You’ve probably seen them. Those neon-bright, slightly unsettling legendary creatures from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet that look like they crawled out of a cursed Chinese myth. Wo-Chien, Chien-Pao, Ting-Lu, and Chi-Yu. Collectively, they are the Treasures of Ruin. But let’s be real—if you’re a serious collector, you aren't just looking for the base versions. You want the Shiny Treasures of Ruin.
There is a massive problem, though. You can't actually catch them. Not legally, anyway.
It drives people crazy. Game Freak has this habit of "Shiny locking" the most interesting legendaries in the game. It’s a design choice that splits the community right down the middle. Some think it preserves the rarity of the base design, while others feel it’s a missed opportunity for the most dedicated players to show off their grind. If you see someone rocking a Shiny Chi-Yu in a competitive VGC match right now, they’re either a developer or, much more likely, they’re using a hacked "genned" Pokémon.
The Frustration Behind Shiny Treasures of Ruin
The Treasures of Ruin are deeply tied to the lore of the Paldea region. They represent human emotions—grudges, calamities, envy—that manifested into physical objects like tablets and beads. When Scarlet and Violet launched, players spent hours pulling those glowing purple and yellow stakes out of the ground, hoping that at the end of the quest, there’d be a chance for a color variation.
Nope.
Every single encounter is programmed to be the standard palette. This isn't just a random guess; dataminers like Kaphotics and the team at Project Pokémon confirmed the "Shiny Lock" within hours of the game's release files being dumped. This lock applies to the static encounters found behind the elemental shrines.
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Why does this matter? Because the Shiny versions actually exist in the game's code. Game Freak designers have already picked the colors. For example, Shiny Chi-Yu swaps its fiery red for a more distinct, ghostly white-gold hue. Shiny Chien-Pao takes its ice-sword body and gives it a colder, almost bluish-purple tint. They look incredible. They are sitting there, hidden in the 1s and 0s of your Switch’s memory, just out of reach.
When Will We Actually Get Them?
Historically, Pokémon legendaries stay locked for about a year or two. Sometimes longer. Take the Galarian Birds from Sword and Shield. We had to wait for specific international challenge distributions to get our hands on them.
The most likely path for Shiny Treasures of Ruin is through a future Mystery Gift event or a "Brilliant Diamond" style update in a future generation. Usually, the Pokémon Company holds these back to drive engagement during a "dry" period in the release cycle. We are currently in that window. With the DLC cycles for The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk essentially wrapped up, fans are looking toward the next big distribution.
What the Community Gets Wrong
There’s a lot of misinformation on TikTok and YouTube. You'll see "tutorials" claiming that if you reset your game 4,096 times in front of the Firescourge Shrine, you’ll eventually get a Shiny Chi-Yu.
That is a lie.
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It is mathematically impossible. The game check for the Shiny status is skipped entirely for these specific encounters. You could reset for ten years and the fish would still be red. Don't waste your time. Unless a "Secret Member" club event or a global distribution code is announced via the official Pokémon social channels, the lock remains iron-clad.
The Competitive Edge and Visual Flex
In the current VGC (Video Game Championships) meta, the Treasures of Ruin are staples. Chien-Pao’s Sword of Ruin ability is basically mandatory for physical offense teams. Because these Pokémon are so common in high-level play, a Shiny version becomes the ultimate status symbol.
Think about it.
When every top player is using the same four Pokémon, the only way to stand out is through "bling." This is why the demand for Shiny Treasures of Ruin is higher than almost any other legendary set in recent memory. They aren't just pretty; they are viable.
How to Prepare for the Potential Drop
So, what do you do while you wait? You prepare. When Game Freak eventually releases these, they might be "static" encounters in a future game (like the Max Lair in the Crown Tundra) where you can actually hunt them.
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First, get your "Catching Smeargle" or "Breloom" ready. You want something with False Swipe and Spore. If these ever become huntable, their catch rates are notoriously low. Second, stock up on Luxury Balls. Nothing looks worse than a rare Shiny legendary in a basic Great Ball.
Honestly, the wait is part of the charm for some people. It creates a legendary status around the Pokémon that goes beyond just their stats. But for the rest of us? We just want the cool-looking fish.
Actionable Steps for Pokémon Collectors
If you're looking to complete your collection or stay ahead of the curve, here is how you handle the current situation regarding these elusive variants:
- Verify Your Sources: Always check Serebii.net or the official Pokémon news portal before believing a "Shiny hunting" guide for Paldean legendaries. If it isn't listed as "Unlocked," don't start the hunt.
- Avoid Illegal Trades: Getting a "genned" Shiny Treasure of Ruin through Surprise Trade might seem fun, but it can get you flagged in online competitions. It’s better to have a legit standard version than a fake Shiny that gets you banned from the Battle Stadium.
- Farm Herba Mystica: If the Ruinous Quartet eventually appears in 7-Star Raids (similar to the Mewtwo or Charizard events), they might be Shiny-enabled. You’ll want plenty of sandwich ingredients to boost your odds if the game allows it.
- Watch for International Challenges: Sign up for the official online competitions. This is the #1 way Pokémon distributes locked Shinies. You usually just have to participate in three battles to qualify for the reward, regardless of whether you win or lose.
The hunt for Shiny Treasures of Ruin is currently a game of patience, not a game of RNG. Keep your eyes on the official distribution news and ignore the "reset" myths. When the lock finally breaks, it will be the biggest event in the Pokémon collecting community since the Shiny Celebi distributions.