Can I Teach a Shadow Pokémon a New Move? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, you can teach a Shadow Pokémon a new move in Pokémon GO. However, the process is nuanced and comes with a few caveats, especially regarding Frustration, the unique Charged Attack all Shadow Pokémon initially possess. This article will dive deep into how to navigate the intricacies of teaching Shadow Pokémon new moves, providing you with the knowledge you need to optimize your shadowy team.
Understanding Shadow Pokémon and Their Movesets
Shadow Pokémon, acquired by defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts and Leaders, are known for their increased attack power but decreased defense. This makes them glass cannons, capable of dishing out tremendous damage but also more vulnerable to taking it. A key characteristic of Shadow Pokémon is their initial Charged Attack: Frustration.
Frustration is a notoriously weak Charged Attack, making it generally undesirable. You’ll ideally want to replace it with a more powerful and strategically useful move. This is where the possibility of teaching a Shadow Pokémon a new move comes in.
How to Teach a Shadow Pokémon a New Move
There are two primary ways to teach a Shadow Pokémon a new move:
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Using Charged TMs: Regular and Elite Charged TMs can be used to change a Shadow Pokémon’s Charged Attack. However, they cannot be used to remove Frustration except during special events.
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Special Events: During specific events, usually announced beforehand by Niantic, you’ll be able to use a Charged TM to remove Frustration from your Shadow Pokémon. This is the only way to get rid of Frustration permanently outside of purifying the Pokémon.
Once Frustration is removed, you can then freely use Charged TMs to teach your Shadow Pokémon a different Charged Attack from its available move pool.
The Importance of Elite TMs
Elite Charged TMs are particularly valuable, as they allow you to select a specific Charged Attack for your Pokémon, including legacy moves that are no longer available through regular TMs. Shadow Pokémon with powerful legacy moves can be extremely potent in raids, Gym battles, and Trainer Battles (PvP).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Teaching Shadow Pokémon New Moves
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of teaching Shadow Pokémon new moves:
1. Can I use a Fast TM to change a Shadow Pokémon’s Fast Attack?
Yes, Fast TMs work on Shadow Pokémon just like they do on regular Pokémon. You can use a Fast TM to change the Fast Attack to another available in its move pool.
2. Does purifying a Shadow Pokémon change its moves?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon replaces Frustration with Return, a Normal-type Charged Attack. It also provides stat boosts and reduces the Candy and Stardust cost to power it up.
3. Is it worth purifying a Shadow Pokémon just to get rid of Frustration?
Generally, no. The attack boost provided by remaining a Shadow Pokémon often outweighs the benefits of purifying, unless you desperately need a specific move combination or are aiming for a hundo (100% IV) Pokémon. Prioritize removing Frustration during events instead.
4. How often do events that allow Frustration removal occur?
These events typically coincide with Team GO Rocket Takeovers and happen a few times a year. Keep an eye on official Pokémon GO announcements and community resources.
5. What happens if I evolve a Shadow Pokémon with Frustration?
The evolved form will still have Frustration as its Charged Attack. It’s crucial to remove Frustration before evolving if you plan on using the Shadow Pokémon competitively.
6. Can I teach a Shadow Pokémon a second Charged Attack?
Yes, you can teach a Shadow Pokémon a second Charged Attack, just like you can with regular Pokémon. The Stardust and Candy cost may be higher for Shadow Pokémon.
7. Will teaching a Shadow Pokémon a second Charged Attack get rid of Frustration?
No, teaching a second Charged Attack does not replace Frustration. You still need to use a Charged TM during a special event to remove Frustration.
8. Is it more expensive to teach a Shadow Pokémon a second Charged Attack?
In most cases, yes. Shadow Pokémon often require more Stardust and Candy to learn a second Charged Attack compared to their regular counterparts.
9. What are the best Shadow Pokémon to invest in TMs for?
Some of the most impactful Shadow Pokémon to invest in include Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Metagross, Shadow Machamp, Shadow Tyranitar, and Shadow Salamence. These Pokémon have excellent attack stats and can significantly boost your raid performance.
10. Can I use an Elite Fast TM on a Shadow Pokémon?
Yes, you can use Elite Fast TMs on Shadow Pokémon. This allows you to access legacy Fast Attacks that are no longer available through regular Fast TMs.
11. If I remove Frustration, can I get it back later?
No, once you remove Frustration from a Shadow Pokémon, you cannot get it back. It’s a permanent change, so choose wisely.
12. Does the IV of a Shadow Pokémon affect its ability to learn new moves?
No, the IVs (Individual Values) of a Shadow Pokémon do not affect its ability to learn new moves. IVs only impact its stats (Attack, Defense, HP).
13. Is there a limit to how many times I can use a Charged TM on a Shadow Pokémon after removing Frustration?
No, there is no limit to how many times you can use a Charged TM on a Shadow Pokémon after removing Frustration, provided you have enough TMs.
14. Does removing Frustration guarantee a “good” move?
No, removing Frustration allows you to then use Charged TMs, which randomly select a new move from the Pokémon’s available move pool. You might need to use multiple Charged TMs to get the desired move.
15. Where can I learn more about Pokémon GO strategy and gameplay?
Explore resources like the Games Learning Society website (https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/), which delves into the educational and social aspects of gaming, and various online communities dedicated to Pokémon GO strategy and analysis. The GamesLearningSociety.org can offer valuable perspectives on the broader context of games like Pokémon GO.
Strategic Considerations
Ultimately, deciding whether to invest in teaching a Shadow Pokémon a new move requires careful consideration. Factors to weigh include the Pokémon’s potential, your resources (TMs, Stardust, Candy), and the availability of events to remove Frustration. Shadow Pokémon are powerful assets in Pokémon GO. Understanding how to manage their movesets effectively is key to maximizing their potential.