Are Shadow Pokémon Worth Saving? A Comprehensive Guide
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Absolutely! Shadow Pokémon are absolutely worth saving in Pokémon GO, and often, they’re even more valuable than their regular counterparts. While their initial low CP and the stardust investment might seem daunting, the raw offensive power of Shadow Pokémon makes them top-tier attackers in many scenarios. This guide dives deep into the world of Shadow Pokémon, helping you understand when to purify, when to power up, and how to maximize their potential.
Understanding the Power of the Shadows
Shadow Pokémon, distinguished by their red eyes and ominous aura, possess a unique attribute: a 20% attack boost. This comes at the cost of a 20% reduction in defense. While this glass-cannon nature might seem risky, it translates to significantly faster raid clears and gym takedowns, particularly against bosses weak to the Shadow Pokémon’s type. Forget about those perfect IVs for a moment; that shadow boost can often make a world of difference.
The Shadow Bonus: Damage Output Unleashed
The 20% attack boost is the key to understanding why Shadow Pokémon are so highly valued. In practical terms, this means a 0 IV Shadow Pokémon can often out-damage a 100% IV regular Pokémon. This is especially true for Pokémon with already high attack stats. Think about it: a Shadow Tyranitar wreaking havoc on a raid boss weak to Dark-type moves. The damage output is simply incredible.
Shadow vs. Purified: The Great Debate
The decision to purify a Shadow Pokémon is a complex one, and it depends on several factors, including the specific Pokémon, its IVs, and your goals in the game. Purifying a Pokémon increases its IVs, changes Frustration to Return (a generally less useful move), and makes powering up and evolving cheaper. However, it removes the Shadow bonus. For most serious raiders and PvE players, the Shadow bonus is more valuable than the increased IVs gained from purification.
When to Purify: Exceptions to the Rule
While keeping the Shadow bonus is generally preferred, there are exceptions:
- PvP (Player vs. Player): In certain PvP scenarios, Purified Pokémon might be preferable. Return can be useful in some cases, and the increased bulk might be beneficial. However, this is highly specific to the Pokémon and the league you’re playing in.
- Mega Evolution: If you have a high IV Shadow Pokémon that can Mega Evolve, purifying it might be worthwhile to get a stronger Mega Evolution. A hundo Mega can be pretty powerful, so this is worth considering if you’re more into Mega evolutions.
- Hundo Collection: Some players simply enjoy collecting 100% IV (“hundo”) Pokémon. If you have a Shadow Pokémon with high IVs, purifying it to get a hundo might be appealing for collection purposes.
- Cost Reduction: Powering up purified Pokémon is cheaper. If you are on a low budget, it is more worth it to purify them.
Should You Evolve Your Shadow Pokémon?
The answer is a resounding yes! Evolving a Shadow Pokémon retains the Shadow bonus. Just be sure to TM away Frustration during a Rocket Takeover event to equip your Shadow Pokémon with more powerful moves.
Shadow Pokémon: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are low CP Shadow Pokémon worth keeping?
Initially, the CP of Shadow Pokémon is low, which might deter some players. However, their potential is immense. Focus on the Pokémon species and its potential in raids or gyms. If it’s a strong attacker, the CP can be increased with stardust and candy and well worth the investment.
2. Is it better to keep Shadow Pokémon or purify them?
Generally, keeping a Shadow Pokémon is better for PvE due to the 20% attack boost. Purifying removes this bonus, although it can be beneficial for certain PvP scenarios, Mega Evolution potential, or hundo collection.
3. Is it worth keeping 0 star Shadow Pokémon?
If a 0-star Shadow Pokémon has good attack stats and is a species known for its attacking prowess, it’s often worth keeping unpurified for future battles. The Shadow bonus can more than compensate for the low IVs.
4. Is it worth evolving Shadow Pokémon?
Yes, evolving a Shadow Pokémon retains the Shadow aura and the 20% attack boost. It’s a great way to enhance their combat potential, but make sure it’s a Pokemon that would be good to use in battles.
5. Are Shadow Pokémon better than 100 IV regular Pokémon?
In many cases, yes. A 0 IV Shadow Pokémon can often out-damage a 100% IV regular Pokémon due to the Shadow bonus. This is especially true for Pokémon with high attack stats.
6. How rare is a shadow 0% IV Pokemon go?
A 0% IV Shadow Pokémon is extremely rare, even compared to 100% IV Pokémon. They cannot be obtained from raids, eggs, research tasks, or trades, making them highly sought after by collectors. If you get one of those, it is worth keeping the Shadow Pokemon just for its rarity!
7. Should I purify a low CP Pokémon?
Whether to purify a low CP Pokémon depends on your goals. If you need a cheaper option for powering up or want a potential Mega Evolution or hundo, purifying might be worthwhile. Otherwise, keep it as a Shadow for the attack bonus.
8. What is the best use of Shadow Pokémon?
The best use of Shadow Pokémon is for dealing high damage in raids and gym battles. Their increased attack power allows you to defeat bosses quickly and efficiently.
9. What is the rarest Shadow Pokemon go?
While rarity can fluctuate, Shadow Gible has been recognized as an extremely rare encounter. This can change over time, depending on which Shadow Pokémon are featured in events.
10. Is there a reason not to purify Pokémon?
The main reason not to purify Pokémon is the loss of the 20% damage bonus. This bonus often outweighs the benefits of increased IVs and reduced stardust/candy costs.
11. Should you keep 3 star Pokemon?
If a Pokémon GO trainer receives a Pokémon that appraises with three red bars and a red three-star stamp, they’ll want to keep the Pokémon. This particular appraisal means the Pokémon has perfect IVs, and its stat growth will be maximized as it powers up and evolves.
12. How rare is a perfect shadow Pokemon?
A perfect Shadow Pokémon (“ShaShundo”) is incredibly rare. The odds of obtaining one are exceptionally low, making them highly valuable and sought after by dedicated players.
13. Is it better to purify or evolve first?
Purifying before evolving reduces the candy cost for evolving. However, this is only relevant if you are actually going to purify it; otherwise, you should keep the Pokemon as a Shadow.
14. Can you transfer Shadow Pokemon to home?
No, Shadow Pokémon cannot be transferred to Pokémon HOME. They must be purified first before being transferred.
15. What are the benefits of Shadow Pokemon?
The primary benefit of Shadow Pokémon is their heightened attack stat, which provides a 20% boost in raids and gym battles. This comes at the cost of a 20% reduction in defense.
Strategic Power-Ups and Team Building
Investing in Shadow Pokémon can be resource-intensive, so prioritize those with high attack stats and useful move sets. Shadow versions of Pokémon like Tyranitar, Mewtwo, Machamp, and Metagross are particularly valuable. Consider using TMs to change their movesets to optimize their damage output.
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By strategically utilizing Shadow Pokémon, you can significantly enhance your raid performance and gym dominance in Pokémon GO. Embrace the power of the shadows and unlock their true potential!