The Ultimate Shiny Hunting Guide in Pokémon Legends Z-A!
Introduction
Shiny hunting in Pokémon Legends: Z-A is significantly easier than in any previous Pokémon game, mainly due to two significant gameplay changes.
First, the Shiny Charm is more powerful than ever. In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the Shiny Charm grants an additional shiny roll compared to other titles, resulting in improved odds of 1 in 1024, whereas in previous Pokémon games, the odds with the Shiny Charm were 1 in 1365.
Secondly, shiny Pokémon no longer despawn once they appear in the overworld. Shiny Pokémon will remain on the map indefinitely unless the player defeats it or it runs away.
It's important to note, however, that the game caps the amount of shiny Pokémon to ten. If you have ten shiny Pokémon spawned anywhere in Lumiose, the eleventh shiny will replace the first shiny.
These changes are further supported by multiple improvements designed to make shiny Pokémon easier to identify. Shinies emit a distinct sound when the player approaches them, and they sparkle visibly in the overworld.
Shiny Hunting Methods
Some of the best shiny hunting methods in Pokémon Legends Z-A include:
- Fast Traveling
- Bench Resetting
- Door Resetting
- Teleporting
- Running
Fast Traveling
The fast-traveling method involves repeatedly fast-traveling to the same location and periodically checking the nearby Pokémon that spawn.
Each time you fast-travel, all Pokémon spawns within a 50-meter radius are reset. By continuously fast traveling, you keep refreshing the spawns of surrounding Pokémon. Doing this enough times will eventually spawn one or more shiny Pokémon. Once a shiny appears, it will remain in the overworld and will not despawn even if you fast travel again, as shiny Pokémon do not despawn in Pokémon Legends Z-A.
Bench Resetting
To use the bench resetting method, you need to locate a bench and repeatedly “kill some time” on it. Each time you switch the time of day from day to night or night to day, all Pokémon spawns within a 50-meter radius are reset.
By continuously changing the time at a bench, you refresh the surrounding Pokémon spawns. Do this enough times, and you'll eventually spawn a shiny.
When you finish checking the current spawns once, be sure to kill some time on the bench again before rechecking the area, as some Pokémon only appear during the day or at night.
Door Resetting
The door-resetting method involves finding a building that allows repeated entry and exit.
This technique is only available in a few locations around Lumiose City, such as the tower in Zone 3 or the sewers next to the Magenta Pokémon Center. Each time you go in and out of a building, all Pokémon spawns within a 50-meter radius are reset.
Go through a door enough times, and you'll eventually spawn a shiny Pokémon. The most popular location for this method is the tower in Zone 3, as traveling up or down the tower resets a large number of nearby spawns, including two static Alpha Pokémon, making it an exceptionally efficient shiny hunting spot.
Teleporting
The teleporting method can only be done inside Lysandre Labs. To use the technique, you need to stand on a teleporter and keep teleporting.
Each time you teleport, all Pokémon spawns within a 50-meter radius are reset. By continuously teleporting, you refresh the surrounding Pokémon spawns. Some of the best Pokémon to shiny hunt using the teleporting method include 
Beldum and 
Honedge.
Running
To use the running method, start by placing a marker on the Pokémon you want to hunt. To place a marker, open the map, position your cursor on the correct location, and press A.
Then, repeatedly run away from the marked location and back towards it, causing the Pokémon to despawn and respawn. Pokémon typically despawn when you move roughly 90 meters away from the marker and respawn once you return to about 50 meters.
Each time the Pokémon respawns, it has a chance to be shiny. By continuously forcing the Pokémon to despawn and respawn in this way, you will repeatedly reroll the encounter until it's shiny.
AFK Hunts
Most shiny-hunting methods can also be performed Away From Keyboard (AFK). This means you can generate potential shiny spawns without actively playing the game! To use this method, you’ll need a turbo controller and/or a rubber band to hold the left analog stick in place.
To AFK hunt using the bench resetting method, place a rubber band on the left analog stick and set your turbo controller to press the A button continuously.
For the door resetting method, use a rubber band to hold the left analog stick and, in some locations, set your turbo controller to press the A button continuously. In certain areas, repeatedly pressing the A button is not required.
Finally, to AFK hunt using the teleporting method, set your turbo controller to press the A button continuously.
The Fast Traveling Method and the Running Method cannot be done using AFK methods.
Good luck!
Shiny hunting has never been so accessible. With the boosted shiny odds in this game's Shiny Charm and the ability to AFK shiny hunt, you'll have shiny Pokémon faster than ever before.
Good luck, trainers!