Pokemon Sword & Shield’s Year of the Ox Max Raid Event: Shiny Hunting Guide
Event Overview
Pokémon Sword & Shield kicks off 2021 with a special Lunar New Year celebration through Max Raid Battles. Game Freak has designed this limited-time event to honor the Year of the Ox, featuring three special bovine Pokémon: Tauros, Miltank, and Bouffalant.
The highlight of this event is the increased appearance rate of Shiny variants, particularly the rare Shiny Tauros which maintains its standard 2% encounter rate but becomes more accessible during this period.
This exclusive content will only be available until January 24, after which the Wild Area will revert to its normal raid rotation. Players should note that standard Fire and Ice-type Pokémon have been temporarily removed from raids to accommodate this special event.
Max Raid Battle Mechanics
For trainers new to endgame content, Max Raid Battles become accessible after obtaining your eighth gym badge. These challenging encounters in the Wild Area and DLC locations pit you against Dynamax Pokémon with boosted stats.
The Year of the Ox event modifies standard raid mechanics by:
- Prioritizing encounters with Tauros, Miltank, and Bouffalant
- Increasing Shiny odds for featured Pokémon
- Offering unique rewards like Exp. Candy XL and Ability Patches
Pro Tip: Completing raids with NPC allies reduces the Shiny hunt grind, as each attempt counts toward your odds regardless of team composition.
Shiny Hunting Strategies
While the 2% Shiny rate for Tauros might seem daunting, systematic hunting can yield results. Here’s how to optimize your efforts:
Shiny Rates:
- Tauros: 2% (1 in 50)
- Miltank: 5% (1 in 20)
- Bouffalant: 8% (1 in 12.5)
Advanced Strategy: Focus on 5-star raids for better IV spreads and higher reward yields. Bring Pokémon with the ability “Synchronize” to influence nature, and always check for hidden abilities post-capture.
Common Mistake: Don’t waste time catching non-Shiny variants unless you need their hidden abilities – the catch rate is intentionally lowered for event Pokémon.
Event Preparation Guide
Success in these raids requires careful team preparation. Recommended counters include:
- Fighting-types: Conkeldurr, Lucario (for Tauros/Bouffalant)
- Ground-types: Excadrill, Garchomp (for Miltank)
- Support Pokémon with Wide Guard to block herd attacks
Critical Preparation Steps:
- Stock up on Max Revives and Full Restores
- Equip appropriate berries for catch attempts
- Coordinate with local players for 5-star raids
Remember: Event raids appear more frequently during evening hours (6PM-12AM local time), so plan your hunting sessions accordingly.
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