List of unobtainable Shiny Pokémon

This is a list of unobtainable Shiny Pokémon in the Pokémon games.

Availability

In all generations since Shiny Pokémon debuted, there are a few species that cannot be legitimately obtained as Shiny. These Pokémon are commonly referred to as Shiny-locked by fans. This can happen if the Pokémon is coded not to appear as Shiny in the wild or via in-game gifts or trades and has never been distributed as Shiny via events.

However, with the exception of Pikachu in a cap, the partner Pikachu and Eevee, and Magearna (Magearna's standard form is missing its Shiny form in Generation VII only), all of these Pokémon have Shiny variants in their respective games' code, regardless of their availability. Moreover, Castform's Rainy, Sunny and Snowy Forms lacked Shiny colorations in the core series until Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, having the coloration in Pokémon GO and Pokémon HOME prior.

Starting from Pokémon Legends: Arceus, all in-game event Pokémon encounters, such as Legendary Pokémon, are programmed to never be Shiny.

Intentionally unobtainable Shiny Pokémon

This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Game abbreviations and notes for version exclusive, DLC exclusive, and other conditionally available shinies species/forms

The following is a non-comprehensive list of notable species that have been subject to Shiny locks in a given game, or generation, with some having extremely limited conditions for being obtained as Shiny.

Shiny Pokémon denoted with a ✔ can be obtained in-game, either in a specific version, denoted by abbreviations for said game(s), or the generation as a whole.
Shiny Pokémon denoted with a ~ could not be obtained in-game directly, but could be acquired through event distributions or transfer from other games.
Shiny Pokémon denoted with a ✘ could not be obtained by any means, either in a specific version, denoted by abbreviations for said game(s), or the generation as a whole.

