The quest for a Black Charizard, or more accurately, a Shiny Charizard, in Pokémon GO is a pursuit many trainers undertake. Its striking appearance makes it a coveted addition to any collection. While a true “Black Charizard” doesn’t technically exist in the traditional sense (it’s a very dark grey), the Shiny Charizard available in Pokémon GO fulfills that desire with its dramatic color palette. Let’s delve into the methods and strategies to maximize your chances of obtaining this impressive Pokémon.
Understanding Shiny Pokémon In Pokémon GO
Shiny Pokémon are essentially rare, alternate-color versions of standard Pokémon. They function identically to their regular counterparts in terms of stats and moves, but their unique appearance sets them apart. Finding a Shiny Pokémon relies heavily on chance, making the hunt both exciting and potentially frustrating. The base Shiny rate for most Pokémon in the wild is approximately 1 in 500 encounters. However, this rate can fluctuate during special events.
Shiny Charmander: The Foundation
You can’t directly catch a Shiny Charizard in the wild. Instead, you need to focus on finding a Shiny Charmander. This is the first step toward your Black Charizard. Once you have a Shiny Charmander, you can evolve it into a Shiny Charmeleon and then into a Shiny Charizard.
Rarity And Spawn Rates
Charmander spawns are not consistent throughout the year. They are more common during certain events, such as Community Days or special themed events that feature Fire-type Pokémon. Keep an eye on Pokémon GO’s official announcements and in-game news to stay informed about upcoming events that might increase Charmander’s spawn rate.
Strategies For Finding A Shiny Charmander
Finding a Shiny Charmander requires patience, dedication, and strategic gameplay. There are several methods you can employ to increase your chances of success.
Community Days
Community Days are one of the best opportunities to find a Shiny Charmander. During a Charmander Community Day, the spawn rate of Charmander is significantly increased, and the Shiny rate is also boosted, typically to around 1 in 25. This dramatically improves your odds of encountering a Shiny. Make sure to actively participate during the entire event window to maximize your encounters.
Spotlight Hours
Spotlight Hours feature a specific Pokémon for one hour, greatly increasing its spawn rate. While Spotlight Hours don’t typically increase the Shiny rate, the sheer volume of Charmander encounters can still provide a better chance of finding a Shiny compared to normal gameplay.
Event-Specific Spawns
Pokémon GO regularly hosts themed events that can affect Pokémon spawns. These events often feature specific types of Pokémon, such as Fire-type Pokémon. During such events, Charmander may appear more frequently in the wild. Pay attention to event announcements and prioritize searching in areas where Fire-type Pokémon are known to spawn.
Utilizing Incense And Lure Modules
Incense and Lure Modules are valuable tools for attracting Pokémon to your location. Incense will attract Pokémon to your current location for a set period, while Lure Modules can be placed on PokéStops to attract Pokémon to that location. Using these items can significantly increase the number of Pokémon encounters, giving you more opportunities to find a Shiny Charmander.
Understanding Spawn Locations
Charmander, being a Fire-type Pokémon, is more likely to spawn in areas with warm climates or fire-related locations. Parks, residential areas, and even parking lots can be good places to search. Experiment and explore different locations in your area to identify potential Charmander spawn points.
The Power Of Persistence
Finding a Shiny Pokémon can be time-consuming. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find one immediately. The key is to remain persistent and continue searching. The more Charmander you encounter, the higher your chances of finding a Shiny.
Evolving Your Shiny Charmander Into A Shiny Charizard
Once you’ve caught a Shiny Charmander, the next step is to evolve it into a Shiny Charizard. This requires Candy, the in-game currency used for evolving Pokémon.
Candy Requirements
Evolving a Shiny Charmander into a Shiny Charmeleon requires 25 Charmander Candy. Evolving a Shiny Charmeleon into a Shiny Charizard requires 100 Charmander Candy. Therefore, you need a total of 125 Charmander Candy to evolve your Shiny Charmander into a Shiny Charizard.
Collecting Charmander Candy
There are several ways to collect Charmander Candy:
- Catching Charmander: Each Charmander you catch will reward you with 3 Charmander Candy.
