Shiny Pokémon are often considered prized possessions in Pokémon GO, but one player’s recent legendary catch left the community stunned — for all the wrong reasons. A shiny Galarian Moltres, one of the rarest Pokémon in the mobile game, was caught with some of the lowest stats imaginable, leaving even seasoned players speechless.
The catch was shared by Reddit user tdubose91, who posted a screenshot of their recent shiny Galarian Moltres. While the brilliant alternative color palette would normally be cause for celebration, the Pokémon’s stats were anything but impressive. Nearly bottoming out in Attack, Defense, and HP, this Moltres falls far short of what players would expect from a Legendary Bird.
To make matters worse, the player admitted that they had to use 60 Ultra Balls to secure the capture. That effort and investment added salt to the wound, especially considering this was only their third Galarian encounter in the game — making the odds of such a poor outcome feel even more punishing.
Despite the disappointment, the community has rallied with a mix of humor and suggestions. Some players jokingly called it “Lucky Trade bait,” referencing the in-game mechanic that allows a trade to result in better IVs when marked as Lucky. Others advised transferring the shiny Moltres to Pokémon Home in hopes it could serve a better purpose in the mainline games, where stat boosts like Bottle Caps might help make it more viable.
Still, many sympathized with the situation, as it’s a painful reminder of the unpredictable nature of Pokémon GO‘s stat system — especially when it comes to rare finds. While the game’s CP (Combat Power) system tries to balance things out, true power often lies in the hidden IVs (Individual Values), and this particular Galarian Moltres had little to offer.
What’s Next for Pokémon GO in August
The unlucky shiny capture comes at a time when Pokémon GO is preparing to roll out several exciting events. In August, players can expect the debut of the popular Snom and Frosmoth, giving Gen 8 fans something new to chase. Additionally, the upcoming Hatch Day on August 9 will spotlight Munchlax, offering increased hatch rates from 2 km eggs.
Despite occasional frustrations with IVs, Pokémon GO continues to engage its massive player base with fresh content, rotating events, and new Pokémon releases. While tdubose91’s shiny Moltres might not be battle-ready, it certainly earned a spot in the Hall of Fame for one of the most bittersweet captures in the game’s history.