Pokémon		Generation
Pokémon		I & II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
	Cosplay Pikachu					✘
	Pikachu in a cap (excluding Partner Cap)						✘	✘	✘
	Pikachu in a cap ^{[note 1]} (Partner Cap)						✔ USUM	~	~
	Partner Pikachu						✘
	Partner Eevee						✘
	Articuno	✔ RG B Y	✔ FRLG	✔ Pt HGSS	~	~	✔ USUM PE	✔ CT SP	~
	Articuno (Galarian form)							~	~
	Zapdos	✔ RG B Y	✔ FRLG	✔ Pt HGSS	~	~	✔ USUM PE	✔ CT SP	~
	Zapdos (Galarian form)							~	~
	Moltres	✔ RG B Y	✔ FRLG	✔ Pt HGSS	~	~	✔ USUM PE	✔ CT SP	~
	Moltres (Galarian form)							~	~
	Mewtwo	✔ RG B Y	✔ FRLG	✔ HGSS	~	~	✔ USUM PE	✔ CT BDSP	~
	Mew ^{[note 2]}	~	✔ JPN E	~	~	~	~ SM USUM	~	~
	Spiky-eared Pichu			✘
	Raikou	✔ GS C	✔ Colo FRLG	✔ HGSS	~	✔ ORAS	✔ US	✔ CT BD	~
	Entei	✔ GS C	✔ Colo FRLG	✔ HGSS	~	✔ ORAS	✔ UM	✔ CT BD	~
	Suicune	✔ GS C	✔ Colo FRLG	✔ HGSS	~	✔ ORAS	✔ USUM	✔ CT BD	~
	Lugia ^{[note 3]}	✔ GS C	✔ FRLGE	✔ HGSS	~	✔ AS	✔ UM	✔ CT SP	~
	Ho-Oh ^{[note 4]}	✔ GS C	✔ FRLGE	✔ HGSS	~	✔ OR	✔ US	✔ CT BD	~
	Celebi ^{[note 5]}	✔ VC C	✘	✘	✘	✘	~	~
	Latias		✔ RS E	✔ HGSS	✔ W2	✔ ORAS	✔ UM	✔ CT BDSP	~
	Latios		✔ RS E	✔ HGSS	✔ B2	✔ ORAS	✔ US	✔ CT BDSP	~
	Kyogre		✔ SE	✔ HG	~	~	✔ UM	✔ CT BDSP	~
	Groudon		✔ RE	✔ SS	~	~	✔ US	✔ CT BDSP	~
	Rayquaza ^{[note 6]}		✔ RS E	✔ HGSS	~	~	✔ USUM	✔ CT BDSP	✔
	Jirachi ^{[note 7]}		✔ Colo Bonus Disc Channel	~	~	~	~	~	~
	Deoxys ^{[note 8]}		✔ FRLG Non-JPN E	~	~	~	~	~	~
	Uxie			✔ DP Pt	✔ B2W2	✔ ORAS	✔ USUM	✔ CT BDSP	~
	Mesprit			✔ DP Pt	✔ B2W2	✔ ORAS	✔ USUM	✔ CT BDSP	~
	Azelf			✔ DP Pt	✔ B2W2	✔ ORAS	✔ USUM	✔ CT BDSP	~
	Dialga ^{[note 9]}			✔ DPt HGSS	~	✔ AS	✔ US	✔ CT BDSP	~
	Palkia ^{[note 10]}			✔ PPt HGSS	~	✔ OR	✔ UM	✔ CT BDSP	~
	Heatran			✔ DP Pt	✔ B2W2	✔ ORAS	✔ US	✔ CT BDSP	~
	Regigigas			✔ DP Pt	✔ B2W2	✔ ORAS	✔ UM	✔ CT BDSP	~
	Giratina ^{[note 11]}			✔	~	✔ ORAS	✔ USUM	✔ CT BDSP	~
	Cresselia			✔ DP Pt	✔ B2W2	✔ ORAS	✔ USUM	✔ CT BDSP	~
	Manaphy ^{[note 12]}			✔ Ra SoAGS	~	~	~	~ HOME	~ HOME
	Darkrai ^{[note 13]}			✔ Pt	~	~	~	✔ BDSP	~
	Shaymin ^{[note 14]}			✔ Pt	~	~	~	✔ BDSP	~
	Arceus			✘	✘	~	~	✔ BDSP	~
	Victini				✘	✘	✘	✘
