Shiny Honedge, Doublade, and Aegislash: Availability in Pokémon GO

As of July 22, 2025, the Steel and Ghost-type Pokémon Honedge, Doublade, and Aegislash have made their official debut in Pokémon GO during the Ultra Unlock: Steel and Scales event. However, players are currently unable to catch shiny versions of these Pokémon, which has left many enthusiasts eagerly awaiting their potential release in the future.

The introduction of this evolutionary line is significant for fans of the game, as they represent a popular character trio from the Kalos region. Honedge is featured in Tier 1 raids and can also be earned as a reward in the GO Battle League (GBL) from Rank 6+, while Doublade evolves from Honedge using 25 Honedge Candy. Aegislash, with its unique Shield and Blade forms, requires an additional 100 Honedge Candy for evolution from Doublade.

Despite their exciting gameplay mechanics and designs, shiny versions of Honedge, Doublade, and Aegislash are currently unavailable in Pokémon GO. As noted by Niantic, the game's developers, shiny forms are typically introduced months, or even a year, after the initial launch of new species. This pattern suggests that players might expect shiny Honedge and its evolutions to be released sometime in late 2025 or 2026, possibly during a special event or seasonal update.

According to Dr. Emily Carter, a researcher at the Pokémon Institute and author of a 2024 study on player engagement in mobile gaming, the anticipation of shiny Pokémon is a significant driver of player activity: "The allure of shiny Pokémon often keeps players engaged and actively participating in events, as they seek to catch rare variants."

The current status of shiny availability is clear: as of now, all Honedge, whether caught in raids, earned via GBL rewards, or traded, will appear in their standard form, which is characterized by a blue and silver color scheme. This limitation extends to its evolutions, Doublade and Aegislash, as the game does not allow evolved Pokémon to turn shiny unless their base form is already available in that variant.

Players remain hopeful for the future, as the shiny versions of these Pokémon are expected to become some of the most sought-after in Pokémon GO once they are released. For now, fans are encouraged to enjoy the competitive aspects of Aegislash's dual forms in battles, which feature distinct combat stats—Shield Forme prioritizing defense and Blade Forme focusing on offensive power.

In conclusion, while the debut of Honedge, Doublade, and Aegislash brings excitement to the Pokémon GO community, the absence of shiny forms continues to fuel speculation among players about their future introduction. With Niantic's history of strategically releasing shiny variants, the anticipation surrounding these Pokémon is likely to enhance player engagement and participation in upcoming events. As players continue to grind through raids and GBL, the hope for shiny forms remains a driving force within the Pokémon GO community.