Best Black Shiny Pokemon

Key Takeaways

• Game Freak’s alternate black-colored shiny Pokemon forms add depth and appeal, especially with signature creatures like Zekrom and Greninja.
• The shiny forms of Pokemon like Haxorus and Rayquaza make intimidating design changes, enhancing their overall aesthetic and visual impact.
• Koraidon and Wooloo stand out in their black shinies, adding allure and uniqueness to their already beloved character designs.

The Pokemon franchise is one of the most popular and beloved media series of all time, spanning tons of games, TV shows, toys, and various other avenues over the past few decades. The appeal of this series stems from the hundreds of eye-catching Pokemon designs that the company has released over the years. From cute little rodents to menacing dragons, Pokemon designs have a certain charm to them that makes them stand out from creatures of other similar franchises.

To top it off, Game Freak also introduced an alternate color scheme for each of its Pokemon designs, commonly called a shiny form, which only added to the appeal of these fictional creatures.

Updated September 29, 2024 by Ben Painter: Catching a shiny Pokemon inf a game is something, special as they are so rare to find. Some fans dedicate a lot of time to finding their favorite Pokemon in shiny form or even collecting every shiny Pokemon. Some Pokemon’s shiny variations are less than admirable, but the ones that always seem to land are the black-colored monsters. There is something about darkening a color palette of a Pokemon which really works. This update adds five more of the best black shiny Pokemon.

1 Pumpkaboo/Gourgeist

National Dex Number: #0710, #0711

• Type: Ghost/Grass
• Game Introduced:Pokemon X & Y
• Generation: 6
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

The Halloween-inspired duo of Pumpkaboo and Gourgeist have a very appropriate shiny, switching from a traditional orange and brown color scheme of a pumpkin to a purple and black appearance. This makes it very witch-like and spookier, fitting the theme of the Pokemon.

Black Pokemon look more menacing, and this is certainly the case for this spooky ‘mon. There is also an additional challenge to this shiny hunt. Both Pumpkaboo and Gourgeist are available in four different sizes, so the player may want to collect all four forms as a shiny. It will require a lot of time and patience to complete this daunting task.

Pumpkaboo Base Stats

Gourgeist Base Stats

2 Magearna (Original Color)

National Dex Number: #0801

• Type: Steel/Fairy
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Generation: 7
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

Magearna is a Mythical Pokemon that was released in Pokemon Sun & Moon, available through the QR Scanner function after completing the main story. Its shiny form is less than admirable, having a plain steel look to it.

However, the Artificial Pokemon has an alternate form, which has an awesome black shiny. The new Magearna is ‘Original Color,’ which has the same color scheme as a Poke Ball. This can be unlocked in Pokemon Home when completing the National Dex. Its shiny form turns that red ball into a black one, reminiscent of the Ultra Ball, a great way to do a Pokeball-inspired Pokemon. Sadly, both versions of Magearna are shiny-locked, meaning that these shinies can’t even be acquired. What a shame.

Magearna’s Base Stats

3 Umbreon

National Dex Number: #0197

• Type: Dark
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Gold & Silver
• Generation: 2
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: South Province: Alfornada Cavern, North Province: Area One, Area Two, Area Three, Dalizapa Passage, South Province: Alfornada Cavern (Dark Tera Type), Tera Raid Battles (6★)

It is questionable whether Umbreon’s shiny form can be considered a ‘black shiny.’ The Dark-type Eeveelution is black, to begin with, and when it is a shiny, the only thing that changes is the color of its rings on its body. However, this Pokemon is a fan-favorite, and its shiny form is regarded as one of the best in the franchise. So, considering it still remains black, it counts.

The gold rings found on Umbreon become a blue, almost neon color. Although it’s a subtle change, it really works. Umbreon becomes a Pokemon with a Tron-like inspiration. Light blue and black are two colors that look good together, and with a cool Pokemon such as Umbreon, it is an even bigger bonus.

