How to get Elgyem and its shiny form in Pokemon GO

In Pokemon GO, Elgyem is a Psychic-type species that originates from the Unova region. It draws inspiration from the "grey" extraterrestrials purported to have crash-landed in Roswell, New Mexico. The creature also evolves into Beheeyem when fed 50 candies. But how can players get one, and can it be shiny? The good news is that trainers can catch Elgyem and its shiny variant in multiple ways.

By examining the methods of getting Elgyem in Pokemon GO, trainers can zero in on the Psychic-type creature. Plus, more Elgyem spawns means more chances at finding its coveted shiny form, so it doesn't hurt to examine the full range of options that trainers have available to them.

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How to get Elgyem in Pokemon GO

Elgyem can be encountered through many aspects of Pokemon GO (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Elgyem is obtainable in Pokemon GO through multiple avenues, including the following methods:

• Wild Encounters
• Egg Hatches
• Tier 1 Raids
• Research Task Encounters

It should be noted that while Elgyem has been encountered in the gameplay methods outlined above, it hasn't appeared in some of them for quite some time. Still, it's worth examining all of the methods in the event that Niantic reintroduces the Cerebral Pokemon into these facets of gameplay in the future.

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Wild Encounters

Since August 2020, Pokemon GO players have been able to find Elgyem as a wild spawn. However, its appearance is quite rare compared to most common Pocket Monsters. It's advised that trainers use lure modules and incense to increase spawns around Pokestops or themselves, respectively. This doesn't guarantee an Elgyem will spawn, but it does provide more opportunities for it to appear.

Moreover, many events like Psychic Spectacular focused on Psychic-type Pokemon will often increase spawns of Elgyem. Trainers should keep an eye on the event calendar to see when these moments arise.

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Egg Hatches

In the past, Elgyem has appeared as a Pokemon that can hatch from 5km, 7km, and 10km eggs. The most recent occurrence of this was when Elgyem could be hatched from 5km eggs during 2021's Unova Celebration Event.

Even though Elgyem hasn't appeared as an egg hatch in some time, trainers should keep an eye out for it in case Niantic reintroduces it to the game's egg hatch pools.

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Tier 1 Raids

Elgyem has appeared in raids in Pokemon GO on occasion (Image via Niantic)

Although it hasn't appeared in a raid since September 2023, Elgyem is known to appear in Tier 1 raids in Pokemon GO. The occurrences may be rare compared to other Pocket Monsters, but trainers can always keep an eye on the current raid rotation and seize on the opportunity if Elgyem reappears.

When raiding Elgyem in Tier 1 raids, a heavy dose of Bug, Dark, and Ghost-type Pokemon/moves should be more than enough to defeat it.

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Research Task Encounters

As of the Hidden Gems season, Pokemon GO players have been able to encounter Elgyem as a Field Research Task reward for completing the task "Make 3 Great Throws." However, Elgyem has sporadically appeared as a reward for other research tasks, including Field Research, Special Research, and Timed Research from certain events.

For the time being, trainers are best suited to finding and completing the "Make 3 Great Throws" Field Research Task regularly to encounter Elgyem often.

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Tips to get shiny Elgyem in Pokemon GO

Shiny Elgyem won't be easy to spot (Image via The Pokemon Company)

When it comes to getting shiny Elgyem in Pokemon GO, trainers will be in for a tough time. It has an approximate shiny appearance rate of 1 in 512 in the wild. These odds can occasionally be boosted when players encounter Elgyem via other gameplay methods. Still, trainers hunting for a shiny Elgyem without being able to trade for it will need to have some dedication.

Arguably one of the most reliable ways to find a shiny Elgyem outside of events would be to continuously complete the "Make 3 Great Throws" Field Research Task, which can still be obtained from spinning Pokestops.

The odds for finding shiny Elgyem with this method aren't ideal. However, for many trainers, it's better than hunting down an Elgyem in the wild and hoping for a 1 in 512 chance to trigger.

Fortunately, players don't have to stick to one method. They can roam the wild with incense and lure modules while spinning Pokestops and completing the Field Research Task noted above. By combining these tactics, trainers should have an improved chance of finding shiny Elgyem, and future events may make these methods even more fruitful.