Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • Game of the Week
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • GTA 6
  • Best gaming tech
  • RPG Hub
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Adventure
  3. Pokemon
  4. Pokemon Go

How to Catch Shiny Shieldon and Cranidos in the first Ultra Unlock event

Guides
By Phillip Martinez
Published 22 July 2021

Shiny Shieldon and Cranidos are making their debut in Pokemon GO, here’s how to catch them

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Pokemon go Shiny Shieldon and Cranidos
(Image credit: Niantic)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

You'll want to know a how to catch a Shiny Shieldon or Cranidos in Pokemon GO when they make their first debut as part of the Pokemon GO Ultra Unlocks Part 1 event. Shieldon and Cranidos, the fossil Pokemon of the Sinnoh region, will have their rare variants begin to appear starting July 23. 

Like other events of the past where Shiny Pokemon are debuting, players will have multiple ways and chances to find these rare Pokemon. These events have also proven that the rate at which trainers find Shiny Pokemon is increased for a limited time giving players more of an incentive to go out and find a Shieldon and Cranidos. 

Here’s everything players need to know about Pokemon GO shiny Shieldon and Cranidos and how to catch them. 

How to catch Shiny Shieldon and Cranidos in Pokemon GO

Pokemon go Shiny Shieldon and Cranidos

(Image credit: Niantic)

Finding Shiny Pokemon in Pokemon GO is very rare. Community-driven Pokemon GO database, The Silph Road, discovered that the rate of finding a Shiny Pokemon is approximately 1 in 500. This rate is increased during specific events like Community Days. 

So, what does this mean for Shiny Shieldon and Cranidos? According to The Silph Road’s findings, a “medium event” like Ultra Unlock Part 1 will increase the Shiny rate of spotlight Pokemon to 1 in 125. After the event concludes, the rate will revert back to 1 in 500 for Shieldon and Cranidos so this will be the best time to find both rare Pokemon.  

You may like
  • A Pokopia Shiny Pearl floats next to a Grubby Pearl in Bubbly Basin. How to get Shiny Pearls in Pokopia
  • Screenshot of Golduck in the Pokemon anime. Pokemon Sapphire player chases "1 in 9 million" odds trying to find a specific shiny duck
  • Pokemon Go codes linked to the Lego collaboration Pokemon Go codes (September 2026) and how to redeem them

Luckily, Niantic is making Shieldon and Cranidos available to catch in a variety of ways... 

1. Find them in the Wild

Cranidos and Shieldon will be appearing more often in the wild alongside other fossil and man-made Pokemon like Omanyte, Kabuto, Porygon, Baltoy and more. Trainers will see Cranidos and Shieldon appear in the game’s overworld by simply booting up Pokemon GO. When one is found, simply tap on the Pokemon and see if it’s a Shiny. 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Trainers can increase the number of Pokemon they encounter by using an Incense to attract Cranidos and Shieldon, among others, to them. 

2. Battle in Raids

Niantic confirmed that Shieldon and Cranidos will appear in one-star Raids throughout the duration of the Ultra Unlock Part 1 event. One-star Raids are the most frequent in Pokemon GO, so trainers should see plenty of chances to battle and catch either Shieldon or Cranidos each day. 

Raid Passes can be earned by spinning PokeStops, but only one pass can be obtained each day. However, a neat trick to do two Raids in one day is to obtain a Raid Pass from a PokeStop a day before the event begins. Use the Raid Pass on the first day of the event and then spin a PokeStop to get a second Raid Pass. 

You may like
  • A Pokopia Shiny Pearl floats next to a Grubby Pearl in Bubbly Basin. How to get Shiny Pearls in Pokopia
  • Screenshot of Golduck in the Pokemon anime. Pokemon Sapphire player chases "1 in 9 million" odds trying to find a specific shiny duck
  • Pokemon Go codes linked to the Lego collaboration Pokemon Go codes (September 2026) and how to redeem them

3. Hatch Eggs

Shiny Shieldon and Shiny Cranidos can also be caught by hatching 7km Eggs during the Ultra Unlock Part 1 event. These types of Eggs can only be obtained by opening gifts from friends when there is an Egg slot open.

It should be noted that 7km Eggs obtained before or after the event won’t contain a Shiny Shieldon or Shiny Cranidos. 

4. Complete Research 

Ultra Unlock Part 1 will have Timed and Field Research rewards based on the Time theme of the event. At the time of this writing, the specific tasks and rewards are not yet known, but it’s likely that Shieldon and Cranidos will be a part of it. 

