With Halloween just around the corner, an exciting new event has taken over Pokemon Sword & Shield. Trainers can catch a plethora of Ghost and Dark types, including a much-coveted Shiny Zoroark. Here's all you need to know about the event and what Pokemon you can find through Max Raid Battles.

Pokemon Sword & Shield has benefitted from a number of expansions and downloadable content (DLC) since its release in 2019. Upon completing—or even during—the Galar region adventure, many players stay true to the mantra of catching 'em all. Whether filling up the Pokedex or diversifying one's Shiny collection for bragging rights, exclusive events are the way to go for increased chances of encountering that elusive Pokemon.

Pokemon Sword and Shield Halloween Event: Max Raid Battles and Wild (Shiny) Encounters

This Halloween season, Game Freak launched a limited time event from October 29 to 31, 2021. For just this weekend, players can head to Max Raid Battles and potentially catch Shiny Zoroark and other rare Pokemon. You can also look forward to these other spooky creatures: Corviknight, Dusknoir, Thievul, and their pre-evolutions Rookidee, Duskull, and Nickit, as well as Sableye. Of course, regular Zoroark and Zorua will be available as well, but the real prize is the extremely rare Shiny form.

Shiny Zoroark will have a 2% spawn rate, which is already boosted from the normal Shiny chances. Still, best prepare to spend some time—or bank on your luck stars so you can make the most of this rare event. Except for non-shiny Zoroark and Zorua, which are both pegged at rarities of 10%, the other aforementioned Pokemon have 20% encounter rates, according to Serebii.

Not only would players have to hope that the stars align to encounter Zoroark, but they ought to bring their toughest soldiers to take any of these Pokemon down. Max Raid Battles have provided an added layer of challenge to the game, with the wild monsters rising to their Gigantamax or Dynamax forms. Luckily, trainers won't be alone as up to four players can work together to defeat these strong Pokemon.

Players can hope to encounter Shiny Zoroark and other rare Pokemon at the Wild Area. But if you obtained DLC locations like the Crown Tundra and Isle of Armor, you can also try your luck at Raid Dens scattered in those locations. So while the event lasts, grab your friends and go Shiny hunting across Galar!