Can Meltan be shiny in Pokemon GO?

Catching a Shiny Meltan in Pokemon GO is a trickier affair when compared to the normal variant. Meltan is a Mythical Pokemon that is quite rare to catch in Pokemon GO. Apart from the Let's GO, Meltan quest, trainers around the world can only encounter the pocket monster by getting their hands on a Mystery Box.

Introduced in Generation VII, Meltan is a Steel-type Mythical pocket monster that is also known as the Hex Nut Pokemon. It was first teased during the September Community Day in Pokemon GO and was finally showcased in September 2018.

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Shiny Meltan is available in Pokemon GO but with a few caveats

As mentioned above, Pokemon GO trainers can get their hands on Shiny Meltan in the popular Niantic AR title. This unique variant sports a nut with a sepia tone instead of a golden hue. But Shiny Meltan does not spawn every time trainers trigger the Mystery Box. It has rather only been available for short durations.

• Let's GO! - March 21 to 29 (2023)
• Pokemon TCG Crossover Event - June 16 to 30 (2022)
• 5th Anniversary - July 6 to 15 (2021)
• Pokemon HOME Event - November 17 to 23 (2020)
• April 24 to May 5 (2019)
• February 5 to March 4 (2019)

During the upcoming 8th Anniversary Party event in June 2024, lucky players will be able to come across the shiny variant of Meltan when they trigger the Mystery Box. To further facilitate players' chances of encountering Shiny Meltan, trainers will be able to open Mystery Box more frequently during the event.

How to get Mystery Box in Pokemon GO?

Getting Mystery Box and encountering Meltan (Image via Pokemon GO)

Pokemon GO trainers can get their hands on the Mystery Box by linking their GO account to their Pokemon HOME account and sending a pocket monster from the former to the latter. Once they have done so and claimed the same in Pokemon HOME, they will find the Mystery Box in their in-game inventory.

Trainers can then interact with the Mystery Box to trigger Meltans spawning around the player's character in the overworld for 60 minutes. Players do not need to walk around for Meltan to spawn.

The evolution of Meltan into Melmetal requires 400 Meltan Candy. Trainers should ensure they have enough Poke Balls, Pokemon Storage Box space, and Pinap Berries before they trigger the Mystery Box. The 2x Transfer Candy bonus of the Let's GO event will also help trainers amass the large amount of Candy required.

Melmetal is a formidable beast in Pokemon GO that trainers will surely like to have in their battle party. The upcoming event provides the perfect opportunity for them to get their hands on a shiny variant of the Pokemon.