Metagross
Starting out the list of the best Shiny Pokemon is one that is probably the most abundant to date, Metagross. As part of an event to promote the early purchase of Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, everyone who connected their versions to the internet got a Shiny Beldum that they could then train up into this silver beauty. This coloration of Metagross is excellent because in Metagross’ original blue and white skin, it can be easy to forget that Metagross is over 1,000 pounds of hulking Steel-type power. With a color to match its metal makeup, Metagross looks like the powerhouse it is in both physical strength and mental power.
(If you haven’t claimed your Shiny Beldum yet, you have until January 14th to get it!)
Rating: 9/10
Xerneas
Xerneas’ Shiny variation is a delightful show of how a simple change can make a Shiny Pokemon look completely different. Here, all the parts of Xerneas that were colored black are instead colored white, giving Xerneas a clean, streamlined look. Plus, a lighter blue is used on its body to better match the white torso and legs. It looks even better when in its neutral form:
Rating: 8.5/10
Ponyta and Rapidash
Another example of a small but very classy change. The majority of Ponyta and Rapidash’s bodies stay the same, but the flames billowing off of them become a bright blue for Ponyta and a deep gray for Rapidash. It’s a shame that they didn’t keep the blue flame for Rapidash, but the gray flames are still a very excellent aesthetic choice.
Rating: Ooh, Pretty Fire/10
Geodude
Geodude is an exceptionally excellent Shiny Pokemon because it’s clear why this color choice was given to Geodude; by painting it a bright yellow, Geodude becomes not a living rock but a living mass of gold ore. Having a fighting chunk of golden ore on your team is incredibly badass and so earns Geodude a place among the best.
Rating: Dolla Billz, Yall/10
Charizard
Speaking of badass…
It would be remiss to talk about the best Shiny Pokemon and not include one of the best design choices possible. Charizard is already famous as being the OG, Triple-A Badass Pokemon, so it was fine with their original color scheme. Giving Charizard a black coat of paint, though…What a stroke of genius. The black coloration really drives up Charizard’s threat level as well as their general coolness overall, making it look like a real dragon in the process.
Rating: Baadasssss!/10
Cofagrigus
Cofagrigus is a bit of a special Pokemon, being a haunted sarcophagus. What is more interesting though is that really it looks great either in its normal form or in its Shiny form. Its normal form looks like King Tut’s sarcophagus, but its Shiny form gives the Sarcophagus more subdued pastel colors with a larger emphasis being placed on its ghostly appendages extending from within. It looks more ghostly in its Shiny form, and so deserves a spot for getting more out of less.
Rating: Spooky/10
Doublade
Doublade’s Shiny variant is rather striking compared to its normal form. The purple sashes are a delight and the previously bright yellow hilts are replaced with subdued grey ones. These elements allow the best part of Doublade to stand out– the deep blood-red blades on each sword, making a very striking appearance. Whether the metal is red or the blades are covered in the blood of its enemies is up to your interpretation. No matter what way you slice it, Doublade is a Shiny Pokemon not to be missed.
Rating: A Pointed Effort/10
Diancie
For the final entry, we have Shiny Diancie. Perhaps a bit searing to the eyes for some, but the showy black-and-hot-pink color scheme works out well for the rather showy Pokemon. Not only this, but the design carries over to Mega Diancie, which surprisingly makes Mega Diancie a bit less bright to the eyes:
Instead of the complete bright pink that Mega Diancie has, Shiny Mega Diancie adds hints of gray to create a small contrast to make the rest of the pink on display really pop. Excellent color scheme for a Pokemon that canonically should be glaringly bright.
Rating: Shine On You Crazy Diamond/10
