Well ladies and gentlemen, spring time has come to an end and with it, Shiny Wars
2026. Crimson Core finished an impressive 113th, while Crimson
Collective closed out at 218th. On behalf of the entire Executive
Team, everyone involved deserves a huge pat on the back for the effort, dedication,
and spirit shown throughout the competition.
For Crimson Core Collective’s first-ever Shiny Wars, we absolutely
smashed it. This was a Shiny Wars to remember, and it is only the beginning of what
is to come. Both teams made their mark through a massive month of encounters,
preparation, generosity, and the kind of teamwork that makes the grind feel shared.
Crimson Core
113th
Official final standing
Crimson Collective
218th
Official final standing
🏁 The final numbers
Crimson Core
102
shinies across the full event
The complete team total, separate from the finale cards shown below.
Crimson Collective
49
shinies across the full event
A brilliant first Shiny Wars, with the complete total shown separately from the cards below.
🤝 Community Moment · Editor’s Remarks
⌁
Editor’s remarks from HeavyBreathing
One of my favourite moments of the event was when our community invaded
Altering Cave. It was only one moment, but it changed the place
forever. The name stuck, and from then on it became Crimson Cave.
I love that something so simple became part of our community’s identity.
And then there was Sky Bridge. Anyone who knows me knows that I rarely
stop; I am usually already moving on to the next task at hand. But in that final moment
on the bridge, I stopped and really took in what we had created: an incredibly supportive
community. With everyone there, the fireworks, and the final team photo, it was the
perfect way to end Shiny Wars.
✨ Spring finale catch log
Crimson Core · 21 listed catches
Lotad T4
HeavyBreathing
28 Aug 2026+15
Koffing T7
Nightshaderiver
28 Aug 2026+3
★ FIRST CATCH
Slowbro T7
Marsalpl
28 Aug 2026 · 3 + 8 ★+11
DUPLICATE
Sandslash T7
KonderDEV
28 Aug 2026 · 1 (dup)+1
★ FIRST CATCH
Minccino T6
Nightshaderiver
28 Aug 2026 · 5 + 8 ★+13
★ FIRST CATCH
Karrablast T5
Teahl
28 Aug 2026 · 10 + 8 ★+18
Lotad T4
RainySea
28 Aug 2026+15
★ FIRST CATCH
Lickitung T6
MarsalPL
28 Aug 2026 · 5 + 8 ★+13
★ FIRST CATCH
Magikarp T7
Teahl
28 Aug 2026 · 3 + 8 ★+11
★ FIRST CATCH
Lapras T2
Rainysea
27 Aug 2026 · 40 + 8 ★+48
Croagunk T3
Phazehaze
27 Aug 2026+30
Parasect T5
Chimerachroma
27 Aug 2026+10
★ FIRST CATCH
Palpitoad T6
MastAbhi
27 Aug 2026 · 5 + 8 ★+13
★ FIRST CATCH
Mienfoo T7
Nightshaderiver
27 Aug 2026 · 3 + 8 ★+11
★ FIRST CATCH
Girafarig T7
Nightshaderiver
27 Aug 2026 · 3 + 8 ★+11
★ FIRST CATCH
Ralts T2
Nightshaderiver
27 Aug 2026 · 40 + 8 ★+48
Sandshrew T7
KonderDEV
27 Aug 2026+3
★ FIRST CATCH
Croagunk T3
RainySea
27 Aug 2026 · 30 + 8 ★+38
★ FIRST CATCH
Parasect T5
KonderDEV
27 Aug 2026 · 10 + 8 ★+18
Lotad T4
NightshadeRiver
22 Aug 2026+15
★ FIRST CATCH
Lotad T4
MotherNature
22 Aug 2026 · 15 + 8 ★+23
Crimson Collective · 10 listed catches
★ FIRST CATCH
Gloom T4
Ritu
27 Aug 2026 · 15 + 8 ★+23
Mienfoo T7
Pixeltheory
27 Aug 2026+3
Mienfoo T7
shababrezaul
27 Aug 2026+3
Mienfoo T7
Daklordcrimeszy
27 Aug 2026+3
★ FIRST CATCH
Axew T4
BraggingKnight
27 Aug 2026 · 15 + 8 ★+23
★ FIRST CATCH
Lotad T4
HughesClues
27 Aug 2026 · 15 + 8 ★+23
★ FIRST CATCH
Woobat T6
Tryyy
27 Aug 2026 · 5 + 8 ★+13
★ FIRST CATCH
Mienfoo T7
BraggingKnight
27 Aug 2026 · 3 + 8 ★+11
★ FIRST CATCH
Palpitoad T6
Henrikmix
27 Aug 2026 · 5 + 8 ★+13
★ FIRST CATCH
Luvdisc T3
FlipDaBroski
22 Aug 2026 · 30 + 8 ★+38
🥇 Shiny Wars MVPs
The Shiny Wars MVPs are the players who rose to the top of their teams’ point totals.
