Why Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Latest Giveaway is a Big Deal

The recent release of the Generation 5 mythical Pokémon Meloetta via Pokémon HOME has taken many fans by surprise. This marks the first time in over six years that Meloetta has been distributed as an event Pokémon, making this giveaway a major moment for collectors. While other mythical Pokémon have become more accessible over the years, this shiny Meloetta stands out, especially since it’s the first time a shiny version has been made available.

How to Claim the Shiny Event Meloetta

Shiny Meloetta became available on October 16, thanks to a new Pokémon HOME feature that rewards players for completing specific Pokédexes. To claim this rare Pokémon, players must complete the Paldea, Kitakami, and Blueberry Academy Pokédexes. However, the challenge is more complex than it sounds. Not only do players need to complete all three Pokédexes, but they must also manually transfer every Pokémon in those Pokédexes to Pokémon HOME.

This task requires what fans call a “living dex,” which means having one of each species of Pokémon stored individually. On top of that, every Pokémon must be caught within Pokémon Scarlet and Violet—no transferring from other games is allowed. Building this living dex makes acquiring this shiny Meloetta a particularly tough, yet rewarding challenge for dedicated trainers.

Why This Shiny Meloetta is Groundbreaking for the Franchise

The reward for completing these Pokédexes is worth the effort. Until now, it was impossible to officially obtain a shiny Meloetta in any Pokémon game since its introduction in Generation 5. The last time Meloetta was available as an event Pokémon was in August 2018 during the Pokémon World Championships, which marked the end of its event distribution streak. Even then, Meloetta was shiny-locked, meaning no shiny variant was accessible.

Before this event, the only way players could have a shiny Meloetta was through unofficial third-party software, which was risky due to potential bans from online services. Adding to its exclusivity, Meloetta can’t be traded online, further limiting how players can acquire this mythical Pokémon.

What This Pokémon HOME Event Could Mean for the Future

This shiny Meloetta distribution could set a precedent for future Pokémon giveaways. While some fans might find it curious that a Gen 5 Pokémon is the reward for completing the Scarlet and Violet Pokédexes, others see it as a potential hint of upcoming Unova-themed events in games like Pokémon GO.

Additionally, the event raises the possibility of more shiny mythicals becoming available as rewards for completing Pokédexes. Pokémon such as Victini, Keldeo, Volcanion, and Hoopa are still unavailable as shiny variants through official means, making them prime candidates for future events. With the upcoming release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which returns players to the Kalos region, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Gen 6 mythicals like Volcanion and Hoopa as part of future giveaways.

This shiny Meloetta event not only rewards dedicated players but also hints at exciting future possibilities for collectors and fans alike.