	Cobalion				✔	✔ ORAS	✔ USUM	✔ CT	~
	Terrakion				✔	✔ ORAS	✔ USUM	✔ CT	~
	Virizion				✔	✔ ORAS	✔ USUM	✔ CT	~
	Tornadus				✔ B	✔ OR	✔ US	✔ CT	~
	Thundurus				✔ W	✔ AS	✔ UM	✔ CT	~
	Reshiram				✘	✔ OR	✔ US	✔ CT	~
	Zekrom				✘	✔ AS	✔ UM	✔ CT	~
	Landorus				✔ BW	✔ ORAS	✔ USUM	✔ CT	~
	Kyurem				✔	✔ ORAS	✔ USUM	✔ CT	~
	Keldeo ^{[note 15]}				✘	✘	✘	~ HOME	~ HOME
	Meloetta ^{[note 16]}				✘	✘	✘		~ HOME
	Genesect				~	~	~	~
	Greninja (with Battle Bond) & Ash-Greninja						✘		✘
	Vivillon (Fancy Pattern)					✘	✘		✔
	Vivillon (Poké Ball Pattern)					✘	✘		✘
	Xerneas					~	✔ USUM	✔ CT
	Yveltal					~	✔ USUM	✔ CT
	Zygarde					✘	~	✔ CT
	Diancie					~	~	~	~
	Hoopa					✘	✘		✘
	Volcanion					✘	✘	✘	✘
	Type: Null						✔ SM USUM	~
	Silvally						✔ SM USUM	~
	Tapu Koko						~	✔ CT
	Tapu Lele						~	✔ CT
	Tapu Bulu						~	✔ CT
	Tapu Fini						~	✔ CT
	Cosmog						✘	✘	✘
	Cosmoem						✘	✘	✘
	Solgaleo						~	✔ CT	~
	Lunala						~	✔ CT	~
	Nihilego						✔ USUM	✔ CT
	Buzzwole						✔ US	✔ CT
	Pheromosa						✔ UM	✔ CT
	Xurkitree						✔ USUM	✔ CT
	Celesteela						✔ UM	✔ CT
	Kartana						✔ US	✔ CT
	Guzzlord						✔ USUM	✔ CT
	Necrozma						~	✔ CT	~
	Magearna						✘	✘	✘
	Marshadow						✘	✘
	Poipole						✔ USUM	~
	Naganadel						✔ USUM	~
	Zeraora						✘	~ HOME
	Melmetal ^{[note 17]} (Gigantamax Factor )							✘
	Zacian							~	~
	Zamazenta							~	~
	Eternatus ^{[note 18]}							~	~
	Kubfu							✘	✘
	Urshifu ^{[note 19]}							✘	✘
	Zarude							✘	✘
	Glastrier							✘	✘
	Spectrier							✘	✘
	Calyrex							✘	✘
	Ursaluna (Bloodmoon form)								✘
	Enamorus ^{[note 20]}							~ HOME	~ HOME
	Gimmighoul ^{[note 21]} (Chest Form)								~
	Gimmighoul ^{[note 22]} (Roaming Form)								~
	Gholdengo								~
	Wo-Chien								~
	Chien-Pao								~
	Ting-Lu								~
	Chi-Yu^{[note 23]}								✘
	Koraidon								✘
	Miraidon								✘
	Walking Wake								✘
	Iron Leaves								✘
	Okidogi								✘
	Munkidori								✘
	Fezandipiti								✘
	Ogerpon								✘
	Gouging Fire								✘
	Raging Bolt								✘
	Iron Boulder								✘
	Iron Crown								✘
	Terapagos								✘
	Pecharunt								✘

