Pokémon Legends: Arceus has made it too common to find Shiny Pokémon. To elaborate, a Shiny is a unique color-template swap of a typical Pokémon that has an incredibly small chance of spawning. This can make it extremely exciting when one is found, and it is common that players will want to collect a Shiny version of a personal favorite to utilize throughout the game. Unfortunately, Legends: Arceus has devalued the rarity of a Shiny Pokémon due to how easy it is to acquire one.
The standard rate of finding a Pokémon is 1/4096. This can be reduced by a variety of methods in the game. By completing the Pokédex, it halves to 1/2048 - which is then halved again when the Pokémon that is being hunted has a perfected Pokédex entry to 1/1024. With the Shiny Charm in Legends: Arceus, which becomes available by completing the Pokédex by having all Pokémon Research levels at 10, this halves even further to 1/585 chances. While it is a daunting task, it can still turn the hunt for the Shiny Pokémon into a trivial matter. Additionally, Mass Outbreaks increase Shiny spawn rates even more.
With so many generous ways to get that formerly rare Pokémon, there is a quest that could be piggybacked off of to try and bring back that special feeling. Very early into Pokémon Legends: Arceus, there is a quest that becomes available called "An Unusual Ponyta." This quest actually introduces the player to the concept of Shiny Pokémon and gives a free Shiny Ponyta to the player as a reward for catching it. This is where there could be a more unique take on acquiring Shinies by putting their spawns behind a unique quest based on the species that is being hunted.
Shiny Pokémon In Legends: Arceus Need More Characterization
This quest could be put behind the Research Level 10 requirement to complete a Pokédex entry, and provide further characterization for the Pokémon species. By basing the quests on the Pokédex entries that allow players to learn about the species, the game could provide an in-universe way to experience what the different creatures become known for, such as a Zoroark's Illusion ability. This shows the way that the Pokémon of Hisui were able to adapt and thrive in their environment and also plays directly into the game's mechanic of completing the first-ever Pokédex in Legends: Arceus.
The region of Hisui is teeming with life and the special Pokémon out there should be as unique as the game's open-world concept is. Incorporating this quest system will also give players who have already progressed far into Pokémon Legends: Arceus more lore in the world to find and unveil. This idea is just one of many ways that the Shiny spawn rates of Pokémon could be fixed while also rewarding players who commit to Shiny hunting.