Crimson Core · MVP
RainySea
268 points
A huge Spring campaign, capped with the “Super Soaker” title.
Crimson Collective · MVP
Henrikmix
75 points
Henrikmix finished five points ahead of Maybenotlink, who ended on 70.
🎙️ Player interviews
To close out the season, we spoke with NightShadeRiver from Crimson Core and HughesClues
from Crimson Collective about the final push, their favourite catches, and the moments
that made the event special.
Undoubtedly MVP of Spring, how did you feel when you got your hat trick on 8/25?
NSR: “Shocked, of course. But also relieved. Up until that point I had been phasing on nearly every shiny that I got, getting tier 7s instead of tier 3s and that was really frustrating. Although I was getting a good number of shinies, they didn't feel up to par. Hitting that ralts was not only an answer to that frustration, but was also the shiny I wanted most. I can't begin to describe the relief I felt at seeing it. The next two were a Rollercoaster for sure, it was very exciting to get those back to back and it was so much fun sharing those encounters with the team.”
What has been your primary shunting technique so far? (Egging, hordes, fishing, etc)
NSR: “Most definitely 5x hordes. I did some egging at the beginning and a tiny bit of fishing, but 5x hordes were how I found so many shinies. When you get over 290k encounters, it's kinda hard not to hit some.”
If you could be any Pokemon, which would you be and why?
NSR: “I think I would want to be a Sylveon. I love the idea of being able to understand how my trainer is feeling intuitively and help them out with whatever they're dealing with.”
How was your overall experience with Shiny Wars, was it your first one?
NSR: “started playing for the first time near the end of April of this year so i didnt really have too much time playing before this. I absolutely loved it. I've always been a bit of a grinder with games and shiny wars stress tested that. Nearly every minute outside of work was spent pushing for encounters and helping my team. I spent the previous month pushing hard catching dittos and leppa farming every day to prepare everything, and yet I'm still so excited to see what's next. I loved focusing on shiny hunting as a team rather than as an individual. That added a whole heck of a lot to the experience and I couldn't be more grateful for them.”
Anything else you would like to add before we wrap this up?
NSR: “Just a shout out to my team for the efforts they put into the war. I loved seeing everyone working together for this event and am very excited to see this team continue to crush it.”
How was this year's Shiny Wars? Is it the first one you have competed in?
Hughes: “This was the first one. I definitely enjoyed being on a team and all the support everybody gave each other. Sharing tips and shiny charms. Creating bounties and goals to keep people motivated. It was definitely hard finding the time to put into it though throughout the day. But I loved finally clearing out my boxes of all the 0x31s and actually making a little money on them.”
Out of all the shinies you caught, which one is your favorite?
Hughes: “I have to say Lotad, not just because it was the only one I caught, but because it was one I was eyeing to do all event. Was waiting til spring rolled around so it'd be at its easiest but was worried I wouldn't get it in time for the event. Ludicolo is one of my favorite pokemon and the line actually has cool looking shinies.”
What has been your primary shunting technique? (Egging, hordes, fishing, etc)
Hughes: “I spread it around. Half of it was hordes. But I also find it's best to pass the time by having multiple goals. So the other half was running around looking for suicune, and hoping to be pleasantly surprised if i stumbled on a shiny skarmory, gligar, or maybe even a quilava. And then I'd roll the roulette wheel with a couple eggs on the volcaronas Ive caught, but not in any real numbers.”
If you could be any Pokemon, which would you be and why?
Hughes: “Yanmega, massive flying dragonfly would be sick.”
What was your favorite moment from this week?
Hughes: “Crimson Cave”
Anything else you want to say before we wrap up?
Hughes: “Had a lot of fun with the team and seeing what everybody caught! Love that we have this community!”
That’s all folks! An amazing run by both our teams in this year's Shiny Wars, and a
finale full of friendships, generosity, and memories. We may not have gotten top 100,
but we did something incredible nonetheless. We hope everyone is proud of the work and
dedication they put into this massive month-long event. This may be the Collective’s
first ever Shiny Wars, but it will not be the last.
— UnstableT
Editor's Note
On behalf of the executive team, we are all proud of the effort you put in. To put
forward two teams and Core finishing 113th after creating the Collective 4 months ago
is an incredible achievement. We are Crimson.
— HeavyBreathing, Editor
What did you enjoy most about Shiny Wars? Tell us about your favourite hunt, your proudest catch, or the moment you’ll remember most. Share your own experiences in the comments below, we’d love to hear them.