When you first started playing Pokémon GO, obtaining the first few creatures was relatively easy. But as you began filling the Pokedex, you probably noticed that some of these beasts were virtually impossible to catch, with shiny variations being even trickier.
In terms of hunting difficulty, Shiny Umbreon was always one of the more notorious entries. The nocturnal creature could rarely be seen in the open, and you required a special strategy to acquire it.
In this article, we’ll provide you with all the steps necessary to acquire the Pokémon. We’ll also explain what makes it so intriguing, as well as its evolution.
What Makes Shiny Umbreon Interesting?
A standard Umbreon is a classic Dark-type, making it an excellent choice for PvP battles due to its high defense. Shiny Umbreon, although visually different, has the same stats. The only difference between the two is the aesthetic appeal and the mode of catching.
Shiny Umbreon is characterized by yellow rings and eyes on top of its cool blue fur. These details, albeit small, completely change its appearance. The visual upgrade shows all other trainers that you have a rare and prized Pokémon, a true gem in your collection.
How to Get a Shiny Umbreon
An interesting thing about Shiny Umbreon is that you can’t catch it in the wild. Instead, the only way to acquire the Pokémon is by evolving its predecessor, Eevee. So, if you wish to learn how to get Shiny Umbreon, you must first learn how to catch an Eevee and get it to the next level.
Acquiring Shiny Eevee
First, you need the raw material to convert a regular Evee into a shiny one. The standard shiny rate for a wild Pokémon is roughly 1 in 500, but there are far ways to increase these odds:
Community Days: These are the crucial events for any trainer who wants to turn his or her Pokémon into a shiny variant. During Eevee Community Days or a Community Day Classic, Niantic boosts the shiny rate for Eevee to approximately 1 in 25. By using Incense and Lure Modules, you can turn a few hours into an incredibly productive hunt for multiple Shiny Eevees.
Special Events: Keep an eye on the in-game calendar for upcoming events, such as GO Fest or seasonal celebrations. These often feature Eevee in the wild, in raids, or as a reward for Field Research tasks, sometimes with an increased shiny chance.
Field Research Tasks: Certain event-specific or rotating Field Research tasks can offer an Eevee encounter as a reward. These encounters sometimes have a higher chance of being shiny compared to wild spawns outside of events.
Egg Hatching: Eevee can appear in 5km eggs. While not the most direct method, hatching eggs during events with walking distance bonuses can be a great passive way to find a high-IV Shiny Eevee.
Evolving a Shiny Eevee into Umbreon
A random evolution of Evee will get you Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flareon. So, to summon the dark power of Umbreon, you must follow one of two specific methods:
The Classic Method
Although this method takes some physical effort, you can do it as much as you want:
Make Eevee Your Buddy: Select your chosen Shiny Eevee and set it as your walking buddy.
Walk at least 10km: You must journey with your Eevee for a minimum of 10 kilometers, while the game tracks your progress. You’ll also need to earn at least two Eevee candies with it as your buddy.
Evolve at Night: With the Shiny Eevee still as your buddy, you must press the evolve button at night. Check the in-game map to see if the sky is dark and the moon is out. The evolution silhouette on the button should show Umbreon, confirming you’ve done everything correctly. Evolve during the day, and you’ll get its counterpart, Espeon.
The “Tamao” Shortcut
For trainers looking for a guaranteed, one-time-only evolution, you can try a different, secret approach:
Rename Your Eevee: Change the name of your Shiny Eevee to Tamao.
Evolve: For the cost of 25 Eevee candy, your Eevee will evolve directly into Umbreon, no walking or time-of-day requirements necessary.
It is worth mentioning that this name trick can be used only once per account for each Eeveelution. Use it wisely. Once you’ve used “Tamao,” you must rely on the walking method for any future Umbreons.
Choosing Your Approach
Deciding which evolution method to use is up to you, and how much effort you want to put into it. The nickname will yield instant results, while the walking method is repeatable and reliable. Here’s how they stack up.
Feature | The “Tamao” Nickname Trick | The 10km Night Walk Method |
|---|---|---|
Requirements | Rename Shiny Eevee to “Tamao” | Walk 10km as buddy, earn 2 candies, and evolve at night |
Usage Limit | One time per account only | Unlimited, can be repeated |
Best For | Your first or highest-IV Shiny Eevee for a guaranteed result | Acquiring multiple Shiny Umbreons or after the nickname is used |
Effort | Minimal; just a name change | Requires time and walking dedication |
Confirmation | Guaranteed Umbreon evolution | The evolution button shows Umbreon’s silhouette before confirming |
Trading for Your Prize
The Pokémon GO community is a massive marketplace of trainers looking to trade. You can trade for a Shiny Umbreon or a Shiny Eevee directly with another player. This requires you to be “Good Friends” or higher and in close physical proximity.
Remember that trading for a shiny that you don’t already have in your Pokédex is a “ You can only perform one Special Trade per day, and it comes with a significant Special Trade.”Stardust cost, which is reduced the higher your friendship level is with the other trainer. Why? Well, a Shiny Umbreon is a high-value asset, making any account that holds one instantly more impressive.
Feeling proud of your collection? A rare Pokémon like a Shiny Umbreon significantly boosts your account’s profile. If you’re ever curious about how your collection stacks up, you can use tools like the POGO account value calculator to get an idea of what your dedication is worth.
FAQs About Getting a Shiny Umbreon
Q: Can I get a Shiny Umbreon directly from a raid?
A: It’s exceptionally rare. Umbreon is not a common raid boss, and even when it is, the shiny form is usually not available. The most reliable and standard path is to evolve a Shiny Eevee.
Q: What happens if I use the “Tamao” nickname more than once?
It will not work; however, renaming an Eevee to “Tamao” will result in a random evolution into Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flareon.
Q: What are the best stats for a Shiny Umbreon?
For PvP in the Great League and Ultra League, you actually want low Attack IVs and high Defense and HP IVs (like 0/15/15). This allows Umbreon to reach its maximum defensive potential while staying under the CP cap.
Q: How can I be certain it’s nighttime in Pokémon GO?
The game’s overworld map will visually shift from a bright, daytime green to a dark, nighttime blue. Look for the moon in the sky as a clear indicator.
The Mark of a Pro Trainer
Acquiring a Shiny Umbreon requires planning for Community Days, patience during the hunt, and precision in the final evolution. However, when that Shiny Eevee finally evolves and the luminous blue rings of Umbreon appear on your screen, it will all be worth it. So, stock up on Poké Balls, mark your calendar for the next big event, and get ready to add one of the game’s most stylish creatures to your lineup. Your collection deserves this incredible Pokémon!
