost, as it enhances Flying-types, covering all three Galarian birds.
- Cloudy: Good for Zapdos, as it boosts Fighting-types.
- Fog: If you’re looking for Galarian Moltres, this is ideal for boosting Dark-types.
If you don’t have access to these conditions, no worries—the birds can still appear, just with a slightly lower likelihood. However, if you know a change in weather is coming up, it might be worth timing your Daily Adventure Incense to align with it.
Best Times for Using Daily Incense
Timing matters. During in-game events, spawns are often dominated by event-specific Pokémon, meaning you’re more likely to encounter event spawns than Galarian birds. If possible, try to use your Daily Adventure Incense outside of event hours or on days when no events are happening. Event spawns tend to overtake the incense, so going at a quieter time may improve your chances of finding a Galarian bird.
Catching Galarian Birds: Tips and Tricks
Let’s talk about what happens if you do encounter a Galarian bird. First, take a deep breath—they’re notoriously hard to catch, and if you’re lucky enough to find a Shiny one, you’ll want to be prepared:
- Use a Golden Razz Berry: This is the best berry you can use to improve your catch rate, so have one ready just in case.
- Aim for Excellent Throws: Practice your aim for those Excellent and Great throws. Since these are Legendary-tier Pokémon, they’re much harder to catch than average spawns.
- Use Ultra Balls: You’ll want to use your best Poké Balls to increase your odds. Ultra Balls offer a higher catch rate than standard Poké Balls.
A recent game update has introduced an exciting change for Shiny Galarian birds—they reportedly don’t flee once you encounter them. They may jump out of the ball a few times, but they should stick around until you catch them. So, if you’re lucky enough to spot a Shiny, you can feel more confident knowing it won’t disappear. Still, there’s no reason to take unnecessary risks, so keep those throws steady and strong.
Knowing Where to Walk
Some trainers report encountering Galarian birds more frequently in certain locations. For instance, parks, trails, or consistent walking paths seem to be favorable areas for these rare encounters. Pokémon GO’s spawns are sometimes influenced by location, so if you’ve previously encountered a Galarian bird in a certain spot, it’s worth trying your Daily Adventure Incense there again.
Additionally, specific Pokémon GO zones, like areas with bodies of water or tree-lined pathways, can sometimes improve spawn rates for certain types. While there’s no guaranteed effect, staying in familiar areas where you’ve had luck can give you a slight edge.
Additional Tips for Encounter Success
- Device Optimization: Pokémon GO can be demanding on your phone. If you’re running low on battery or experience frequent crashes, it’s worth restarting your app and fully charging your device before starting the incense. Nothing’s worse than encountering a rare bird only to have your phone freeze!
- Watch the Time: The incense works best in the first 15 minutes, so try not to get distracted with non-Daily Incense spawns. Stick to your route, and keep catching efficiently to make the most of each encounter.
- Walk Without Distractions: Avoid sidetracking to catch other Pokémon on your map. To maximize your incense spawns, focus only on what the incense brings you. Event spawns can be tempting, but they’ll still be around after your incense ends.
FAQs: Everything You Should Know About Shiny Galarian Birds
Do Shiny Galarian Birds Flee?
According to recent reports, Shiny Galarian birds will no longer flee when encountered on the Daily Adventure Incense. This is a relief for players, as it gives you more time to secure that catch without worrying about the bird disappearing.
Can the Birds Spawn During Events?
Yes, but event spawns can make Galarian bird encounters rare. For higher chances, use your incense outside of event hours or on days with no active events.
Does Weather Really Boost the Galarian Birds?
Weather boosts absolutely impact Pokémon spawns in Pokémon GO. For the best chances, look for Windy, Cloudy, or Foggy weather conditions when using your Daily Adventure Incense. It’s not a guarantee, but it can give a slight edge for certain types.
Is It Worth Using Rare Candies or Stardust?
If you encounter a Shiny Galarian bird, it may be worth powering it up, especially if it has good stats. However, given their rarity, you may want to wait for the best possible IVs before investing heavily in Stardust or Rare Candies.
Catching a Shiny Galarian Articuno, Zapdos, or Moltres is a rare but thrilling experience in Pokémon GO. By optimizing your Daily Adventure Incense use, keeping an eye on the weather, and being ready with Golden Razz Berries and Ultra Balls, you can maximize your chances of landing one of these elusive Shiny Pokémon. So, keep your phone charged, pick a familiar route, and happy hunting! Here’s hoping your next Daily Adventure Incense brings you a shiny surprise!