Mass Outbreaks in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is just one of the many ways the latest game in the series has shaken up the franchise's formula. From a gameplay perspective, Mass Outbreaks in Legends: Arceus increase the Shiny spawn rates of Pokémon - which means many players are eager to find them. So, can players trigger Mass Outbreaks in Pokémon Legends: Arceus - or does it all come down to luck?
Shiny hunting in Legends: Arceus is easier than ever, and this is thanks in part to the way Mass Outbreaks work. Players will get a notification on their screen when a Mass Outbreak is happening, and an icon will appear on the Arc Phone's map. Additionally, players will even be able to see what kind of Pokémon is currently spawning in the Mass Outbreak. Four Pokémon will appear at first, but as players catch them, more will spawn until the Mass Outbreak is over. This raises the Shiny rate in Pokémon Legends: Arceus substantially, and it's even higher if players have Perfect Research for that Pokémon already and have a Shiny Charm.
The reason Mass Outbreaks is so important - especially for Shiny hunters - is that it drops the base Shiny rate from 1/4096 to about 1/158. It's also a great way to complete Research tasks on that specific Pokémon, which will help with completing Legends: Arceus' Pokédex. Of course, players will need to be careful to make sure they aren't overwhelmed by the quickly-spawning Pokémon and black out. This will result in the Mass Outbreak ending - and players will lose items from their satchel in the process, too.
How Mass Outbreaks Work In Pokémon Legends: Arceus
For the most part, Mass Outbreaks are entirely random when spawning in areas in Legends: Arceus. However, there is a way for players to try to trigger Mass Outbreaks and increase their odds. The simplest way to do this is by leaving an area - like the Obsidian Fieldlands, for example - and returning to Jubilife Village, then returning to that area. Every time a player comes back to an area, there's a chance a Mass Outbreak will spawn. If players don't get one on their first attempt, then they can keep trying until a Mass Outbreak in Legends: Arceus appears.
Of course, this means Mass Outbreaks are still random - it just increases the odds since players are leaving and reentering an area over and over. It will still take a good bit of patience, and it's an imperfect science. However, for now, it's the only known way to try to trigger more Mass Outbreaks in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.