As part of Pokémon Legends: Arceus’ “A Peculiar Ponyta” request, trainers are guaranteed a free Shiny Ponyta to take on their journey through the vast wilds of ancient Hisui. Unlike Pokémon Sword & Shield, Shiny Pokémon can be spotted roaming the overworld of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and this special Request shows players what Shiny encounters are like in the new semi-open world game. However, just like any other Pokémon, Shiny Ponyta can faint or run away during an encounter, so players will have to use a bit of strategy to successfully catch it.
“A Peculiar Ponyta” is one of the many side quests in Pokémon Legends: Arceus that players can complete to help the various NPCs around Jubilife Village. After calming Lord Kleavor as part of “The Frenzy of the Lord of the Woods” Mission and successfully catching a non-Shiny Ponyta for their Pokédex, trainers will be able to accept this request from the Request Board in Professor Laventon’s office. Shiny Ponyta will be able to spawn once players speak with an NPC named Yota on the western bridge in Jubilife Village, who mentions an oddly-colored Ponyta he spotted in Horseshoe Plains.
After the conversation with Yota, players can easily find Shiny Ponyta by tracking the request on the Arc Phone, which will mark the location of Shiny Ponyta on the map. Like the non-Shiny Pokémon of its species, Shiny Ponyta can be found wandering Horseshoe Plains in the Obsidian Fieldlands region. However, Shiny Ponyta has a skittish temperament in Pokémon Legends: Arceus and will run away when startled, so players will have to be stealthy to improve their chances of catching it.
To catch a Shiny Ponyta in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, trainers can hide in any of the large patches of tall grass in Horseshoe Plains to sneak up on Ponyta without being spotted. Berries can lure Ponyta close and distract it as trainers approach, allowing them to get close enough to throw a Poké Ball or Heavy Ball. If the Shiny Pokémon flees or faints in battle, however, it won’t respawn again until players leave the area, but it isn’t gone for good.
Since catching Shiny Ponyta is required to complete “A Peculiar Ponyta,” players will get as many chances as they need to catch it. If Shiny Ponyta runs away or faints, trainers will have to return to Jubilife Village to get it to respawn, but it will reappear the next time they visit Horseshoe Plains. Trainers are guaranteed to get Shiny Ponyta in Pokémon Legends: Arceus as long as they pick up the Request, and Yato will even throw in five Razz Berries as a bonus reward once it's complete.