In Generations I and II

In Generation II, shininess is determined by a Pokémon's DVs. This causes several quirks with the availability of certain species and forms in these games.

Generation I availability

Due to correlations between pseudorandom numbers in the Generation I games, Pokémon encountered in those games in tall grass, on cave tiles, or by Surfing on water cannot have a set of DVs that would allow them to be Shiny in Generation II. Fishing encounters, gift Pokémon (including from Pokémon Stadium), stationary Pokémon (such as Snorlax and Mewtwo), and in-game trades can have any set of DVs, so they always have the same 1/8192 chance of having a Shiny DV combination.^[1]

The following table lists all Pokémon with restricted Shiny availability in a Generation I game which are not covered in the table above due to their availability also being limited in future generations. All Pokémon which cannot be obtained Shiny in Generation I can be found in Generation II with a normal Shiny rate.

Pokémon		Game
Pokémon		R	B	B_(JP)	Y
	Caterpie	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Metapod	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Butterfree	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Weedle	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Kakuna	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Beedrill	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Pidgey	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Pidgeotto	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Pidgeot	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Rattata	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Raticate	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Spearow	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Fearow	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Ekans	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Arbok	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Pikachu	✘	✘	✔	✔
	Raichu	✘	✘	✔	✔
	Sandshrew	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Sandslash	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Nidoran♀	✔	✔	✘	✘
	Nidorina	✔	✔	✘	✘
	Nidoqueen	✔	✔	✘	✘
	Nidoran♂	✔	✘	✘	✘
	Nidorino	✘	✔	✘	✘
	Nidoking	✘	✔	✘	✘
	Clefairy	✔	✔	✘	✘
	Clefable	✔	✔	✔	✘
	Vulpix	✘	✘	✘	✔
	Ninetales	✘	✘	✘	✔
	Jigglypuff	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Wigglytuff	✘	✘	✘	✔
	Zubat	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Golbat	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Oddish	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Gloom	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Vileplume	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Paras	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Parasect	✘	✘	✘	✔
	Venonat	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Venomoth	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Diglett	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Dugtrio	✘	✘	✘	✔
	Meowth	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Persian	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Psyduck	✔	✔	✔	✘
	Golduck	✔	✔	✔	✘
	Mankey	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Primeape	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Growlithe	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Arcanine	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Machop	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Machoke	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Machamp	✘	✘	✘	✔
	Bellsprout	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Weepinbell	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Victreebel	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Geodude	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Graveler	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Golem	✘	✘	✔	✘
	Ponyta	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Rapidash	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Slowpoke	✔	✔	✔	✘
	Slowbro	✔	✔	✔	✘
	Magnemite	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Magneton	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Farfetch'd	✔	✔	✔	✘
	Doduo	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Dodrio	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Seel	✔	✔	✘	✘
	Dewgong	✔	✔	✘	✔
	Grimer	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Muk	✘	✘	✘	✔
	Gastly	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Haunter	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Gengar	✘	✘	✔	✘
	Onix	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Drowzee	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Hypno	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Exeggcute	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Exeggutor	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Cubone	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Marowak	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Lickitung	✔	✔	✘	✘
	Koffing	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Weezing	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Rhyhorn	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Rhydon	✘	✘	✘	✔
	Chansey	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Tangela	✔	✔	✘	✘
	Kangaskhan	✘	✘	✔	✘
	Scyther	✔	✘	✘	✔
	Jynx	✔	✔	✘	✘
	Electabuzz	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Magmar	✘	✘	✘	✘
	Pinsir	✘	✔	✘	✔
	Tauros	✘	✘	✔	✘
	Ditto	✘	✘	✘	✘

