The spooky teacup Pokémon Sinistea has finally joined the ranks of shiny Pokémon in Pokémon Go, and it’s already stirring up excitement among collectors. If you’ve been wondering whether shiny Sinistea exists, how rare it is, and how to spot one, here’s everything you need to know.
Pokémon Go Adds Shiny Sinistea for the First Time
As of October 21, 2025, shiny Sinistea is officially available in Pokémon Go. The shiny debuted during the Halloween 2025 Part 1 event, marking its first-ever appearance in the game’s shiny lineup.
While Sinistea had been around since late 2024, its shiny form was kept under wraps until this seasonal event. It was featured in both wild spawns and Raid battles during the Halloween event week, with boosted shiny odds for a limited time. If you missed catching it then, don’t worry — Sinistea will continue to appear in future events and special research encounters.
How Shiny Sinistea Looks in Pokémon Go Compared to the Original
Shiny Sinistea’s design is subtle yet charming. Instead of its usual turquoise teacup, the shiny version features a light pinkish-purple tone, giving it a softer, pastel look.
Both its forms — Phony Form and Antique Form — share the same shiny color scheme. The only difference between them remains the small authenticity stamp underneath the cup, which indicates the Antique variant. The mark doesn’t change color in its shiny version.
When evolved, shiny Polteageist maintains these pastel hues, making it one of the more aesthetically pleasing Ghost-type shinies in the game.
How to Get Shiny Sinistea in Pokémon Go
Catching a shiny Sinistea depends largely on timing and persistence. Here are your main methods:
1. Event Spawns
Sinistea occasionally appears during special events such as Spotlight Hours or themed seasonal events. During the Halloween 2025 event, players had increased odds of finding shiny Sinistea in the wild and in raids.
Keep an eye out for upcoming seasonal updates or Pokémon Go Tour events — Niantic often reintroduces limited-time spawns for Ghost-type Pokémon.
2. Raid Battles
Sinistea has appeared as a Tier 1 Raid Boss with a max CP of 3,845. Participating in these raids increases your chances of encountering its shiny version, especially during events with boosted shiny odds.
3. Field and Special Research
Some Timed Research tasks, like Just My Cup of Tea and Prized Possession, include Sinistea as a possible encounter. Completing these tasks can yield a shiny encounter if you’re lucky.
4. GO Pass and Collection Challenges
Sinistea was also available in the May and April GO Pass Deluxe rewards and featured in the Just My Cup of Tea Collection Challenge. Trainers who participated during these events had a shot at shiny Sinistea as a reward.
Shiny Encounter Rates
Shiny Sinistea follows the general encounter odds for most Pokémon in the game:
- Base shiny rate: ~1 in 512
- Uncommon boosted rate: ~1 in 128
However, during limited-time events like Halloween or Spotlight Hours, Niantic may temporarily increase these odds, making shiny hunting a bit easier.
If you’re hunting outside event periods, expect to check a lot of Sinistea — potentially hundreds — before finding the shiny version. Persistence is key here.
Sinistea CP and Perfect IV Stats
If you’re aiming not just for a shiny but a perfect Sinistea, here are the key CP values to look out for:
| Trainer Level | Perfect IV CP (Phony/Antique) |
|---|---|
| Level 30 (Wild Max) | 976 CP |
| Level 35 (Weather-Boosted Max) | 1057 CP |
Weather boosts apply during Fog conditions, increasing both spawn rates and potential CP values.
Sinistea Forms Explained
Sinistea comes in two unique forms:
- Phony Form: Evolves into Phony Polteageist using 50 Sinistea Candies.
- Antique Form: Evolves into Antique Polteageist using 400 Sinistea Candies.
The difference between the two forms is purely cosmetic — the Antique Form has a small authenticity seal under the teacup. Team Leaders can identify which form you’ve caught during Appraisal.
Is It Worth Evolving Sinistea?
While shiny Sinistea is a must-have for collectors, Polteageist (its evolved form) isn’t a strong PvP or PvE contender:
- Great League: Struggles due to low bulk and limited shield baiting potential.
- Ultra League: Outclassed by stronger Ghost-types like Giratina and Jellicent.
- Master League: Not viable.
However, with moves like Hex + Shadow Ball, it can still serve as a fun and thematic addition to your Ghost-type raid team — especially around Halloween events. Play Now!
=