- Transferring Charmander: Transferring unwanted Charmander to Professor Willow will give you 1 Charmander Candy per Pokémon.
- Using Pinap Berries: Feeding a Pinap Berry to a Charmander before catching it will double the Candy reward, giving you 6 Charmander Candy per catch.
- Walking with Charmander as your Buddy: Set Charmander as your Buddy Pokémon, and you will earn Candy by walking a certain distance.
- Completing Research Tasks: Some Research Tasks may reward you with Charmander Candy.
Evolving Your Shiny Charmeleon
Once you have enough Charmander Candy, you can evolve your Shiny Charmander into a Shiny Charmeleon, and then your Shiny Charmeleon into a Shiny Charizard. The evolution process is the same as evolving any other Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Simply select the Shiny Charmander or Shiny Charmeleon in your Pokémon storage and tap the “Evolve” button. Be absolutely sure you are evolving the Shiny versions before proceeding!
Maximizing Your Efficiency
To optimize your Shiny hunting efforts, consider these strategies:
- Fast Catch Trick: Learn and practice the “Fast Catch Trick” to quickly skip the catching animation. This will save you time and allow you to encounter more Pokémon in a given period.
- Quick Encounter Method: Quickly scan your surroundings and tap on Charmander as soon as they appear. This prevents you from wasting time on Pokémon that are not Charmander.
- Optimize Your Inventory: Keep your Pokémon storage and Item Bag organized to avoid wasting time on unnecessary tasks.
- Stay Informed: Follow Pokémon GO news and social media channels to stay up-to-date on events and promotions that may increase Charmander’s spawn rate.
Is It Worth The Effort?
The effort required to obtain a Shiny Charizard in Pokémon GO can be significant. The question is: is it worth it? For many trainers, the answer is a resounding yes. Shiny Pokémon are highly sought after for their rarity and unique appearance. A Shiny Charizard, with its impressive design and powerful stats, is a valuable addition to any collection and a symbol of dedication and persistence. Moreover, the sense of accomplishment you feel after finally obtaining a Shiny Charizard is incredibly rewarding.
Trading For A Shiny Charizard
While the main focus is on obtaining a Shiny Charmander and evolving it, trading is another avenue to consider. Keep in mind that trading Shiny Pokémon comes with caveats.
- Stardust Cost: Trading Shiny Pokémon is significantly more expensive in terms of Stardust compared to trading regular Pokémon, especially if you are not Best Friends with the person you are trading with.
- Rerolls: When you trade Pokémon, their IVs (Individual Values) are rerolled. This means that the Shiny Charizard you receive may have different stats than the one that was traded. This can be advantageous if you receive one with better stats, but it can also be disappointing if the stats are worse.
- Trust: Trading requires trust, especially with valuable Pokémon. Ensure you are trading with a reputable player.
The Allure Of The Black Charizard
Ultimately, the hunt for a Shiny Charizard in Pokémon GO is a testament to the game’s enduring appeal. It combines elements of chance, strategy, and persistence to create a rewarding and engaging experience. While it may take time and effort, the satisfaction of finally obtaining this iconic Pokémon is well worth the investment. The striking black and red color scheme of the Shiny Charizard makes it a standout addition to any trainer’s team, and a symbol of their dedication to the game. Keep searching, keep battling, and keep evolving – your Shiny Charizard awaits!
Final Thoughts
Acquiring a Shiny Charizard is a journey filled with anticipation and excitement. By understanding the mechanics of Shiny Pokémon, employing effective strategies, and remaining persistent, you can significantly increase your chances of obtaining this coveted Pokémon. Remember to stay informed about events, utilize in-game tools, and explore different locations to maximize your encounters. Happy hunting!
How Do I Obtain A Black Charizard In Pokémon GO?
Unfortunately, there is no way to directly obtain a Black Charizard in Pokémon GO through normal gameplay. The color variation you are referring to, often called Black Charizard, is actually the Shiny version of Charizard. Shiny Pokémon are rare, alternate-colored versions of Pokémon, and acquiring them relies heavily on chance and persistence.