Umbreon’s Base Stats

4 Furfrou

National Dex Number: #0676

• Type: Normal
• Game Introduced:Pokemon X & Y
• Generation: 6
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

Furfrou is a Pokemon inspired by the poodle, a breed of dog known for its eccentric hairstyles. This is reflected in the game with this Pokemon. Gamers can take their Furfrou to groomers in Kalos and change the style, which also adds another color.

The base form of this Pokemon is white, so a black shiny works well shiny as they are opposite colors, which makes for the best shiny Pokemon. With Furfrou’s different looks, there is an additional task to collect every different hairstyle in the shiny form, which will take a lot of effort to do.

Furfrou’s Base Stats

5 Alcremie

National Dex Number: #0869

• Type: Fairy
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sword & Shield
• Generation: 8
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Tera Raid Battles (5★, 6★)

If gamers want a big challenge, then they should attempt to evolve all forms of Alcremie in the games. Milcery is the pre-evolved form, and when the player gives it a Sweet to hold and then physically spins around and strikes a pose or gets dizzy, Milcery will evolve into Alcremie. The form it takes upon evolving depends on the time of day, the length of the spin, and whether the Trainer was spinning clockwise or counterclockwise. Its appearance is further determined by the type of Sweet that is held. There are nine different types of cream and seven different sweets, which make for 63 total versions of Alcremie.

Thankfully, for shiny hunters, only the different Sweet affects the color, so there are only seven different shiny Alcremie. Alcremie’s base color is determined by several different factors, and it matches the color of the cream. The shiny form abandons this, and the color of Alcremie’s body is black, vastly different to all of its other pastel-shaded forms. It looks really cool because so different, while the colored sweet remains the same and pops as a bright color against the dark body.

Alcremie’s Base Stats

6 Hisuian Electrode

National Dex Number: #0101

• Type: Electric/Grass
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Legends: Arceus
• Generation: 8
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

Electrode was one of the original 151 Pokemon introduced in Pokemon Red & Blue. The Pokemon and its pre-evolved form Voltorb are based on Pokeballs. The gimmick is that a trainer would think that it is an item, and is instead greeted with this Pokemon, which tends to explode.

The original coloring of the Ball Pokemon is red to match the color of a Pokeball and the original shiny is blue to match the color of a Great Ball. The Hisuian form is black to match the color of an Ultra Ball, a very fitting coloring of a shiny Pokemon that makes sense in-universe.

Hisuian Electrode’s Base Stats

7 Cursola

National Dex Number: #0864

• Type: Ghost
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sword & Shield
• Generation: 8
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

Corsola is a Pokemon that was introduced in Pokemon Gold & Silver, based on Coral with a fitting pink and white scheme. In Pokemon Sword and Shield the Pokemon received a regional form, which was Ghost-type to reference dead coral.

Cursola expands on this to become a ghostly figure emerging from the dead coral. Its shiny form takes this one step further, making the coral remains black, giving it a more sinister look and amplifying the Ghost-type’s appearance. Black shiny Pokemon look very cool and Cursola is no exception to this.

Cursola’s Base Stats

8 Oricorio (Baile Style)

National Dex Number: #0864

• Type: Fire/Flying
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Generation: 7
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: East Province: Area One, Tera Raid Battles (4★)

The Dancing Pokemon is unique. It can change form depending on which nectar it has eaten. Each form is a different type which references a different dancing style. In this case, the Baile style is represented as it is the only one with a black shiny.

Original Oricorio is red with black trim, but the colors are reversed in the shiny, which always looks good when Game Freak does this to their alternate forms of ‘mons. Fire-types usually have some red on them and the black on Oricorio almost makes it look like a burnt counterpart, with the red trim still being the parts on fire.

Oricorio’s Base Stats

9 Zekrom

National Dex Number: #0644

• Type: Dragon/Electric
• Game Introduced:Pokemon White
• Generation: 5
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: South Province: Area Five after receiving the Zekrom Treat from Snacksworth (only one)

The mascot of Pokemon White, the Legendary Pokemon Zekrom is a beast of a Pokemon with fantastic all-around stats and gamers are lucky enough to use it on the Nintendo Switch. Players need to complete some Blueberry Quests to receive a Legendary Treat from Snacksworth. In Scarlet, it is done by Group Quests, and in Violet, it is Solo Quests.

