Are Shadow Pokemon Worth Keeping? A Comprehensive Guide

Absolutely, Shadow Pokemon are worth keeping in Pokemon GO, and often, they are significantly more valuable than their purified or regular counterparts. The key reason lies in their massive damage output. While they suffer defensively, the offensive boost makes them powerhouses in raids and certain PvP scenarios. This article delves into the pros and cons of keeping Shadow Pokemon, explores their optimal usage, and answers frequently asked questions to help you make informed decisions about your team.

Understanding Shadow Pokemon Mechanics

Shadow Pokemon are corrupted versions of regular Pokemon, obtained after defeating Team GO Rocket members. They are characterized by a red aura, angry eyes, and most importantly, a 20% damage boost to their fast and charged attacks. However, this immense offensive power comes at the cost of a 20% reduction in defense. This trade-off fundamentally alters their role in battles.

The Damage Advantage: Why Shadows Shine

The 20% damage boost is the defining feature of Shadow Pokemon. In raids, where DPS (Damage Per Second) is king, this boost often allows Shadow Pokemon to outperform even perfect IV (100%) regular or purified Pokemon. Think of it this way: a Shadow Pokemon with decent IVs can easily outdamage a non-Shadow with perfect IVs, making IVs less crucial for raid attackers when it comes to Shadow Pokemon.

The Defensive Drawback: Glass Cannons

The decreased defense makes Shadow Pokemon more vulnerable. They take more damage from enemy attacks, meaning they might faint sooner than their regular counterparts. This vulnerability requires strategic gameplay: dodging attacks becomes even more critical, and proper team composition to maximize their survival is essential.

Shadow vs. Purified vs. Regular: A Comparison

To understand the value of Shadow Pokemon, let’s compare them to their purified and regular counterparts:

• Shadow Pokemon: Highest damage output, lowest defense. Ideal for raids, gym offense, and specific PvP roles.
• Purified Pokemon: Moderate stats, increased IVs after purification, reduced stardust and candy costs for powering up. Beneficial for completing purification research tasks and obtaining “hundo” Pokemon (100% IVs).
• Regular Pokemon: Balanced stats. Versatile for various roles, including gym defense and general use.

Purifying a Shadow Pokemon removes the Shadow bonus, effectively turning it into a regular Pokemon with potentially slightly better IVs but a significantly lower damage output. The stardust discount for powering up a purified Pokemon, while helpful, doesn’t compensate for the loss of offensive power in most scenarios.

When to Keep a Shadow Pokemon

• Raid Attackers: If your goal is to deal maximum damage in raids, keeping powerful attackers like Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Machamp, Shadow Tyranitar, and Shadow Metagross as Shadow is almost always the best option.
• Specific PvP Roles: Some Shadow Pokemon excel in PvP, particularly in Master League, where their high attack can quickly pressure opponents. However, their fragility means they need to be used strategically.
• High Attack IVs: Even a low IV Shadow Pokemon with a high attack stat can be valuable. The 20% damage boost amplifies the impact of a high attack IV, making it a powerful attacker.

When to Consider Purifying a Shadow Pokemon

• Completing Research Tasks: Some research tasks require purifying Pokemon. In these cases, purify inexpensive Pokemon like Shadow Rattata, Shadow Zubat, or Shadow Magikarp.
• Obtaining a Hundo (Perfect IVs): If a Shadow Pokemon is close to being a hundo, purifying it can guarantee a perfect IV Pokemon. This can be desirable for collection purposes or for specific Pokemon where the Shadow bonus is less critical.
• Limited Resources: Powering up Shadow Pokemon is more expensive than powering up regular or purified Pokemon. If you are stardust-constrained, purifying a Pokemon you frequently use can be a cost-effective alternative, but only if it is a defender, or the shadow version is not optimal.
• Gym Defenders: Shadow Pokemon are generally not ideal gym defenders because their low defense makes them easier to defeat.

Top Shadow Pokemon to Keep

Here are some of the best Shadow Pokemon to keep, categorized by their roles:

• Raid Attackers:
  • Shadow Mewtwo: Arguably the best Psychic-type attacker in the game.
  • Shadow Machamp: Top-tier Fighting-type attacker.
  • Shadow Tyranitar: Excellent Dark and Rock-type attacker.
  • Shadow Metagross: Powerful Steel-type attacker.
  • Shadow Salamence: Top-tier Dragon-type attacker.
  • Shadow Dragonite: Strong Dragon-type attacker, slightly less powerful than Shadow Salamence but more accessible.
  • Shadow Weavile: Great Ice and Dark-type attacker.
  • Shadow Moltres: Excellent Fire-type attacker.
  • Shadow Zapdos: Excellent Electric-type attacker.
• PvP (Specific Roles):
  • Shadow Swampert: A powerhouse in Master League, dealing strong damage.
  • Shadow Gardevoir: Can disrupt opponents with its Charm attack.
  • Shadow Victreebel: Performs well in specific cups where its typing is advantageous.