To get a Shiny Charizard, you first need to find and catch a Shiny Charmander. Once you have a Shiny Charmander, you can evolve it into a Shiny Charmeleon, and eventually, a Shiny Charizard using Candies. This Shiny Charizard will have the sought-after black coloration.
What Are The Chances Of Finding A Shiny Charmander In Pokémon GO?
The base shiny encounter rate in Pokémon GO is estimated to be around 1 in 500. This means that, on average, you would need to encounter 500 Charmander before finding one that is Shiny. Keep in mind that this is an average, and some players might find one sooner, while others might need to encounter significantly more.
Shiny rates can sometimes be boosted during Community Days or special events. These events often feature a specific Pokémon with a greatly increased shiny encounter rate, sometimes as high as 1 in 25. Keeping an eye on announcements for these events is a great way to increase your chances of finding a Shiny Charmander.
Does Using An Incense Or Lure Module Increase My Chances Of Finding A Shiny Charmander?
While Incense and Lure Modules won’t directly increase the shiny chance of a Charmander appearing, they will increase the number of Charmander that spawn around you. This increased spawn rate gives you more opportunities to encounter a Charmander, which indirectly improves your odds of finding a Shiny one.
Think of it like buying more raffle tickets; each ticket has the same chance of winning, but buying more tickets gives you a higher overall probability of winning. Similarly, more Charmander encounters mean more chances to potentially encounter a Shiny Charmander, making Incense and Lure Modules helpful tools in your search.
Can I Trade For A Shiny Charizard In Pokémon GO?
Yes, you can trade for a Shiny Charizard in Pokémon GO, provided you and the other player meet certain requirements. Both players must be friends in the game, and the trade must be conducted in person. Be aware that Shiny Pokémon trades count as “Special Trades,” which can only be performed once per day.
Also, trading for a Shiny Charizard will require a significant amount of Stardust, especially if you don’t already have that Shiny Charizard registered in your Pokédex. The Stardust cost will depend on your friendship level with the other player, decreasing as your friendship increases. Be prepared to spend a substantial amount of Stardust if you are trading with a new or lower-level friend.
Are There Any Events That Increase The Spawn Rate Of Charmander In Pokémon GO?
Yes, Charmander frequently appears during specific events in Pokémon GO. Look out for Community Days that feature Charmander, as these events drastically increase its spawn rate and shiny rate. Additionally, Charmander might have increased appearances during Fire-type themed events or other special celebrations.
Staying informed about upcoming events is key. You can follow the official Pokémon GO social media channels, news outlets dedicated to Pokémon GO, and the in-game news section within the app to learn about upcoming events and whether Charmander will be featured with increased spawns. These events are your best bet for easily finding and catching multiple Charmander.
Does Evolving A Shiny Charmeleon Guarantee A Black Charizard?
Yes, evolving a Shiny Charmeleon will always result in a Shiny Charizard, which has the black color scheme that players commonly refer to as Black Charizard. The shiny status and coloration are preserved throughout the evolution process. Once you have a Shiny Charmander and evolve it to Charmeleon, you’re on the right track.
There’s no risk of losing the Shiny status during evolution. As long as you evolve a Shiny Charmander into a Shiny Charmeleon, and then evolve the Shiny Charmeleon, you will obtain a Shiny Charizard, the sought-after “Black Charizard”. Remember to gather enough Charmander Candies to complete both evolutions.
Is It Possible To Find A Shiny Charizard In Raids?
Yes, Charizard has appeared in Raids, and when it does, there is a chance that it will be a Shiny Charizard upon encounter after defeating it. However, the shiny rate in Raids is generally the same as the standard shiny rate in the wild, meaning it can still be a rare occurrence.
Participating in Charizard Raids offers a different way to potentially obtain a Shiny Charizard without having to evolve one from a Shiny Charmander. If you successfully complete the Raid, you’ll have an opportunity to catch the Charizard, and it will potentially be the coveted Shiny version. Keep an eye out for Charizard appearing in Raids and take your chances!