Can Rockruff and Lycanroc be shiny in Pokémon GO?

We find out if the puppy’s shiny form can be found in Pokémon GO

Danielle Rose

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Gen 7 Pokémon Rockruff, the adorable puppy Pokémon, was first introduced in the Sun & Moon games based in the Alola region. As such, Rockruff was released into Pokémon GO as part of the Season of Alola on March 1, 2022.

Rockruff itself is more a Pokédex filler – and a pretty darn cute one at that – but it can be evolved into Lycanroc, in both its Midnight and Midday forms. At the time of publication, sadly Ash Ketchum’s awesome Dusk form cannot be obtained in Pokémon GO.

Can Rockruff be shiny in Pokémon GO?

Yes! Shiny Rockruff was released to Pokémon GO on March 1, 2022, the same day as its non-shiny form. As part of the Pokémon GO Season of Alola, Rockruff’s shiny variant was able to be caught in the wild and obtained after defeating it in a Raid Battle. It could also be hatched from 10km eggs.

As such, Rockruff can be found in its shiny form in Pokémon GO, even after the end of the Alolan release event. Another Alolan Pokémon was released in its shiny form on the same day as its Pokémon GO debut on March 1, 2022, the Loitering Pokémon Yungoos.

Can Lycanroc be shiny in Pokémon GO?

As Rockruff can be caught in its shiny form in Pokémon GO, both Lycanroc Midday Form and Lycanroc Midnight Form can also be shiny through evolution. Trainers can evolve shiny Rockruff into Lycanroc’s Midday Form using 50 Candies, as long as the evolution takes place during the in-game daytime. Shiny Rockruff can be evolved into Lycanroc’s Midnight Form during the nighttime, also with 50 Candies.

Best Lycanroc moveset

For both Midday and Midnight Lycanroc, the best moveset for Gym and Raid Battles is Rock Throw and Stone Edge. As for its alternate moves, Lycanroc Midday form can know the fast move Sucker Punch and the charged moves Drill Run and Crunch. Lycanroc Midnight form can learn Counter and charged moves Crunch and Psychic Fangs*.

*Correct on March 1, 2022.