However, this Pokemon cannot be shiny as all Legendary Pokemon are shiny locked in the game. This is a shame as the Pokemon has an awesome shiny form. It is a subtle change that slightly alters the coloring and makes its attacks glow green instead of blue.

Zekrom’s Base Stats:

10 The Guardian Deities

National Dex Number: #0785, #0786, #0787, #0788

• Type: Electric/Fairy (Tapu Koko), Psychic/Fairy (Tapu Lele), Grass/Fairy (Tapu Bulu) Water/Fairy (Tapu Fini)
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Generation: 7
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

The Tapu Pokemon, Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini are the Legendary Pokemon of Sun & Moon who rule over each of the islands as their protectors.

Each of their shiny forms has been given a black color scheme but keeps the color that represents them which works, and it makes them look like a superhero team, just like the movie versions of the X-Men. There is no reason for this design but what fans can agree on is that it looks better than the original.

The Guardian Deities Base Stats:

11 Palossand

National Dex Number: #0770

• Type: Ghost/Ground
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Generation: 7
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: West Province: Area Two, North Province: Casseroya Lake

Palossand’s original coloring is the color of sand, but in its shiny form, the sandy color becomes a dark black with colored gems that really stand out. But this is a reference to the real-world black beaches of Hawaii, where the region of Alola is based.

This seventh-generation Pokemon is a Ground/Ghost type which is useful in the game and its shiny form is even more sought after thanks to this cool design. Palossand cannot be found in the wind, so to acquire one in the original game it was introduced in, Sun & Moon, gamers will need to head to Hano Beach and find a shiny Sandygast.

Palossand’s Base Stats:

12 Manectric

National Dex Number: #0310

• Type: Electric
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire
• Generation: 3
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

This Pokemon made its debut in the Ruby & Sapphire games, and it is one of only four Electric Pokemon introduced in those games, so there isn’t a lot to choose from.

Manectric is based on a maned wolf and usually comes in yellow and blue colors, very Electrical colors, but if gamers are lucky enough to get a shiny one then they are treated to yellow and black coloring, two colors that always work well together. Just look at Pikachu.

Manectric’s Base Stats:

13 Hawlucha

National Dex Number: #0701

• Type: Fighting/Flying
• Game Introduced:Pokemon X & Y
• Generation: 6
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: West Province: Area Two, North Province: Casseroya Lake

The wrestling Pokemon Hawlucha is a superb Pokemon introduced in Generation 6, made famous for his appearances in the Anime as one of Ash’s Pokemon that traveled with him during his adventures in the Kalos region.

Its shiny form is a big change with black, purple, and red giving it the appearance of a luchador. The alternate color scheme is kind of a new costume for the wrestler. Similar to how WWE star Rey Mysterio has different colored costumes but all with the same luchador design.

Hawlucha’s Base Stats:

14 Decidueye

National Dex Number: #0724

• Type: Grass/Ghost
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Generation: 7
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Evolve Dartrix

The best starter Pokemon of Alola, the Grass/Ghost Robin Hood-inspired Decidueye gets the dark look with the underside of its wings/cape changing to black. It almost looks like Batman as he soars through the night.

The green on its cloak becomes a darker green which fits the tone of this shiny, Decidueye has a flawless design, but this shiny form improves on that. If gamers want to use this form in the games then they will need to reset the game until one of them pops out as a starter. It may take a while but the rewards will be worth it.

Decidueye’s Base Stats:

15 Wooloo

National Dex Number: #0831

• Type: Normal
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sword & Shield
• Generation: 8
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

Wooloo is a Pokemon introduced in the eighth generation that took the community by storm with its simple yet cute design. Although Pokemon fans already had a pretty decent sheep-based Pokemon line, there was just something about Wooloo that made it stick out from the rest of Generation 8’s herd.

On top of its already adorable design, Game Freak decided to give this fur ball a black-colored shiny form, making it even more irresistible. Wooloo’s shiny form takes inspiration from the popular phrase “a black sheep.” While Wooloo’s evolution, Dubwool, has a pretty decent shiny as well, it is not as eye-catching as Wooloo’s purely black fur.

