Shiny Pokémon have always been a coveted rarity in the Pokémon world. In Generation 2, the mechanics of obtaining shiny Pokémon through breeding are unique, as shiny status is determined by a Pokémon’s Individual Values (IVs). If you’re wondering whether breeding two shiny Pokémon in Gen 2 will affect the chances of producing a shiny offspring, here’s everything you need to know.
How Shiny Pokémon Are Determined in Gen 2
In Pokémon Gold and Silver, a Pokémon’s shiny status is based on its IVs, which determine its stats. For a Pokémon to be shiny, its IVs must meet specific criteria. The shiny formula for Generation 2 involves the following:
- The Speed, Defense, and Special IVs must all be 10.
- The Attack IV must be one of the following values: 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, or 15.
The HP IV is also important but is determined by the other IVs, meaning a shiny Pokémon will always have an HP IV of either 0 or 8. This system means that a Pokémon’s shininess is closely tied to its IVs, and a Pokémon from Generation 1 with the right IVs can retain its shiny status when traded to Generation 2.
Breeding Shiny Pokémon in Gen 2
When breeding shiny Pokémon in Generation 2, the shiny chances work a bit differently than when catching a shiny in the wild. Here’s why:
- Parent IV Inheritance: A Pokémon’s IVs are passed down to its offspring, but in a unique manner. The Special and Defense stats are passed down more consistently from parent to offspring, while other IVs are randomly generated.
- Shiny Inheritance Mechanics: If you breed a shiny parent, the offspring’s inherited Defense IV will always be 10 (the key requirement for being shiny). The Special IV has a 1/2 chance of being 10, which is another crucial element. However, the offspring’s Attack and Speed IVs are randomly generated, with the Speed IV having a 1/16 chance of being 10—another necessary condition for a shiny Pokémon.
Thus, if the offspring inherits the right IVs from the shiny parent (Defense IV of 10, Special IV of 10, and Speed IV of 10), it will have a 1/64 chance of being shiny. Importantly, this rate does not increase if both parents are shiny, as it still depends on the random generation of these IVs.
Will Breeding Two Shiny Pokémon Decrease the Chance of a Shiny Offspring?
The short answer is no. Even if both parents are shiny, the offspring’s shiny chance remains 1/64 for the opposite gender of the shiny parent. The game mechanics are designed to ensure that shiny Pokémon bred in Generation 2 follow these strict IV inheritance rules. While it’s not possible to breed two shiny Pokémon in Gen 2 and get a higher shiny chance, having one shiny parent still provides a clear path to increasing the likelihood of a shiny offspring.
However, Gen 2 breeding mechanics have an additional rule that prevents the breeding of Pokémon with similar IVs (which would likely indicate they are related). Since all shiny Pokémon are considered related due to their similar IV structure, this rule ensures that two shiny Pokémon cannot breed directly in Gen 2.
Key Points to Remember
- The shiny chance for breeding in Gen 2 remains 1/64, regardless of whether one or both parents are shiny.
- Shiny Pokémon are determined by specific IV combinations, including having a Defense IV of 10 and a Special IV of 10.
- Breeding shiny Pokémon involves inheritance of certain IVs, which makes the process a bit more predictable, but still dependent on random factors.
- Two shiny Pokémon cannot breed in Gen 2 due to mechanics that prevent breeding related Pokémon, and thus, they cannot produce a higher chance of a shiny offspring.
In conclusion, breeding two shiny Pokémon in Generation 2 does not lower or increase the shiny chance. It follows the same IV mechanics, ensuring a 1/64 chance for producing a shiny offspring with the correct IVs. Happy breeding, and may the shiny luck be with you!
