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Can You Evolve a Shadow Pokémon? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you absolutely can evolve a Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO! Evolving a Shadow Pokémon functions much like evolving any other Pokémon, with a few key differences and strategic considerations that players should be aware of. The Shadow Pokémon will retain its Shadow aura even after evolution. This article will delve into the nuances of evolving Shadow Pokémon, weighing the pros and cons of keeping them in their shadowy state versus purifying them, and answering all your burning questions.

Understanding Shadow Pokémon

Before diving into the evolution process, let’s establish a solid understanding of what Shadow Pokémon are and why they’re significant in Pokémon GO.

Shadow Pokémon are corrupted versions of regular Pokémon obtained by defeating Team GO Rocket grunts and leaders. These Pokémon are characterized by a dark, shadowy aura and possess unique combat characteristics that can significantly impact their performance in battles.

The Shadow Bonus: A Double-Edged Sword

The most significant aspect of Shadow Pokémon is their attack bonus. Shadow Pokémon deal 20% more damage than their normal counterparts, making them formidable attackers in raids and gym battles. However, this comes at a cost: they also take 20% more damage. This glass-cannon nature is what makes them both exciting and strategic to use.

Evolving Your Shadow Pokémon: The Process

Evolving a Shadow Pokémon is straightforward. You’ll need the required amount of Pokémon Candy specific to that Pokémon species. The evolution button will be available just as it is for non-Shadow Pokémon.

Select Your Shadow Pokémon: Open your Pokémon storage and find the Shadow Pokémon you wish to evolve.
Check Candy Requirements: Verify that you have enough Candy to complete the evolution. Shadow Pokémon require 20% more Candy than normal Pokémon to evolve and power up.
Evolve: Tap the “Evolve” button. Your Shadow Pokémon will evolve into its next form, retaining the Shadow effect.

To Purify or Not to Purify: The Eternal Question

The decision of whether to purify a Shadow Pokémon before or after evolving it is a crucial one, impacting its stats, abilities, and overall usefulness.

Arguments for Keeping Shadow Pokémon Unpurified:

Damage Output: The primary reason to keep a Shadow Pokémon unpurified is the significant 20% damage boost. This can make them top-tier attackers, outperforming even perfect IV versions of their normal forms.
Raid Dominance: Shadow Pokémon excel in raids, where their high damage output can significantly reduce battle times.
Strategic Advantage: In certain situations, the increased damage output outweighs the increased damage taken, especially in short, burst-damage scenarios.

Arguments for Purifying Shadow Pokémon:

Stat Boost: Purifying a Shadow Pokémon gives it a boost of +2 to each of its IVs (Attack, Defense, and HP). This can potentially turn a mediocre Shadow Pokémon into a near-perfect or even perfect IV Pokémon.
Reduced Costs: Purified Pokémon require less Stardust and Candy to power up, evolve, and learn new moves.
Appraisal Improvement: Purified Pokémon receive a better appraisal, making them easier to identify as strong contenders.
Mega Evolution: Shadow Pokémon cannot undergo Mega Evolution. If you want to Mega Evolve a Pokémon, you need to purify it first.

The Purified Dex Entry

Evolving a Shadow Pokémon before purifying it has one unique benefit: it adds to the “Purified” counter in the evolved form’s Pokédex entry if you purify the evolved form later.

Community Day Considerations

Before evolving any Shadow Pokémon, especially those with potentially powerful Community Day moves, it’s wise to wait for a Community Day. These events often feature exclusive Charged Moves that can drastically improve a Pokémon’s performance. If you evolve a Shadow Pokémon during a Community Day (or a designated event where special moves are available), it might learn that exclusive move, significantly increasing its value.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Evolving Shadow Pokémon

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities of evolving Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO:

Can I evolve a Shadow Pokémon with Frustration? No. Shadow Pokémon typically have the Charged Move “Frustration.” You cannot evolve them to learn an exclusive Charged Move unless you use a Charged TM to remove Frustration during special Team GO Rocket Takeover events.
Is it better to evolve a Shadow Pokémon before or after purifying it? It depends on your goals. Evolving first and then purifying allows you to add to the “Purified” count in the evolved form’s Pokédex entry. But stat-wise, it makes no difference. If you prioritize max damage output, evolve the Shadow Pokémon without purifying. If you want better IVs and reduced costs, purify before evolving.
Will evolving a Shadow Pokémon change its IVs? No, evolving a Shadow Pokémon will not change its Individual Values (IVs). The IVs are fixed at the time of capture.
Can Shadow Pokémon Mega Evolve? No, Shadow Pokémon cannot Mega Evolve. You must purify them first. Clone Pokémon also can’t be Mega Evolved.
Are Shadow Pokémon always better than regular Pokémon? Not always, but often. The 20% attack boost makes them incredibly powerful attackers. However, the increased damage taken can be a liability in certain situations. A Shadow Pokémon can still be useful in raids, Gym take-overs, and Team Rocket battles.
How do I remove Frustration from a Shadow Pokémon? You can only remove the Charged Move “Frustration” during specific Team GO Rocket Takeover events using a Charged TM. Keep an eye on in-game announcements.
Does purifying a Shadow Pokémon guarantee perfect IVs? No, purifying does not guarantee perfect IVs. It adds +2 to each IV stat. However, if the Pokémon had at least 13 in each stat, purify could result in perfect IVs.
Is it worth keeping low CP Shadow Pokémon? Yes, it can be worth keeping low CP Shadow Pokémon, especially if they have good Attack IVs. The 20% attack boost can still make them effective, and you can always power them up later.
Are Shiny Shadow Pokémon rare? Yes, Shiny Shadow Pokémon are rare. They are just as rare as normal shiny Pokémon. Their encounters are limited to Team Rocket battles.
Can I transfer Shadow Pokémon to Pokémon HOME? No, you cannot transfer Shadow Pokémon to Pokémon HOME. You must purify them first.
Do Shadow Pokémon require more Stardust and Candy to power up? Yes, Shadow Pokémon require 20% more Stardust and Candy to power up, evolve, and learn new Charged Moves.
What are the best Shadow Pokémon to keep? Some of the best Shadow Pokémon to keep include Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Mamoswine, Shadow Weavile, Shadow Machamp, and Shadow Moltres, due to their high attack stats and usefulness in raids.
Should I power up a Pokémon before or after evolving it? It doesn’t significantly matter for CP, but it’s generally recommended to evolve first and then power up, especially if you’re concerned about finding a better Pokémon later.
What happens if I evolve a Shadow Pokémon during a Community Day? If you evolve a Shadow Pokémon during a Community Day, it might learn the exclusive Community Day move, making it significantly more valuable.
Can I TM Frustration away at any time? No, you can only TM away Frustration during Team GO Rocket Takeover events.

Conclusion

Evolving Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO is a strategic decision that involves carefully weighing the benefits of their increased damage output against the costs of purification. By understanding the nuances of Shadow Pokémon, their evolution process, and the impact of purification, you can make informed choices that maximize your success in battles and raids. Keep an eye on in-game events and Community Days to optimize your Pokémon’s move sets, and consider your personal play style when deciding whether to embrace the darkness or purify the light.

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Can you evolve a Shadow Pokémon?