Timed Research will appear at the start of the event, while Field Research will need to be obtained by spinning PokeStops. Only one Field Research can be completed from each PokeStop per day so trainers will need to explore and spin as many different PokeStops as possible to get the maximum number of Field Research per day. 

Pokemon Go tips | Pokemon Go Eevee evolutions | Pokemon Go Giovanni counters | Pokemon Go Cliff counters | Pokemon Go Sierra counters | Pokemon Go Arlo counters | Pokemon Go Ditto | Pokemon Go evolution items | Pokemon Go 41-50 level guide | Pokemon Go Unova Stones | Pokemon Go A Thousand-Year Slumber | Pokemon Go shiny list | Pokemon Go XL Candy 

CATEGORIES
Android iPad iPhone Platforms Mobile Gaming
Phillip Martinez
Phillip Martinez
Social Links Navigation

I'm currently a GamesRadar guide contributor with a specialty in everything Pokemon GO. If you've wanted to know the best way to take down a Rayquaza, there's a good chance you read one of my guides. I previously have written for IBT Media, Newsweek and Screen Rant. I'm a huge fighting game fan and everything Pokemon, but I've grown to love RPGs.

Read more
A Pokopia Shiny Pearl floats next to a Grubby Pearl in Bubbly Basin.
Pokemon How to get Shiny Pearls in Pokopia
 
 
Screenshot of Golduck in the Pokemon anime.
Pokemon Pokemon Sapphire player chases "1 in 9 million" odds trying to find a specific shiny duck
 
 
Pokemon Go codes linked to the Lego collaboration
Pokemon Pokemon Go codes (September 2026) and how to redeem them
 
 
Sableye stands in from of a Pokemon Center in Pokopia
Pokemon Pokopia Sableye habitat details
 
 
A group of Spinda in the Pokemon anime
Pokemon Pokemon Bank shutdown will make 5 Pokemon unobtainable in modern Switch games
 
 
best decks in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon All Secret missions in Pokemon TCG Pocket
 
 
Latest in Pokemon
Lego Pikachu tail over the top of the 'Who's that Pokemon?' anime screen
Toys & Collectibles "How does he keep doing it": Fan makes incredible Lego Pokemon out of the most unlikely sets
 
 
Raikou ex leaping through lightning
Tabletop Gaming This new Pokemon card from Delta Reign is 'shockingly' powerful, get an exclusive first look here
 
 
Pokemon Ruby
Pokemon Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald Nintendo Switch ports seem likely, fans speculate after tease
 
 
Mew and Mewtwo ex cards on a blue and purple background
Tabletop Gaming "The hit rates seem absurd": Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration looks surprisingly generous, which is great for fans in more ways than one
 
 
Ame no chi hare onna art showing two characters facing off against an evil presence in the sky
Pokemon Pokemon devs reveal magical girl "laundry game" that uses real-life weather data
 
 
Pokopia
Pokemon Pokemon just had its best ever year with $3.4 billion in net sales probably thanks to Pokopia
 
 
Latest in Guides
A purple lucky block lands after being kicked in Kick an Uma
Simulation Games All Kick an Uma codes (September 2026) and how to redeem them for Uma and Carats
 
 
Press shot for Hero x Hero codes showing the player firing a blue energy beam from first-person perspective
Action RPGs Hero x Hero codes (September 2026) and how to redeem them for free Chips, cosmetics, and more
 
 
silent hill townfall pharmacy locker code
Silent Hill What is the pharmacy locker code in Silent Hill Townfall?
 
 
Silent Hill townfall reception code
Silent Hill The Silent Hill Townfall clinic reception code
 
 
Control Resonant
Action RPGs Control Resonant full map and how to unlock it
 
 
Control Resonant
Action RPGs How to get into the Patterned Factory in Control Resonant
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Four adventurers stand in a row in Nodusfall representing each class in the game
    1
    Nodusfall looks like Elden Ring but was "designed to be accessible," says Hoyoverse
  2. 2
    RTS legend laid off after 16 years at Microsoft as Xbox guts Age of Empires studio World's Edge
  3. 3
    Resident Evil Blu-ray pre-orders are now live after less than a week in theatres
  4. 4
    Looks like Xbox is adding its own version of PlayStation's Platinum Trophy: the Mythic Achievement
  5. 5
    "The Robloxification of Steam": Creator of viral game apologizes after rip-offs flood Valve's store

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...