Shiny Sandygast and Palossand in Pokemon GO How to Catch and Evolve

Guides

Can Sandygast be shiny in Pokémon Go? Absolutely – this eerie sand heap Pokémon from Unova sports a striking black sand form when shiny, making it a coveted prize for collectors and shiny hunters alike. Though rare and elusive with a base shiny rate around 1 in 500, Sandygast’s shiny variant can be found in the wild, especially during special events like Spotlight Hours or holiday-themed celebrations. Catching one requires patience and strategy, but the thrill of seeing that dark, ghostly shimmer appear is well worth the hunt.

Neither of these Pokémon are super relevant to the meta, but you can use Palossand in the Ultra League for PvP, if you want. Luckily, that shiny is incredible, making it a worthwhile Pokémon to seek out.


What is the shiny rate for Sandygast in Pokémon Go?

The shiny rate for Sandygast in Pokémon Go is approximately 1 in 500 encounters, which is the standard shiny probability for most wild Pokémon outside of special events. Sandygast is not confirmed to have a “permaboost” shiny rate, meaning it does not have an increased shiny encounter chance like some rare spawns do. Players hoping to find a shiny Sandygast should take advantage of events that boost its spawn rate, such as Spotlight Hours or weather conditions like fog and sun, to maximize their encounters and improve their chances.

As per old research by the now-defunct website The Silph Road (via Wayback Machine), the shiny rate for Pokémon on a regular day is approximately one in 500. Sandygast is not a confirmed Pokémon that gets a “permaboost” (meaning that it’s a rare spawn and thus gets a boosted shiny rate).


What can I do to attract more shiny Pokémon?

To maximize your chances of attracting more shiny Pokémon-including Sandygast-focus on playing during special events such as Spotlight Hours, Community Days, or themed celebrations, when spawn rates and shiny odds are often boosted. Use tools like Lure Modules and Incense at PokeStops to draw in more Pokémon, and take advantage of weather boosts (like sunny or foggy weather for Sandygast) to increase spawns. While there’s no guaranteed way to force a shiny encounter, combining these strategies will give you the best possible odds of finding a rare 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?

For a comprehensive list of available shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO, several reliable resources exist. Websites like Leek Duck offer a Shiny Checklist tool that allows players to track which shiny Pokémon they have caught. Serebii.net provides an extensive and regularly updated list of shiny Pokémon, including details on how to obtain them and their availability in the game. Additionally, GamePress features a filterable list showing all shiny Pokémon currently obtainable and the methods to encounter them. These resources are invaluable for trainers aiming to complete their shiny collections or to check if a specific Pokémon, such as Sandygast, has a shiny variant available in the game.

Can I increase my chances of finding a shiny Sandygast in Pokémon Go

You can increase your chances of finding a shiny Sandygast in Pokémon Go primarily by maximizing the number of Sandygast encounters. Since the base shiny rate is about 1 in 500 and cannot be directly changed, your best strategy is to catch as many Sandygast as possible.

Here are effective ways to boost your encounter rate and thus improve your odds:

  • Hunt during special events like Holiday celebrations or Sandygast Spotlight Hours, when its spawn rate is significantly increased.

  • Use Lure Modules on PokéStops and activate Incense to attract more Pokémon, increasing the total number of Sandygast spawns around you.

  • Target areas with foggy or sunny weather conditions, as these weather boosts raise Sandygast spawn rates naturally.

  • Complete Field Research or Timed Research tasks during events that feature Sandygast, which can provide additional guaranteed encounters.

No items or consumables directly increase the shiny rate itself, only the number of Pokémon that appear. Therefore, patience and persistence combined with these spawn-enhancing tactics during events give you the best shot at encountering a shiny Sandygast.

What in-game methods can I use to maximize my Sandygast encounters

To maximize your Sandygast encounters in Pokémon Go, use the following in-game methods:

  • Participate in Sandygast Spotlight Hour events, where Sandygast spawns are dramatically increased for a limited time.

  • Use Lure Modules on PokéStops, especially during Spotlight Hour or in areas with increased Sandygast activity, to attract more wild Pokémon, including Sandygast.

  • Activate Incense while playing, which increases the number of Pokémon that appear around you, boosting your chances for Sandygast encounters.

  • Hunt in areas experiencing foggy or sunny weather, as these conditions naturally boost Sandygast’s spawn rate.

  • Walk around actively, especially near PokéStops with active Lures, to maximize the number of Sandygast you encounter during boosted spawn periods.

  • Look out for special events or seasonal bonuses that may feature Sandygast in increased numbers, and complete any related Field Research or Timed Research tasks that offer Sandygast encounters.

Stacking these methods-especially during Spotlight Hour-will give you the highest possible number of Sandygast encounters in the shortest time.

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Andrew Heaton

He's a UK freelance writer specializing in video game news, with bylines at What Culture, Rock Paper Shotgun, and PCGamesN. In 2023, his love for gaming led him to buy an Xbox Series X, for no other reason than to play Starfield.

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