A newly discovered exploit in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet has prompted concern among players after reports surfaced of hacked Tera Raids featuring Shiny Wo-Chien—well before the Pokémon is meant to be distributed through official channels. The issue could have serious implications for participants, including potential data loss.
Shiny Wo-Chien Was Not Supposed to Be Catchable Yet
The situation centers on the Shiny Treasures of Ruin Tera Raid event, which was announced during the July 22 Pokémon Presents broadcast. As part of a limited-time campaign, players are encouraged to team up to collectively defeat over one million copies of the event-specific Pokémon in order to unlock the shiny variant via Mystery Gift. The first Pokémon featured in this challenge is Wo-Chien, a Dark/Grass-type Legendary resembling a leaf-covered snail.
What sets this event apart is that shiny versions of the Treasures of Ruin cannot normally be caught during raids. Instead, they are distributed only after community milestones are reached. This design was meant to encourage large-scale cooperation across the player base.
Community Reports Early Shiny Captures via Suspicious Raids
However, players on the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet subreddit raised red flags after one user, ZealousidealClock528, reported catching a Shiny Wo-Chien during a regular Tera Raid—something that should not be possible. The user noted they had joined the raid through the Poke Portal’s Tera Raid Finder, suggesting the host had somehow manipulated the system to enable shiny catches.
Though it’s unclear exactly how the exploit was executed, the most likely explanation is a hacked or modified raid, which can be set up to bypass event restrictions. This discovery has sparked concern that players may unknowingly participate in these altered raids.
Content Creators and Experts Advise Caution
Well-known Nintendo content creator Austin John Plays addressed the issue, warning players not to transfer any suspiciously caught Shiny Wo-Chien into Pokémon Home. He stressed that The Pokémon Company can and has deleted save data of users found breaking the terms of service. He further advised players to avoid raids where the host has an egg icon instead of a Pokémon, which can be a visual indicator of tampering.
The Risks and the Right Way to Participate
While some may be tempted to use hacked raids as a shortcut, the potential consequences—including save file deletion or ban—far outweigh any short-term gains. Players are encouraged to continue participating in the event as intended by using strong Fire-type Pokémon like Iron Moth or Incineroar to contribute toward the one million defeat goal.
As of now, it remains to be seen whether The Pokémon Company will take action against those hosting or participating in unauthorized shiny raids. Players should remain cautious and vigilant while engaging in Tera Raid battles.