The Cost of Power: Stardust and Candy

Powering up Shadow Pokemon requires more stardust and candy than their regular or purified counterparts. This higher cost is a significant consideration, especially for players with limited resources. However, the increased damage output often justifies the investment.

IVs and Shadow Pokemon: A Different Perspective

While IVs are important in Pokemon GO, they are less crucial for Shadow Pokemon used primarily for raids. The 20% damage boost outweighs the stat difference between a low IV Shadow and a high IV regular Pokemon. Focus on obtaining Shadow Pokemon with decent attack IVs and prioritize their damage output over their overall perfection.

Shiny Shadow Pokemon: The Ultimate Prize

Finding a Shiny Shadow Pokemon is incredibly rare and highly sought after. These Pokemon combine the rarity of shinies with the power of the Shadow bonus, making them prized possessions for collectors and battlers alike.

Shadow Raids

Shadow Raids offer a unique opportunity to catch powerful Shadow Pokemon. These raids feature tougher opponents and require strategic teamwork to overcome. Keep an eye out for events featuring Shadow Raids, as they often offer the chance to catch rare and powerful Shadow Pokemon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can Shadow Pokemon be traded?

No, Shadow Pokemon cannot be traded. This restriction prevents players from exploiting the Shadow bonus by trading powerful Shadow Pokemon to others.

2. Can Shadow Pokemon be lucky?

Shadow Lucky Pokemon can no longer be obtained. Shadow Pokemon were made untradeable, preventing the possibility of Lucky trades.

3. Can Shadow Pokemon be shiny?

Yes, Shadow Pokemon can be shiny. However, the chances of encountering a Shiny Shadow Pokemon are relatively low, making them a rare find. Shadow Lugia even made its debut in Shadow Raids with a chance to encounter a Shiny Shadow Lugia!

4. What is a “ShaShundo”?

A “ShaShundo” is a shorthand term for a Shiny Shadow Pokemon with perfect IVs (15/15/15). These are exceptionally rare and represent the ultimate catch for many Pokemon GO players.

5. How do I purify a Shadow Pokemon?

To purify a Shadow Pokemon, you need a combination of Stardust and Candy. The cost varies depending on the Pokemon’s species and rarity.

6. What happens when I purify a Shadow Pokemon?

Purifying a Shadow Pokemon removes the Shadow bonus, increases its IVs by +2 each, reduces the stardust and candy costs for powering up, and changes its moveset to include the move “Return”.

7. Is there a downside to purifying Pokemon?

Yes, the main downside is that Purified Pokemon lose the 20% damage bonus that Shadow Pokemon have. This bonus is often more valuable than the IV increase from purifying.

8. Should I keep “Return” on a purified Pokemon?

“Return” is not a particularly strong move in most scenarios. You can replace it with a better move using a Charged TM. It may be useful in PvP for shield breaking.

9. Are low CP Shadow Pokemon worth keeping?

Yes, even low CP Shadow Pokemon can be worth keeping, especially if they have the potential to evolve into powerful Shadow Pokemon with high damage output.

10. How rare is a 100% IV Shadow Pokemon?

The chance of encountering a 100% IV Shadow Pokemon is 1/4096, or approximately 0.0244%.

11. Which Shadow Pokemon should I purify?

Purify Shadow Pokemon that are inexpensive to purify, such as Rattata, Zubat, or Magikarp, primarily to complete research tasks.

12. Can you mega evolve Shadow Pokemon?

No, Clone or Shadow Pokémon cannot be Mega Evolved. Purified or costumed Pokémon can be Mega Evolved, but they do not have their white aura or costume while Mega Evolved.

13. Can you transfer Shadow Pokemon to Pokemon HOME?

No, Shadow Pokemon cannot be transferred to Pokemon HOME.

14. What is the best Shadow Pokemon to keep in Pokemon GO?

Shadow Mewtwo is widely considered the best Shadow Pokemon to keep in Pokemon GO due to its immense power and versatility.

15. Where can I learn more about the impact of games on learning?

For more information on the intersection of games and learning, explore the resources available at the Games Learning Society: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org. They offer valuable insights into the educational benefits of game-based learning.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision of whether to keep or purify a Shadow Pokemon depends on your individual goals and playstyle. However, understanding the mechanics of Shadow Pokemon and their potential for massive damage output is crucial for making informed choices. In most cases, keeping powerful Shadow Pokemon unpurified is the best strategy for maximizing your effectiveness in raids and certain PvP scenarios. Embrace the power of the shadows and unleash their full potential!