Using international Pokemon parents to dramatically increase shiny hatching odds -- complete with odds, setup, and strategy.
Last updated: 2026-06-03
The Masuda Method is a Pokemon breeding technique that increases the chance of hatching a Shiny Pokemon. It is named after Game Freak director Junichi Masuda, who first implemented this mechanic in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl (Generation 4). The method is simple: breed two Pokemon from different real-world language versions of the game. For instance, breeding a Japanese Ditto with an English-language Pokemon triggers the Masuda Method. The game detects that the parents originated from games with different language tags and applies an increased shiny probability to the Eggs.
The Masuda Method is the most popular and reliable Shiny hunting method for competitive Pokemon because it allows you to control the offspring's IVs, Nature, Ability, and Egg Moves while hunting for a Shiny. Unlike wild encounters, bred Shinies come with your trainer ID, allowing you to rename them and benefit from the friendly bonus in battle. The method works in all games from Generation 4 onward, with slight variations in odds depending on the generation.
In Generations 4 and 5, the Masuda Method increases the base shiny rate from 1/8192 to approximately 1/1638 (about 5 times the base rate). Starting in Generation 6 (X and Y), the base shiny rate was doubled to 1/4096, and the Masuda Method odds improved to approximately 1/683 without the Shiny Charm. When combined with the Shiny Charm (obtained by completing the regional Pokedex), the odds improve further to approximately 1/512. This 1-in-512 rate represents the best possible Masuda Method odds available in current-generation games.
To put these odds in perspective: at 1/512, hatching 512 Eggs gives approximately a 63% chance of encountering at least one Shiny. After 1,000 Eggs, the cumulative probability rises to about 86%. After 2,000 Eggs, it is approximately 98%. The Masuda Method with Shiny Charm is roughly 8 times more effective than the base encounter rate, but it still requires patience. Some breeders report getting a Shiny in under 100 Eggs, while others go over 3,000 Eggs before seeing one. Each Egg is an independent event -- the odds do not accumulate or increase over time.
Step 1: Obtain a foreign-language Ditto. The most reliable method is through the Global Trade System (GTS) or Pokemon trading communities like r/morebreedingdittos on Reddit, which provides free 6-IV foreign Dittos. Alternatively, you can trade with friends who play the game in a different language setting. The language tag on the Pokemon's summary screen must differ from your game's language. A "JPN" or "FRE" or "GER" tag next to the name indicates a foreign Pokemon.
Step 2: Obtain the Shiny Charm. Complete the regional Pokedex for the game you are playing. In Scarlet and Violet, this means catching all 400 Pokemon in the Paldea Pokedex (excluding event-only and version-exclusive Pokemon, which can be traded). In Sword and Shield, you need to complete the Galar Pokedex (400 Pokemon). The professor at the game's main Pokemon Center gives you the Shiny Charm upon completion. This is a significant time investment, but the 1/683 to 1/512 odds improvement makes it worthwhile for serious Shiny hunters.
Step 3: Set up your breeding pair. Give the foreign Ditto a Destiny Knot for 5-IV inheritance. Give the other parent (the Pokemon you want a Shiny of) an Everstone if you need a specific Nature. Make sure the non-Ditto parent has the desired Egg Moves and Ability. If you want a Hidden Ability, the female (or non-Ditto parent) must have the Hidden Ability. Begin hatching Eggs while riding or flying in circles. Use a Flame Body Pokemon (Talonflame, Volcarona, or Coalossal) in your party to halve hatching time.
Egg Cycles vary significantly by species, directly impacting hatching speed. The fastest species to hatch are Magikarp, Azurill, and Feebas (5 cycles, approximately 1,280 steps). Most starter Pokemon fall in the medium range (20 cycles, approximately 5,140 steps). Pseudo-legendary Pokemon like Dragonite, Tyranitar, Metagross, and Garchomp are the slowest at 40 cycles (approximately 10,280 steps). Eevee and its evolutions have 35 cycles, making Eevee breeding relatively slow.
To optimize Masuda Method efficiency, focus on Pokemon with lower Egg Cycle counts when possible. If you want a Shiny pseudo-legendary, expect significantly longer hatching sessions. The hatching power from O-Powers (Generation 6) or Egg-cooking meal powers (Generation 9) can speed up Egg production and hatching. In Generation 9 specifically, making an Egg Power Level 2 sandwich at a picnic dramatically increases Egg find rate, allowing you to collect a box full of Eggs in a few minutes before mass-hatching them.
Hatch Eggs in batches of 5 (leaving one slot for the Flame Body carrier). Circle an area with a straight, long route for maximum step efficiency. In Generation 9, circling the Pokemon League path or the perimeter of Mesagoza provides clear, obstacle-free routes. Always keep your party full with 5 Eggs and 1 Flame Body Pokemon. As soon as an Egg hatches, replace it with a new Egg from the box. Keep your boxes organized with a dedicated "Eggs" box and a "Hatched" box to minimize menu navigation time.
Some breeders use the "1 Egg at a time" or "batch of 5" method. The batch method reduces menu time proportionally and is generally more efficient. Turn off battle animations and set text speed to fast in the game options. Always check each hatched Pokemon's IVs using the Judge function before releasing or boxing -- you might hatch a perfect Shiny by luck. A Shiny with imperfect IVs can still be fixed with Hyper Training and Bottle Caps, so Shiny nature is more important than IVs for competitive use. If the Nature is wrong, you will need to restart with a different Everstone parent.