Wooloo’s Base Stats:

16 Haxorus

National Dex Number: #0612

• Type: Dragon
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Black & White
• Generation: 5
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Tera Raid Battles (5★, 6★)

Known as the Axe Jaw Pokemon, Haxorus is a Dragon-type Pokemon introduced in Generation 5. This Pokemon’s design is one of the best ones to come out from the region of Unova. A regular Haxorus has a fully greenish-yellow body with red highlights on its axe-like jaw extensions.

While a normal Haxorus is cool in its own right, a shiny one makes the design feel even more menacing. A shiny Haxorus has a completely black body but retains the red axe highlights. The contrast between the red and black colors makes this dragon look even more intimidating than its regular form.

Haxorus’ Base Stats:

17 Aegislash

National Dex Number: #0681

• Type: Steel/Ghost
• Game Introduced:Pokemon X & Y
• Generation: 6
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

Introduced in Generation 6, Aegislash is known as the Royal Sword Pokemon and hails from the vibrant region of Kalos. This steel/ghost-type Pokemon has a great design, being based on a sword and a shield. It can also change forms in battle, becoming either more defensive with the shield form or more offensive with the blade form.

A regular Aegislash has a steel silver outer body with a golden inner core. It also wields a golden shield, and the purple eye makes the ghost typing more prominent. The shiny form sees the outer blade layer turn red while the rest of Aegislash’s body turns black. The shield retains its golden shade but has three red dots in the center, and the eye also turns golden.

Aegislash’s Base Stats (Gen 8 onwards, Shield Form/Blade Form):

18 Minior

National Dex Number: #0774

• Type: Ghost/Ground
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Generation: 7
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Coastal Biome, Torchlit Labyrinth, Canyon Biome, Chargestone Cavern, Polar Biome, Tera Raid Battles (5★)

Minior is a Pokemon introduced in the seventh-generation games and hails from the region of Alola. Minior’s design is based on a meteorite, and though it does not evolve, it undergoes a pretty unique form change in battle. Minior have sturdy outer shells, which, when broken, reveal their bright-colored inner cores.

Normal Minior already come in different colors, including yellow, green, orange, pink, etc., but a shiny Minior is even more pleasant looking. A Shiny Minior has a black inner core littered with spots signifying all other color variations of this Pokemon. This unique contrast makes for one of the coolest-looking black shinnies ever.

Minior’s Base Stats:

19 Mega Gardevoir

National Dex Number: #0282

• Type: Psychic/Fairy
• Game Introduced:Pokemon X & Y
• Generation: 6
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: North Province: Glaseado Mountain, Tera Raid Battles (5★, 6★), Kitakami Wilds, Timeless Woods

Generation 6 introduced Mega Evolutions which gave certain Pokemon new and stronger forms. In addition to seeing a change in design and power, some Pokemon also changed their color schemes upon Mega Evolving, and for certain monsters, this became even more prominent with their shiny forms.

The Fairy Pokemon Gardevoir is the perfect example of this case. Gardevoir’s shiny form replaces its green parts with a light blue color while retaining the whites. But, where a regular Mega Gardevoir gets a white dress upon Mega Evolving, a shiny Mega Gardevoir dawns an elegant black dress instead.

Mega Gardevoir’s Base Stats:

20 Primal Groudon

National Dex Number: #0383

• Type: Ground/Fire
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Omega Ruby
• Generation: 6
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

The remakes of Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire gave Hoenn’s Legendary Pokemon new forms known as Primal Reversion. Groudon’s regular red and black color scheme is great; however, its shiny’s greenish yellow shade is not the best.

Fortunately, Groudon’s Primal Reversion solves this issue by changing its color scheme from yellow to ash black with glowing magma flowing through its body. Shiny Primal Groudon is easily one of the coolest-looking Legendary shiny Pokemon. The black design works so much better than the original shiny, it is a shame that this Pokemon is stuck in its original game.

Primal Groudon’s Base Stats: