Veteran Pokémon trainers are aware of the Soft Reset method for getting desired Natures and stats for Pokémon that are one time only. This is normally used for Mystery Gift Pokémon where players can Soft Reset to go back to the same spot over and over again.
To Soft Reset in Pokémon Sun and Moon, you just have to press L+R+SELECT and the game will bring you right back to the start menu.
However, the Soft Reset method can also be used to get Shiny Pokémon when you can’t get them anywhere else. This includes Legendary Pokémon in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and the Starter Pokémon.
In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Legendary Pokémon and Ultra Beasts are Shiny Locked, meaning their shiny forms are not available in-game, but the Starter Pokémon are.
SHINY STARTERS
The Starter Pokémon are your first partners in Sun and Moon, and if you are patient enough, you can get the rare shiny form of either Rowlet, Litten or Popplio. If you want a Shiny Starter Pokémon to start your Sun and Moon adventures, you’ll need a lot of time and some luck.
You will first have to get through the opening scenes of Sun and Moon up to when Tapu Koko saves you on the bridge. Once that happens, save your progress here. If you don’t and Soft Reset you’ll have to go through the entire story again.
After you saved, you can head over to the Festival where the Kahuna will give you your Starter Pokémon. This is a long cutscene (around three minutes long) and once you Soft Reset you will have to do this over again, just so you know, but this is the only way to get a Shiny Starter Pokémon in the beginning of the game.
Once you choose your Starter Pokémon you won’t know if it’s a Shiny until you are able to nickname it. If it doesn’t end up being a Shiny just Soft Reset from here and start over.
Here’s a quick video from our friend aDrive about getting a Shiny Starter in Sun and Moon .
LEGENDARIES
While Legendary Pokémon and Ultra Beasts are Shiny Locked, trainers can Soft Reset to get the Nature that they want.
The best way to do this is to save right before encountering a Legendary like Solgaleo or Lunala. Once it’s saved you can go ahead and catch the Pokémon and check its summary for the Nature. If it doesn’t have the Nature you desire, you can Soft Reset and try again to get a different Nature
This method is especially useful for Mystery Gift Pokémon like Munchlax where you can save before talking to the man in the PokeCenter and take your Pokémon. If the Nature and IVs of the Pokémon aren’t what you want, you can Soft Reset until it does have everything you want.
Is there any other methods to Soft Resetting that you like to do? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
But wait, there’s more! Check out our full list of Pokémon Sun and Moon Guides below:
How To Catch Every Legendary In Alola
Munchlax Distribution: How To Download Special Snorlax With Z-Crystal
Ash-Greninja Transfer: How To Bring Special Pokémon Over From Demo
Z-Crystal Locations: Where To Find What You Need To Unleash Unstoppable Attacks
Ability List: Every New Skill In The Game
Attacks List: Every New Move And Who Can Learn Them
Mega Stone List And Locations: When Can You Get Mega Evolution In Alola?
Trial Guide: Early Cheat Sheet To Captains And Kahunas
EV Training Guide: Ally Chaining And Hyper Training Explained
Breeding Guide: Everything You Need To Customize Your Perfect Pokémon
TM Locations: Every Move And Where To Find Them In Alola
Affection Guide: How To Raise Affection And Boost XP Gain With Pokémon Refresh
Ultra Beasts: Everything You Need To Know
Battle Tree: Rules, Scouting And Everything You Need To Know
Zygarde Cell Locations: How They Work And Where To Find Them
