Trainers in India and worldwide have a rare and valuable opportunity this January 2026. The elusive Shiny Genesect is making a significant return to Pokemon GO's five-star raids, offering one of the clearest windows players have had to add this coveted Mythical Pokemon to their collection.
Why Shiny Genesect is a Major Prize for Collectors
Shiny Genesect is not your average rare find. Its visual transformation is striking, with its signature purple armor replaced by a vibrant, attention-grabbing red. This makes it instantly recognizable in your storage or in a raid lobby. Beyond its looks, Genesect holds a unique mechanic in the game through its Drive forms. The Burn Drive and Chill Drive variants available this month, along with Douse, Shock, and the standard form, are all separate collectibles. Each one alters the type of its signature move, Techno Blast, adding strategic variety. Catching a shiny version of each Drive is a distinct and challenging goal for dedicated players.
January 2026 Raid Schedule and Availability Details
Mark your calendars, as the hunt has a strict timeline. From January 5 until January 16, 2026, both Burn Drive Genesect and Chill Drive Genesect will be featured in five-star raids. Crucially, the shiny form is enabled for both. Genesect cannot be found in the wild or through standard research tasks, making raids the primary method of acquisition.
To maximize attempts, Niantic is hosting two Raid Hours during this period. These will occur on Wednesday, January 7, and Wednesday, January 14, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM local time. This concentrated hour is the most efficient time to use your raid passes, allowing for multiple attempts in quick succession. Once this window closes, Genesect will exit the raid rotation, potentially for a long time.
Understanding Shiny Odds and Raid Strategy
For Legendary and Mythical raid bosses like Genesect, the shiny odds are approximately 1 in 20. However, this only applies when the shiny variant is actively available, which it is for this event. Remember, luck plays a huge role; some may find a shiny quickly, while others might need many attempts.
To raid efficiently, exploit Genesect's double weakness to Fire-type attacks. Building a powerful Fire-type team is key to fast clears, which in turn allows for more raids per hour. Top counters include:
- Mega Charizard Y
- Mega Blaziken
- Reshiram
- Shadow Chandelure
- Shadow Darmanitan
Utilize your free Daily Raid Pass, and consider using Premium Battle Passes or Remote Raid Passes during this specific shiny-enabled rotation for the best value. When catching, use Golden Razz Berries and aim for curveball throws to increase your success rate. Be mindful of weather, as Sunny weather boosts your Fire-types, while Rainy or Snowy weather strengthens Genesect.
Is Hunting Shiny Genesect Worth Your Time and Passes?
Ultimately, Shiny Genesect's value lies more in its status as a premier collectible than in battle prowess. It remains one of the rarer Mythical shinies in Pokemon GO, especially when considering the multiple Drive forms. For trainers who prioritize completing their shiny Dex or collecting all form variants, this January 2026 window represents a critical and potentially long-awaited chance. Planning your raids around the scheduled hours and focusing your passes on this single target is the smartest strategy to secure this red-armored prize.