Other unobtainable Shiny Pokémon

Pokémon	Explanation
♀	Gender is also derived from the Pokémon's DVs. Due to this, Pokémon that have a "1 ♀ : 7 ♂" gender ratio cannot simultaneously be both female and Shiny in Generation II. In v1.2 of Poké Transporter, when transferring Pokémon from Generation I, gender was determined randomly instead of being determined by the Attack DV. As a result, prior to v1.3, it was possible for Transporter to generate 1 ♀ : 7 ♂ gender ratio Pokémon as both female and Shiny.
Female Pokémon with a gender ratio of 1 Female to 7 Males
	An Unown's form is also derived from its DVs Generation II. Due to this, all forms except the letters I and V cannot be Shiny.
Unown (Excluding forms I & V)

Notes

↑ Partner Cap Pikachu is available in its Shiny form due to a programming error, (as long as the player's TSV is not equal to 1009), however it does not have a visually distinct Shiny model or sprite. While it can be transferred from Generation VII to Pokémon HOME and later generations, there are currently no assets in HOME, nor any compatible game where it appears with the correct Shiny coloration.
↑ Shiny Mew can be obtained legitimately as part of the Gotta catch 'em all! Station, the Japanese version of Pokémon Emerald via the Old Sea Map event item, or via Pokémon GO's Mew Masterwork Research quest. However, it cannot be obtained legitimately in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, nor transferred into Let's Go via GO Park or HOME.
↑ Shiny Lugia can only be obtained from Navel Rock in Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Pokémon Emerald, which required the MysticTicket event item to access.
↑ Shiny Ho-Oh can only be obtained from Navel Rock in Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Pokémon Emerald, which required the MysticTicket event item to access.
↑ Shiny Celebi can be obtained legitimately in the original Japanese version of Pokémon Crystal, through Generation II event distributions, and via in-game encounter in the Virtual Console releases of Pokémon Crystal. Notably, Virtual Console Pokémon can only be moved forward into Generation VII or above (via Pokémon Bank), while those obtained in physical cartridge versions of the game cannot move forward to Generation III or above.
↑ Shiny Rayquaza is not natively available in Generation IX unless the player connected online and obtained the Poké Portal News/2024 → List of Tera Raid Battle events → December 19, 2024 to January 5, 2025 event that caused it to appear in 7 star Black Tera Raid Crystals.
↑ Due to an oversight in the generation methods, Shiny Jirachi can be obtained legitimately in both Pokémon Channel and the North American version of the Pokémon Colosseum Bonus Disc, but they were largely blocked from online play until after the 2014 Tanabata Shiny Jirachi event was released in Generation VI. It can also be obtained legitimately via Pokémon GO's Jirachi Masterwork Research quest.
↑ Shiny Deoxys can be obtained legitimately in both Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen and Pokémon Emerald via the Aurora Ticket event item, (excluding the Japanese version of Emerald), or via Raid Battles in Pokémon GO.
↑ Dialga in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver could only be obtained in the Sinjoh Ruins, an event only location that could only be visited legitimately with an Arceus that was obtained from July 11, 2009 to April 11, 2010.
↑ Palkia in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver could only be obtained in the Sinjoh Ruins, an event only location that could only be visited legitimately with an Arceus that was obtained from July 11, 2009 to April 11, 2010.
↑ Giratina in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver could only be obtained in the Sinjoh Ruins, an event only location that could only be visited legitimately with an Arceus that was obtained from July 11, 2009 to April 11, 2010.
↑ While the Ranger Manaphy Egg cannot hatch as Shiny for the savefile that receives it, it can be Shiny if traded and hatched by another player with a different Trainer ID and Secret ID from the original recipient. Shiny Manaphy can only be obtained this way in Generation IV, as TSV abuse was fixed in Pokémon Sword and Shield onward. Additionally, as of 06:00 UTC, January 28, 2025, Shiny Manaphy can be obtained as a gift for completing the regional Pokédex of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl in Pokémon HOME (excluding Manaphy), however only Pokémon with Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl as the game of origin count towards the completion of the Pokédex challenge.
↑ Requires the Member Card event item. Shiny Darkrai can also be obtained legitimately via Raid Battles in Pokémon GO.
↑ Requires the Oak's Letter event item. Shiny Shaymin can also be obtained legitimately via Pokémon GO's Shaymin Masterwork Research quest.
↑ Shiny Keldeo can be obtained from Pokémon HOME, by having a complete Galar Pokédex, Isle of Armor Pokédex, and Crown Tundra Pokédex with HOME, (excluding Zarude), however only Pokémon with Sword or Shield as the game of origin count towards the completion of the three respective Pokédex challenges.
↑ Shiny Meloetta can be obtained from Pokémon HOME, by having a complete Paldea Pokédex, Kitakami Pokédex, and Blueberry Academy Pokédex within HOME, (excluding Walking Wake, Iron Leaves and Pecharunt, though only the original forms of Weezing, Typhlosion, Samurott, Lilligant, Braviary, Sliggoo, Goodra, Avalugg, and Decidueye count), however only Pokémon with Scarlet or Violet as the game of origin count towards the completion of the three respective Pokédex challenges. Shiny Meloetta will also become available during the Pokémon GO Tour: Unova event via purchasing a ticket for Masterwork Research.
↑ The Pokémon HOME Melmetal (gifted to the player the first time they transfer a Pokémon via GO Transporter), cannot be Shiny. Shiny Melmetal (obtained by evolving Shiny Meltan from the Mystery Box in Pokémon GO), if transferred to Sword or Shield, cannot be given Max Soup to gain the Gigantamax Factor.
↑ Eternatus's Eternamax form is not obtainable by the player. The Eternatus encountered during Pokémon Sword and Shield's main story cannot be Shiny, and the event Shiny Eternatus distributed to players cannot be changed to Eternamax form.
↑ Due to an oversight, from June 17th, 2022 to approximately 2:00-11:00 UTC on the 18th, the Gigantamax Urshifu that appeared during the June 17 to 19, 2022 Wild Area News event could appear as Shiny, (and could even be registered in the Pokédex as Shiny), but was coded to be impossible to catch.
↑ As of 06:00 UTC, January 28, 2025, Shiny Enamorus can be obtained as a gift for completing the Pokédex of Pokémon Legends: Arceus in Pokémon HOME, (including Mythical Pokémon), however only Pokémon with Legends: Arceus as the game of origin count towards the completion of the Pokédex challenge.
↑ Only Chest Form is available as Shiny via 5★ Tera raids (without an increased chance to appear as Shiny) during the June 21 to July 2, 2023 Poké Portal News event, the August 9 to August 22, 2024 Poké Portal News event, and the April 30 to May 8, 2025 Poké Portal News event. All Chest Form Gimmighoul encountered as static encounters in Scarlet and Violet cannot be shiny.
↑ Shiny Roaming Form Gimmighoul can be obtained legitimately via the Coin Bag in Pokémon GO during certain in-game events.
↑ The shiny forms of the Treasures of Ruin will be obtainable via Mystery Gift if they are defeated in Tera Raid Battles one million times.