The Starting Point: Shiny Froakie for the Win

My adventure began with a shiny hunt for a starter Pokémon. Since I had the Shiny Charm on my save file, I knew the hunt would be faster than usual. With the new ranked season just starting, I felt like a Greninja would be the perfect companion. It didn’t take long—after only 168 fly resets, I was lucky enough to find a shiny Froakie.

Now, this Froakie might not have been the rarest shiny out there, but it was perfect for my playthrough. Not only did it fit my team theme, but it also set the tone for my upcoming shiny hunting quests. For those interested, buying shiny Pokémon can speed up your collection, but there's something truly special about finding one yourself.

A New Team Member: Shiny Magikarp

After getting Froakie, it was time to continue my journey. However, to make any progress, I needed to find another Pokémon. So, I ventured to Wild Zone 6, an area filled with Pokémon that could Mega Evolve. My first big find? A shiny Magikarp! Though it wasn't the rarest of shinies, Gyarados could still hold its own in ranked battles.

At this point, I wasn't aiming for any specific Pokémon. I was just looking for something that could Mega Evolve and strengthen my team. You’ll find that Wild Zone 6 is packed with great options, including some of the most iconic Mega Pokémon in the game.

Shiny Fluffy and Ranked Mode Struggles

By now, my team was starting to take shape, and I was ready to jump into ranked battles. Unfortunately, as soon as I faced off against other players, things didn't go as smoothly. My shiny Gyarados and Froakie struggled in the face of competitive challenges. But despite the difficulties, I had a blast.

Interestingly, during my casual shiny hunt for a new teammate, I stumbled across a shiny Fluffy. Although this encounter was quick, it was a reminder of how unpredictable the game can be when you’re hunting for rare shinies. If you're not in the mood to grind out every shiny yourself, there’s always the option to buy shiny Pokémon from platforms like U4GM. However, the satisfaction of finding one on your own is hard to beat.

Unexpected Shiny Alpha: A Moment to Remember

At one point, while hunting in a new zone, I encountered an unexpected shiny alpha. This moment was intense, not only because of the rarity of the shiny but also because of the sheer danger the Pokémon posed. I decided to try my luck and catch it. After a few tense moments, I successfully caught the shiny alpha in a Luxury Ball. If you ever get the chance to encounter one of these, it’s truly a thrilling experience!

While this shiny didn't Mega Evolve, it made an exciting addition to my roster. For players looking to get their hands on powerful Pokémon, exploring wild zones and doing casual hunts can yield some amazing surprises.

The Hunt for a Mega Pokémon: Drillber and Excadrill

As I made my way through the game, I set my sights on a specific Mega Evolution: Excadrill. I traveled to Wild Zone 8, where Drillber was abundant. This area was teeming with potential shiny finds, and I was hoping for something special. Eventually, after a few resets, I found the shiny Drillber I was hoping for.

The excitement of catching a shiny that could evolve into a Mega was a huge win for my team. However, I also found some other unexpected shiny encounters along the way, including a shiny Fletchling and a shiny Garbodor. While these weren't the perfect candidates for my team, it was a reminder that shiny hunting in Pokémon Legends: Z-A can yield both triumphs and disappointments.

Competitive Play: Can My Shiny Team Handle It?

After getting some of my favorite shiny Mega Pokémon, I jumped back into ranked mode. The gameplay was intense, with many high-level players bringing powerful teams to the table. While my team wasn’t yet fully optimized, the combination of shiny Pokémon and Mega Evolutions proved to be formidable.

If you're considering using shiny Pokémon in competitive play, it’s essential to have a strategy in mind. You might need to grind a little harder to get your team to the right level or find specific Pokémon that fit your playstyle.

The Challenge of Shiny Mega Pokémon

Taking on Pokémon Legends: Z-A with only shiny Mega Pokémon is both a thrilling and challenging experience. While some hunts are quick and rewarding, others can take hours of grinding, and not every shiny will fit into your competitive team. But for those who enjoy shiny hunting or want to experience the game in a new way, it's definitely worth the effort.

If you’re thinking about embarking on this challenge, here are a few tips:

Focus on finding Pokémon that can Mega Evolve and complement your team’s weaknesses.

Don’t be afraid to trade and try out different shiny Pokémon to find the perfect combination.

If you want to speed up your hunt, platforms like U4GM offer shiny Pokémon for sale, although the thrill of catching one yourself is unmatched.